30th Anniversary of Mr. Li Chun Yue

In Loving Memory of Mr. Li Chun Yue

Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of His Passing

It has been thirty years since the world lost Mr. Li Chun Yue (李振羽 先生)—known affectionately as C.Y. Li—but his memory lives on, undiminished by time. To his family, friends, and colleagues, he was more than a successful businessman. He was a visionary, a pioneer, a devoted father and husband, and a loyal friend. Today, as we mark three decades since his passing, we reflect not only on what he accomplished, but on who he was.

Mr. C.Y. Li with his wife and three children in 1995.

Born into a legacy of leadership, Mr. C.Y. Li was the son of Mr. Li Loke Tai (李陸大 先生), the respected entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Hudson Holdings Pte Ltd (和聲有限公司). While the foundation was laid by his father, Mr. C.Y. Li’s journey was very much his own. As Managing Director of Hudson Holdings, he led the group into new territories—both geographically and industrially—guiding its global subsidiaries with intellect, intuition, and unwavering commitment.

From shipping, commodities trading, and consumer packaged goods manufacturing, to steel ball bearings, real estate development, and more, Mr. C.Y. Li had a hand in building and scaling a remarkably diversified enterprise. He was a strategic thinker, with the ability to see not just what a business was—but what it could become.

Yet, one of his most defining ventures was the founding of Open Technology (O.T.) Pte Ltd, a bold move that proved just how ahead of his time he truly was. In an era when the information technology (IT) industry in Asia was still in its nascency, C.Y. Li could already foresee its future. He named the company "Open Technology" with very much the same philosophy that drives OpenAI, Inc. founded by Mr. Sam Altman today – that technology should be created to benefit humanity. Having earned his business degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California during the early 1980s, he returned home deeply inspired by the revolutionary innovations of Mr. Steve Jobs and Mr. Steve Wozniak, co-founders of then Apple Computer, Inc., now known as Apple Inc.

Open Technology's (O.T.) logo design & address.

Mr. C.Y. Li's brainchild, Open Technology Pte. Ltd., est. 1988.

Their work ignited something in him. He didn’t just study it—he lived it. At home, he tinkered with parts and assembled his own machines. He was an early adopter of personal technology, one of the first in Asia to carry a mobile phone. But more than that, he wanted to bring that transformative power to the region. With O.T., he set out to create regionally manufactured tech products that were not only functional but reflected his keen eye for ergonomic and aesthetic design. At a time when few dared to venture into the tech sector in Asia, Mr. Li was already envisioning a future where personal technology would flourish in Southeast Asia, as it indeed very much has today.

Outside the boardroom, C.Y. Li lived life with passion and creativity. He was an all-rounder, a man of many pursuits. He found joy in traveling the world with his beloved wife and three children, played golf, enjoyed shooting sports, and loved singing timeless classics. During his time at Pepperdine and while exploring the creative pulse of nearby Hollywood, he developed a lasting interest in photography and film production, which later evolved into a passion for videography. Capturing moments — both still and moving — became another way he engaged with the world: through a lens, with an artist’s eye and a storyteller’s heart. To celebrate his love for the arts, his father Mr. Li Loke Tai had the Li Chun Yue Arts Institute built in his memory. 

The Li Chun Yue Arts Institute erected in memory of Mr. Li Chun Yue. Anxi, China.

Among his closest companions were some of Asia’s most influential figures, including tycoon Mr. Oei Hong Leong, Techpacific Capital founder Mr. Johnny Chan Kok Chung, and Mr. Richard Eu Yee Ming, Chairman of Eu Yan Sang. These friendships, like his business dealings, were grounded in mutual respect and shared vision.

Above all, Mr. C.Y. Li was a man who gave everything to what mattered most—his career, his family, and his friends. He lived passionately, thought deeply, and acted boldly. He did not wait for the future; he helped shape it.

Thirty years may seem like a long time, but when someone touches lives as profoundly as C.Y. Li did, their legacy does not fade—it deepens. We remember him today with gratitude for the paths he paved, admiration for the risks he took, and love for the life he lived so fully.

Standing upon the shoulders of forefathers.
From top left – Mr. C.Y. Li's eldest son Mr. John Li Tsung Tse,
Mr. C.Y. Li's second son Mr. Jack Li Tsung Lin,
Mr. C.Y. Li's father Mr. Li Loke Tai, and
Mr. C.Y. Li's uncle Mr. Li Siong Tay.

Let us honor, remember, and love him in death as we have in life. 

Mr. C.Y. Li is survived by his wife Mrs. Diana Li Ching Chen, eldest son Mr. John Li Tsung Tse, second son Mr. Jack Li Tsung Lin, and eldest child & daughter Ms. Jujube Li.

Rest in peace, Mr. C.Y. Li. Your light continues to guide us.