Sir Run Run Shaw, Honorary President of Hong Kong's Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), has passed away. He went in peace at home on Jan.7. He was 107 years old.
Hong Kong media reports say, Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, expressed his deep condolences over the death of Sir Run Run Shaw. Leung Chun-ying spoke highly of the long-term contributions of Sir Run Run Shaw toward the promotion of the film industry as well as to charity work.
Sir Run Run Shaw was born Shao Ren Leng in Ningbo, Zhejiang on Nov.19, 1907. He was the Honorary President of Hong Kong's Television Broadcasts Limited; the co-founder of the Shaw Organization, a Singapore-based film distribution and cinema chain; the co-founder of Shaw Brothers Studio and Hong Kong Broadcasts Limited and a famous film producer.
Sir Run Run Shaw is said to have produced more than 300 films and helped popularize Chinese Kung Fu films and Asian cinema abroad. In the past few decades, Sir Run Run Shaw has donated billions of Hong Kong Dollars to charity, schools and hospitals in both Hong Kong and Chinese mainland.
In 1974, Sir Run Run Shaw was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II. In 1977, he received a knighthood.
In 1990, the Chinese government named a main belt asteroid discovered by Chinese astronomers in 1964 as "2899 Runrun Shaw", after Sir Run Run Shaw. To recognize Sir Run Run Shaw's contribution to public welfare, the San Francisco government named Sep. 8 as Sir Run Run Shaw Day in 1988.
Sir Run Run Shaw established an international award called the Shaw Prize, offering up to 1 million U.S. dollars annually for achievements in astronomy, mathematics, and life and medical science.