I would like to share the story of the Choi family’s connection to our Chinese roots, a story that began in 1875 in Hong Kong and continues today. By Johnson Choi in San Francisco on January 8 2026

我想與大家分享蔡氏家族與我們中華根源之間的故事 – 這個故事始於1875年香港，並且延續至今. 蔡永強，2026年1月8日

My grandfather was born in Hong Kong in 1875. Both he and my father were educated at Saint Joseph’s College.

My grandfather rose to become the second-in-command at the Swire Shipyard in Taikoo.

My father spent his career with the oldest British law firm in Hong Kong, Hastings, and retired at the age of 85.

Throughout the generations, our family has been guided by a simple but powerful set of principles:

1. Education determines your future.
2. After age 22, once college is complete, children must live independently, away from their parents’ property.
3. Parents do not expect their children to care for them, nor will they support their children after age 22.
4. Children are encouraged to spread their wings and pursue opportunity wherever it may lead.
5. Parents do not expect their children to stay close to home.
6. Your passports do not define your roots. You are Chinese. The day you deny this, you should no longer carry the Choi surname, nor bring shame to the family.
7. A Choi must work hard and wisely—never lazily or by taking shortcuts.
8. Do not forget: if your country needs you, serve it well and bring honor to your family.

When I first heard these words from my grandfather as a boy, and later as my father reinforced them while I was growing up in Hong Kong, their meaning felt distant.

But with time, age, and reflection, I have come to understand that the wisdom of the Choi family is a gold standard. Those who follow it are forever shaped and strengthened by it.

It is a heritage I carry with gratitude and pride.

我的祖父於1875年在香港出生。他與我的父親都曾就讀於聖若瑟書院。

祖父曾晉升至太古船塢的第二把手。

父親則在香港歷史最悠久的英國律師行「赫施士」（Hastings）度過他的職業生涯，直至85歲退休。

世代以來，我們家族始終遵循著一套簡樸而有力的原則：

1. 教育決定你的未來。
2. 年滿22歲並完成大學學業後，子女必須獨立生活，離開父母的物業。
3. 父母不期望子女供養他們，也不會在子女22歲後繼續提供經濟支持。
4. 鼓勵子女展翅高飛，追隨機遇，無論它指向何方。
5. 父母不期望子女留在身邊。
6. 你持有的護照並不能定義你的根源。你是中國人。若有一天你否認這一點，便不應再使用蔡姓，也不要令家族蒙羞。
7. 蔡家人必須勤奮且明智地工作 – 絕不可懶惰或走捷徑。
8. 切勿忘記：若國家(中國)需要你，當盡心服務，為家族爭光。

當我年少時初次從祖父口中聽到這些話，後來在香港成長期間又得到父親的再三強調，那時我並不能真切體會其中的深意。

然而隨著時間流逝、年歲增長與反覆思量，我逐漸明白，蔡氏家族的智慧猶如金科玉律。遵循它的人，生命將由此塑造，並從中獲得力量。

這是一份我心懷感激與自豪、並將終身攜帶的傳承。