Businessman who divided time between Hong Kong and London recently became an unlikely champion of the NHS

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Sir David Tang, the Hong Kong socialite, businessman and unlikely latter-day champion of the NHS, has died aged 63.

Tang, who divided his time between Hong Kong and London, where he was a feature at A-list parties and known for his spiky column in the Financial Times, had liver cancer.

In one of his final columns for the paper he wrote a moving tribute to the NHS hospital at Hillingdon, west London. Its medical staff helped to prolong his life earlier this month after he was flown by private jet from the French Riviera when he suffered a haemorrhage.

Tang, who mixed with the rich and famous and counted members of the royal family as his friends, wrote of his admiration for the NHS staff and his gratitude at being treated by the NHS rather than a private clinic as planned. “I will howl and hunt down anyone who dares to question the NHS,” he wrote.

He was educated at the exclusive Perse school in Cambridge after being sent from Hong Kong to England at the age of 13 unable to speak English.

“My mother always told me that the UK provided the best education in the world, to which I now add the best hospital care in the world,” he wrote.

He added: “I am glad I have paid my taxes in this country – before with reluctance, but now with alacrity. I hereby demote Asclepius and genuflect to Nye Bevan, founder of the NHS.”



Tang founded the high-end fashion brand Shanghai Tang in 1994 and ran a string of private clubs and restaurants. He was knighted in 2008 for his philanthropic work both in Britain and Hong Kong.

He was a critic of the authorities in his native Hong Kong and expressed fears for the island’s plight under Chinese rule. In a speech last year he accused its leaders of “hugging most of our somnambulant tycoons, and that elephantine Communist party in China”.

The UK consulate in Hong Kong tweeted that he was great friend and partner of the consulate.

UK in Hong Kong 🇬🇧 (@UKinHongKong) Very saddened to hear of the passing of Sir David Tang, a great friend & partner of the Consulate. Our thoughts are with his family. #RIP pic.twitter.com/kHsW8Awi5H

The BBC’s veteran world affairs editor, John Simpson, tweeted that Tang represented the spirit of Hong Kong at its best.

John Simpson (@JohnSimpsonNews) Very sad to hear of death of Sir David Tang - generous host, man of superb taste, great raconteur: spirit of Hong Kong at its former best.

He was also major patron to the London Symphony Orchestra. In a statement, it said: “Having entertained the orchestra and our guests at several of his establishments, his zealous attitude to life and generous personality will be fondly remembered.”



Tang had been planning to throw a farewell party next month at the Dorchester hotel in London after learning he only had a few months to live, according to Ewan Venters, chief executive of the luxury department store Fortnum & Mason.

“Personally, I think the world is a little duller for the loss of David and at such a relatively young age,” Venters said.

Tang’s friends included the late Princess Diana, model Kate Moss, with whom he was often photographed at parties, and the Australian actor Russell Crowe.

Crowe tweeted this tribute:

Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) RIP dear friend Sir David Tang, the privilege was mine.

Witty, charming, intellectual, salacious , hilarious , loving and funny as f***

Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson told the Evening Standard her 30-year friendship with Tang changed her life. “He made castles in the sky for my girls and I, we travelled the world together,” she said.

In a 2007 interview, Tang was asked how he came to know so many notable people. “You mean how did they know me?” he replied.

He is survived by his British-born wife, Lucy, and his two children by a previous marriage.