Paulo PONG Kin-yee

Mr Paulo PONG Kin-yee

Honorary University Fellow (2026)

A visionary entrepreneur, an avid patron of arts and culture, and a prominent leader in the development of tourism in Hong Kong, Mr Paulo Pong Kin-yee has attained remarkable success across commercial, cultural and public sectors, embodying the very essence of multi-faceted leadership and dedicated service. He stands as a figure whose greatness is reflected not only in his business achievements, but also in the enrichment of the city and society at large.

Mr Pong paved his path to success by whole-heartedly immersing himself in the fundamentals of his trade and by grounding it in genuine passion. During his time as a student in Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, Mr Pong began taking up internships and part-time jobs in the food and beverage industry, gaining hands-on experience from entry-level positions. These early experiences allowed him to learn the ropes of positions at different levels within a company, rendering him a comprehensive understanding of business operation that would later prove invaluable in his entrepreneurial pursuits and lead to the founding of his own enterprise, Altaya Group International Limited, in 2001.

Today, Altaya has established itself as a premier purveyor of over 200 renowned wine brands from top vineyards across the globe, providing professional services ranging from wine list selection and consultation to investment for both corporate and private clients. Throughout the years, Mr Pong has successfully led Altaya through global and economic uncertainties. Each experience taught him the critical importance of risk management and adaptive resilience, propelling him from strength to strength and preparing him to navigate any challenge.

Apart from his business acumen, Mr Pong holds a profound interest in arts and culture, first cultivated at a young age under the influence of his parents. Growing up in a household where creativity was encouraged, he developed a refined sensibility for arts and music, which he would continue at MIT by pursuing electives in opera and arts history. The education and exposure he received during those formative years equipped him with the cultural literacy and broad-minded discernment necessary to lead some of Hong Kong’s most important arts and tourism institutions, laying the foundation for his later contributions to public service.

It is this unique fusion of entrepreneurial drive and cultural sense that has powered Mr Pong’s commitment to public service. Having served as Member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, he has consistently brought his distinctive blend of business and cultural insights to his public roles. Case in point, as Chairman to the Board of the Ocean Park Corporation, he steered Ocean Park, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic theme parks, through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging his extensive network, innovative ideas and professional experiences, he attempts to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a world-class premier tourist destination. Beyond tourism, his service as Board Member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Chairman of the Board of M Plus Museum Limited, and Member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, also underscores his commitment to enriching Hong Kong’s cultural fabric. In recognition of Mr Pong’s dedicated contributions to the development of arts and culture, tourism and the film industry, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region appointed him a Justice of the Peace in 2018 and awarded him the Bronze Bauhinia Star in 2024.

At Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Mr Pong currently serves as an Honorary Court Member and as Chairman of both the Governing Board and the Tenancy Committee of the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, an HKBU subsidiary that is a unique vertical artist village and arts centre in Hong Kong. Previously, he served as Member of the University’s Council and Court from 2017 to 2022, and contributed as Deputy Chairman of the Campus Development and Facilities Management Committee, and Member of the Audit Committee and the Sub-committee on Jockey Club Campus of Creativity Project. Over the years, through his steadfast support, leadership, and wise counsel, Mr Pong’s commitment to HKBU has left a lasting and impressive mark on the University’s governance and development.

Mr Pong believes that a university is far more than a credentialling body, but a sanctuary where students can safely learn and experiment. He sees HKBU as exemplary in this regard, particularly in the University’s rich heritage in the arts, culture and creative media, boasting celebrated creative talent among its graduates. He encourages students to expand their social networks, engage with people from diverse backgrounds, and cultivate a lifelong habit of curiosity.

Mr Pong’s own character was shaped by the activities he participated in during university alongside his academic studies. As an enthusiastic swimmer, water polo player, and basketball player, he considers extracurricular activities conducive to a person’s holistic development. His advice to the younger generation is to grow through adversity and not to rush the process, as meaningful progress requires patience, and to see setbacks not as defeats, but opportunities for character building. This philosophy is perfectly encapsulated in his family motto, which has guided him through every trial: “Through fire and hammering is iron forged into steel; through hard work and perseverance does a person become great”.

In recognising Mr Paulo Pong Kin-yee, HKBU honours not merely a distinguished entrepreneur and civic leader, but a changemaker whose life’s work has been devoted to making Hong Kong a more vibrant and creative city. The conferment of this Honorary University Fellowship undoubtedly marks the convergence of Mr Pong’s and the HKBU community’s shared vision and commitment to creating social value in the years to come.