This is a list of notable Hokkien people. Unless otherwise noted, locations noted are of ancestral locations in Southern Fujian, China.
Academia and Science
Zeng Gongliang (曾公亮, 998–1078) was a Chinese scholar of the Song dynasty, who helped to write the Wujing Zongyao (Complete Essentials for the Military Classics) . Lee Y. Tse (李遠哲, ancestry: Nan'an City) - Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry in 1986. March Tian Boedihardjo (沈詩鈞/沈诗钧, ancestry: Anxi): mathematics child genius he was enrolled in a university at only 9 years old graduating one year early, became a mathematics professor at 18 Lim Boon Keng (林文慶, 1869–1957; ancestry: Longhai, Zhangzhou), first Singaporean to receive a Queen's Scholarship and advocated social and educational reforms in Singapore in the early 20th-century, also served as president of Xiamen University (1921–1937) Li Denghui (educator) (李登輝, Tong'an): First President of the famous Fudan University of Shanghai. Su Buqing (蘇步青, ancestry: Jinjiang City): mathematician and President of Fudan University Cai Liusheng (蔡镏生): Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was one of the founders of catalytic kinetics in China. Wang Yinglai (王應睞, Kinmen island) - Chinese biochemist recognized as the first person to create synthetic insulin Cai Qirui (蔡啟瑞/蔡启瑞) - the founder of Chinese catalytic chemistry Xie Xide (謝希德/谢希德) also known as Hilda Hsieh. Prominent Chinese physicist, president of Fudan University from 1983 to 1989, and remained as advisor to the university from 1989 until her death. She helped to set up the university's Centre for American Studies and founded its Modern Physics Institute in 1977. Referred to as someone the Nobel prize committee missed Peng Shilu (彭士禄, 18 Nov 1925 – 22 Mar 2021; Haifeng) - Nuclear engineer, Hailed the "Father of China's nuclear submarines". Huang Zhanyue (黄展岳), Born August 1926, Nan'an city. Prominent Chinese archaeologist and Professor at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Research focus was on the archaeology of China from the Han dynasty to the Tang dynasty. Sow-Hsin Chen (陳守信/陈守信, born 1935 in Chiayi, Taiwan) - physicist and professor emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a recognized pioneer in the research of dynamic properties of supercooled and interfacial water Leon Chua (蔡少棠, born June 28, 1936; ancestry: Jinjiang) - computer scientist, professor at the University of California, Berkeley and the inventor of the Chua's circuit. Zhong Nanshan (鐘南山/钟南山; ancestral home in Xiamen of SHe ancestry) Top epidemiologist, pulmonologist adviser to the Chinese government during the SARS and COVID-19 pandemics. Recipient of Order of the Republic, the highest order of honor of China. Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. Lin Junde (林俊德, 13 March 1938, Yongchun County, Quanzhou) - Explosion Mechanics scientist and Researcher at Xinjiang Malan Nuclear Test Base. Honored as one of the "Ten People Who Moved China". Zhijian Chen (陳志堅/陈志坚) (born 1966; Anxi, Quanzhou) - a biochemist and professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, recipient of the 2019 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Fang Zhouzi (方舟子, Sep 28, 1967; Yunxiao County, Zhangzhou) - postdoctoral researcher in molecular genetics and Chinese popular science writer. Xie Hua'an (谢华安) of (Longyan, Fujian). Chinese agronomist best known for developing the hybrid rice "Shan-You 63" which is a milestone for China's hybrid rice development and production because of its high yield, disease resistance, excellent rice quality and wide adaptability. Lin Qiaozhi or Kha-Ti Lim (林巧稚) of (Xiamen, Fujian). One of China's most prominent obstetrician and gynecologist. Lu Jiaxi (chemist) (卢嘉锡, 1915–2001) of Xiamen, Fujian. The physical chemist who is considered a founder of the discipline in China. In 1998, the asteroid 3844 Lujiaxi was named in his honor.
Authors/Writers Petrus Kanisius Ojong aka Auwjong Peng Koen, (Ancestry - Kinmen, Fujian) journalist and businessman who was one of the founders of Kompas Gramedia Group, Indonesia's largest conglomerate and Kompas, one of Indonesia's most circulated daily newspapers Lauw Giok Lan (劉玉蘭; 1883–1953), Indonesian journalist, writer and one of the founders of the newspaper Sin Po Thio Tjin Boen (張振文; 1885–1940), Indonesian writer of Malay-language fiction and a journalist Kwee Tek Hoay (郭德懷; 1886–1951), Indonesian writer of novels and drama, important proponent of Tri-Dharma and credited with the publication of Dharma Moestika (1932–1934) and a list of publications
Business Li Dan (李旦; died 1625; ancestry: Quanzhou), prominent early 17th century Chinese merchant and political figure in Japan, became part of the shuinsen trade, with a formal vermillion seal license from the Tokugawa shogunate Wu Bingjian (伍秉鑑; 1769–1843; ancestry: Jinjiang, Quanzhou), known as Howqua in the West, the "Richest man in the world" during his time, 19th century Qing dynasty. Single-handedly contributed a third of the three million dollars that the Qing government was required to pay the British as stipulated in the Treaty of Nanking, (First Opium War) 1842. Kiong Kong Tuan (龔光傳; 1790–1854), Penang Hokkien merchant who was the last opium farmer in Singapore. Kan Keng Tjong (1797–1871; ancestry: Zhangzhou), Chinese-Indonesian tycoon and one of the richest men in Batavia, capital of the Dutch East Indies Chan Mah Phee (曾廣庇; 1848; ancestry: Tong'an, Xiamen), businessman, land-owner, investor and philanthropist who founded numerous successful ventures in Yangon, Burma. He had built Chan Mah Phee hospital in Ahlon and Chan Ma Phee hall of Shwedagon Pagoda was named in recognition of his patronage and support Koo Hsien-jung (辜顯榮; 1866–1937; ancestry: Hui'an, Quanzhou), businessman and politician who enjoyed strong links to the colonial administration of Taiwan under Japanese rule. He founded the Koos Group of companies, the largest business group in Taiwan. Tan Kah Kee (陈嘉庚; 1874–1961; ancestry: Jimei, Xiamen), Singapore Chinese businessman, philanthropist and prominent figure in the overseas Chinese community. Donated most of his assets and earnings to aid China in major events such as Xinhai Revolution (1911), the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–45) and establishing numerous schools in China and South East Asia. He is also the founder of The Xiamen University, Fujian Province. Neo Ao Tiew (梁後宙; 1884–1975; ancestry: Nan'an, Quanzhou), Chinese businessman, philanthropist and community leader, best known for developing the Lim Chu Kang area of Singapore. Lee Choon Seng (李俊成; 1888–1966; ancestry: Yongchun, Quanzhou), prominent businessman, philanthropist and lay Buddhist leader. He started several local Chinese banks, including Ho Hong Bank which eventually merged with two other banks to form the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC). Dee Ching Chuan (李清泉; 1888–1940; ancestry: Jinjiang, Quanzhou) businessman, philanthropist, and activist known as the Philippines "Lumber King" during the American colonial rule, also founded China Banking Corporation (China Bank) in 1920. Lee Kong Chian (李光前; 1893–1967; ancestry: Nan'an, Quanzhou), One of the richest men in Southeast Asia in the 1950s and 1960s. He poured his wealth into education and other philanthropic work, and eventually set up Lee Foundation for charitable purpose. Tan Lark Sye (陳六使; 1897–1972; ancestry: Jimei, Xiamen), prominent businessman and philanthropist, became one of the leading rubber industrialists of the region in the 1950s. He initiated the founding of Nanyang University in 1953 and donated S$5 million to its building fund, as well as 523 acres of land for its campus on behalf of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. Tan Chin Tuan (陈振传; 1908–2005), Peranakan banker and philanthropist often credited with helping to establish the OCBC Bank. Go Peh-hok (吳百福; 1910–2007), also known as Momofuku Ando, inventor and businessman born in Imperial Japanese Taiwan who founded Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd. He is also the inventor of instant noodles and the creator of the brands, Top Ramen and Cup Noodles. Kwek Hong Png (郭芳楓; 1913–1994; ancestry: Tong'an, Xiamen), entrepreneur and founder of Hong Leong Group. Khoo Teck Puat (邱德拔; 1917–2004; ancestry: Haicang, Xiamen), founder of Malayan Banking, largest single shareholder of the British bank Standard Chartered and owned the Goodwood Group. Wang Yung-ching (王永慶; 1917–2008; ancestry: Anxi, Quanzhou), Taiwanese entrepreneur who founded a large business empire, Forbes ranked him as the 178th richest person worldwide in 2008. Lim Goh Tong (林梧桐; 1918–2007; ancestry: Anxi, Quanzhou), prominent wealthy businessman & entrepreneur, who founded the Genting Group in Malaysia and donated most scenic site of Genting Highlands to build Chin Swee Caves Temple Lau Gim Kok (劉錦國；1920–2018; ancestry: Kinmen) Bruneian businessman who founded Hua Ho, a well-known local supermarket and department store chain as well as an agricultural farm in Brunei. Henry Sy (施振榮; 1924–2019; ancestry: Jinjiang, Quanzhou), the richest man in the Philippines (named by Forbes in 2015). Wee Cho Yaw (黃祖耀; born 1929; ancestry: Kinmen island) - billionaire businessman and the chairman of the United Overseas Bank (UOB) and United Industrial Corporation (UIC) in Singapore. Lucio Tan (陳永栽; born 1934; ancestry: Jinjiang, Quanzhou), Filipino businessman and philanthropist, owner of the Philippine National Bank, and chairman and CEO of Philippine Airlines and the Lucio Tan Group of Companies which owns many of the country's distilleries. Robert Budi (黃惠忠; born 1940 in Semarang, Java, Indonesia) and Michael Bambang Hartono (黃輝祥; born 1939 in Kudus, Indonesia) - brothers, the richest persons in Indonesia. Tony Tan Caktiong (陳覺中; born 1953; ancestry: Jinjiang, Quanzhou), founder and chairman of Jollibee Foods Corporation and the co-chairman of DoubleDragon Properties. Sim Wong Hoo (沈望傅; born 1955; ancestry: Zhao'an, Zhangzhou) - the founder, CEO and chairman of Creative Technology. Pua Khein-Seng (潘健成; born 1974; ancestry: Yongchun, Quanzhou), the inventor of the USB flash drive and CEO of Phison Electronics Corporation in Taiwan.
Kings
Hokkien ruled Vietnam Lý dynasty (李朝) 1009-1225 AD, Đại Việt Quốc (大越國) Lý Thái Tổ Lý Thái Tông Lý Thánh Tông Lý Nhân Tông Lý Chiêu Hoàng, was the ninth and last sovereign of the Lý dynasty, empress of Đại Việt from 1224 to 1225. She is the only empress regnant in Vietnamese history and the last Vietnamese female monarch Hokkien ruled Vietnam Trần dynasty (茹陳) 1225–1400 AD, Đại Việt Quốc (大越國) Trần Thái Tông (ancestry from Xinluo district, Longyan, Fujian ) Trần Thánh Tông Trần Nhân Tông Trần Anh Tông Trần Thiếu Đế
Politicians & Public Office
China Huang Daozhou (黃道周, 1585–1646; Zhangzhou, Fujian), obtained the degree of Jinshi in 1622. He subsequently held various government positions, including Minister for Education during the Ming dynasty. Killed by the Manchu invaders for refusing to surrender. Hong Chengchou (洪承疇; 1593–1665; Nan'an, Quanzhou), Chinese official under the Ming and Qing dynasties Li Guangdi (李光地; 1642–1718; Anxi, Quanzhou), Prominent Qing dynasty court official during Emperor KangXi's reign. Shi Shilun (施世綸; 1659–1722; Jinjiang, Quanzhou), a much-praised Qing dynasty official during the Kangxi Emperor's reign and was the son of general Shi Lang. Chen Jiongming (陳炯明; 1878–1933; Haifeng county), governor of Guangdong and Guangxi during the Republic of China period. Chen Boda (陈伯达; 1904–1989) (Hui'an, Quanzhou), close associate of Mao Zedong, chairing the Cultural Revolution Group Peng Chong (彭冲,1915 –2010, born Xu Tieru 許鐵如; Zhangzhou, Fujian ) member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (1969–87), Politburo (1977–82); and Secretary General of the National People's Congress (1988–1992). Xu Kunlin (许昆林) of Yongchun County, Fujian. Governor of Jiangsu Province