This is a list of notable Teochews.
Entrepreneurs
Mainland China Huang Guangyu (黄光裕; Ng Guangyu; Wong Kwong Yu) (1969–; Chaoyang, Guangdong), founder and chairman of GOME Group; formerly the richest person in mainland China Ma Huateng (馬化騰/马化腾; Bhê Huejam) (1971–; Chaoyang, Guangdong), One of the top ten richest man in the world, with estimated net worth of US$55.3 billion. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of Tencent, Asia most valuable company by market capitalisation.Tencent is one of the largest Internet and technology companies, and the biggest investment, gaming and entertainment conglomerates in the world. Lin Shouzhi () (1873–1924), rubber merchant and supporter of Sun Yat-sen Hong Kong Charles Heung ()(1948-; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong) Hong Kong actor-turned-film producer and presenter. Founder of China Star Entertainment Group Li Ka-shing (李嘉誠/李嘉诚; Li Jiacheng; Lee Ka Sing) (1928–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), founder and chairman of Cheung Kong Group; formerly the 8th richest person in the world and formerly the richest person of Chinese and Chinese descent in the world. As of June 2019, he is the 30th richest person in the world, with a current net worth of US$29.4 billion Lim Por-yen (林百欣; Lin Baixin; Lim Bêhyan) (1914–2005; Chaoyang, Guangdong), founder of Lai Sun Group, media tycoon, banker and charitarian Albert Yeung (楊受成/杨受成; Yang Shoucheng; Yêng Siuseng) (1944–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), founder and chairman of Emperor Group Joseph Lau (劉鑾雄/刘銮雄; Liu Luanxong; Liu Luanghiong) (1951–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), founder, chairman and CEO of Chinese Estates Group Vincent Lo (羅康瑞/罗康瑞; Luo Kangri; Lo Kang Sui) (1948–; Puning, Guangdong), founder and chairman of Shui On Group Chau Chak Wing Thailand Low Kiok Chiang (1843–1911; born in Swatow, Guangdong), founder of Khiam Hoa Heng entreprises (1872–1950s) Chin Sophonpanich (Thai: ชิน โสภณพนิช; Chinese: 陳弼臣) (1909–1988; Chaoyang, Guangdong; born in Thailand), founder of Bangkok Bank Dhanin Chearavanont (Thai: ธนินท์ เจียรวนนท์; 謝國民/谢国民; Xie Guomin; Zia Gokmi) (1939–; Chenghai, Guangdong), CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group (Chia Tai Group) Prachai Leophai-ratana (Thai: ประชัย เลี่ยวไพรัตน; 廖漢渲/廖汉渲; Liao Hanxuan; Liu Hangsuang) (Chao'an, Guangdong), founder and former CEO of Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI) and TPI Polene Chatri Sophonpanich (Thai: ชาตรี โสภณพนิช; 陳有漢/陈有汉; Chen Youhan; Tan U-hang) (1934–2018; Chaoyang, Guangdong), CEO of Bangkok Bank Krit Ratanarak (Thai: กฤตย์ รัตนรักษ์;李智正; Li Zhizheng; Li Dizian) (–; Chenghai, Guangdong), CEO of Siam City Cement Public Company Limited and Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited Singapore Lim Nee Soon (林義順/林义顺; Lin Yishun) (1879–1936; Shantou, Guangdong), Chinese Peranakan banker and businessman, rubber magnate and was nicknamed the "Pineapple King", founding member of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and close friend of Dr Sun Yat Sen. Lien Ying Chow (連瀛洲/连瀛洲; Lian Yingzhou; Lian Yingzio) (1906–2004; Chaoyang, Guangdong), founder and CEO of Overseas Union Bank which merged with United Overseas Bank in 2001 Tang Choon Keng (董俊競/董俊竞; Dong Junjing; Dang Junggeng) (1901–2000; Shantou, Guangdong), founder of Tangs Leow Chia Heng (廖正興/廖正兴; Liao Zhengxing) (1874–1931; Chao'an, GuangdongSingapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, (2015), A General History of the Chinese in Singapore, pg 750. Published in the Chinese language), Teochew pioneer and philanthropist; co-founder of the Sze Hai Tong Banking & Insurance Company LimitedChing-Hwang Yen, (2017), Ethnicities, Personalities and Politics in the Ethnic Chinese Worlds, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd, Singapore, pg 120. and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, having served as the latter's 6th and 9th President in 1911 and 1914 respectively;Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), (2007), Elements of Enterprise: 100 Years of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SNP International Publishing, Singapore, pg 39. A Centennial Publication of the SCCCI was a Director of the Singapore Po Leung Kuk and appointed as Justice of the Peace;SCCCI, (2007), Elements of Enterprise: 100 Years of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SNP International Publishing, Singapore, pg 39. A Centennial Publication of the SCCCI inaugural President of the Straits Confucian AssociationNanyang Confucian Association, (2014), Nanyang Confucian Association: A Centennial Publication, Wincraft, Singapore, September, pg 44. (later renamed as Nanyang Confucian Association) Malaysia Tan Sri William Cheng (鐘廷森/钟廷森; Zhong Tingsen; Tong Tingsiam) (Chaoyang, Guangdong), chairman of Lion Group and Parkson Retail Group United States David Tran (陳德/陈德; Chen De, Trần Họ) (Chaozhou, Guangdong), founder of Huy Fong Foods which is famous for the Sriracha sauce Ted Ngoy (Shantou, Guangdong), owner of Christy's Donuts and known as the "Donut King" France Tang Brothers, founder of Tang Frères in France
Scientists, Researchers
Victor Ling discoverer of P-glycoprotein
Film directors Mainland China Zheng Zhengqiu (鄭正秋/郑正秋; Dên Zianciu) (1888–1935; Chaoyang, Guangdong), director; his film Nan Fu Nan Qi (難夫難妻/难夫难妻; Nang Hu Nang Ci) was the first feature film in China's history Cai Chusheng (蔡楚生; Cua Cosên) (1906–1968; Chaoyang, Guangdong), director; his film Yu Guang Qu (漁光曲/渔光曲; Heu Guang Kêg) received the first international film prize in China's history Hong Kong Ringo Lam (林嶺東/林岭东; Lin Lindong; Lim Lingdang) (1954–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), director Herman Yau (邱禮濤/邱礼涛; Qiu Litao; Yau Loito) (1961–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), director Singapore Ken Kwek (1979-; director, his feature film "Unlucky Plaza" (2014) won him the Best Director prize at the Tehran Jasmine Film Festival. Kirsten Tan (1981-; director, her debut feature film "Pop Aye" won the Special Jury prize in Screenwriting in the Sundance Film Festival (2017)
Literary figures and the arts Mainland China Da-Wen Sun () (1962-Chaozhou, Guangdong), world authority in food engineering education and research Xu Dishan () (1893–1941; Jieyang, Guangdong), philosopher Hong Zicheng (洪子誠/洪子诚; Hong Zeshin) (1939–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), scholar in the field of the history of literature Chen Pingyuan (陳平原/陈平原; Tan Pêngnguang) (1954–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), literary professor Hong Kong Tchan Fou-li (; 1916- ), founder of Chinese Photographic Association of Hong Kong and internationally known photographer Zhao Tingyang (趙汀陽/赵汀阳; Dio Teng-iang) (1961–; Shantou, Guangdong), Chinese philosophy researcher Jao Tsung-I (饒宗頤/饶宗颐; Rao Zongyi; Dziau Zong-i) (1917–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), Chinese scholar, poet, calligrapher and painter Canada Vincent Lam, born in Canada, novelist United States Wena Poon () (1974–), born in Singapore, novelist Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan (陳如蓮, 1974–), born in Singapore, novelist and memoirist Loung Ung (1970–), born in Cambodia, author and activist Singapore Choo Hoey (朱暉/朱晖, 1934 -) is a Singaporean musician and conductor. His father, Choo Seng, migrated from Chaozhou and his mother from Nanjing. He founded the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and was also its first resident conductor and music director Chen Chong Swee () (b. 1910–85, Swatow, Guangdong), also known as Chen Kai, was a painter, educator, writer and critic. Chen belonged to the pioneering group of artists of the Nanyang Style Chua Lam (蔡瀾/蔡澜; Chai Lan; Cua Lam) (1941–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), columnist, food critic, and movie producerLam, C. (1996). Eating in Hong Kong 1997. World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd.
Australia
Alice Pung (方佳,1981–), author and novelist
Politicians Cambodia Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of Cambodia; the longest-serving head of a Cambodian government
United States Tammy Duckworth, American politician, former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel
Australia
Gladys Liu, Australian politician, formerly a Liberal Party member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Chisholm in Victoria
Canada
Alice Wong (), former Minister of State for Seniors; the first Chinese-Canadian woman sitting in Cabinet
Singapore
Seah Eu Chin (), Founder of Ngee Ann Kongsi, was a made a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Grand Jury Tan Soo Khoon (), former Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Heng Swee Keat (), Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Boon Yang (), former Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Teo Chee Hean (), Senior Minister, Co-ordinating Minister of National Security Low Thia Khiang (), former Secretary-General, Workers’ Party, former Member of Parliament, the de facto opposition leader between 2006 and 2018 Lim Swee Say (), Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng (), former Cabinet Minister Baey Yam Keng (), Member of Parliament, Tampines Seng Han Thong (), former Member of Parliament, Yio Chu Kang George Yeo (), former Minister for Foreign Affairs (Singapore) Teo Ser Luck (), Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and Ministry of Transport Chiam See Tong (), prominent Opposition Member of Parliament Lim Hwee Hua (), first female minister of Singapore
Thailand
Taksin the Great, Founder and only monarch of Thonburi kingdom Pridi Banomyong, 7th Prime Minister of Thailand Banharn Silpa-archa (), 21st Prime Minister of Thailand Samak Sundaravej (), 25th Prime Minister of Thailand Chamlong Srimuang, former Deputy Prime Minister and Governor of Bangkok
Malaysia
Tan Kee Soon (), first Kapitan China of Tebrau, Johor Bahru Tan Hiok Nee (), Major China of Johor and member for the Council of State of Johor Chua Jui Meng (), former Minister of Health Chua Soi Lek (), former Minister of Health Chua Tee Yong(), Member of Parliament
Sportspeople Mainland China Guo Weiyang (1988–; Shantou, Guangdong; born in Yuxi, Yunnan), gymnast, gold medalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics Liao Lisheng (1993–; Jiexi, Guangdong), footballer, Chinese international team player Lin Liangming (1997–; Shantou, Guangdong), footballer, Chinese international team player Lin Yue (1991–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), diver, gold medalist at the 2008 and 2016 Summer Olympics Sun Shuwei (1976–; Jieyang, Guangdong), diver, gold medalist at the 1992 Summer Olympics Zhang Yanquan (1994–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), diver, gold medalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics United States Michael Chang (1972–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in the United States), former professional tennis player Canada Mervin Tran (1972–); figure skater Singapore Tan Howe Liang (1933–; Shantou, Guangdong), the first Singaporean Olympic individual silver medalist
Entertainers Mainland China He Meitian (何美鈿/何美钿; He Meitian; Ho Muitiang) (1983–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), actress Chen Chusheng (陳楚生/陈楚生; Tan Cosên) (1981–; Puning, Guangdong; born in Sanya, Hainan), singer Chrissie Chau () (1985–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), actress and model Tizzy T (謝銳韜/谢锐韬; 1993–; Chaoshan, Guangdong), rapper Danko (弹壳) (刘嘉裕/劉嘉裕; 1992–; Shantou, Guangdong), rapper Hong Kong Canti Lau (劉錫明/劉锡明; Liu Ximing; Liu Siahmêng) (1964–; Chaoyang, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer Damian Lau (劉松仁/刘松仁; Liu Songren; Lau Cungjan) (1949–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), film and television actor, executive producer and film director Sammul Chan (陳鍵鋒/陈键锋; Chén Jiànfēng; Chan Gin-fung) (1978–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor, singer Emil Chau (周華健/周华健; Zhou Huajian; Chiu Hua-giang) (1960–; Chaoyang, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer Matthew Ko (高鈞賢/高钧贤; Gao Junxian; Gao Jao-ghao) (1984–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), model Kwong Wa (江華/江华; Jiang Hua; Gang Hua) (1962–; Shantou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer Miriam Yeung (楊千嬅/杨千桦; Yang Qianhua; Yêng Cainhua) (1974–; Jieyang, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actress and singer