Billy Brings Friends from U.S. and China Together

Well-respected architect and philanthropist, William Ming Sing Lee, was born into one of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. (see post one.) As a child, he wanted for nothing...except that which was unattainable: good health and a more empathetic mother. (see post two and post three.) While the war made some things--like great medical care--impossible, it gave him a window into western culture. He began studying at the Shanghai American School, and eventually came to study in the U.S. (see post four and post five.) While Billy's father prepared him for life in America, the man could not prepare Billy for what was to happen in China. (see post six.) Billy continued to persevere in America. He met many kind people along the way, and was forever touched by his homestay experiences. (See post seven.) Upon graduation, he worked for the renowned architect I.M. Pei, married, and built a loving family. Upon retirement, he returned to his hometown of Ningbo to offer his expertise. (see post eight.) 

Aside from architecture, one of Billy’s other passions is building human connections. People who know him often joke that he can't go anywhere without making a new friend.  In April, 1990 (ten months after the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing) Billy co-founded the 1990 Institute, an economic research think-tank to assist with China’s modernization, and to broker trust and understanding between the people of the U.S. and China. (See earlier interview with another founding member, Roz Koo.) 

Billy introduced the idea of setting up an international Children’s Mural Painting Park at the China National Children’s Center in Beijing, gathering artists from both the U.S. and China to work with the children. 

Billy with Mural Painting Co-Chairs,
Sarah Randt (wife of U.S. Ambassador) and Madame Gu (President of All China Women's Federation)

The children made murals about friendship and the environment, in an effort to raise awareness about these issues.

 (To be Continued: Next: Teaching Our Children the Most Important Lesson.)

Billy Brings Culture to the Laughing Stock of China

Well-respected architect and philanthropist, William Ming Sing Lee, was born into one of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. (see post one.) As a child, he wanted for nothing...except that which was unattainable: good health and a more empathetic mother. (see post two and post three.) While the war made some things--like great medical care--impossible, it gave him a window into western culture. He began studying at the Shanghai American School, and eventually came to study in the U.S. (see post four and post five.) While Billy's father prepared him for life in America, the man could not prepare Billy for what was to happen in China. (see post six.) Billy continued to persevere in America. He met many kind people along the way, and was forever touched by his homestay experiences. (See post seven.) 

One of the kindest people he met was was a Computer Science major at Radcliffe named Lucile. (She later worked for I.B.M, and was responsible for American Airline's first computerized-reservation system, as well as the U.S. Navy's Vanguard Missile-tracking system.  

 

Billy worked for the architectural firm of I.M. Pei, a man known for his design of such structures as the Louvre Pyramid (Paris), the John Hancock Building (Illinois), and the Bank of China Tower (Hong Kong). As an architect, Billy came up with numerous designs. But one of the structures he’s most proud of designing is a Pavilion in his ancestral city of Ningbo (south of Shanghai).

“Ningbo people are often the laughing stock of the educated elite. They are generally known as commercial people/seafarers.  Many are tycoons and own ships, but they don't have much culture. So I went back to teach architectural design, hoping to bring some sophistication to Ningbo culture. I don’t like people to be making jokes on my ancestor.”

For the Qian Kung Ting (Heaven & Earth Pavillion), he worked together with his architect cousin Ming Cho Lee (recipient of National Medal of Arts Award 2002 for Stage Design) and his brother Lee Ming Yee (famous for his Shenzhen Civic Center design).

Ningbo Pavilllion--"A whole family's effort."

“When you’re in the pavilion sitting on a bench, it almost feels like you’re in a boat. It’s a weird sensation, which I like. If you want people to remember something, you want them to remember something that is very unique. I gathered about a hundred-some relatives to donate to this. We didn’t want one big wealthy guy to donate money to the project. We got a whole lot of people participating. That project took six years!”

Later, he helped Ningbo University re-design their museum hall. 

“Again, I got a large group of Lee family members to donate.” 

He is still pushing for a music school in Ningbo, because he discovered that Yo Yo Ma’s ancestors are from there. For three years, he encouraged, and eventually succeeded, in getting the town leaders to bring the cellist  “home” to perform. 

“After all the ribbing and joking Ningbo has suffered, being able to claim Ma, Yo Yo on your home turf? Culturally speaking that’s hard to beat.”

Billy Forever Touched By Homestay Experience

Well-respected architect and philanthropist, William Ming Sing Lee, was born into one of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. (see post one.) As a child, he wanted for nothing...except that which was unattainable: good health and a more empathetic mother. (see post two and post three.) While the war made some things--like great medical care--impossible, it gave him a window into western culture. He began studying at the Shanghai American School, and eventually came to study in the U.S. (see post four and post five.) While Billy's father prepared him for life in America, the man could not prepare Billy for what was to happen in China. (see post six.)

In the 50’s and 60’s, while the Cultural Revolution was simmering in China, Billy was doing his best to recover from his father's sudden death, while at the same time adapting to America. 

“I wasn’t too aware of political situations. I was only aware of what was happening around me.” 

What was happening around him was that he was running into a lot of very kind, caring people. 

“In China you do have caring people, but most are very reserved….unlike Americans who are more outgoing, and if they like you, they go all out. 

"Most Chinese are not used to inviting people to their homes. They are very concerned about face, reputation, prestige. If they cannot help enough, they will refuse to help in even the smallest way. 

"In America, people reach out more generously. In fact, some of the poorest people in America show greater kindness, generosity, giving.”

To this day, Billy remains touched by the care he received from American families. The idea of "homestay"—housing foreigners with families-- is one of his passions. He continues to promote the idea, especially in China, and an article he wrote on the subject was published in Women of China and Voice of Friendship.  “If things go right, the bonding is true and lasting forever.”

(To be continued: Next: Billy Brings Back Culture to the Laughing Stock of China.)

Father Targeted as China's Top Traitor

In 1932, Billy Ming Sing Lee was born into a wealthy family in Shanghai. (See post one.) That immense wealth allowed for many things at a time when WWII was ramping up and scarcity prevailed. But, it could not stop Billy from coming down with Scarlet Fever, and forever becoming deaf in one ear. (See post two.) While Billy's mother refused to believe her son couldn't hear properly, his father was very understanding, only ever punishing Billy one time. (See post three.) He encouraged Billy's interest in studying at the Shanghai American School, and then Phillips Academy Andover in Mass. (See post four.) He prepared Billy for all the ribbing that he got at Andover. (See post five.) 

While Billy was adjusting to life in America, life in China was changing rapidly. In the early 1900s, Shanghai had been considered the “Hollywood of the East.” However, after WWII ended, all the film-makers fled to Hong Kong, worried that the Communists would win the ensuing Civil War.

Billy's father (Lee, Tsu Yung) --an avid entrepreneur with an affinity towards theater--moved to Hong Kong and established Hong Kong’s first large-scale private film company: Yung Hua Picture Industries. One of his 16 films, The Soul of China (1948), won an award at the Cannes Film festival. This was both a feather in his cap and the straw that broke his back.

The Soul of China: "My father was a moralist."

The movie tells the story of an imperial secretary who fights against the Mongols, a story about justice and taking a stand against authoritarianism. “My father was a moralist. He thinks that Chinese stories usually always should have moral lessons.” 

Unfortunately, when the Communists won the civil battle and came to power in 1949, The Soul of China was labeled the wrong kind of film, and Billy’s father the wrong kind of person.

“Once the Communist government was well-established, they sent a representative to Hong Kong to try to convince him to lean his film-making toward Communist propaganda. My father maybe not-very-politely rejected them. Subsequently, about a year later, there was a huge explosion. His studio—films and buildings—were burned to ashes.”

Billy’s father was branded one of “China’s Top Traitors.” That hurt him and finally broke him. He died in 1959. 

“There was a big funeral given by friends. Thousands and thousands of people came.” 

Billy was unable to return.

Many years later—after Deng Xiao Ping opened China (late 1970s)—the Chinese government gave Billy’s father a Ping Fan celebration to "redeem his reputation."

(To be continued: Next: Billy Forever Touched by Homestay Experience.)

Chinese 'Perfume' Breaks the Ice

Architect William Ming Sing Lee was originally born in Shanghai in 1932 to one of China's wealthier families. (see post one.) Unfortunately, money did not protect him from the potentially-fatal Scarlet Fever. (see post two.) While his mother grew frustrated over his lack of recovery, his father gently encouraged Billy. (see post three.) So, when Billy expressed a desire to join Shanghai American School after the war, his father was all for it. (see post four.)  

Billy boarded a ship to the U.S.--Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts-- when he was 15 with his father's hopes, fears, and warnings in the back of his mind. One of those was, "Some people may pick on you humorously. Don't take insults too seriously." At Andover, Billy was housed with a bunch of teenagers his age. He had his own bedroom, but they all shared a common bathroom.

"Try some Chinese perfume."

“I came from China with double-breasted suits and Vitalis hair tonic. Every morning, I would put on the Vitalis hair tonic and comb my hair. Somebody realized that I kept the Vitalis hair tonic in the medicine cabinet. One day, when I took it out, somehow it didn’t smell right. I all of a sudden realized that outside the bathroom door this group of American kids was waiting for the moment (when I would put the tonic on my hair.) Instead, I just grabbed this bottle and sprayed it on them and said, ‘Try some Chinese perfume.’ 

“It was urine.
“They laughed like crazy. That broke the ice, and I became one of the guys.”

Billy graduated from Phillips Academy, and matriculated to Yale University for both his Bachelor’s and Master’s in architecture.
In the midst of all of this, however, disaster of the worst kind had struck at home.

(To be continued. Next: Father Targeted as China's Top Traitor)

Advice to Teenager Leaving for America

Well-respected architect and philanthropist, William Ming Sing Lee, was born into one of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. (see post one.) As a child, he wanted for nothing...except that which was unattainable: good health and a more empathetic mother. (see post two and post three.)
While the war made some things--like great medical care--impossible, it opened an unexpected window for Billy. His cousins--who were enrolled in English-speaking schools-- often held dance parties for the American sailors coming through. 

“I would be sitting at the top of the stairs watching. The sailors stayed at our home quite often, too. They would listen to English-language broadcasting which often had comedians telling jokes. They would be laughing like crazy, and I couldn’t figure out what they were laughing about.  Even after the translation, it didn’t make sense. However, their laughter and obvious joy started my interest towards the west.”

One day, after WWII ended (Aug1945), fifteen-year-old Billy stopped by the Shanghai American School to see if he could be admitted. His English was not very good. But Billy's parents, who were proud of his pro-activeness, embraced this idea. Billy spent 8^th grade at SAS. Then, in 1947, he boarded the General Gordon U.S. ship to America where he attended Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts, the same school his father had attended. 

Phillips Academy Andover

Billy showed me a note his father had written before he left for America.
“It will be impossible for me to look after you, teach you, and remind you as I did before. You will have to remind yourself that, in a way, you are representing all of your countrymen. Glorify your country, but never do anything to disgrace it. Be good, my boy.”

"Be good, my boy."

Billy said that his father taught him, “When you go to America, people will humorously pick on you. Not bully. So, you have to keep a sense of humor, even if you don’t have that humor yet. Be patient. Be open. Don’t take insults too seriously.”
That bit of advice stood him in good stead when his Andover roommates switched out his hair tonic for something far less pleasant.

(To be continued. Next: Chinese 'Perfume' Breaks the Ice.)

Father's Memorable Punishment

Billy Ming Sing Lee was born in Shanghai before WWII to one of the richest families in China. (see post one.) Unfortunately, wealth did not protect Billy from the tentacles of deadly diseases. He contracted Scarlet Fever, and--while he survived--he permanently lost hearing in one ear. He doubly suffered, as his mother routinely berated him for "not listening." (see post two.) 

Unlike his mother—who had a quick flashpoint—Billy remembers only one time that his father punished him. It was a Sunday when the whole family gathered at #7 grandmother’s house. (Grandfather was the youngest of seven brothers, and so she was addressed as "seventh lady.") 

As she reclined on a couch smoking opium, she asked Billy who he would obey if there was a disagreement between her and his mother. Billy didn't hesitate in his answer. Each week the tutors had given him lessons in Confucian teachings. Certainly this was an opportunity for him to shine.

“One should always respect your elders, always listen to your grandmother.”

Word of this conversation got back to Billy’s mother. But instead of being proud of her intelligent son, she was furious. 

"How can you speak such nonsense?” she yelled, insisting Billy’s father dish out a punishment.

Billy Lee's father, a smart guy.

“My father summoned me to the second floor veranda. He pat me on the shoulder and said, ‘What you said at grandmother’s place made your mother very, very unhappy. You take a pillow and kneel on the pillow, look out the window at the sky, and think about it.’

“I didn’t know what the hell is going on. What did I say? How did it hurt my mother? Why didn’t my father tell me what the right thing to do was?

“I obeyed him (kneeling down on the pillow.) After five minutes, he said, ‘Okay, okay. Now you get it. Run along.’

“I was puzzled, but after decades I finally figured out he couldn't justify a punishment, he didn't want to hurt me. He just wanted to show to my mother –he had done his part making me kneel down and look serious. So he was a smart guy.”

(To be continued. Next: Advice to Teenager Leaving for America.)

Some Things Money Can't Fix

Right before WWII, Architect Billy Ming Sing Lee was born into one of the wealthiest families in China. The family company Da Ye Gongsi was in charge of printing the country's currency. (see post one.)

Billy had separate tutors for Math, English, Chinese and Confucian studies. “Rich people’s kids were frequently kidnapped. So I was tutored at home.” Unfortunately, disaster still wrapped its tentacles around the Lee family. 

Billy (on right) came down with Scarlet Fever

Young Billy came down with Scarlet Fever.  He survived the disease, but lost hearing in one ear. A famous doctor—Lee Gong-- operated on him to no avail. At the time (around 1937) there was not anything more to be done. “During the war, I was in occupied Shanghai. The medical wasn’t there. There was nobody to help. If you can’t hear, you can’t hear. That’s it.”

“When you are deaf, most people don’t know. They’ll call you stuck-up or stupid, because they’ll tell you something and you don't respond. They find you irritating sometimes.”

That was often the case with Billy’s mother. Because Billy couldn't hear well, he was slow at following the tutors (in fact, he fell behind two years academically), and slow to respond to his mother. She scolded him a lot.

Billy's Mother
“She’d give me the knuckles-on-the-head treatment."

"She'd give me the knuckles-on-the-head treatment. I hated her then. But, now I believe that she didn't realize the effect of my hearing difficulty. If I didn't respond properly, she thought I was defying her. Crack!

"My brother and sisters would stay at home around my mother, but I was always afraid of her. So I'd spend my time with servants in the kitchen. Sometimes I felt they were not treated reasonably by my mother. Just because they didn't have education, they were branded as 'useless,' 'not worthy.'"

Billy made friends with the cook, the chauffeur, every handyman.  

“I started appreciating and really loving the people who worked for us.”

(To Be Continued. Next: Father's Memorable Punishment)

Owner of the Tallest Building in Shanghai

I first met architect Billy Ming Sing Lee when we served together on the board of U.S. China People's Friendship Association. My first impression was of a tall, elderly white-haired man who often interrupted others in a loud voice. But then he smiled, apologized for his poor hearing, found a way into your heart. People in our group often joked that only Billy can go on a simple errand and end up making a friend.

When I mentioned I was doing this blogging project, he suggested I speak to others and gave me contact numbers for each. It was those others who said, "You really need to talk to Billy."
One day, I finally got the chance. We met in his tastefully-decorated home in Portola Valley. I soon realized why everyone wanted me to listen to this amazing man's story.

Billy Lee was born in 1932 in Shanghai to a very wealthy family. His grandfather owned a printing company, Da Ye Gongsi, which printed calendars and miscellaneous things. But that was not what made the family THAT wealthy. 

Family legend has it that one day Billy’s father—who had studied in the U.S. at Philips Academy, then Amherst College, and returned to Shanghai to work for the printing company-- was walking along Nanjing road after a torrential rain. A black sedan pulled up to the curb in front of him. A chauffeur emerged and ran around to open the door for a woman in a lovely cheongsam dress. Billy’s father saw that she would not be able to navigate the sidewalk without stepping in a puddle and soiling her dress. His chivalrous nature—and perhaps the knowledge of a few western films-- took hold. He ran forward, took off his coat, and draped it across the sidewalk. The woman, impressed by this act of kindness, turned out to be the wife of the chairman of the Bank of China. 

Da Ye Gongsi's Ten Dollar Bill

Da Ye Gongsi's Five Dollar Bill

Thereafter Billy's father had the job of printing China's currency. “Once my father got the currency job from the government, they didn’t print anything but that. Once inflation occurred, that’s how my father got really, really wealthy. He started investing in real estate. "

"At one time he owned the tallest building in Shanghai.” 

(To Be Continued. Next: Some Things Money Can't Fix)