January 9, 2025

Nestled in the heart of Orchard Road, TANGS Departmental Store features a modest appearance compared to flashier, more modern complexes in the region. Yet, under the astute guidance of Founder Tang Choon Kiat, colloquially known as C. K. Tang, the store is credited as the catalyst for transforming Orchard Road into Singapore’s most famous shopping district. In ‘Doing Business as a Christian in Singapore: The Case of C. K. Tang and the Tangs Department Store’ (Malaysian Journal of Chinese Studies, 2023), Assistant Professor Ying-Kit Chan (NUS Chinese Studies) unveils how C. K. Tang’s success can be attributed to both his Confucian roots of familialism and his Christian faith.

Existing literature credits the stellar growth of Chinese businesses and entrepreneurs across Asia-Pacific to affection-based trust and personal connection networks advocated by Confucian values. Ethnic Singaporean Chinese businesses were no different, but Tang deviated from this model. He chose not to rely on Teochew clan associations and attracted Western rather than Chinese clients. Nevertheless, despite this “disconnection” from the Teochew community, he sourced many early products from Shantou and drew architectural inspiration from Beijing for his Chinese-style department store, with a roof distinctively modelled after the Forbidden City. Thus, Chinese influence was still significant in his governance.

While there is growing awareness of the multifaceted nature of ethnic Chinese business communities worldwide, Christianity has not been a significant factor in this narrative. Unconventionally, the researcher exemplifies how C. K. Tang adapted his Christianity to his Chineseness. His Presbyterian mission back home inspired his belief that endless labour could glorify God, motivating his commitment to quality service and hard work. This faith may explain why Westerners, sharing his religion, were predisposed to purchase from him. It also cautioned against wasting earnings on self-indulgence, encouraging reinvestment to be worthy of God’s grace and love. Indeed, Tang himself credited the “doctrines of the church” and “teachings of the Bible” as his formula for success, incorporating Christian values into the corporate culture.

Overall, C. K. Tang’s various identities reinforced each other, contributing to his successful business practices. Identifying as a Chinese, Christian, and businessman, C. K. Tang’s success story challenges the homogenous view of Chinese businesses through only the lens of culture and ethnicity, particularly the simplistic link between corporate success and Confucianism. The researcher hence calls for further studies on Chinese Christian businesses in Singapore, given their influence on the country’s prosperity.

Read the article here.