As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches in 2024, Tang Bin is making a sentimental journey back to his hometown of Qidong in Hunan Province. For nearly three decades, he has made Phnom Penh, Cambodia his home, yet the bonds to his roots remain strong, prompting him to return three to four times a year for family visits.
At 54, Tang’s journey began when he left home after his first year of high school. In 1987, he relocated to Dongguan, Guangdong, where he started his career in a garment factory. He quickly advanced to the position of cutting supervisor but sought further training. After investing four months in a fashion school, he ascended to factory manager by 1996. His journey took another turn when he was appointed as the factory manager of a new facility in Cambodia in August 1997.
Fast forward to 2013, the factory’s previous owner retired, leading Tang to take over the business. “Our business model focuses on importing raw materials from places like Fujian and Guangdong, processing them in Cambodia, and exporting the finished products to markets in the United States, Europe, and Canada,” he shares. Currently, his factory employs over 2,200 people and generates an impressive annual revenue of around $50 million.
Tang is not only recognized for his successful business acumen but also for his kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand. In his free time, he engages actively with the Cambodian Hunan Chamber of Commerce, holding various leadership roles and currently serving as honorary president. He organizes community events like table tennis and basketball tournaments to strengthen ties within the Chinese community in Cambodia. His philanthropic efforts are noteworthy; during a significant flood in Qidong a few years back, he and a fellow vice president initiated a fundraising campaign that quickly raised over 40,000 yuan. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he spearheaded initiatives to collect funds and supplies for relief efforts in Qidong, contributing more than 300,000 yuan.
As a long-term expatriate, Tang aims to support his fellow Chinese community members, establishing a vast network of contacts and building trust among them. “I recall a time when a villager from Hengyang reached out to me about a delayed salary. I was able to resolve the issue through the chamber,” he reminisces.
With China’s ongoing growth and the strengthening Sino-Cambodian relations, Tang envisions expanding business opportunities and collaborations for entrepreneurs in Cambodia. “I look forward to fostering more business connections with companies from Hunan,” he expresses, highlighting that the chamber currently includes around 150 member companies, working together to improve inter-company cooperation and communication with local officials.
“Hengyang is beautiful, with stunning scenery and delicious food. I love sharing our local cuisine and attractions with my friends overseas, from the breathtaking Mount Heng to the historic Shigu Academy. We have amazing local specialties like Hengyang fish noodles, Hengtong rural dishes, rice noodles with meat, and spicy boiled fish,” Tang adds enthusiastically. He’s particularly proud that Hengyang recently hosted the Third Tourism Development Conference of Hunan Province, believing it will significantly boost the region’s cultural and tourism sectors.
“While I have built a fulfilling life in Cambodia, my connection to my hometown remains unbreakable,” Tang confides. His son is currently studying management in Cambodia under his guidance, and Tang is eager for the day he can pass the business torch to him.
Looking ahead, Tang plans to retire in Hengyang, where he aims to contribute further to local development. “My family has set up a trade company in Hengyang focusing on household goods, with the goal of promoting quality domestic products in Cambodia and beyond,” he concludes.
