Inside her company Fu Wah International Group (Hong Kong) the grandmotherly chairwoman with a smile for everyone is called "Boss Mum" for her kindness and affability.

As a leading business figure, she has made the Forbes List of China Rich for the last three years and served on various boards of Chinese philanthropies.

Chan Laiwa, head of Fu Wah International Group (Hong Kong), gestures at a press conference in Beijing in this November, 2005 file photo. [people.com.cn]

Fu Wah is a private Hong Kong-registered multinational company established in 1988 involved in real estate development, the hotel business, tourism and electronics. The company's key business is in Beijing, where fixed assets exceed 5 billion yuan (US$625 million).

The company is not only like a big family but has been praised by the government for its contributions to society.

"I should be responsible for everybody around me," says Chan, 65, who believes the basic responsibility for an entrepreneur is taking care of staff as well as corporate social responsibility.

As for her own family, Chan is married, with one son, two daughters and grandchildren. After living in Hong Kong, she moved to Beijing and now lives in her Chinese Red Sandalwood Museum.

"Boss Mom" is low key about her contributions, saying, "It is a natural thing to give money to those most in need."

The successful private businesswoman indicates that she does not keep track of how much she spends on philanthropy..

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