MARKET INTELLIGENCE 市场情报 JNA September/October 2025 | 61 A Visionary's Legacy: Remembering Willie Yiu 缅怀姚文雄 On August 17, 2025, the Hong Kong jewellery industry bade farewell to Willie Yiu, a pioneering force and one of its most intrepid leaders who was instrumental in building the framework for Hong Kong’s robust diamond regime. As chairman of the Hong Kong Diamond Bourse from 1995 to 1999, Yiu masterfully orchestrated the city’s prominent role in diamond trading and deftly steered the industry through Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997. With unwavering resolve to maintain the city’s competitive edge in the diamond trade, he urged local companies to evolve from wholesale models into manufacturing while exploring growth avenues in international markets. In a 1996 interview with JNA, he said, “Financial resources to stock a large inventory and the expertise to buy the right goods can help companies maintain sales, and they must manufacture and own their own production to develop further." Even then, Yiu saw the tremendous potential in neighbouring markets, citing China and Vietnam – still emerging jewellery economies at the time – as pivotal to the growth of Hong Kong’s diamond sector. Following the handover, he was integral in the establishment of China’s diamond trading framework, which was eventually launched as the Shanghai Diamond Exchange in October 2000. Brilliant endeavours Yiu’s keen business acumen was evident in the inspiring tale of Brilliant Trading Company, which he established with his wife Cheung Yin Kuan in 1974. The couple transformed Brilliant Trading from a diamond wholesaler that supplied retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers initially with diamonds from India to one of the largest diamond trading companies in Asia, providing diamonds also from Israel, Belgium, the US and South Africa. By 1989, it had a buying office in Belgium, diamondcutting factories in Hong Kong and Shantou, China as well as partnerships with a factory in Shanghai. These collaborations also led to Yiu’s active involvement in China’s diamond-cutting and trading industry. The indelible imprint of Yiu’s legacy lives on – in the thriving diamond industry of Hong Kong and mainland China and in his son Victor’s continued stewardship of the diamond trade. 2025年8月17日，香 港珠宝行业送别了 姚文雄。他是中国香港珠宝行业的先驱，也是其中一位 最具胆识的领导者，在构建中国香港稳固的钻石体系方面发 挥了重要作用。 从1995年至1999年担任香港钻石交易所主席期间，姚 文雄出色地打造了中国香港在钻石贸易中的显赫地位，并在 1997年中国香港回归时，巧妙地引领行业度过这一重要阶 段。他始终致力保持中国香港在钻石贸易中的竞争优势，鼓 励本地企业从批发转变为制造模式，同时探索在国际市场中 的增长途径。 姚文雄在1996年接受JNA采访时说道，“具有充足的资金 储备和懂得采购合适商品，可以帮助企业维持销售额，但企业 必须依靠生产才能进一步发展。” 即使在当时，姚文雄就发现了邻近市场的巨大潜力，并 指出中国內地和越南——当时仍是新兴珠宝经济体，对中国 香港钻石行业的发展至关重要。中国香港回归后，姚文雄在 建立中国钻石贸易体系方面发挥了举足轻重的作用。该体 系最终于2000年10月正式成立，即上海钻石交易所。 辉煌的事业 姚文雄敏锐的商业头脑，在他与妻子张燕娟于1974年创 立百利贸易有限公司的故事中得到了充分体现。这对夫妇将 百利贸易从一家最初向零售商、制造商和批发商供应印度 钻石的批发商，发展成为亚洲最大的钻石贸易公司之一，其 钻石来源也扩展到以色列、比利时、美国和南非。 到了1989年，该公司已在比利时设有采购办公室，在中 国香港和汕头设有钻石切割工厂，并与上海的一家工厂建 立了合作伙伴关系。这些合作也促使姚文雄积极参与中国 內地的钻石切割和贸易行业。 在中国香港和中国内地蓬勃发展的钻石行业中，以及他 的儿子姚蔚然的英明领导下，姚文雄的功绩将會永垂不朽。 With profound respect and admiration for Willie Yiu's contributions to the industry, Informa Markets Jewellery and JNA extend their deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. 姚文雄对钻石行业所作出的贡献，我们表示由衷的敬意与钦佩。Informa Markets Jewellery 和JNA 同仁向姚文雄的家人及亲友致以最深切的慰问。
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