T. L. Soong

Song Ziliang (1899-1987), originally from Wenchang, Guangdong, was born in Shanghai. He later fled to Japan with his parents, during which time he frequently relayed messages to Sun Yat-sen. In 1915, he returned to China and after graduating from St. John's University in Shanghai, he went to the United States for further study, graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1921. Upon returning to China, he served as the Director of the Shanghai Shanghui Bureau, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government, and Director-General of General Affairs, among other positions. He participated in the management and board work of several financial and commercial institutions. In 1936, he co-founded the Seven Star Company with Xu Kan and Chen Xing, then served as the Director of Guangdong Provincial Finance Department, and founded the China Automobile Manufacturing Company. After the victory of the War of Resistance, he served as Acting Director of the International Reconstruction and Development Bank and as a director of the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications, representing China at the International Monetary Conference. In 1950, he was involved in soybean speculation. In 1981, he sent blessings to the gravely ill Soong Ching-ling. He passed away in 1987, and his remains were laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in New York.