Before Zhao Ziyang, the premier of China, made Hawaii his first stop on his first official visit to the United States in 1984, Victor Hao Li, then president of the East-West Center traveled to China to formally extend an invitation.
Li, who served as East-West Center president from 1981 to 1989, died Wednesday in Oakland, Calif. He was 72.
He is known for his vital role in shaping the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, said East-West Center President Charles E. Morrison.
Morrison regarded Li as an important mentor and inspiring leader. “He was devoted to helping Americans, particularly young Americans, understand Asia better and worked with EWC staff to create the center’s Asian Studies Development Program and the AsiaPacificEd program (then called CTAPS) to improve awareness of Asia among small college and K-12 faculty,” he said in a written statement.
After he resigned as center president, Li co-chaired the Asia Pacific Consulting Group of the law firm Watanabe Ing & Kawashima with former Gov. George Ariyoshi. Li helped U.S. companies set up operations in China while Ariyoshi did similar work in Japan, according to Li’s son, Justin.
He spent most of his time doing nonprofit work in China in education and energy. Li helped introduce the popular children’s show “Sesame Street” to the country.
Justin Li said one of his proud accomplishments was working with Smile Train, a nonprofit international organization that provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries to children worldwide. Through his work with the organization, Li arranged programs at 150 hospitals throughout China to offer the free surgeries.
Ariyoshi, whose office was next to Li’s at the law firm, described Li as forthright and a good communicator. “He wanted to see things done the right way,” he said.
Li was a dear friend, Ariyoshi said. “I’m really going to miss him.”
Born in Hong Kong, Li graduated from Columbia University and Columbia Law School. He also earned two postgraduate degrees from Harvard Law School and served as the Lewis Talbot and Nadine Hearn Shelton professor of International Legal Studies at Stanford Law School.
Li is survived by his wife, Arlene Lum, former publisher of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin; sons Gregory, Jeffrey and Justin; brothers Huon Li and Dr. Frederick Li; sisters Virginia Li, Angela Scholz and Tina Li; four grandchildren; four nephews; and four nieces.
Services will be held Oct. 1 at the Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Visitation is at 8:30 a.m. with the service at 9 a.m. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park. No flowers are requested. Aloha attire.
