Liza Wang

This article is about the Hong Kong entertainer. It is not to be confused with the American gymnast Lisa Wang.

Liza Wang GBS SBS
Chinese :汪明荃
Wang attending an exhibition on her Cantonese Opera career at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in April 2021.
Born	Wang Ming-chun (1947-08-28) 28 August 1947 (age 76) Chongming County, Jiangsu (now Chongming District, Shanghai City), Republic of China
Other names	Liza Wong Lisa Wang
Occupations	Actress Singer MC
Years active	1967–present
Spouses	Lau Cheong Wah ​ ​ (m. 1971;div. 1983)​ Law Kar-ying ​ (m. 2009)​
Awards	Ming Pao Anniversary Awards Outstanding Actress in Television 2005 Wars of In-Laws 2005 Honorary AwardRTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards – Golden Needle Award 2004 TVB Anniversary Awards – All-Time Most Memorable Female Leading Roles 1999 A House Is Not A Home My Favourite Television Character 2000 At the Threshold of an Era 2001 The Awakening Story Best Actress 2001 The Awakening Story 2005 Wars of In-Laws Best Host 2010 Fun with Liza and Gods 2015 Sunday Songbird Lifetime Achievement Award 2012 2017
Musical career
Also known as	The Big Sister [1]
Origin	Hong Kong
Genres	Cantopop Chinese Opera
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Chinese name
Chinese	汪明荃
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wāng Míngquán Yue: Cantonese Jyutping wong1 ming4 cyun4 Hong Kong Romanisation Wong Ming-chuen
Website	Official website

Elizabeth "Liza" Wang Ming-chun GBS SBS ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} (born 28 August 1947), is a Hong Kong diva, actress and MC. She is a personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the Hong Kong entertainment circle. ^[6] Wang was a delegate in the National People's Congress from 1988 to 1997, and she is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. ^[7]

Entertainment career

Liza Wang was born on 28 August 1947 in Shanghai, She moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in autumn 1956 and signed up for Rediffusion Hong Kong's first Artist Academy class in 1967. From thousands of applicants, the 20-year-old Liza was one of the nine that were picked to attend acting classes. She was also the first to graduate from the academy.

Television

Her career has spanned four decades, since 1967. She began working for Rediffusion Television Limited (later renamed Asia Television and now defunct) until she joined TVB in 1971. She was one of the members of the all-girl music group Four Golden Flowers. ^[8] Wang initially made her mark in the entertainment industry in drama series. Her work in front of the camera was followed by that behind the scenes on television productions.

In 2005, she received the Best Actress award during TVB's 38th Anniversary. She received this award the second time for her role in Wars of In-laws . Wang received her first Best Actress award for her drama series The Awakening Story in 2001. She celebrated her 40th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2007.

Singing career

In parallel with her acting career Wang had a successful singing career, based on albums for her television series, consisting of TV theme songs. She has sung cantopop as well as mandopop. She performed duets with singer Adam Cheng. She continues to perform TV theme songs such as "東方之珠" for musical series like the 2006 Glittering Days. ^[9]

Cantonese opera

Liza Wang performing Cantonese opera in November 2006.

She experimented with stage musicals before becoming a Cantonese opera actress. It was within the Cantonese opera community that Wang met her longtime partner, Law Kar-ying. In 2005 the Sunbeam Theatre in North Point, Hong Kong's only regular venue for Cantonese Opera performances, was planned to close following a change of ownership. ^[7] Wang decided to negotiate with the new owner, who then promised to extend the contract with the Cantonese Opera groups. Wang then criticized the Government for its lack of support for Cantonese Opera, and the Government promised to adopt Wang's request.

Wang was Chairman of the Chinese Artist Association of Hong Kong (香港八和會館) from 1992 to 1997, then again from 2005 to 2009. ^[7] In 2007 Wang was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award. ^[7] She was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the City University of Hong Kong.

In February 2009 Wang fought for the development rights to restore the North Kowloon Magistracy building (北九龍裁判法院) in Sham Shui Po. ^[10] The building was originally proposed to be a new Cantonese opera training and performance center. Hong Kong's government granted the bid to the US Savannah College of Art and Design. ^[10] Wang was upset over the loss, and said the government was only paying lip service to causes such as Cantonese opera. The magistracy building is to be turned into a school specializing in creative and digital media. ^{[10] [11]}

Political career

Pan-democrat home return permits request

Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party have banned 8 of the 25 Hong Kong pan-democrat legislative councilors. They are barred from the mainland except for tours organized by the government. ^[12] On 6 March 2008 Wang began publicizing the need to grant 24 Home Return Permit to the pro-democracy lawmakers. ^{[13] [14]}

Government Committee

On Apr 29, 2020, The Hong Kong SAR announced the appointments to the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee which aims to promote the development of Cantonese opera, facilitating the transmission of this world intangible cultural heritage item, for the period from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2022. ^[15] Wang is one of the members.

2008 Beijing Olympics

Wang mentioned that it was good timing to invite the democrats to enter mainland China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. ^[14]

" CPPCC chairman Jia Qinglin said we should unite people from different sectors – why not include the democrats as well? ^[14]

— Liza Wang tries to unite the opposing Democrats and Pro-Beijing side in Hong Kong.

The Pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong member Tam Yiu Chung responded that the Olympics was not a good reason for changing what the central government used to do. ^{[ citation needed ]} Her concerns baffled her colleagues in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. ^[1] Democrat member Albert Ho said the issue of a home visit permit was such a rightful thing. It has never been mentioned by any politician but a performer. He appreciates Wang's efforts. ^[14] Wang is a member, but not a standing committee member of the CPPCC.

Community work

As a mainstay at the TVB television network, Wang has gained almost legendary status^{[ according to whom? ]} for her efforts not merely as an entertainer but also as a philanthropist with a heart for social works and for improving lives in rural China and other areas. Within Hong Kong, she has also been an MC hosting TVB telethons for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and many other charities.

Wang, being a two-time cancer survivor (first thyroid then breast cancer), decided to be an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society. ^[7] A series of informative radio talk shows on RTHK was also hosted where medical specialists were invited to discuss the many types of cancer. She has helped raise charities, awareness and funding for cancer patients. Recently^{[ when? ]} a free concert was given at Tin Shui Wai for 4,500 residents; the concert was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. The crowd prevented guest performers like Miriam Yeung and Denise Ho from arriving on time. Denise Ho ascribed the audience overflow to Wang's popularity. ^[6]

Personal life

Liza Wang was married to businessman Lau Cheong Wah from 1971 to 1983 and they remain good friends. In the late 1980s, she met Law Kar-ying, openly acknowledged as her partner for over twenty years, and whom she married on 2 May 2009 in Las Vegas. ^[16] Being a native Shanghainese, Wang speaks fluent Shanghainese and has always identified as a Shanghainese. ^[17]

The nickname of "Wang Ah-Tag" owing to social media usage

In recent years, Liza Wang has increased her usage in social media. However, upon uploading the photos with others, she has been handwriting the names of others on the photos. These handwritings have been occasionally described as "Wang Ah-Tag". ^{[18] [19]}

Filmography

Television series

Year	Title	Role
1974	Eternal Spring 《永恆的春天》	Mao Yuin Yuin 毛圓圓
1975	The Golden Chrysanthemum 《金葉菊》	Zhau Yuk Sin 周玉仙
	Lady with the Lute 《趙五娘》	Zhiu Ng Niong 趙五娘
	Legend of the Purple Hairpin 《紫釵記》	Fok Siu Yuk 霍小玉
1976	The Legend of the Book and the Sword 《書劍恩仇錄》	Fok-ching-tung 霍青桐
1977	A House Is Not a Home 《家變》	Lok Lam 洛琳
1978	The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber 《家變》	Chiu Man 趙敏
1979	Over the Rainbow 《天虹》	Leung Pui-yee 梁沛怡
	Chor Lau-heung 《楚留香》	Shum Wai-san 沈慧珊
1980	Yesterday's Glitter 《京華春夢》	Ho Yin-chau 賀燕秋
	The Shell Game 《千王之王》	Tam Siu-tong 谭小棠
1981	Young's Female Warrior 《楊門女將》	Muk Gui-yin 穆桂英
	The Shell Game II 《千王群英會》	Tam Siu-tong 谭小棠
1982	Love and Passion 《萬水千山總是情》	Chong Mung-deep 莊夢蝶
1984	Qiu Jin: A Woman To Remember 《秋瑾》	Qiu Jin 秋瑾
1999	At the Threshold of an Era 《創世紀》	Fong Kin-ping 方健平
2000	At the Threshold of an Era II 《創世紀 II》	Fong Kin-ping 方健平
2001	The Awakening Story 《婚前昏後》	Lam Ho Suet 林皓雪
2004	Blade Heart 《血薦軒轅》	Tong Bik 唐碧
2005	Wars of In-Laws 《我的野蠻奶奶》	Hei Tap-Lap Shek Lan 喜塔臘鑠蘭
	The Unforgettables 《名曲滿天星》
2006	When Rules Turn Loose 《識法代言人》	Suen Man-Yee 孫敏儀
	Glittering Days 《東方之珠》	Gam Yin 金燕
2008	Wars of In-Laws II 《野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶》	Gwo Bik 戈碧
	When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West 《東山飄雨西關晴》	Chong Fung-yi 莊鳳儀
2010	OL Supreme 女王辦公室	Lui Siu-fung 雷小鳳
2010–2011	Home Troopers 《居家兵團》	Lai Ka-ka 黎嘉嘉
2011	Super Snoops 《荃加福祿壽探案》	Sun Chiu-tung 辛潮彤
2012	Divas in Distress 《巴不得媽媽》	Sheung Ying-hung 商映紅
2014	Come On, Cousin 老表，你好hea！	Herself
2015	Limelight Years 華麗轉身	Wah Fong-ying 華芳凝
	Master of Destiny 風雲天地	Kwan Yeuk-nam 關若男
2018	Heart and Greed 溏心风暴3	Heung Ching Yi 向清沂
	My Ages Apart 誇世代	Sheung Hing Chong 尚慶莊
2019	Flying Tiger II 《飛虎之雷霆極戰》	何惠英

Films

• 1969 Singing Darlings
• 1980 Miss Not Home
• 197i The Sausage Chase
• 1979 Full Moon Scimitar
• 2015 ATM

^{[20] [21]}

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Series	Result
1999	TVB Anniversary Awards	All-Time Most Memorable Female Leading Roles	A House is not a Home	Won
2000	TVB Anniversary Awards	My Favourite Television Character	At the Threshold of an Era II	Won
2001	TVB Anniversary Awards	Best Actress	The Awakening Story	Won
		My Favourite Television Character		Won
2005	TVB Anniversary Awards	Best Actress	Wars of In-Laws	Won
2010	TVB Anniversary Awards	Best Host	Fun With Liza and Gods	Won
2015	Starhub TVB Awards	Best Actress	Limelight Years	Won
		Best Host	Sunday Songbird	Won

Honors

• Silver Bauhinia Star (2004) ^[22]
• TVB Best Actress (2001, 2005)
• RTHK Gold Needle Award (2005)
• Mont Blanc de la Culture International Award (2007)

References

1. The standard HK "The standard HK Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine ". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
2. "Honorary Doctorate Elizabeth Wang Ming-Chun".
3. Loh, Christine (2010). Underground Front: The Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. p. 154. ISBN   9789888028948 . Retrieved 11 December 2014– via Google Books.
4. "Wang still singing a flat tune". The Standard . 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
5. "Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes". July 2004.
6. Xinhuanet. "Xinhuanet Archived 2008-02-19 at the Wayback Machine ". Fans jam-pack Liza Wang's free concert. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
7. Cityu.edu.hk "Cityu.edu.hk Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine ". 城大將頒授榮譽博士學位予四位領袖. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
8. Television Broadcasts Limited TVB – Lydia Shum exclusive – 東張西望之永恆的開心果 – 肥姐 – 21 Feb 2008.
9. First for Music News. "NME". Liza Wang videos. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
10. The Standard HK. "The Standard.com ^{[ permanent dead link ]}". Retrieved on 13 March 2009.
11. "Yahoo". 八和落選 汪明荃轟黑箱作業 Retrieved on 13 March 2009
12. Scmp. "Scmp". End democrats' travel ban, delegate urges. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
13. The standard HK. "The standard HK Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine ". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
14. The standard HK. "The standard HK Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine ". TV star hopes home visits can turn democrats into patriots Retrieved on 10 March 2008
15. "Appointments to Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee". HKSAR. 2020-04-29
16. "New bride: 61-year-old Liza Wang". China Daily . 5 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
17. "汪明荃的上海话". YouTube (in Chinese).
18. "【嘟嘟爆料】「汪阿Tag」原來係咁嚟！". 21 November 2018.
19. "#汪阿Tag 汪明荃潮玩 Instagram 自創手寫 Tag 人方法 眾星響應 - ezone.hk - 網絡生活 - 網絡熱話".
20. Liza Wang at hkmdb.com
21. Liza Wang at chinesemov.com
22. "Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes". July 2004.

External links

• Official Liza Wang web-site
• Official Liza Wang Forum

Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by Carol Cheng for War of the Genders	Best Actress 2001 for The Awakening Story	Succeeded by Flora Chan for Family Man
Preceded by Gigi Lai for War and Beauty	Best Actress 2005 for Wars of In-laws	Succeeded by Charmaine Sheh for Maidens' Vow
RTHK Top 10 Chinese Golden Songs Award
Preceded by Richard Lam	Golden Needle Award 2004	Succeeded by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra