Ma Fuyuan and Shenzhen Electronics Pioneer | Generated by AI
Question: Provide a comprehensive introduction to Ma Fuyuan (March 9, 1931 – June 8, 2015), born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, senior economist, founder of Shenzhen SEG Group, former president of Shenzhen General Chamber of Commerce, and first chairman of Shenzhen SEG Group.
Answer:
Ma Fuyuan (马福元) was a prominent Chinese economist and entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in the development of Shenzhen’s electronics industry during China’s reform and opening-up era. Born on March 9, 1931, in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, he passed away on June 8, 2015, at the age of 84.
Early Career
Ma Fuyuan spent over 30 years working in various national industrial departments, rising to the position of Director of the General Office in the Ministry of Electronics Industry. His extensive experience in the electronics sector made him a key figure when Shenzhen sought talent to build its emerging electronics industry in the 1980s.
Arrival in Shenzhen and Founding of SEG Group
In July 1985, at the invitation of Shenzhen’s leadership (including then-mayor Liang Xiang), Ma Fuyuan relocated to Shenzhen. In December 1985, he was appointed chairman and general manager of the newly established Shenzhen Electronics Corporation, which became China’s first electronics industry group company. The group operated on principles of voluntary participation, shared branding, cooperative operations, and shared benefits.
Under his leadership, the company grew rapidly. In January 1988, it was renamed Shenzhen SEG Group (赛格集团), derived from the English acronym “Shenzhen Electronics Group” (SEG). Ma creatively interpreted “SEG” (赛格) as embodying the spirit of “competing in national character, personal integrity, product quality, and style” (赛国格、赛人格、赛品格、赛风格). At its peak, the group included 158 member enterprises, such as Sanda, Huaqiang, Konka, and others.
Key Achievements
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Establishment of Electronics Markets: In 1988, Ma Fuyuan pioneered the creation of China’s first specialized electronics components market, the Shenzhen SEG Electronics Market. Inspired by Tokyo’s Akihabara district, this market broke away from planned economy constraints, allowing free trading of electronic components. It became the foundation of the famous Huaqiangbei electronics commercial district, now one of the world’s largest hubs for electronics trading and innovation.
- Major Investments and Projects: To strengthen the group’s capabilities, Ma invested in foundational projects, including:
- Power transistors (via Shenzhen SAIC Semiconductor Co.).
- Color picture tubes (SEG Hitachi).
- Glass shells for tubes.
- Large-scale integrated circuits.
These initiatives helped Shenzhen transition from assembly-based manufacturing to core technology production, ending reliance on imports for certain components.
- Industry Associations and Reforms: In 1986, he founded Shenzhen’s first electronics industry association. He implemented innovative governance, including early adoption of board systems in state-owned enterprises, and promoted joint ventures with foreign companies.
Ma also served as the first president of the Shenzhen Electronics Industry Association and director of the Ministry of Electronics Industry’s Shenzhen office. He later became president of the Shenzhen General Chamber of Commerce.
Legacy
Ma Fuyuan is widely recognized as the primary founder and pioneer of Shenzhen’s electronics industry. His efforts helped establish electronics as Shenzhen’s pillar industry, contributing to the rise of global giants like Huawei and ZTE. The SEG Group remains a flagship enterprise in Shenzhen, with landmarks like SEG Plaza symbolizing the city’s tech boom. Huaqiangbei, under his initial guidance, evolved into a global electronics ecosystem.
In 2010, for the 30th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, Ma was selected as one of the “30 Outstanding Figures in 30 Years of Shenzhen SEZ.” His work exemplified bold reform, turning Shenzhen into a cradle of China’s electronics and information technology revolution.
References:
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[连载·深圳科技创新密码（15） 组建赛格集团](https://www.dutenews.com/n/article/8175649) - 赛格集团创始人马福元去世
- 马福元 - 百度百科
- Huaqiangbei Electronic Market: Everything You Need to Know
- 百位深圳改革人物马福元：八十年代特区著名的国有企业改革家