Huang Guangyu (黄光裕; Ng Guangyu; Wong Kwong Yu) (1969–; Chaoyang, Guangdong), founder and chairman of GOME Group; formerly the richest person in mainland China
Ma Huateng (馬化騰/马化腾; Bhê Huejam) (1971–; Chaoyang, Guangdong), One of the top ten richest man in the world, with estimated net worth of US$55.3 billion. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of Tencent, Asia most valuable company by market capitalisation.Tencent is one of the largest Internet and technology companies, and the biggest investment, gaming and entertainment conglomerates in the world.
Li Ka-shing (李嘉誠/李嘉诚; Li Jiacheng; Lee Ka Sing) (1928–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), founder and chairman of Cheung Kong Group; formerly the 8th richest person in the world and formerly the richest person of Chinese and Chinese descent in the world. As of June 2019, he is the 30th richest person in the world, with a current net worth of US$29.4 billion
Lim Por-yen (林百欣; Lin Baixin; Lim Bêhyan) (1914–2005; Chaoyang, Guangdong), founder of Lai Sun Group, media tycoon, banker and charitarian
Albert Yeung (楊受成/杨受成; Yang Shoucheng; Yêng Siuseng) (1944–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), founder and chairman of Emperor Group
Prachai Leophai-ratana (Thai: ประชัย เลี่ยวไพรัตน; 廖漢渲/廖汉渲; Liao Hanxuan; Liu Hangsuang) (Chao'an, Guangdong), founder and former CEO of Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI) and TPI Polene
Krit Ratanarak (Thai: กฤตย์ รัตนรักษ์;李智正; Li Zhizheng; Li Dizian) (–; Chenghai, Guangdong), CEO of Siam City Cement Public Company Limited and Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited
Singapore
Lim Nee Soon (林義順/林义顺; Lin Yishun) (1879–1936; Shantou, Guangdong), Chinese Peranakan banker and businessman, rubber magnate and was nicknamed the "Pineapple King", founding member of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and close friend of Dr Sun Yat Sen.
Lien Ying Chow (連瀛洲/连瀛洲; Lian Yingzhou; Lian Yingzio) (1906–2004; Chaoyang, Guangdong), founder and CEO of Overseas Union Bank which merged with United Overseas Bank in 2001
Leow Chia Heng (廖正興/廖正兴; Liao Zhengxing) (1874–1931; Chao'an, Guangdong[1]), Teochew pioneer and philanthropist; co-founder of the Sze Hai Tong Banking & Insurance Company Limited[2] and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, having served as the latter's 6th and 9th President in 1911 and 1914 respectively;[3] was a Director of the Singapore Po Leung Kuk and appointed as Justice of the Peace;[4] inaugural President of the Straits Confucian Association[5] (later renamed as Nanyang Confucian Association)
Zheng Zhengqiu (鄭正秋/郑正秋; Dên Zianciu) (1888–1935; Chaoyang, Guangdong), director; his film Nan Fu Nan Qi (難夫難妻/难夫难妻; Nang Hu Nang Ci) was the first feature film in China's history
Cai Chusheng (蔡楚生; Cua Cosên) (1906–1968; Chaoyang, Guangdong), director; his film Yu Guang Qu (漁光曲/渔光曲; Heu Guang Kêg) received the first international film prize in China's history
Hong Kong
Ringo Lam (林嶺東/林岭东; Lin Lindong; Lim Lingdang) (1954–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), director
Herman Yau (邱禮濤/邱礼涛; Qiu Litao; Yau Loito) (1961–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), director
Singapore
Ken Kwek (1979-; director, his feature film "Unlucky Plaza" (2014) won him the Best Director prize at the Tehran Jasmine Film Festival.
Kirsten Tan (1981-; director, her debut feature film "Pop Aye" won the Special Jury prize in Screenwriting in the Sundance Film Festival (2017)
Literary figures and the Arts
Mainland China
Da-Wen Sun (孫大文/孙大文) (1962-Chaozhou, Guangdong), world authority in food engineering education and research
Wena Poon (方慧娜) (1974–), born in Singapore, novelist
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan (陳如蓮, 1974–), born in Singapore, novelist and memoirist
Loung Ung (1970–), born in Cambodia, author and activist
Singapore
Choo Hoey (朱暉/朱晖, 1934 -) is a Singaporean musician and conductor. His father, Choo Seng, migrated from Chaozhou and his mother from Nanjing. He founded the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and was also its first resident conductor and music director
Chen Chong Swee (陳宗瑞/陈宗瑞) (b. 1910–85, Swatow, Guangdong), also known as Chen Kai, was a painter, educator, writer and critic. Chen belonged to the pioneering group of artists of the Nanyang Style
Chua Lam (蔡瀾/蔡澜; Chai Lan; Cua Lam) (1941–; Chaozhou, Guangdong), columnist, food critic, and movie producer[6]
Canti Lau (劉錫明/劉锡明; Liu Ximing; Liu Siahmêng) (1964–; Chaoyang, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer
Damian Lau (劉松仁/刘松仁; Liu Songren; Lau Cungjan) (1949–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), film and television actor, executive producer and film director
Sammul Chan (陳鍵鋒/陈键锋; Chén Jiànfēng; Chan Gin-fung) (1978–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor, singer
Emil Chau (周華健/周华健; Zhou Huajian; Chiu Hua-giang) (1960–; Chaoyang, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer
Matthew Ko (高鈞賢/高钧贤; Gao Junxian; Gao Jao-ghao) (1984–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), model
Kwong Wa (江華/江华; Jiang Hua; Gang Hua) (1962–; Shantou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer
Miriam Yeung (楊千嬅/杨千桦; Yang Qianhua; Yêng Cainhua) (1974–; Jieyang, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actress and singer
Sammi Cheng (鄭秀文/郑秀文; Zheng Xiuwen; Dên Siu-mung) (1972–; Chenghai, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actress and singer
Ada Choi (蔡少芬/蔡少芬; Cai Shaofen; Choi Siufun) (1973–; Chaoshan, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actress
Steven Ma (馬浚偉/马浚伟; Ma FengWei; Maa Zeonwai) (1971–; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Hong Kong), actor and singer
Henry Lau (1989–; born in Toronto), singer, songwriter, composer, dancer, actor, musician, model and entertainer
Others
Somdet Phrachao Taksin Maharaj (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช) or Somdet Phrachao Krung Thonburi (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้ากรุงธนบุรี; Chinese: 鄭昭; pinyin: Zhèng Zhāo; Teochew: Dênchao) (1734–1782; Chenghai, Shantou; born in Thailand), King Taksin the Great of Thonburi Kingdom, Thailand
Chow Yam-nam (周欽南) (1937-2013), famous spiritual guru born in Pattaya of Thailand, better known publicly as Bai Long Wang (白龍王), literally the "White Dragon King".
Lê Văn Viễn (aka Bảy Viễn; Vien the seventh) (1904–1972; Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Vietnam), leader of a powerful Vietnamese criminal organisation—Bình Xuyên Organisation
^Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, (2015), A General History of the Chinese in Singapore, pg 750. Published in the Chinese language
^Ching-Hwang Yen, (2017), Ethnicities, Personalities and Politics in the Ethnic Chinese Worlds, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd, Singapore, pg 120.
^Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), (2007), Elements of Enterprise: 100 Years of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SNP International Publishing, Singapore, pg 39. A Centennial Publication of the SCCCI
^SCCCI, (2007), Elements of Enterprise: 100 Years of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SNP International Publishing, Singapore, pg 39. A Centennial Publication of the SCCCI