Mauritius bid farewell to a remarkable daughter, Marie Madeleine Lee, who passed away on February 26, 2026, at 95. As the first woman, Mauritian ambassador (2000-2002) to China, Madeleine Lee broke barriers and forged lasting connections between nations. Her life, a testament to the resilience of Hakka women, weaves together cultural heritage, diplomatic prowess, and business acumen. My article draws on Madeleine Lee’s bilingual (English/Mandarin) memoir, “The Portrait of my Vivid Life” (2006), which offers a rich tapestry of anecdotes, experiences, and insights into her remarkable life. The book, featuring photos of her relatives, adolescence, university days in Taiwan, marriage in Hong Kong, and diplomatic career, provides a unique glimpse into her world. Last year, while preparing for a presentation at the interdisciplinary conference ‘Stories of Migrations: The Chinese Diaspora in the Indian Ocean and Beyond’ (3-5 July, 2025), my colleague Mrs Marilise Yan, Rector of St Joseph’s College, introduced me to Madeleine Lee’s captivating book, which is unfortunately no longer on sale. All the direct quotes in my article come from the book.
The Hakka Heritage and Roots
The Hakka people, a Han Chinese subgroup, are known for their resilience and adaptability. Originating from northern China, they migrated southward, settling in Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi. Hakka culture is distinct, with its own language, customs, and traditions. Hakka women, in particular, are revered for their strength and resourcefulness, often managing households and contributing to family businesses.
Born to Moilin Jean Ah-Chuen, a prominent Sino-Mauritian politician and businessman, Lee’s Hakka heritage shaped her identity. She states in her book: “My childhood years left indelible marks on my mind and my granpa was one of the shining examples […] He laid down a rule in the family: speak only Hakka at home and never foreign language”. (p.7-8). Her grandfather, Chu Wei Chuen, started a grocery store, which his son Moilin Jean Ah-Chuen later expanded into a diversified conglomerate, ABC Group, with investments in banking, food, automobile, and shipping. Lee writes: “Everyone knew the hardship in starting a business. The whites were the dominant race and racial discrimination and oppression were unavoidable. The road to success was never smooth and business operations climbed to its peak only after many set-backs”. (p.60). Moilin Jean Ah Chuen, Lee’s father’s, was born in 1911 in Meizhou, Guangdong, China. The family migrated to Mauritius. Ah-Chuen’s achievements include: first Chinese Cabinet Minister (1967-1976), first Chinese Member, Legislative Council (1949), founder of ABC Group (1931). He played a key role in Mauritius’ industrialization, attracting investors from Taiwan and Hong Kong, and reducing unemployment. He was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. Ah-Chuen’s legacy is commemorated on the 25-rupee banknote and a museum in Rose-Hill.
Diplomatic Career, Business ventures & Cultural Ambassador
Lee stepped on the political stage when she became a member of Taiwan’s Legislative Council during three years for overseas Chinese. There were 27 representatives on the Legislative Council for overseas Chinese each representing overseas Chinese communities in USA, Europe, Africa, Hongkong and Southeast Asia. She was the only woman on the Council. She writes: ‘the old generation of representatives liked me and called me intimately ‘Shao Mai’ Little Sister.’ (p.38). With regard to her appointment as first Mauritian ambassador in China, she observes: ‘It was a duty and obligation and also a personal honour’(p.40). In Mauritius, Lee’s contributions to China-Mauritius relations and cultural exchange will be remembered. She writes: “While I was Ambassador in Beijing, the first thing that the Prime Minister wished me to do was the opening of the flight route from Mauritius to Shanghai via Hongkong”. (p.46). Finally, she managed to make this happen.
Her linguistic skills – fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, and Shanghainese – facilitated groundbreaking meetings, including with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. This role strengthened Mauritius-China ties and promoted cultural exchange. Beyond diplomacy, Lee excelled in business, managing a clothing factory, investment firm, and transportation company. As a cultural ambassador, Lee bridged East and West, showcasing Hakka traditions and Mauritian hospitality. She narrates the following anecdote: “On one occasion the SADC held a dinner ball requiring each Embassy to prepare three dishes not to be bought from outside. After searching my mind, I instructed the maid servant to buy 5 catties of beef tendon roasted in soya sauce cut and placed in three large dishes, 5 catties of rice fried with ham and eggs and three bigh chickens stewed on a large pot with curry. Everyone tried for a taste of the food that we prepared and quickly the plates and the pot were left empty.” (p.44).
Conclusion
Marie Madeleine Lee’s legacy extends far beyond her diplomatic and business achievements. Her life story – a testament to Hakka values like hard work, adaptability, and community service – resonates globally. Her legacy serves as inspiration, showcasing the strength and potential of Hakka women and Mauritian women everywhere. Indeed, she has been a trailblazer Hakka woman !
I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to her family, relatives and friends.
Dr Jimmy Harmon
