When conflict came to Singapore in 1942, Mr Parkane Hwang from the Bank of China's Singapore branch decamped to what was then known as Batavia. From there, he sought a visa to travel to Australia to establish a branch of the Bank of China in Sydney. It must have been a difficult and stressful time.
True to Australia's welcoming nature, especially to those in need, the visa was granted. By midyear, the branch was in operation, with Mr Hwang's deputy from the Singapore branch, Mr S.C. Lu, as its representative. In those days it was quicker to get a banking licence than it is today!