Month: October 2024

The Miramar University Alumni Association of the East Coast organized a “Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness” walk in Manhattan’s Central Park on the 20th, commemorating friends and family lost to breast cancer and showing support for survivors. This year, the association became a member of the American Cancer Society and marked this event as their first anti-breast cancer campaign in a decade, with over 20 alumni and their families participating.

Penny Peng, the president of the alumni association, emphasized the significant threat breast cancer poses to women’s health, as several members of the association and their loved ones have battled the disease. She hopes this event will raise awareness about breast cancer prevention. Prior to the walk, the association also held a fundraising event, successfully raising $1,200 to donate to the American Cancer Society. She expressed her delight at the positive response, noting, “The turnout was better than we expected.” The route for the walk circled Central Park, and on the event day, the weather was clear and sunny, allowing alumni to enjoy a lighthearted and joyful atmosphere.

Among the participants were several breast cancer survivors. One of them, 79-year-old Ms. Jiang, was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, her positive outlook has helped her maintain good physical and mental health throughout her journey.

Ms. Jiang shared her motivation for participating in the walk: “I want to remind everyone about the importance of breast cancer prevention. Breast cancer can occur without any symptoms, so regular check-ups are crucial.” She recounted her own experience of identifying a lump in her armpit, which led to her diagnosis after two mammograms. “If you notice something wrong, don’t take it lightly,” she advised. Ms. Jiang also believes a positive mindset is essential for recovery; when she first received her diagnosis, she said, “I was stunned. I asked my doctor what I should do, and he told me, ‘Just keep moving forward.'”

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, over 360,000 individuals are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. However, if detected in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer can reach 99%. Readers can learn effective self-examination techniques to help prevent breast cancer by visiting https://shorturl.at/Im1bp.

In Arcadia, a city in South Los Angeles County known for its vibrant Chinese community, a recent incident has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of preschoolers. Authorities were alarmed when a homeless individual attempted to break into a local kindergarten, prompting urgent discussions about student safety.

Belinda Xu, who runs a kindergarten on East Live Oak Avenue, recounted the alarming event that took place three weeks ago. A homeless person, reportedly suffering from mental illness, approached the school during dismissal time. Due to the lack of a fence at the front, the individual forcibly tugged at a window screen in an attempt to gain access to the premises. Although the window was closed and the attempt was unsuccessful, the incident left the children terrified.

Following this frightening event, Xu quickly reached out to the Arcadia city government and pushed for the installation of safety measures such as fencing and walls around the school.

Just a few blocks away, a major affordable housing project named Elara is set to begin construction next year, which will include 45 apartments designated for long-term residents experiencing homelessness. Xu expressed her deep concern about this development, fearful of the number of homeless individuals who may flood the area and how it could jeopardize her students’ safety.

According to Xu, there are at least four preschools nearby that can accommodate 259 students. With the proposed housing project situated adjacent to multiple educational institutions, she is urging government officials to prioritize the safety of the children.

Lucy Zhang, a volunteer with the Arcadia Safety Guardians (ASG), only learned about this extensive housing project at the end of September and was shocked by the news. She raised alarms about the potential safety issues for students, especially with the presence of so many homeless individuals near the schools.

Susan Guo, president of the Arcadia Chinese Association, criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the Elara housing project. She pointed out that it had not undergone an environmental assessment process, and many local residents only recently became aware of it. Guo also highlighted concerns about jurisdiction, noting that if crime were to escalate, it would be unclear whether the Arcadia Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would be responsible. She raised the issue that if the city frequently redirected police resources, it could deplete the already limited resources available to the community.

On October 15, Belinda Xu attended a city council meeting to voice her worries about the potential safety threats posed by the upcoming homeless housing project for the children in her care.

During the third quarter, Taiwan’s stock market experienced intense fluctuations reminiscent of a “market giant,” which has driven many institutional and individual investors away. According to statistics from the Taiwan Stock Exchange, the number of institutional and individual investors saw a decline for the first time in three quarters, dropping to 3,519 and 32,400 respectively. Conversely, retail investors remained undeterred by the ongoing ETF demand, with their numbers increasing for the third consecutive quarter, surpassing the 5.5 million mark to reach an all-time high of 5,516,100.

In early September, the market experienced a sharp drop, which adversely affected investor confidence. The stock exchange reported on the 15th that the trading volume turnover rate for September decreased to 8.99%, down from 11.69% in August. The proportion of day trading also fell, dropping to 34.32%, a decrease of 3.13 percentage points. Additionally, the average daily number of day traders declined from 126,400 to 109,800, a reduction of 16,600 traders. However, the proportion of ETF trading value increased from 7.61% in August to 8.2% in September, reflecting a rise of 0.59 percentage points.

Regarding investor characteristics, the volatility in the Taiwan stock market led to a decrease in the trading value by individual investors to 52.43% in September, down from 53.26% in August. Foreign investors’ trading value also fell slightly from 35.42% in August to 35.12% in September. Overall, the total number of trading accounts dropped to 3.7459 million, which is a decrease of 500,000 accounts from August.

Moreover, the amount invested by long-term retail investors through systematic investment plans decreased to NT$14.811 billion in September, a reduction of NT$14.47 million compared to August, although it remains the third-highest figure on record.

The stock exchange data indicates that in the third quarter, the total number of institutional and individual investors decreased by 4,448. Among them, the number of high-value individual investors (trading over NT$500 million) declined to 3,519, a drop of 646. Meanwhile, the number of individual investors with trading volumes between NT$100 million and NT$500 million fell to 32,400, down by 3,802. In contrast, individual retail investors trading below NT$100 million recorded an increase, rising to 5.5161 million, an increase of 286,000 individuals.

On October 15, during an interview with General Manager Shi Guangyu of Hongkong Land’s Shanghai office, he reflected on the company’s role in shaping key global financial hubs such as Hong Kong and Shanghai in celebration of its 135th anniversary. “At the beginning of 2020, we recognized the vast development potential of the Xuhui District and made a firm decision to invest in the Shanghai West Finance City project,” he stated.

That same day, Xuhui District officially launched the signing ceremony for the third batch of major projects for 2024 and introduced the Shanghai Free Trade Zone Xuhui Collaborative Innovation Area.

According to a notification released in August, the Shanghai government has designated areas including Huangpu, Xuhui, Hongkou, Yangpu, Baoshan, Minhang, and several comprehensive bonded zones as key parts of the new collaborative innovation initiative. This plan aims to amplify the radiating effects of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and foster a robust new momentum for the city’s open economy.

Xuhui District officials stressed that as one of the first collaborative innovation zones, they will align closely with the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and the Lin-gang New Area in terms of space, industry, and policy integration.

The blueprint for the Xuhui Collaborative Innovation Area intends to leverage the prestige of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone to focus on advancements in artificial intelligence and the digital economy, ultimately establishing a benchmark for technological innovation and a hub for the digital economy.

At the signing ceremony for the third batch of major projects in Xuhui, numerous projects were highlighted as part of this new wave of technological advancements. Wu Ming, founder of Shanghai Liangxi Technology Co., expressed optimism about the area: “Xuhui offers a concentration of innovation resources and high-quality government services, which ultimately influenced our decision to establish our business here.”

As climate change accelerates, so too does its devastating impact on global health, particularly on malnutrition. At the recent Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2024 GoalKeepers event in New York on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly , global leaders, health advocates, and innovators gathered to address a growing crisis—one where more than 400 million children worldwide are not receiving the nutrients they need to thrive.Chiemelie Ezeobi,who was in attendance writes that the event themed “Recipe for Progress” highlighted not only the scale of the challenge but also celebrated leaders advancing solutions to ensure children can grow and flourish, even in the face of a warming planet
In a world where over 400 million children are deprived of the nutrients they need to thrive, global leaders, health advocates, and innovators recently gathered at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2024 GoalKeepers event to celebrate the progress being made and confront the growing challenges ahead.
Held at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly week in New York, the event, themed “Recipe for Progress,” spotlighted solutions to combat malnutrition and climate change’s worsening impact on children’s health, a problem that was often overlooked, especially in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).
Global Crisis Exacerbated by Climate Change
Undoubtedly, the statistics are staggering. Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), Co-founder Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates said 148 million children worldwide suffer from stunting—a condition where children do not grow to their full physical or mental potential—and 45 million children experience wasting, a severe form of acute malnutrition that leaves them dangerously underweight.
He noted that these forms of malnutrition not only threaten children’s survival but also limit their cognitive development, preventing them from reaching their full potential.
This, at the heart of the Goalkeepers 2024 event was a stark message: the global malnutrition crisis is intensifying, and climate change is making it even harder to solve.
In his sobering analysis of the issue prior to the Goalkeepers, he said: “This summer, UNICEF released its first report on child food poverty. The findings were stark. Two-thirds of the world’s children—more than 400 million kids—are not getting enough nutrients to grow and thrive, putting them at higher risk for malnutrition”.
He further explained that climate change, with its far-reaching effects on food systems, is becoming a major driver of malnutrition. Also citing projections from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), a partner of the Gates Foundation, he said they indicate that between 2024 and 2050, 40 million additional children will be stunted and 28 million more will experience wasting due to climate change.
“What these data show is that the health crisis and the climate crisis are the same thing in the poorest countries near the equator,” Gates said. “In fact, the best way to fight the impacts of climate change is by investing in nutrition.”
The Economic Costs of Malnutrition for Nations
Malnutrition’s impact on the globe is not just a health issue, but also a profound economic burden, of which Gates underscored the staggering $3 trillion in global productivity loss caused by malnutrition every year.
In low-income countries, this loss ranges from three per cent to 16 per cent of GDP—equivalent to the economic fallout of a 2008-level global recession every year.
“Nations can’t grow if their people can’t,” Gates said, stressing that with the critical link between nutrition and economic development, malnourished children grow up to be less productive adults, limiting their ability to contribute to their economies.
Today, one in five children worldwide suffers from stunting, and climate change threatens to raise that number significantly. “If we don’t act now, the global economy will face dire consequences in 20 years when these children enter their working lives,” Gates warned.
“Few economists think of the malnutrition rate as a critical economic data point—but they should start. Nutritional deficits quickly translate into financial deficits,” he added.
A Recipe for Progress: Global Solutions for Global Health
The theme of the event, “Recipe for Progress,” was more than a metaphor—it was a call to action. The Gates Foundation and its partners presented a blueprint for addressing malnutrition in a rapidly warming world. These solutions are not just about feeding children but ensuring they receive the right balance of macro- and micronutrients for healthy development.
Countries like Brazil, India, Kenya, and Rwanda are already making strides by identifying gaps in their food systems and implementing policies to deliver nutrient-dense foods to their populations. These efforts are not just improving health outcomes but also driving economic growth.
By building more resilient and nutritious food systems, these nations are creating a “double benefit”—improving both public health and economic productivity.
For the Gates Foundation, urgent action is needed in a Race against Time. This was contained in the Gates Foundation’s eighth annual Goalkeepers report titled “A Race to Nourish a Warming World”.
The report provided a comprehensive analysis of how climate change is exacerbating malnutrition and outlines proven tools that can mitigate its worst impacts, just as it called for immediate global action to reverse the trends of malnutrition.
It also highlighted the importance of continued investments in global health initiatives such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund, and the Child Nutrition Fund, as these organisations have been instrumental in driving down childhood mortality and improving nutrition outcomes, but their work is far from done.
According to Suzman, “While climate change is making the challenge harder to solve, progress is possible. By scaling up existing tools, investing in promising research, and lifting up champions like the ones we’re celebrating today, we can help ensure all children can reach their full potential—and build global resilience as the world gets hotter.”
Noting that the path forward is clear, the foundation said nations must invest in the health and nutrition of their youngest citizens to ensure a brighter future.
GoalKeepers 2024
Who are the GoalKeepers and what do they do? “The Goalkeepers are all about bringing together a community of global changemakers who champion the Sustainable Development Goals to energise and inspire each other to continue making progress,” said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
This year, he added that “we’re focused on the more than 400 million children who aren’t getting the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. While climate change is making that challenge harder to solve, progress is possible.
“By scaling up existing tools, investing in promising research, and lifting up champions like the ones we’re celebrating today, we can help ensure all children can reach their full potential—and build global resilience as the world gets hotter”.
This year, itwas hosted by Janet Mbugua, media personality and anchor, and it highlighted opportunities to ensure better nutrition for all so everyone can reach their full potential.
The event also featured special guests, including Jon Batiste, singer, songwriter, and composer; Christy Turlington Burns, founder and president of Every Mother Counts; Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Saul Guerrero Oteyza, UNICEF’s senior advisor on financing for child nutrition and development; Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister for health and social welfare of Nigeria; and Marcus Samuelsson, award-winning celebrity chef and philanthropist. Adriana Diaz, co-host of CBS Mornings Plus, and Francine Lacqua, anchor for Bloomberg Television, served as session moderators.
Honouring Champions for Change
At the heart of the event was a celebration of leaders who are making a difference on the ground andare advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) with solutions to keep people healthy and nourished in a rapidly warming world.
Thus, the Gates Foundation honoured Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with the Global Goalkeeper Award for his commitment to addressing poverty and malnutrition through programs like Bolsa Familia, which was launched during Lula’s first presidency.
Bolsa Familia lifted millions out of poverty, significantly reducing Brazil’s stunting rate from 37 per cent to seven per cent over the course of three decades.
Today, Lula is championing the Global Alliance on Hunger and Poverty as the signature initiative of Brazil’s G20 presidency, scaling up food security and health initiatives worldwide.
Also recognised were 10 Goalkeepers Champions, who are individuals from across the globe who are advancing health and nutrition in their communities. These champions include: Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed of Bangladesh, who is implementing groundbreaking treatments for childhood malnutrition and leading the development of Bangladesh’s national nutrition policy; Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi of Nigeria, who is training tens of thousands of frontline health workers to improve maternal and child nutrition across Nigeria; and Beza Beshah Haile of Ethiopia, who is empowering families affected by spina bifida and working with government agencies to enhance national food fortification programs.
Other honourees who are also spearheading innovative solutions to ensure children receive the nutrients they need to grow and thrive include Dr. Zahra Hoodbhoyof Pakistan, an assistant professor of research at Aga Khan University’s Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, who combines public health interventions with AI tools to empower community workers to support mothers before and after delivery. She is also the primary investigator for a clinical trial for next-generation multiple micronutrient supplements.
Also honoured were Dr. Nancy Krebsof the United States, a professor of pediatrics and nutrition at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, whose extensive research has influenced global health organisations, including WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics; and Dr. Jemimah Njuki of Kenya, chief of economic empowerment at UN Women, who has more than 20 years of experience in the agriculture sector in Africa and Asia, championing women’s empowerment to impact food security and improved nutrition for children and families.
Not left out were Dr. Sabin Nsanzimanaof Rwanda, the minister of health, who is prioritising a range of maternal and child nutrition and health interventions—including launching a multiple micronutrient supplementation pilot program for pregnant women; and Lilian dos Santos Rahalof Brazil, the national secretary for food and nutrition security, who has been a leading voice to address Brazilian hunger and malnutrition.
Bhavani Shankarof the United Kingdom, a professorial research fellow at the University of Sheffield, who researches food, health, and environmental sustainability. He is also co-lead of INFUSION, a five-year program seeking to better understand how rural food markets function nutritionally and to establish, test, and deliver evidence for market interventions that improve the availability and affordability of nutrient-dense foods in rural Indian communities.
Last but not the least was Ratan Tata of India, chairman of Tata Trusts, which have supported the prevention and recovery of malnourished children through improved feeding and health care across India. They have pioneered efforts in food and nutrition security through the development of sustainable, diverse food systems—including fortification of salt, milk and edible oils with essential micronutrients.
Summarily, the 2024 Goalkeepers underscored that while the challenges are immense, solutions exist, and with the right investment, the world can make progress against malnutrition—even as the climate crisis looms larger. As the event came to a close, one message resonated above all: the fight against malnutrition is not just a humanitarian imperative—it’s an economic one. By nourishing the next generation, the world can build stronger, more resilient communities capable of weathering the storms of a warming planet.

ReutersThe US says the 1.7 million Palestinians crowded into the al-Mawasi area are at “high risk of lethal contagion”The US has written to Israel, giving it 30 days to boost humanitarian aid access in Gaza or risk having some US military assistance cut off.
The letter, sent on Sunday, amounts to the strongest known written warning from the US to its ally and comes amid a new Israeli offensive in northern Gaza that has reportedly caused a large number of civilian casualties.
It says the US has deep concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, adding that Israel denied or impeded nearly 90% of humanitarian movements between the north and south last month.
Israel is reviewing the letter, an Israeli official was reported as saying, adding the country "takes this matter seriously" and intends to "address the concerns raised" with US counterparts.
Israel has previously said it is targeting Hamas operatives in the north and not stopping the entry of humanitarian aid.
On Monday, the Israeli military body responsible for managing crossings into Gaza, Cogat, said 30 lorries carrying aid from the World Food Programme had entered northern Gaza through the Erez crossing.
That ended a two-week period during which the UN said no food aid was delivered to the north, and supplies essential for survival were running out for the 400,000 Palestinians there.
The US is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, and the Israeli military has relied heavily on US-supplied aircraft, guided bombs, missiles and shells to fight the war against Hamas in Gaza over the past year.

PA MediaSeveral cabinet ministers have written to the prime minister and the Treasury two weeks ahead of the Budget, to voice concerns over the scale of cuts their departments may face.
Anticipation is growing over which taxes the chancellor will raise in the Budget on 30 October.
But there are fears that steep spending cuts will also be needed to meet what Whitehall sources have suggested is a £40bn funding gap.
In what some say is an unusual move, ministers from hard-pressed departments are calling for a last minute rethink of the Budget, “going over the head” over the chancellor, to address the prime minister directly.

Emergency requests by 27 states to pause rule requiring fossil fuel-powered plants to reduce emissions were denied
ReutersWed 16 Oct 2024 21.25 BSTLast modified on Wed 16 Oct 2024 22.23 BSTShareThe US supreme court declined on Wednesday to put on hold a new federal rule targeting carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants at the request of numerous states and industry groups in another major challenge to Joe Biden’s efforts to combat the climate crisis.
The justices denied emergency requests by West Virginia, Indiana and 25 other states – most of them Republican-led – as well as power companies and industry associations, to halt the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule while litigation continues in a lower court. The regulation, aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis, took effect on 8 July.
The rule would require existing coal- and new natural gas-fired plants eventually to reduce emissions including by capturing and storing carbon dioxide.
The EPA’s new rule, issued under the landmark Clean Air Act anti-pollution law, was issued two years after a major ruling by the supreme court in 2022 undercutting the agency’s power to issue sweeping regulations to force an electric-generation shift from coal to cleaner energy sources.
The EPA has said efforts to address the climate crisis and its impacts such as extreme weather and rising sea levels must include the power sector because fossil fuel-fired plants make up 25% of overall domestic greenhouse gas emissions.
Notably, the rule mandates that coal plants operating past 2038 and certain new gas plants reduce emissions by 90% by 2032 including by using carbon capture and storage systems that extract carbon dioxide from plant exhaust and sequester it underground.
The EPA has called the technology proven and technically feasible. The rule’s challengers have said it has not been shown effective at the scale predicted by the EPA.
Exported gas produces far worse emissions than coal, major study findsRead moreThe rule’s requirements are “really a backdoor avenue to forcing coal plants out of existence”, West Virginia, a major coal producer, and other state challengers said in a written filing.
The supreme court’s 2022 ruling was based on what is called the “major questions” legal doctrine embraced by its conservative justices that requires explicit congressional authorization for action on issues of broad importance and societal impact.
The states and certain other challengers contend that the EPA’s new rule likewise implicates a major question and exceeds the agency’s authority.
Numerous states and industry players filed multiple lawsuits challenging the rule in the US court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit, which on 19 July denied requests to pause the regulation pending its review.
The case did not implicate a major question because the EPA’s actions setting plant limits were “well within” its statutory authority, the DC circuit stated.

This week, the Golden State Warriors announced plans to open a new 30,000-square-foot sports bar called “Splash” in Thrive City, the bustling complex adjacent to the Chase Center. The bar, which is set to launch in early 2025, aims to provide fans with a cutting-edge experience for watching sporting events. It will be operated by Sidecar Hospitality, co-founded by renowned Asian entrepreneur Andrew Chun.

As the first of its kind in the Bay Area, Splash will feature two levels, four bar stations, an upscale dining area, and over 75 televisions, including an impressive 840-square-foot curved LED screen. The venue will also boast both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

According to the Chase Center, Splash will not only include large LED screens but will also integrate the latest audiovisual technology. A video ribbon spanning 20,000 square feet will encircle the ground of the indoor area, keeping guests updated with live sports scores and breaking news. Every seating location—whether indoors or outdoors—will have a clear view of the screens, and the bar’s sound system will be centered around a DJ booth to enhance the game day atmosphere.

In addition to its indoor offerings, Splash will feature a 10,000-square-foot outdoor space, which will include a pet-friendly patio, an outdoor bar, and large screens for viewing. Guests can engage in various games throughout the venue, such as golf simulators, pinball, billiards, shuffleboard, and foosball. The bar will also offer unique areas for hosting private events of all sizes.

The cocktail program at Splash will be designed by Kevin Diedrich, the owner and operator of Pacific Cocktail Haven, which was nominated for the prestigious 2024 James Beard Award for “Outstanding Bar.”

Furthermore, the bar will offer a wide range of beer options, including 16 unique selections and a curated list of natural and biodynamic wines, highlighting California varieties.

Sidecar Hospitality, the company behind Splash, was co-founded by Andrew Chun and Jan Wiginton, and is known for operating some of San Francisco’s most iconic bars and restaurants. They opened the Press Club in 2008, an award-winning wine lounge and event space covering 9,000 square feet. Following that success, they renovated Schroeder’s, a historic German beer hall that has been around for 130 years. In 2016, they partnered with Diedrich to launch two cocktail bars: Pacific Cocktail Haven and Kona’s.

In a recent interview, renowned filmmaker Johnnie To reflected on his illustrious career spanning over four decades, during which he directed around 70 films. As a cultural icon within the Chinese community, Hong Kong cinema flourished, producing hundreds of films annually that have become cherished memories for many generations and provided solace for immigrants longing for home. Many directors, including To, broke away from traditional styles to forge unique artistic paths.

To is currently featured in a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) titled “Chaos and Order: The Way of Johnnie To.” The exhibition showcases 24 of his films, spanning nearly 30 years, including notable works such as “Exiled,” “The Mission,” and “Election.” His skillful arrangement, narrative techniques, and spatial usage allow audiences to perceive a sense of order and harmony, even amidst chaotic scenes.

Despite being celebrated in this retrospective, To insists that it does not signify a conclusion to his directing career. He maintains a passionate commitment to filmmaking, conceding that he finds it challenging to separate himself from the medium. He noted that he hasn’t released any new films in the past five years, attributing this hiatus to the changing environment in Hong Kong, which he feels has yet to be fully processed in his mind.

To emphasized that self-censorship has become unavoidable in the current climate. Following the implementation of the National Security Law, the government revised film censorship regulations, introducing national security reviews. At the Berlin Film Festival last year, where he served as a jury member, To commented, “Films are always at the forefront; if there is totalitarianism and people lose their freedoms, films often bear the brunt. Governments will remove local culture first, as film directly enters the audience’s hearts. That’s why dictators typically target films.”

The filmmaker acknowledged that these circumstances have influenced his work, but he remains unsure where the “red line” is regarding censorship. “As someone who has a deep affection for Hong Kong, I feel that the current environment is quite disheartening,” To reflected. Despite warnings to be cautious with his words, he strongly believes that good work must stem from authentic emotions; if a director is concerned about censorship, it undermines the creative environment.

Moreover, To expressed concerns for new directors struggling to find a foothold in an increasingly challenging market. He highlighted that investors are less inclined to support new talent, as they focus on expanding existing markets rather than nurturing emerging filmmakers. In light of the dwindling local scene, To ventured north to Mainland China in 2010 to direct films, but his box office success has not matched that of other prominent directors, raising questions about his adaptation to the new environment.

“I understand Hong Kong’s culture and its people better, which makes it hard to balance the preferences of mainland and local audiences,” To explained. His exposure to the Mainland industry revealed stark contrasts, including a lack of freedom of expression. He recounted a previous experience from 1986 when he directed a Henan Opera film under a pseudonym, realizing that collaboration was more forthright in earlier days when fellow filmmakers were willing to help without expecting anything in return.

Today, due to increased scrutiny and investor influence, To believes that the essence of creative expression has been overshadowed by external agendas. He used the example of a traditional Hong Kong tea restaurant to demonstrate how films should reflect daily life, lamenting that the city has become more subdued, with even vibrant areas like Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui losing their former liveliness. “Cultural regression and economic instability are undeniable realities, yet even the government continues to make empty promises,” he remarked. “You don’t just suddenly create a street like Temple Street; it forms from the essence of life itself.”

To’s journey began at TVB, but in 1996, alongside his collaborator Wai Ka-Fai, he founded Milkyway Image as a response to a challenging period in the industry. His productions served to align with his creative vision, producing innovative films during a time of talent drainage. Audience members erupted in cheers when the Milkyway logo appeared at MoMA, a testament to the impact of his work.

To credits much of his directorial philosophy to Wai Ka-Fai, stating that many of his inspirations come from spontaneous moments on set, which ensures that Milkyway remains a bastion of originality. Even though he dropped out of school at 17, To engaged with a diverse array of films from Taiwan, Japan, and Europe, drawing influence from directors such as Hou Hsiao-hsien, Akira Kurosawa, and Jean-Pierre Melville.

In addition to his multifaceted narratives, To is known for capturing the emotional zeitgeist of his times, frequently exploring themes surrounding Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty. While he stated that he is not retiring, at 69 years old, he is clear about his intentions: “If I’m not passionate about a project, I won’t pursue it.” To expressed his desire to find a “happy film” and even considered relocating to a place that feels more suitable for his artistic inclinations.