https://www.scmp.com/rss/298605/feed Spirit of Hong Kong is a series that looks behind the scenes of one of Asia's largest and most vibrant cities by focusing on those whose contributions often go unnoticed yet are vital to the everyday success of Hong Kong. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The worst of times can bring out the best in people. They are the ultimate test of the spirit of Hong Kong – the resilience and mutual support in adversity for which the city is renowned. If any evidence were needed that it prevails, it was to be found at the annual celebration of some outstanding examples – the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group. The awards recognise unsung heroes who contribute to the community or inspire us with stories... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3344688/spirit-hong-kong-awards-celebration-citys-unsung-heroes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3344688/spirit-hong-kong-awards-celebration-citys-unsung-heroes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Lam Ka-sing,Jimmy Chow Lam Ka-sing,Jimmy Chow Hong Kong firefighters have been honoured for their heroic response to November’s deadly Tai Po fire – the city’s worst in decades – at the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, which celebrates unsung heroes who contribute to the community or inspire others through stories of resilience and perseverance. The Fire Services Department received an appreciation flag at the awards co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group at the Conrad Hong Kong, where 10 winners were selected from 27... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344509/spirit-hong-kong-awards-john-lee-hails-role-models-firefighters-feted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344509/spirit-hong-kong-awards-john-lee-hails-role-models-firefighters-feted?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:07:47 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Morgan Stanley’s fundraising drive for Operation Santa Claus (OSC) has kept the firm on course to remain the campaign’s top corporate supporter for the 10th consecutive year, extending a partnership of nearly three decades that has engaged employees across divisions, seniority levels and borders. According to Gokul Laroia, CEO of Asia at Morgan Stanley, the global financial services firm’s enduring support for OSC reflected its long-term commitment to giving back to the community, as illustrated... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337763/hong-kongs-operation-santa-claus-strengthened-morgan-stanleys-enduring-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337763/hong-kongs-operation-santa-claus-strengthened-morgan-stanleys-enduring-support?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 02:15:09 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Public voting has begun for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025, with 27 finalists nominated for their achievements that enshrine compassion, creativity and perseverance. Co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group, the annual awards recognise individuals and teams whose quiet actions and innovations help build a more caring, inclusive and sustainable Hong Kong. In two of the nine categories, community and culture finalists showed how fostering empathy can transform lives. David... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3330230/spirit-hong-kong-awards-voting-opens-27-who-helped-build-inclusive-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3330230/spirit-hong-kong-awards-voting-opens-27-who-helped-build-inclusive-city?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:03:49 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow After two decades of quiet perseverance, Hong Kong boccia player John Loung finally struck gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Loung’s story of endurance has earned him a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the perseverance category. Co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group, the annual awards honour unsung heroes whose courage, compassion and determination make a positive difference in the community. Born with cerebral palsy, Loung has limited... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329617/spirit-hong-kong-awards-boccia-player-who-won-paralympic-gold-after-20-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329617/spirit-hong-kong-awards-boccia-player-who-won-paralympic-gold-after-20-years?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 03:56:17 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow When Hongkonger Joanne Fong Tze-hang was six, she realised after watching her uncle care for animals that if love could change them, it could change people too. That was when she decided she wanted to be an educator. As the principal of HHCKLA Buddhist Chan Shi Wan Primary School today, Fong said she believes education should prepare children not merely to excel in exams but, more importantly, to grow as thoughtful, compassionate individuals. “Academic performance matters, but a child’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329605/spirit-hong-kong-awards-school-principal-trailblazing-holistic-approach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329605/spirit-hong-kong-awards-school-principal-trailblazing-holistic-approach?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:58:20 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow An app that reduces food waste by turning surplus meals at businesses into discounted “mystery meal boxes” for customers has been named a finalist in the sustainability category of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025. Yindii’s Hong Kong general manager, Agnes Lee Yin-kei, said the recognition was a tribute to “every food hero and shop that believes a less wasteful city is possible”. For Lee, who sees bakeries and cafes throwing away trays of unsold food each night, the problem is painfully... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329338/spirit-hong-kong-awards-app-tackles-food-waste-mystery-boxes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329338/spirit-hong-kong-awards-app-tackles-food-waste-mystery-boxes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 03:54:30 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hongkonger Wong Yiu-ming was once uncertain about his role in society after retirement, but he has regained confidence after sharing his personal stories with students. “We thought we were teaching the young. But in truth, they helped us see ourselves differently,” said Wong, 71, who was deputy executive vice-chairman of a listed company in Hong Kong before he retired. Wong is one of about 60 elderly people who have shared their stories in classrooms, community centres and shopping centres... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329202/spirit-hong-kong-awards-enterprise-bridges-generations-through-stories-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329202/spirit-hong-kong-awards-enterprise-bridges-generations-through-stories-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:00:10 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow When Super Typhoon Ragasa hit Hong Kong last month, nearly 80 Red Cross staff and volunteers worked around the clock before, during and after the storm to help residents living in flood-prone areas. In Tai O, the team – comprising 43 Red Cross staff and 34 volunteers – helped residents raise their furniture and passed along weather alerts to more than 500 people. As the storm intensified, volunteers distributed 200 sandbags to Sai Kung and Sham Tseng, and supported emergency... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329181/spirit-hong-kong-awards-red-cross-team-prepares-disasters-beyond-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329181/spirit-hong-kong-awards-red-cross-team-prepares-disasters-beyond-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 06:00:13 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Sixteen-year-old Cassie Li Pui-ying was rushed into an emergency operation in Hong Kong on Monday morning after days of persistent fever and severe abdominal swelling. Doctors discovered a ruptured section of her colon and extensive inflammation inside her abdomen. The five-hour procedure saved her life, and she now remains in the intensive care unit under close monitoring. Her mother, Marine Mak, remembers the shock that morning. “When the doctor called me to the operating floor, my heart... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329179/spirit-hong-kong-awards-teen-fights-congenital-disease-grace-and-humour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329179/spirit-hong-kong-awards-teen-fights-congenital-disease-grace-and-humour?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 02:15:07 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow When a Hong Kong teacher took a handful of students to Cambodia for some voluntary work six years ago, he never imagined that it would grow into a lasting organisation. Co-founded by Chan Yik-yeung, vice-principal of Yan Chai Hospital Law Chan Chor Si College, youth volunteer group Dream Compassioneers has mobilised more than 1,000 students in service projects across Asia since its establishment in 2020. The initiative has earned the team a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329062/spirit-hong-kong-awards-how-volunteer-trip-cambodia-sparked-youth-led-ngo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329062/spirit-hong-kong-awards-how-volunteer-trip-cambodia-sparked-youth-led-ngo?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:40:20 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow An award-winning journalist turned educator is teaching Hong Kong how to age well – not through textbooks, but through life stories. At Ginger Innovation, founder Chen Yimin trains older adults to become storytellers and mentors, helping them rebuild confidence and inviting society to redefine ageing as a form of continued learning. When Chen left journalism in 2020 after more than a decade covering social and ageing issues, she carried with her a realisation that would change her career: no one... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329060/spirit-hong-kong-awards-educator-helps-seniors-unleash-their-hidden-potential?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329060/spirit-hong-kong-awards-educator-helps-seniors-unleash-their-hidden-potential?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:35:13 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Veteran Hong Kong teacher Chan Yik-yeung has built a new kind of classroom, one without walls or exams, where teenagers learn empathy through service. His work as a vice principal at Yan Chai Hospital Law Chan Chor Si College and his youth initiative, Dream Compassioneers, have earned him a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the nurturing category. When Chan began teaching more than 15 years ago, he realised that most students measured success only by grades. “They... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328893/spirit-hong-kong-awards-teacher-empowers-students-serve-learn-and-lead-heart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328893/spirit-hong-kong-awards-teacher-empowers-students-serve-learn-and-lead-heart?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:10 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong entrepreneur Nathan Hui Tin-ho has turned a deeply personal experience into a thriving business by founding a technology start-up that helps elderly people fight dementia through games inspired by local culture. The 32-year-old’s blend of empathy and innovation has earned him a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the entrepreneurship category. “My grandfather refused to see a doctor. He did not think there was anything wrong with him,” he said. “That is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328912/spirit-hong-kong-awards-man-helps-elderly-combat-dementia-through-local-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328912/spirit-hong-kong-awards-man-helps-elderly-combat-dementia-through-local-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:13 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Two university graduates in Hong Kong are redefining sustainability through a company they set up to turn surplus fruit into healthy and convenient food. The mission of Francis So Ka-hei and Matey Svetlan Yordanov through Food With Benefits (FWB) has earned their venture a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the sustainability category. Every sachet of FWB’s signature smoothie powder saves around 200 grams of surplus fruit that would otherwise end up in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328868/fresh-thinking-hong-kong-pair-turn-surplus-fruit-smoothies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328868/fresh-thinking-hong-kong-pair-turn-surplus-fruit-smoothies?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:15:12 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow A Hong Kong student who once struggled with anxiety and perfectionism has turned her experience into a campaign to raise awareness of mental health. Charlotte Yuen Cheuk-lam, founder of Be Positive HK, is a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the youth category for her leadership in promoting empathy and open dialogue among students. Yuen, 18, said that when she started secondary school, she felt trapped in a cycle of pressure and self-doubt. “I was anxious about exams and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328869/how-hong-kong-teens-struggle-anxiety-led-student-mental-health-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328869/how-hong-kong-teens-struggle-anxiety-led-student-mental-health-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:15:07 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow A young entrepreneur who turned her journey to health into a business opportunity has this advice for aspiring youngsters looking to succeed in life: if you have an idea, start early. Nikita Kuwadekar founded Busy Brew, Hong Kong’s first plant-based canned coffee brand, when she was just 19, creating what she said was an accessible and healthy choice for the world’s favourite drink. Her determination and optimism have earned her a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328840/spirit-hong-kong-awards-health-conscious-dreamer-tastes-success-coffee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328840/spirit-hong-kong-awards-health-conscious-dreamer-tastes-success-coffee?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:46:39 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Three-time breast cancer survivor Hui Wai-yee has become a pillar of Hong Kong’s breast cancer support community. Through her volunteer work with the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF), she provides comfort, practical help, and encouragement to other patients, earning her a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the Community category. The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group, recognise the city’s unsung heroes... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328831/how-hong-kong-mother-turned-her-breast-cancer-battle-beacon-light?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328831/how-hong-kong-mother-turned-her-breast-cancer-battle-beacon-light?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:42:06 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sa’diyya Nesar has spent much of her life redefining what strength means. Living with a rare congenital muscle condition that requires a wheelchair, she has endured multiple surgeries and long hospital stays. Rather than letting disability confine her, she turned to writing and found her voice. “I started writing not only to cope with life’s difficulties but also to clear misconceptions about disability,” said Nesar, who graduated from the University of Hong Kong in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328742/meet-woman-breaking-barriers-disability-inclusion-empathy-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328742/meet-woman-breaking-barriers-disability-inclusion-empathy-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 03:15:08 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow A volunteer network of business leaders, educators and professionals has joined forces to help ethnically diverse young women gain confidence and access careers in Hong Kong. Founded in 2017, Empower by the Amber Foundation has grown into a citywide community of more than 250 mentors and coaches, earning the group a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the teamwork category. The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328738/how-volunteer-network-opening-doors-ethnic-minority-women-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328738/how-volunteer-network-opening-doors-ethnic-minority-women-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:15:08 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow At just 23, university student Bianca Sadhwani has become a familiar face on Hong Kong’s streets, her smile and kindness lighting up evenings as she hands out meals to the homeless alongside her father. The young volunteer, a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the Youth category, has turned her family’s compassion into a bridge that connects cultures and hearts. The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards is co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group to recognise the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328677/spirit-hong-kong-awards-student-who-helps-her-father-give-meals-homeless?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328677/spirit-hong-kong-awards-student-who-helps-her-father-give-meals-homeless?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 04:51:58 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow For more than two decades, Professor Edwin Chan Ho-yin has pursued one of medicine’s toughest challenges by developing treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases. His pioneering work, now channelled through his biotech start-up Rare Power, bridges academic discovery with real-world application, earning him a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the Innovation category. The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328631/spirit-hong-kong-awards-researcher-entrepreneur-tackles-rare-brain-diseases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328631/spirit-hong-kong-awards-researcher-entrepreneur-tackles-rare-brain-diseases?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 05:22:38 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong environmental innovator Shawn Cheng Yat-ho has spent more than 15 years turning rubbish into opportunity, creating one of the city’s most ambitious recycling and education networks. His long-standing efforts to promote a green environment have earned him a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the sustainability category. Cheng did not start out as an environmental crusader. Trained in environmental science, he saw recycling as a practical way to fix a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328453/spirit-hong-kong-awards-eco-innovator-turning-rubbish-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328453/spirit-hong-kong-awards-eco-innovator-turning-rubbish-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 01:48:26 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hongkonger Rosie Chan Man-wai left school at 15 to work and support her single mother. “I worked three jobs and thought that would be my life,” she said. Chan, an entrepreneur in her mid-thirties, recalled how she turned her fate around. “I’ve never given up on learning. More than a decade later, I forced my way back into education and that changed everything.” That determination eventually brought her back to Polytechnic University in 2020 as a senior student, where she studied environmental... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328292/dropout-ecopreneur-how-hongkonger-turning-food-waste-resources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328292/dropout-ecopreneur-how-hongkonger-turning-food-waste-resources?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:15:07 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow For Hong Kong architect Marisa Yiu Kar-san, urban design is a way to bring people together, spark conversations and open up possibilities. She co-founded the non-profit Design Trust in 2014 to turn her vision into reality by creating opportunities and mobilising communities. “I really believe in the organisation as a community platform that can humbly drive positive change,” said Yiu, who has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the culture category. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328161/spirit-hong-kong-awards-architect-connecting-people-ideas-overlooked-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328161/spirit-hong-kong-awards-architect-connecting-people-ideas-overlooked-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 02:15:07 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong sculptor and community artist May Yeung centres her practice on recycled objects, cultural heritage and cross-cultural exchange. Her work includes public sculptures as well as collaborative projects with children, patients and disadvantaged groups. This socially driven approach has earned her a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the culture category. She studied political science and visual arts at the University of Chicago from 2008 to 2012 under... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328052/spirit-hong-kong-awards-sculptor-bridges-generations-and-cultures-through-art?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3328052/spirit-hong-kong-awards-sculptor-bridges-generations-and-cultures-through-art?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 02:15:08 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Crossroads Foundation president David Begbie has spent three decades showing Hongkongers what life is like on the margins, stripping away comfort in realistic simulations that turn empathy into action. The humanitarian has been named a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the Community category, in recognition of his efforts to build empathy and inspire change among leaders, students and families in the city. The Crossroads Foundation has served people in need for three decades,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327946/spirit-hong-kong-awards-ngo-leader-inspires-change-through-empathy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327946/spirit-hong-kong-awards-ngo-leader-inspires-change-through-empathy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 02:16:41 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong innovator Lamia Sreya Rahman has led the way in creating an AI-powered wearable device to ensure people with visual impairments, such as her father and neighbours, can navigate the world with dignity. Rahman, co-founder of AI start-up Seekr, said most assistive devices for the visually impaired focused on technology over dignity. “I spoke to people with visual impairment, and they told me clearly they dislike carrying around or wearing bulky devices that make them feel stigmatised,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327848/spirit-hong-kong-awards-innovator-uses-ai-help-visually-impaired?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327848/spirit-hong-kong-awards-innovator-uses-ai-help-visually-impaired?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 02:15:07 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong designer-turned-entrepreneur Rosie Chan Man-wai has developed a recycling system that uses black soldier fly larvae and smart automation to turn food waste into fertiliser and protein for schools, farms, residential estates and businesses. The innovation has earned her a place as a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the innovation category. The innovation lies not only in the biology, but more importantly in the system’s design philosophy. The machines are stackable,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327722/spirit-hong-kong-awards-designers-fly-larvae-system-recycles-food-waste?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327722/spirit-hong-kong-awards-designers-fly-larvae-system-recycles-food-waste?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 02:15:07 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow When Hong Kong illustrator Liu Chi-leung walked past his old primary school in Western District a few years ago, he noticed familiar streetscapes disappearing under redevelopment. Liu, who goes by the pen name LeE-papa, sketched one of the buildings and shared it online. “I put it on Facebook, and old classmates and neighbours recognised it. Some shared their memories, which gave me the motivation to keep going.” That small act grew into Archimprint, his ongoing project to preserve Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327705/spirit-hong-kong-awards-meet-illustrator-keeping-citys-urban-memory-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327705/spirit-hong-kong-awards-meet-illustrator-keeping-citys-urban-memory-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 02:15:10 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Twenty-seven individuals and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, including innovators who turn waste into resources and start-ups that make food systems greener. Established in 2013, the annual awards recognise the efforts of Hong Kong’s unsung heroes who contribute to the community or inspire others with stories of how they overcome personal challenges. “Hong Kong’s young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow. They’re already stepping up for Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327530/spirit-hong-kong-awards-creativity-courage-show-27-finalists-shortlisted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327530/spirit-hong-kong-awards-creativity-courage-show-27-finalists-shortlisted?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2025 03:00:12 +0000 The Post wrapped up its annual Spirit of Hong Kong Awards on Tuesday night, recognising the work of a teenager who offers sports classes for underprivileged children, an advocate working with restaurants to create soft food options for people who have difficulties swallowing and an entrepreneur who hires the elderly, among many others. The trio were among 10 recipients honoured at a ceremony for the 12th edition of the campaign, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and developer Sino... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3289224/spirit-hong-kong-awards-john-lee-says-winners-exemplify-citys-can-do-spirit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3289224/spirit-hong-kong-awards-john-lee-says-winners-exemplify-citys-can-do-spirit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:33:02 +0000 Hongkongers will now have the chance to help honour the city’s unsung heroes by voting for the 27 individuals and groups shortlisted in an annual initiative celebrating their achievements. The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards is co-organised by the South China Morning Post and property developer Sino Group with an aim to recognise those who exemplify the city’s “can-do” spirit through their extraordinary efforts. The public have until November 6 to vote for the finalist who they believe best... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3284263/spirit-hong-kong-awards-residents-start-voting-27-finalists-unsung-heroes-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3284263/spirit-hong-kong-awards-residents-start-voting-27-finalists-unsung-heroes-event?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Oct 2024 04:10:15 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong student Lee Hok-lam is already making contributions to science and the wider community at the age of 17, after discovering a sense of purpose and direction in the middle of a debating session. “It all started with a debate,” said the Form Six student, who serves as the captain and supervisor of St Joseph’s College’s English and Chinese debate team. “We were discussing environmental medicine, and it struck me that I didn’t want to just talk about it – I wanted to do something,” he said,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3283155/spirit-hong-kong-awards-teen-prodigy-pushes-frontiers-science-and-education?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3283155/spirit-hong-kong-awards-teen-prodigy-pushes-frontiers-science-and-education?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Oct 2024 02:02:11 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Queenie Man Wei-yin has noticed that Hong Kong restaurants now cater to a variety of needs, with offerings for children, vegetarians and even people on specific diets such as keto – but some diners are still being left out “Where’s the menu for the elderly or for those who need soft meals?” she said. The Project Futurus founder is now advocating change in the hopes that diners ranging from toddlers to grandparents can sit together and enjoy a meal without worry or compromise. Her advocacy work... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3283048/spirit-hong-kong-awards-social-enterprise-promotes-dignified-dining-soft-meals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3283048/spirit-hong-kong-awards-social-enterprise-promotes-dignified-dining-soft-meals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Oct 2024 02:00:12 +0000 For many, life after work may seem like the beginning of a slower pace, but for 800 volunteers with the Hong Kong Red Cross’ Elderly Unit, retirement is just a new beginning. “It’s a beautiful thing when you’re not just helping others, but you’re also discovering a new purpose in life after retirement,” said Jackie Tsai Bing-chee, manager for elderly volunteer development at Hong Kong Red Cross. The Elderly Unit was established in 1994 to encourage older adults from all walks of life to join... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3283007/spirit-hong-kong-awards-elderly-red-cross-volunteers-prove-age-just-number?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3283007/spirit-hong-kong-awards-elderly-red-cross-volunteers-prove-age-just-number?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Oct 2024 02:00:15 +0000 Several Asian countries are among the biggest contributors to global carbon emissions amid an ongoing battle against climate change. But a Hong Kong-based tech company has come up with a tool that focuses on helping those countries move towards carbon neutrality. Carbonbase was founded in 2019 under a Cyberport incubation programme to create a system addressing the unique challenges of the region’s biggest emitters – China, India, Indonesia and Japan – by focusing on an Asia-Pacific digital... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282800/spirit-hong-kong-awards-tech-company-creates-system-help-asia-reach-carbon-neutrality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282800/spirit-hong-kong-awards-tech-company-creates-system-help-asia-reach-carbon-neutrality?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:00:08 +0000 Hongkonger George Chen Dah-ren is on a mission to combat the growing global problem of plastic waste using innovative approaches, after years of frustration from tackling misconceptions about what true sustainability means. With this in mind, he founded green biotech company Ecoinno. “Confusion abounds about what is ‘eco-friendly’ and what is ‘biodegradable’. An eco-friendly product may shrink or break into smaller pieces, but that’s not the same as being truly biodegradable,” Chen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282503/spirit-hong-kong-awards-biotech-company-goes-beyond-talk-green-products?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282503/spirit-hong-kong-awards-biotech-company-goes-beyond-talk-green-products?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Oct 2024 02:00:07 +0000 After Hong Kong teen Owen Ng Yat-san won a three-on-three basketball competition around two years ago, he decided to give back to the community by helping underprivileged children. “We won the match, but the other team were playing in regular shoes, not even proper sports gear,” 15-year-old Ng recalled. “It did not feel right.” Driven by a belief that sports should be for everyone, the then 13-year-old launched Game On, an initiative that offers basketball, tennis and table tennis sessions to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282382/spirit-hong-kong-awards-meet-teen-giving-poor-children-access-sports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282382/spirit-hong-kong-awards-meet-teen-giving-poor-children-access-sports?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Oct 2024 02:00:10 +0000 Over the past 10 years, Hong Kong academic Tse Sze-hei has trained more than 70,000 young people to bring positive impact through their work as he believes socially conscious entrepreneurs are essential for tackling future challenges. Among the training programmes he set up is Innovator Farm (IF), which he launched in 2020 to nurture the next generation of social innovators. Initially focused on young people aged 15 to 25, the IF programme has now expanded to include all ages. So far, it has... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282317/spirit-hong-kong-awards-equipping-young-leaders-thrive-take-future-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282317/spirit-hong-kong-awards-equipping-young-leaders-thrive-take-future-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Oct 2024 02:00:16 +0000 A Hong Kong start-up has managed to prevent the equivalent of 15,000 disposal containers from going to waste in just over a year thanks to its tableware rental service. Established in January 2023 by Kelvin Tsui Ka-hei and Amy Lai Sui-fong, the company hopes to go beyond what it has already achieved. “Our broader vision is to create a zero-waste takeaway culture in Hong Kong,” CEO Tsui said. “We want to show that sustainable practices can be integrated into everyday life without... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282208/spirit-hong-kong-awards-start-shows-sustainability-can-begin-meal-box?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282208/spirit-hong-kong-awards-start-shows-sustainability-can-begin-meal-box?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Oct 2024 02:15:08 +0000 Hongkonger Dixon Kwok Kai-yuen was born into a struggling family and diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at a young age, with his secondary school years seeing his household fracture and depression affect his academic performance. But looking back on those tough times, the civil engineer and social enterprise founder said he eventually managed to turn adversity into opportunity. “Those challenges shaped who I am today,” Kwok, now in his thirties, said. “Resilience isn’t about... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282139/spirit-hong-kong-awards-civil-engineer-helps-rebuild-lives-dignity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282139/spirit-hong-kong-awards-civil-engineer-helps-rebuild-lives-dignity?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Oct 2024 02:00:24 +0000 In 2015, the United Nations announced 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of a comprehensive agenda to tackle global issues such as poverty, hunger and climate change. It was a move by an organisation made up of an international coalition of governments, but it nonetheless triggered a nascent awareness in a precocious five-year-old Hong Kong girl. Seven years later, that girl, Valerie Chiu Wing-yee, founded a youth-led NGO called Teen Animals da Scientists (TADS) to help... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282084/spirit-hong-kong-awards-14-year-old-who-founded-youth-ngo-address-inequality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3282084/spirit-hong-kong-awards-14-year-old-who-founded-youth-ngo-address-inequality?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Oct 2024 02:00:15 +0000 Hong Kong entrepreneur Edmund Chan Ka-ming enjoys his milk – not the kind that comes from a cow, but that which is made from a previously underrated type of vegetable: tiger nut. The co-founder of green tech company Meat the Next was driven to create an alternative non-dairy product with tiger nuts that tackles not just his own digestion, but also issues of sustainable agriculture. “Tiga Milk was created out of a personal need. Like 90 per cent of Asians, I am lactose intolerant. But we saw an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281829/spirit-hong-kong-awards-green-tech-entrepreneur-turns-desert-farmland-tiger-nuts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281829/spirit-hong-kong-awards-green-tech-entrepreneur-turns-desert-farmland-tiger-nuts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Oct 2024 02:15:32 +0000 When the Covid-19 pandemic struck Hong Kong, the economic impact took away livelihoods and forced some businesses to close down. So a group of women in 2020 stepped in, offering support to their peers through the power of sisterhood. The friends formed a social enterprise called Sisterpeer with the aim of helping women overcome adversity and, where possible, become entrepreneurs. “At the beginning, we had no resources, no network – just a group of friends who wanted to make a difference,” said... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281627/spirit-hong-kong-awards-sisterpeer-helps-women-get-back-their-feet-start-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281627/spirit-hong-kong-awards-sisterpeer-helps-women-get-back-their-feet-start-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Oct 2024 02:00:13 +0000 A Hong Kong-based tech start-up has developed a wheelchair powered by artificial intelligence (AI) with the ability to climb stairs after designers gained inspiration from one of their team’s home lives. “It all started with a close friend whose father had an accident and was left relying on a wheelchair. Their home had three steps, and every time they needed to go out, they had to physically carry him down,” Libpet Tech CEO and founder Jojo Xu Huafeng said. “That got me thinking: why isn’t... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281482/spirit-hong-kong-awards-start-ceo-creates-ai-powered-stair-climbing-wheelchair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281482/spirit-hong-kong-awards-start-ceo-creates-ai-powered-stair-climbing-wheelchair?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Oct 2024 02:00:14 +0000 When Kelvin Tsui Ka-hei saw how much waste in Hong Kong was generated each day by single-use plastics from takeaway meals amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he was inspired to make a change. Tsui co-founded ReCube with chief operating officer Amy Lai Sui-fong in January of 2023 in the hopes of reducing waste and making sustainability accessible to consumers and businesses alike. The company offers reusable containers that can be borrowed from participating restaurants, with the meal boxes tracked... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281328/spirit-hong-kong-awards-meet-company-saving-planet-one-lunchbox-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281328/spirit-hong-kong-awards-meet-company-saving-planet-one-lunchbox-time?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Oct 2024 02:00:15 +0000 When medical volunteers found their efforts to provide consultations and counselling services to remote areas in Hong Kong and overseas were having a limited impact, they changed tactics and set up a new organisation. “So we made a small change, shifting from just medicine to incorporating the arts. We wanted to focus on both physical and mental well-being,” traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Lam Kar-yeung said. In 2017, Lam and clinical counsellor Jennifer Wong Ming-wai founded Eli Care,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281262/spirit-hong-kong-awards-medical-volunteers-heal-mind-and-body-pivot-arts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281262/spirit-hong-kong-awards-medical-volunteers-heal-mind-and-body-pivot-arts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Oct 2024 02:00:21 +0000 When diving instructor Kevin Suen Chung-yi conducts lessons in Hong Kong’s waters, he would often encounter discarded abandoned fishing nets that snagged on coral reefs and ensnared marine creatures. “I’d see these nets tangled around coral or drifting in the water, and I couldn’t just ignore them,” Suen said. What began as a personal initiative to clear nets when he encountered them, gradually evolved into a much larger mission. Since setting up Ghost Net Hunting Unit in 2022, Suen has led over... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281215/spirit-hong-kong-awards-diving-instructors-quest-fight-marine-pollution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281215/spirit-hong-kong-awards-diving-instructors-quest-fight-marine-pollution?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Oct 2024 02:00:21 +0000 While The Nutcracker is a timeless classic, Hong Kong Ballet has infused the performance with local culture to reflect the city’s “unique identity”. Septime Webre, artistic director of the elite ballet school, said he reimagined The Nutcracker to celebrate early 20th century Hong Kong. “Hong Kong is a fusion city,” he said. “But its soul is a Hong Kong soul. There are influences from the West and all over, but I wanted The Nutcracker to reflect the city’s unique identity.” With the creative... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281140/spirit-hong-kong-awards-reimagining-nutcracker-reflect-hong-kongs-uniqueness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3281140/spirit-hong-kong-awards-reimagining-nutcracker-reflect-hong-kongs-uniqueness?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Oct 2024 02:00:10 +0000