Back in 1964, during the early years of my career, I worked in North Point, Hong Kong. At that time, one of the most iconic buildings in the neighborhood was the Sing Tao Building (星島大廈) on Java Road—the headquarters of Sing Tao Daily, one of Hong Kong’s most respected newspapers.
It wasn’t just a building—it was a hub of action. The place buzzed with life: editorial teams, administrative offices, and printing operations all stacked across several floors. The scent of freshly printed newspapers and ink filled the air—an oddly comforting aroma I can still recall to this day.
🚗 A Chance Encounter with a Media Legend
During those years, I often had chance encounters with Ms. Aw Sian (胡仙), also known as Sally Aw, the owner and chairperson of the Sing Tao Group. She was a dignified woman in her middle age, always wearing glasses, and often arriving at the building in a Mercedes-Benz driven by her chauffeur.
Ms. Aw was not just a business leader—she was one of the most influential women in Hong Kong’s media and business world. Her family had built a legacy, and their name was synonymous with entrepreneurship, publishing, and philanthropy. It was widely known that the Aw family contributed generously to local charities, cultural causes, and education.
Though I was just a young employee at a different company in the building—Abbott Laboratories—seeing her walk past with grace and purpose left a deep impression on me. In those brief moments, I caught a glimpse of how leadership, media, and legacy came together.
🏢 The Energy of the Sing Tao Building
Inside the building, every floor had its own rhythm. Editors typed away, layout designers shuffled proofs, and massive printing presses roared to life as each day’s edition was produced. It was a noisy, energetic, and purposeful environment, and I felt fortunate to witness it from nearby.
In fact, Reader’s Digest also had an office a floor below ours, adding to the vibrant media atmosphere. North Point in the 1960s was truly a melting pot of ideas, businesses, and stories waiting to be told.
🌍 A Brief History of Sing Tao News Group
For those unfamiliar, Sing Tao Daily (星島日報) was founded in 1938 by Ms. Aw’s father, Aw Boon Haw—the same man behind the famed Tiger Balm brand. Under Ms. Aw’s leadership, the company expanded globally, launching overseas editions across North America, Europe, and Australia. It also published The Standard, one of Hong Kong’s key English newspapers.
In later decades, the group faced challenges but adapted to digital publishing and diversified its offerings. Today, Sing Tao News Corporation still operates print, digital, and mobile news services, including Headline Daily and The Standard, reaching readers across Hong Kong and overseas.
🔮 Looking Ahead
While print media everywhere is evolving, Sing Tao’s legacy continues. Its future may be shaped by digital innovation, shifting reader habits, and broader changes in Hong Kong’s media landscape. But to me—and perhaps to others who lived through those decades—it will always be remembered as one of the pillars of Hong Kong journalism.
🙋♂️ Final Thoughts
Sometimes, history isn’t just in books—it’s in the buildings we pass through, the people we cross paths with, and the smells and sounds that linger long after. My memories of Sing Tao are a personal slice of Hong Kong’s vibrant past, and I hope sharing them here brings a bit of that world to life for you.
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