Articles by Hsu Chung-Mao

[Photos] Witnessing history as a Taiwan reporter: Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s

How does a young Taiwanese reporter end up chasing history and love in Singapore? Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao takes a look back at the political engineering and leaders that shaped an era in Singapore, along with his personal ties to the country.

Hsu Chung-mao

29 May 2026

[Photos] I was in Israel in 1984: Where rifle and bible are one

In 1984, historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao travelled to Israel as a young Taiwanese journalist expecting a conventional war zone, but found instead a society where military life, religion and daily existence were tightly interwoven in ways that shaped every encounter.

Hsu Chung-mao

24 Apr 2026

[Photos] Cheng Li-wun’s bid to reclaim the Kuomintang’s lost identity in cross-strait politics

Kuomintang (KMT) chair Cheng Li-wun’s visit to mainland China marks a bold attempt to reshape the Kuomintang’s ideological direction, reviving contested historical narratives in a bid to reclaim the party’s lost identity and redefine its role in cross-strait politics amid rising tensions. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao shares his personal observations.

Hsu Chung-mao

17 Apr 2026

[Photos] A tale of two homelands: Fujian and Taiwan [Eye on Fujian series]

Fujian, a historic maritime gateway and strategic frontier in China, has played a defining role in China’s past. Taiwanese historic photo collector Hsu Chung-mao takes us on a pictorial journey that explores the rich history and culture of his ancestral homeland, while reflecting on his personal ties to the region.

Hsu Chung-mao

27 Mar 2026

[Photos] My serendipitous bond with Japanese photographer Koichi Saito

With the aid of rare photos, historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao reflects on his chance encounter with celebrated Japanese photographer Koichi Saito, against the backdrop of a decades-long personal journey in historical photography and publishing.

Hsu Chung-mao

06 Mar 2026

[Photos] From Nanjing streets to family memories: A historical photo collector reflects on Chinese New Year

Through rare photos of Beiping and Nanjing, Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recalls bustling temple fairs, lanterns and family traditions, reflecting on the enduring spirit of Chinese New Year.

Hsu Chung-mao

13 Feb 2026

[Photos] Returning Zhu Feng: The long journey of a CCP secret agent’s remains

In the years after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came to power in mainland China, the Kuomintang (KMT) launched an extensive political purge in Taiwan that became known as the White Terror. The KMT hunted down and executed dissenters, including CCP spies, in an attempt to consolidate power. Today, the stories of the White Terror’s victims are slowly emerging. Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao, who played a significant role in uncovering these forgotten experiences, tells us more about the dark chapter of Taiwan’s history.

Hsu Chung-mao

09 Jan 2026

[Photos] From poverty to prosperity: A century of social transformation in Singapore

Although Singapore’s history has been extensively documented, the experiences of impoverished communities are often forgotten. In his new historical picture book, historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao looks at the process of nation building from the perspective of the poor, emphasising the spiritual and social forces that shaped Singapore’s transformation.

Hsu Chung-mao

05 Dec 2025

[Photos] The Shandong ‘model’: A trailblazer in China’s history [Eye on Shandong series]

Shandong often played the role of a trailblazer, in more ways than one. The province was a central part of major turning points in Chinese history, and for historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao, the place holds fond memories of his first books published in mainland China.

Hsu Chung-mao

26 Sep 2025

[Photos] From Taiwan to South Korea: Remembering WWII without spectacle

While the world’s attention is on Beijing’s grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, Hsu Chung-mao commemorates the occasion with photo exhibits — one in Taiwan with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and another in South Korea with former President Moon Jae-in — small, ground-up events that are just as meaningful.

Hsu Chung-mao

05 Sep 2025

[Photos] Turning pages with Moon Jae-in: A Taiwanese publisher’s unexpected encounter

The launch of a Taiwan-produced photo book themed around Korea in Seoul drew much local media attention and even caught the eye of former South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao shares the story behind publishing this World War II-era Korean photo collection, and how it sparked a memorable encounter.

Hsu Chung-mao

08 Aug 2025

[Photos] An assassination and an unexpected child: A Taiwanese journalist in the Philippines

From the assassination of senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr to the story of a woman named Gloria, who gave birth to a child with a Taiwanese fisherman on a remote island, former Taiwanese journalist and historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recalls two defining moments from his time covering the Philippines. Through his lens, he reflects on how legends emerge from both significant and humble lives, revealing the intricate tapestry of geopolitics, history and human warmth that connects them all.

Hsu Chung-mao

04 Jul 2025