History
From an isolated southern frontier to China’s main gateway to the maritime world, Guangdong’s early encounters with foreign traders, armed sea powers and overseas migration laid the foundations for its later role as a cradle of reform. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao traces the early history of Guangdong in ThinkChina’s Eye on Guangdong series.
Hsu Chung-mao
01 Sep 2026
History
[Photos] What I saw at Tiananmen in 1989 before I was shot (Part 2)
In the second part of a two-part article, historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recounts his rescue, treatment and recovery following his near-fatal gunshot wound to the neck as a young journalist during the 1989 Tiananmen incident.
Hsu Chung-mao
15 Jun 2026
History
[Photos] What I saw at Tiananmen in 1989 before I was shot (Part 1)
Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recounts a pivotal time in his life and world history, tracing back the events surrounding his near-fatal gunshot wound to the neck as a young journalist during the 1989 Tiananmen incident.
Hsu Chung-mao
15 Jun 2026
History
[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
History
[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
History
[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
History
[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
History
[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
History
[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
History
[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
History
[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
History
How Singapore’s ‘chief architect’ helped shape reform in China
When Singapore’s former deputy prime minister Goh Keng Swee became an adviser to China in the 1980s, he brought more than policy know-how — he helped shape its reform era. Caixin Global journalists tell us how Goh’s quiet influence has left a lasting mark on both nations.
Caixin Global
07 Nov 2025
History
[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
