logo
In pictures: when Hong Kong was the centre of toy manufacturing

In pictures: when Hong Kong was the centre of toy manufacturing

Hong Kong's toy industry boomed in the 1960s and 70s, and by 1972 the city had overtaken Japan to become the world's biggest toy exporter. Here is a look back at some South China Morning Post photographs from those bygone factory floors... and keep an eye out for a very special cameo.
A young woman assembling toys at Elm Tool and Machinery's factory in Quarry Bay in 1967. Photo: SCMP Archives
A worker at Kader's toy factory in Hong Kong in 1971. The company was founded in 1948. Photo: SCMP Archives
Workers in a toy factory in 1972. Photo: SCMP Archives
Prince Charles (third right) tries a remote-controlled toy car at Sun Chung Precision Metal Factory in San Po Kong in 1979. Photo: SCMP Archives
Paul Kwan, joint managing director of toymaker Playmates Holdings, with the company's biggest hit, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys, in 1989. Photo: SCMP Archives
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dozens of Hong Kong, overseas Tottenham fans gather for club-themed drone show
Dozens of Hong Kong, overseas Tottenham fans gather for club-themed drone show

South China Morning Post

timea day ago

  • South China Morning Post

Dozens of Hong Kong, overseas Tottenham fans gather for club-themed drone show

Dozens of spectators, largely local and overseas Tottenham Hotspur fans, arrived hours before a drone show on Wednesday night at the Hung Hom waterfront as the city celebrated its first major football festival. Advertisement As many fans stood just outside or inside the Kerry Hotel in hopes of attracting their favourite players' attention, others walked around the premises and along the harbourfront to get a prime view of the show, which is due to start at 7.30pm. 'It's my first time seeing it, and I'm looking for something a little flashy,' said Ha Byung-jun, a 21-year-old student and Tottenham fan from South Korea. The drone show will feature dynamic Tottenham-themed animations and images, paying tribute to the club's storied heritage and passionate global supporters, designer OWOWWW Creative (Hong Kong) said. According to the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club's website, the drone show aims to mark the team's very first north London derby game outside the UK against Arsenal, and pay tribute to the club's history. Advertisement For some Tottenham fans, the show also provided an opportunity for them to see their favourite team at the hotel, with some even arriving early in the hopes of getting a photo with or an autograph with their favourite players. Among them was Caleb Shun, a 20-year-old local Tottenham fan, who said he had been outside the hotel with his friends since midmorning to get an autograph and a photo with South Korean Son Heung-Min, the club's captain and forward.

In pictures: when Hong Kong was the centre of toy manufacturing
In pictures: when Hong Kong was the centre of toy manufacturing

South China Morning Post

time4 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

In pictures: when Hong Kong was the centre of toy manufacturing

Hong Kong's toy industry boomed in the 1960s and 70s, and by 1972 the city had overtaken Japan to become the world's biggest toy exporter. Here is a look back at some South China Morning Post photographs from those bygone factory floors... and keep an eye out for a very special cameo. A young woman assembling toys at Elm Tool and Machinery's factory in Quarry Bay in 1967. Photo: SCMP Archives A worker at Kader's toy factory in Hong Kong in 1971. The company was founded in 1948. Photo: SCMP Archives Workers in a toy factory in 1972. Photo: SCMP Archives Prince Charles (third right) tries a remote-controlled toy car at Sun Chung Precision Metal Factory in San Po Kong in 1979. Photo: SCMP Archives Paul Kwan, joint managing director of toymaker Playmates Holdings, with the company's biggest hit, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys, in 1989. Photo: SCMP Archives

Who is Peter Lai? Renowned Hong Kong lyricist is trending on Chinese social media
Who is Peter Lai? Renowned Hong Kong lyricist is trending on Chinese social media

South China Morning Post

time6 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

Who is Peter Lai? Renowned Hong Kong lyricist is trending on Chinese social media

Renowned Hong Kong lyricist Peter Lai Bei-dak is trending on Chinese social media platform Weibo after he disclosed that he helped his 37-year-old son – with whom he has a strained relationship – pay off credit card debt worth hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Advertisement Many comments shared on Weibo expressed empathy for the 75-year-old single father, with many users lamenting his situation. Lai also shared with local media platform HK01 that he is currently looking for a soulmate, which sparked fevered discussion in both Hong Kong and mainland China. He seemed unfazed by the reaction and claimed that if Hong Kong singer and actor Lee Lung-kay could find love at the age of 74, why couldn't he? Renowned for crafting the lyrics for classic songs in Hong Kong including 'Monica' (sung by Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing) and 'Drifter's Song' (sung by Sam Hui Koon-kit), the outspoken Lai has also long been familiar to mainland audiences thanks to his role as a comedic private tutor in Stephen Chow Sing-chi's 1993 movie Flirting Scholar. Although his fame peaked during the 1970s and '80s, his lyrics continue to resonate deeply among Chinese pop-culture circles.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store