Bowie Wu, 94, takes lifetime Chinese honour

1st November 2026 – (Hong Kong) Ninety-four-year-old screen veteran Bowie Wu, collected the first World Outstanding Chinese Lifetime Achievement Award today and said the honour only steeled his “never retire” vow — with eyes still on starting another shoot.

The 19th World Outstanding Chinese Award ceremony, organised by the World Chinese Business Investment Foundation, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Albert Yeung Sau-shing, chairman of the Emperor Group, and Legislative Council President Starry Lee Wai-king presented the new lifetime prize, created to mark lasting contribution to Chinese communities.

Five-time Hong Kong Film Award best actor Tony Leung Ka-fai, himself a World Outstanding Chinese Award winner this year, stayed at Wu’s side to help him up and down the stage. Wu took the trophy in a black-and-red embroidered top and white trousers, then told the hall that life means keeping at it — never clocking off — and that the award would not end his working days.

After the show he underlined that the prize felt like recognition of the work itself and that retirement was not on the cards. He still hopes to face cameras again when the right script comes — a wish to start filming again rather than treat a lifetime gong as a full stop.

The appearance was his latest public outing since a scare in July, when acute cholangitis and blocked gallstones put him in Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s intensive care; he was once unconscious for four days before a successful operation and discharge. He thanked friends and family for their worry, said heaven had been kind as his spirits recovered, and joked that crowded places are off-limits — except for today’s special exception.

Social calendars have been trimmed, not cancelled. Before the illness he went out at least 25 days a month; now it is about 15, which he still calls rather a lot, with the coming days already booked. Asked whether godsons and goddaughters would throw a party, he doubted it — they are busy, and may not even know he won today.

He also teased godson Louis Koo, who has a Hong Kong Coliseum run next February, for not tipping him off: if Koo never asks him on as a guest, he quipped, even the godson title might be in doubt. The line drew the same light mischief audiences expect from a star who has spanned Cantonese cinema’s black-and-white years to a sixth Coliseum concert season — and who, at 94, still talks about the next take.