Latest news with #XIAOHONGSHU
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Ms Kuok Hui Kwong has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. SINGAPORE - Ms Kuok Hui Kwong is under the spotlight following a new assignment as chief executive of luxury hotel group Shangri-La Asia from Aug 1. Aged 47, Ms Kuok is a daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, the sixth of his eight children, and a prominent business executive – she has been Shangri-La Asia's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She is married to Mr Bryan Gaw, with whom she has three children. She has generally kept a low profile so it was a surprise when she went on the popular Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, where she has been active since 2021. Here are five things you should know about her, based on glimpses into her life she has shared: 1. She loves spending time with her father Ms Kuok Hui Kwong is a daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, the sixth of his eight children. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUOK HUI KWONG/XIAOHONGSHU Her father Robert Kuok, who is 101 years old this year, seldom asks Ms Kuok when she is coming home for dinner, knowing that she is busy with work. Despite this, she knows that he wishes to spend time with her. 'One of the best traits of my father is how sincere he is to others,' said Ms Kuok, recalling a trip to New York with her father, where he became fast friends with a cab driver they met. At the end of the ride, the driver refused to take payment, feeling that he had already become old friends with Mr Kuok. 2. She believes that the best present for children is your time The most important role in a child's life is their mother, said Ms Kuok. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUOK HUI KWONG/XIAOHONGSHU The children of this generation all have enough gifts at home, said Ms Kuok. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Singapore $7,000 fine for eatery chain involved in ByteDance food poisoning case Singapore Bicycle wheel-inspired care model used to improve trauma outcomes in central S'pore Life 11 new entries on Singapore's Bib Gourmand list, including three re-entries at Old Airport Road Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events Singapore 15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams 'What they need is your company and the time you spend with them,' she said. Mobile phones are not allowed at the dinner table in her home so that everyone can communicate with each other uninterrupted by digital devices. 'Whenever I recall my childhood, my best memories growing up were the times I spent with my parents,' she said, who was born in Malaysia and grew up in Hong Kong. The most important role in a child's life is their mother, said Ms Kuok. 'The mother is the one who teaches them morals and values, and also the child's companion in life,' she said. 3. Her must-eats when she visits Singapore Ms Kuok brings her children to her favourite food spots whenever they visit Singapore. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUOK HUI KWONG/XIAOHONGSHU 'Singapore has a very diverse culture, a melting pot for the different characteristics of China, South-east Asia and India, making up a cuisine culture that's unique to the country,' said Ms Kuok, adding that she brings her children to her favourite food spots whenever they visit Singapore. One of her food picks is the dosai from Komala Vilas, a restaurant that serves Indian vegetarian cuisine. Dosai, or dosa, is a thin, savoury crepe-like dish from South India, made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. She also recommended Ming Kee Chicken Rice in Bishan, which offers Hainanese chicken rice with ice-chilled chicken. Ms Kuok described the stall's chicken skin as soft and glutinous. Other food picks include Song Fa Bak Kut Teh and Loo's Hainanese Curry Rice. 4. She has a collection of canvas tote bags Ms Kuok brings a canvas tote bag out everywhere. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUOK HUI KWONG/XIAOHONGSHU Ms Kuok showed her collection of tote bags on Xiaohongshu – she brings one out everywhere. 'I prefer using canvas tote bags because they can be washed and kept clean – so I don't have to worry about them getting dirty,' she said. Some of the designs include one that has 'Life is Pain' printed on it, making a pun on pain au chocolat, a French pastry known as a chocolate croissant. 5. She believes in living sustainably Ms Kuok carries reusable tableware like a glass lunch box, which she uses to pack leftover food from restaurants to take home. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUOK HUI KWONG/XIAOHONGSHU While disposable tableware is more convenient, it is harmful to the planet, said Ms Kuok. 'The rate of our product consumption keeps increasing... at this rate, we might need to find a new planet to live on,' she said in a post on her sustainable habits to protect the environment. Among these habits are carrying reusable tableware like a glass lunch box, which she uses to pack leftover food from restaurants to take home. She also carries her own water bottle when watching movies or when she goes hiking to avoid using plastic bottles.
Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Back in business: Actor Zhang Yaodong spotted manning steamed seafood stall in Tampines
In a Xiaohongshu post, the user said the stall belongs to Zhang Yaodong and he was working that day because his employee had resigned. PHOTOS: XIAOHONGSHU SINGAPORE – Singapore-based Malaysian actor Zhang Yaodong was spotted manning a steamed seafood stall at coffee shop 9007 Kopitiam in the Tampines industrial area on June 4. Clad in a plain white tee, the 47-year-old was standing in front of the cash register and appeared to be taking orders from customers. The Xiaohongshu user who posted about the sighting on June 4 said the stall belongs to Zhang and he was working that day because his employee had resigned. Amid the hustle and bustle, the user noted that the former Mediacorp artiste was polite, and affirmed Zhang in her post by saying that there is nothing better than correcting one's behaviour after making a mistake. The bachelor's image took a hit in July 2024 when rumours surfaced about him fathering children out of wedlock with women of different nationalities. The allegations resulted in him filing a police report, with his manager adding that he will not be addressing the issue again. But in November 2024, Zhang took to Instagram to commemorate his holiday to South Korea with his two daughters, confirming his father status for the first time. In February, Mediacorp's talent management agency The Celebrity Agency stated it was no longer representing him and that he has not participated in the filming of any new shows. Zhang, whose parents used to be hawkers, reportedly used to run a catering business and opened a roast meat stall in a foodcourt. He also ventured into Taiwanese cuisine, selling beef noodles in his home town of Kuala Lumpur. In 2017, he opened an Asian fusion restaurant, Maru, in Tanjong Pagar, but it has since closed. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘I have another 8 or 9 years to live': HK star Law Kar Ying battles cancer for 4th time
Law Kar Ying revealed in a recent interview with Chinese media that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. PHOTO: XIAOHONGSHU 'I have another 8 or 9 years to live': HK star Law Kar Ying battles cancer for 4th time HONG KONG – Veteran Hong Kong opera star and actor Law Kar Ying has been leading an active lifestyle in recent years. Despite his seemingly robust appearance, the 78-year-old revealed in a recent interview with Chinese media that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. He is currently on tour in China with Hong Kong actress Athena Chu for a Cantonese stage play. Although Law said doctors estimate that he may have around eight years to live, the From Beijing With Love (1994) star added he is not fearful and has chosen to forgo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 'I have another eight or nine years to live. Ninety years old is already a long life. What's the point of living longer? I'm not afraid at all,' he said. 'I won't undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I want to be comfortable as I bid my friends goodbye.' When asked how he is dealing with the latest diagnosis, Law responded: 'You come (into this world) empty-handed and you'll leave empty-handed. I have no worries. That's life.' His positive attitude and outlook have impressed netizens, with many praising him for appreciating and making the most out of the present moment. Law, a member of the Hong Kong Celebrity Football Team, is married to Hong Kong actress Liza Wang, 77. He was first diagnosed with stage three liver cancer in 2004 and had to undergo surgery to remove part of his liver to save his life. With the support of Wang, he remained optimistic and ultimately overcame the disease. The couple later wed in the United States in 2009. In 2014, a routine medical check-up revealed a 2cm tumour in Law's liver, and he went for surgery to remove the tumour. In 2019, doctors found cancerous cells after a prostate biopsy. He underwent a prostatectomy, a procedure to remove part or all of the prostate gland, and was in remission after that. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
American pop star Lady Gaga spices things up at Maxwell Food Centre
Lady Gaga was spotted having lunch at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown. PHOTOS: HUOZANGCHANGTIANHOU/XIAOHONGSHU SINGAPORE – Even Mother Monster cannot resist sampling some of Singapore's local makan. According to photos and videos posted on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu on May 20, American pop star Lady Gaga was spotted having lunch at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, during a break between her four National Stadium concerts. Fully clad in black, the 39-year-old was seated with her entourage and her fiance, American entrepreneur Michael Polansky, at a table in front of the Fortune Popiah stall. As she was leaving the famed hawker centre, she stopped briefly to sign an eager male fan's vinyl of her new album Mayhem, before her team escorted her into a black limousine. A small group of onlookers had gathered by then, with some screaming her name and cheering. In November 2024, British-Albanian pop star Dua Lipa – who staged two concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium – also visited Maxwell Food Centre before taking to Instagram to reminisce about the slate of local delights she had shared with her crew. Lady Gaga is in town for a run of Asia-exclusive shows to promote Mayhem on May 18, 19, 21 and 24. A bevy of celebrities were spotted at her earlier two sets, including K-pop girl group Babymonster, Hong Kong actress Gigi Leung, Malaysian actress Angelica Lee, Taiwanese singer Elva Hsiao, Taiwanese actress Joe Chen and veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Straits Times
Unattended bag containing PMD battery found in Queenstown, police investigating
Security checks were conducted, and it was established to be a battery from a personal mobility device, said the police on May 11. PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM TOUTOUER/XIAOHONGSHU SINGAPORE - The police are investigating an incident in the wee hours of May 11 when an unattended bag containing an item with wires was found along Stirling Road in Queenstown. In reply to media queries later that day, the police said they were alerted at about 2.35am , adding: 'Security checks were conducted at the scene and it was established to be a battery from a personal mobility device.' A recording of the incident uploaded online shows an unattended bag sitting in the middle of the empty road, just outside a church. The bag is unzipped, with wires poking out. 'It really looks like a bomb, but I don't know what it fact, it looks like a very ordinary schoolbag,' said the person filming in Mandarin as she moves around the item, capturing it from multiple angles. The video goes on to show several police officers arriving at the scene to inspect the bag. They eventually set up a police tent around it. Later in the recording, heavy rain drenches the site, causing water to pool around the bag, partially submerging it. ST understands that no injuries were reported, and no evacuations were carried out. Police investigations are ongoing. 'The police take security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm,' they added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
