Chen Xinjian

Philip Chan Yan Kin, is a Hong Kong film professional — screenwriter, producer, director, actor, singer, and executive. From 1965 to 1976 he served in the Royal Hong Kong Police, rising to Superintendent. He is Lifetime Honorary President of the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild, Permanent Honorary Trustee of the Hong Kong Performing Artists Association, former Vice‐President of the Hong Kong Film Awards, Honorary President of the Jiangmen Wuyi Film & Culture Association, and Honorary President of the Jiangmen Wuyi Overseas Friendship Association. Since entering entertainment he has promoted Hong Kong and global markets, specializing in conceptual planning of major events and securing top artists. His projects include the first three years of New Year’s Eve countdowns at Hong Kong Times Square; Christmas and Halloween events and charity golf tournaments at the Venetian Macao; 28 consecutive anniversary galas for Watsons; three years of Watsons Greater China anniversary galas; and ten years as host of the American Chamber of Commerce South China annual dinner.

Biography

Early life

Philip Chan was born in Hong Kong as the eldest of four brothers. His father Chan Ming‑chung worked as a hygiene supervisor at the Department of Health. He grew up in Mong Kok, Kowloon, on Shantung Street, attended Tak Ming Secondary (primary) alongside Danny Chan Kwong‑wing, then transferred to Tak Oi (primary), followed by La Salle Primary (P6, 1958) and La Salle College (Form 7, 1965). He formed “The Astro‑notes,” Hong Kong’s first all‐Chinese English pop band, performing at Broadway Cinematheque in the early ’60s and recording a mini‑LP plus tracks on a full album. He also studied art and performed school theatre.

In 1965, after excelling only in English, World History, and Biology but failing Chinese and Chinese History—and eyeing a relative’s comfortable life as a police officer—he joined the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Probationary Inspector. By 1975 he had risen to Superintendent. He began on patrol duty at Kowloon City Police Station, then served in Criminal Investigation, as instructor at the Police Training School and Detective Training School, and in the former Anti‐Corruption Branch. During the 1974 Po Sheng Bank hostage crisis on Shanghai Street he commanded the scene and was interviewed live on TVB in his Detective Chief Inspector uniform—Brit officers preferred he speak. He also cracked major cases like the Great Wall Apartments murder and Sincere House homicide, earning commendations from the Commissioner and Governor. He retired from the force in 1976.

He spent eleven years as a ghost singer for Diana Gulay with Joseph Koo, backing commercials and pop songs—e.g. “Happy Playground.” While still a police officer he sang a road‑safety song on TVB’s “Enjoy Yourself Tonight.”

Entertainment career

In 1975, Lydia Shum and Norman Chong invited him to write and dub for the film “Jumping Ash,” marking the first gritty Hong Kong crime movie; it broke HK$1 million in three days, ushering in the Hong Kong New Wave. In 1976 producer Tommy Yeung and Karl Mung encouraged him to resign from the force and go full‑time into entertainment. His scripts and direction on films like “Inside Out” (1979), his screenplay for “Flags of Honor” (1984), and planning of “Armour of God” (1986) pioneered local crime cinema. He cameoed opposite Anita Mui in “Fight Back to School III” with the classic “Your husband is not your husband” line. He also directed Golden Harvest’s debut “Two Knights” and Michael Hui’s “The Contract” and “The Magic Crayon,” all box‑office hits.

On television he hosted and acted for Rediffusion (1977–78) and TVB (from 1978), anchoring Miss Hong Kong pageants and countless galas. He co‑hosted Commercial Radio’s hit “Time Travel Three Hours” with William Cheng. He served as GM at Shaw Bros (8 months), Colony Records & Publishing (1992–94), Metro Radio (1995–97), and leadership roles at Media Asia, East Charm, and Emperor, plus founding Beijing Zhi Sheng Hong Tian Culture in 2008 for mainland distribution. In advertising he directed a Gran Formulaire hand cream micro‑film (2012) and produced “Coffee Cat” (2017). In 2014 he became CEO of Gu’ao Film International (Guangzhou). On 26 Dec 2017 he headlined his first solo concert “Philip Chan 2017 Even Now Christmas Golden Hits Night” at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok, music directed by Gene Chow, and won the Golden Azalea Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television.”

He’s produced and hosted major corporate, real‑estate, and charity events featuring stars like Leon Lai, Sandy Lam, Anita Mui, Sammi Cheng, Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Richie Ren, and many international acts. He remains active as a host and judge on variety and pageants in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Political views

On 27 May 1989 he joined fellow artists like Alan Tam, Jackie Chan, Alvin Lau, and Maria Cordero at the Happy Valley Racecourse for the “Songs for Democracy” fundraiser supporting the Tiananmen Movement. He publicly opposed the Umbrella Movement in 2014 and in 2019 joined the “Support Police, Uphold Rule of Law” rally, backing the Hong Kong Police.

Personal life

Philip Chan married actress Yau Ching (Cheung Yung‑yung) in 1974. His daughters are Joanne Chan Chor-yin (a lesbian) and Joey Chan Chor-yi. His younger brother Philip Chan Kwok-sun is also an actor and director.

Rediffusion television

Year	Title	Role
1977	“The Man from Big Hong Kong”
1978	“Inspiration”

TVB

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1978	“Interpol”	Cheung Kwok‑cham
1978	“Double Twins”	Wai Ting‑kee
1979	“Three Against Four”
1980	“New CID”	Inspector Chan
1980	“The Rivalry”	Ko Kai‑yuen
1981	“The Firewall”	Juergen / Siu Chau‑king
1981	“The Legend of the Condor Heroes”	Lee Ching
1982	“Stardust”	Peter
1982	“Lost Destiny”	Hou Chak‑sang
1983	“Night Fright”	Detective	segment “TV Murder”

Other television

• 1978: “Below the Lion Rock” – Photographer (segment “Choices of Dreams,” RTHK)
• 2017: “Anti‑Triad” – Chan Kwok‑cham (web series)
• 2019: “Utopia” – Inspector Chan, ep. 2 (ViuTV)
• 2022: “River of Memories” (shot 2017)

TV hosting

Rediffusion

• “Saturday Night Show”

TVB

• 1980–83: “Enjoy Yourself Tonight”
• 1978: “Illusions” (with Lo Hoi‑peng)
• 1985: “Night Fright Highlights”
• 1989: “78 Tales of the Past”
• 1990–91: “Love Sage”
• 1992: “True Crime Talk”

Radio

• 1982–83, 1988: “Time Travel Three Hours” (Commercial Radio)

Music video appearances

• 2017: Stephy Tang “Don’t Say Goodbye” (Cantonese version) MV