STORY: Visually impaired Hong Kong singer chasing light through music
SHOOTING TIME: April 22, 2024
DATELINE: May 7, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:35
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
2. various of Siu Hoi Yan singing
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
4. various of Siu Hoi Yan singing
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
6. various of Siu Hoi Yan singing
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
"I'm a visually impaired music lover who loves singing and playing piano. When I was three months old, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to have my eyeball removed to save my life. I think my personality is optimistic, happy, and grateful."

At the age of four, Siu Hoi Yan began to learn to play the piano by touching braille music scores and listening to recordings. A 10-minute song would take her at least two months to practice because she had to memorize the entire score.

At 10, Siu started formal vocal training. It took her about four to five months to learn to sing a song well.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
"The first song I learned was a Mandarin song, My Motherland and Me."

Learning piano, applying for ordinary schools, practicing swimming and running ... Siu's parents have always raised her as an ordinary person. The unconditional love and support from her family is the strength for Siu to "chase the light."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
"When I was a child, I asked, 'Dad, is it useless to be blind?' Then he said, 'Every talent is born to be useful.' Actually, I didn't know what that meant because I was too young at the time, but these words have a great impact on my life."

Siu is passionate about public welfare and participates in various charity performances and community services. She uses her music and positive outlook on life to help those in need.

In 2020, Siu went to a village in central China's Henan Province to provide volunteer teaching services. Through different kinds of exchanges, she has built a bridge of understanding and empathy.

Siu has many dreams, but the one that she holds most dear is to create a music school so that more children can receive music education.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): SIU HOI YAN, Hong Kong visually impaired singer
"I hope that more people can live their own lives because of my life, because of my growth and my encouragement, which can make them feel more confident in themselves."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)