The Department of Economics and Finance (EAF) was honoured to host Professor Xin Chang, Academic Advisory Board (AAB) member of HSUHK, during his visit from 24–30 January 2026. Professor Chang is a distinguished finance scholar, serving as Professor of Finance and Associate Dean (Research) at Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University.
A key highlight of his visit was the public lecture titled “What Lies Beneath the Haze? Wildfire Smoke and Industrial Pollution.” The event drew strong attendance from faculty members and students who were keen to hear his latest research insights.
In the lecture, Professor Chang highlighted how some industrial plants may take advantage of wildfire smoke to mask increases in emissions. His research shows that monitors near these facilities record larger rises in SO₂ on smoke days, supported by satellite data indicating increased production during the same periods. The effect disappears on weekends and public holidays and is most evident among financially pressured firms or those with flexible production setups. These results point to a regulatory challenge: wildfire episodes can create opportunities for hidden pollution, underscoring the need for enforcement that anticipates such opportunistic behaviour.
Beyond the lecture, Professor Chang’s week-long visit offered meaningful engagement with the department. He met with faculty and school leadership to explore opportunities for collaborative research and future academic development. His one‑to‑one consultations with EAF faculty members were especially appreciated, providing personalised feedback on research projects and encouragement for new scholarly initiatives.
Overall, Professor Chang’s visit strengthened EAF’s connection with the advisory board and contributed to the ongoing advancement in research and teaching at HSUHK.
(Left to Right): Dr Kaz Kwok (Associate Head of EAF), Prof Xin Chang (AAB member), Prof Roman Matousek (Head of EAF)