Born in 1949 in Guangdong, China, Cheuk Pak-tong went to college in Taiwan, graduating with a Journalism degree from National Chengchi University. While there, he cofounded the film magazine Influence (also known later as Impact), an important publication in the development of film culture in Taiwan. Cheuk later studied film at University of Southern California, obtaining a Master of Fine Art degree, and at Hong Kong Baptist University, finishing with a Ph. D. degree. Returning to Hong Kong, Cheuk worked at TVB, directing drama serials such as the Mamasan, Mamasan series. He ventured into films in the early 1980s, becoming a member of the fabled New Wave with the films The Security (1981) and Mariana, Mariana (1983). Cheuk had been active in criticism and film study, writing for publications both popular and academic in Hong Kong and Taiwan and the author or editor of several books, including Hong Kong New Wave Cinema (1978-2000), English edition published by Intellect Ltd and the University of Chicago Press. He had also been active in promoting the Hong Kong film industry, including serving on the Service Committee of the Film Development Council and the Advisory Committee of the Trade Development Council.