Born in Shanghai, 1942, Hua graduated from Shanghai Film Institute specializing in cinematography. He joined Shaw Brothers in 1963 as the assistant photographer for T. Nishimoto, and was promoted to cinematographer five years later, shooting for various films including Shen Chiang’ The Winged Tiger and Chang Tseng-chai’ The Casino. Hua got his own directorial debut in 1974 with From The Underworld. He returned to Shaws the following year helming Super Inframan, Brotherhood, and three episodes of the popular series The Criminals. Hua fully demonstrated his talents with over 16 films between 1976 and 1983, across genres of thriller, gangster, costume drama, and martial arts, especially blockbusting thrillers with high news-value themes.