Sombre Hong Kong Election Day

Do these ballot box mascots entice people to vote today?

Today over 4 million Hongkongers can vote in the Legislative Council elections. One would have to be living under a rock not to know this, as there have been posters all over the city featuring three cartoon ballot boxes, and if you happen to walk along the harbourfront in North Point, those ballot box mascots are in statue form, as if voting is a kids' exercise.

There are 161 candidates vying for 90 seats, and what's interesting about this year's election is 12 lawmakers have declined to run again because they are over the age of 70. They include big names like the convenor of the Executive Council, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, and Michael Tien Puk-sun.  

Tommy Cheung Yu-yan isn't running again for the Catering functional constituency -- perhaps there will finally be someone who will be more passionate about advocating for the restaurant industry that is being depleted because of people going to Shenzhen regularly.

With so many retiring, is there enough new blood to get people's vote? One candidate people are watching is Vivian Kong Man-wai, former gold Olympic fencer who is looking for a seat in the Tourism functional constituency (one of the 12 functional constituencies that allow those with foreign passports to run), even though she is renouncing her Canadian passport.

However, the bigger question is, how many people will show up to exercise their right to vote?

In the previous election four years ago, there was a record low turnout of 30.2 percent of the over 4 million eligible voters who cast their ballots, despite the government spending HK$1.28 billion on advertising an increase of 50 percent.

That's because this is the second "patriot-only" election after the electoral system was completely revamped where only pro-Beijing candidates are allowed to run; the vast majority of pro-democracy politicians were banned from even running.

After the Wang Fuk Court fire that erupted on November 26 and has sadly claimed 159 lives, many Hong Kong residents are probably not in the mood to vote, despite the government claiming the election must take place today.

Five days ago Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said it was important to vote in new lawmakers to help launch reforms and to hold the government accountable with relief work following the devastating fire.

"The partners I need most importantly are lawmakers," Lee said on December 2. "To hold the election as scheduled is to respect the constitutional order and rule of law ... it is also to safeguard social stability as it serves as a strong support to the post-fire work."

Nevertheless, John P Burns, emeritus professor and Chinese politics expert at the University of Hong Kong expects voter turnout to be low, partly because of the Tai Po fire.

While those in the pro-establishment camp may be impressed by how quickly the authorities have re-housed victims and provided financial aid, Burns says others "may stay away from the polls" as they are "disappointed, even angry, by the governance problems the fire as exposed." 

In that vein it is possible the election results could be interpreted as a referendum on the government's handling of the Tai Po fire...

Where do Tai Po Fire Survivors Go from Here?

Wang Chi House residents grabbed items from their flats

If you were only given 90 minutes to fetch things from your home, with no reassurances you could return to live there, which items would you get?

That's what happened to the residents of Wang Chi House, the only building that was untouched in the devastating Tai Po fire last week.

On Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 9pm, two members from each household were allowed to go into their flats for 90 minutes.

Many people went back to fill suitcases full of clothes, important documents, and treasured photographs, while others even managed to extract their washing machines. One man surnamed Suen told RTHK he went back to get some household goods as well as his game console. Everyone has different priorities...

Despite some of these Wang Chi House residents reporting their homes smelled of smoke, many interviewed in the media expect or hope to move back into the building soon.

Thousands of paper cranes memorialise victims

However, their homes may be too carcinogenic for them to return to, and there is talk that the seven burned out buildings will probably have to be demolished because they may be structurally unsafe, while those who believe in restless spirits may not want to live there again.

In the meantime many of the victims of the fire are worrying about where to live next, as they can only stay in hotels paid for by the government for two weeks and other temporary housing are already full. 

According to the Hong Kong government, 1,152 residents have accommodation in youth hostels, camps or hotel rooms, and another 1, 765 residents in transitional housing units. Others are staying at the Tai Po Community Centre or the Tung Cheong Street Community Hall. One can imagine these shelters aren't exactly comfortable and cooler temperatures are settling in for the next few months.

What is the long-term plan for these residents who may have lost loved ones, lost their homes, and lost all their possessions? They not only need financial help but also psychological counselling and support. 

It will take weeks if not months for the authorities to complete their investigations and identify all the deceased, some of them found as ash. There are also concerns that charging the 21 people arrested so far with alleged manslaughter may be hard to prove with the complexity of construction law and building regulations.

In other words it's not a cut and dried case. 

Meanwhile, despite the government trying to clear the area of grassroots volunteers and their resources, mourners continue to come to Tai Po to pay their respects with flowers, handwritten notes, and paper cranes.

It shows Hongkongers continue to be shaken by the horrific man-made disaster and demand accountability. 

Going through flats to recover victim remains

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will be under a lot of pressure to find out how the fire started, and to punish those involved in causing the fire to spread to seven buildings, killing at least 159 people.

The authorities tried to clamp down on protests when 24-year-old student Miles Kwan was arrested and then later released without charge. He had started an online petition and passed out fliers outlining "four demands", which included guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any government officials.

He was detained and charged for "seditious intention" for speaking out what many had been thinking.

In the meantime it is heartbreaking hearing Superintendent Cheng Ka-chun, the officer in charge of the Disaster Victim Identification describe the grim task of how he and his team have gone floor by floor to find victim remains.

"Our colleagues, in a bid to keep the bodies more intact for their return to their families, chose to dig for the bodies using their hands, touching sand, mud and polluted water," he said, when explaining why they chose to recover corpses by hand instead of using equipment.

"Their only goal was to preserve the integrity of the bodies."

This demonstrates how they are doing their utmost to respect the victims and their loved ones, taking time and care to preserve the remains the best they can.

Hongkongers looking after Hongkongers. This is the Lion Rock Spirit.

Hongkongers Search for Answers After Inferno

At least 156 people have died from the fire. Credit Getty Images

I have just returned from a two-week trip to Hong Kong and China, and like everyone else, am devastated by the Tai Po inferno that killed at least 156 people. As the authorities comb through the wreckage of the seven buildings, the number of dead will only continue to rise.

In the afternoon of November 26, my relatives and I had finished lunch in Macau, and then went to the Hengqin border where we were driven to Zhongshan to see my uncle's apartment.

Periodically I began getting news updates about a fire in Tai Po and it became very shocking when I started seeing the video footage of the flames engulfing the mesh that covered the bamboo scaffolding.

As the number of casualties began to rise I wondered what was going on. Did residents think fires didn't happen in concrete buildings?

Later it was revealed the buildings were undergoing an extensive renovation of the exterior, costing around HK$160,000 (US$20,546) per flat. Their windows were sealed with styrofoam material to prevent debris from damaging the glass, and much of the green mesh covering the scaffolding were not fire-resistant.

Stories subsequently came out from survivors who told of being completely unaware their building was on fire until their loved ones called them. Even the firefighters could not reach them because the scaffolding was in the way and the fire temperature was so hot.

There were reports the government wanted to phase out bamboo scaffolding in favour of metal -- this was quickly dismissed by passionate Hongkongers who made videos trying to set bamboo sticks alight, or explaining to people outside of the city that bamboo is a building material that has been used for over 100 years.

After having experienced a relatively small fire in my neighbourhood in August last year, when a six-storey wood-construction condo building was on fire. The cause is still unknown. The two fire chiefs at the scene recently told us residents that the fire was so hot, they didn't even imagine that the construction crane would melt and collapse the way it did.

So to say that metal would be safer is very hard to say; it would probably make the fire even hotter.

It took over two days for firefighters to have the flames of the Tai Po fire under control.

Meanwhile grassroots groups saw the news and began coming together with water, blankets and food for the affected residents and firefighters. They just setup near the area and gave victims whatever they needed. It was so heartening to see them rally behind these residents who have lost their homes, or worse their loved ones. Some lost their pets, unable to get inside, as firefighters and police stopped them because it was so dangerous with the falling debris and the heat.

But after extensive media coverage of how these NGOs and local groups had mobilised so quickly, donating clothes, food, water, even their electric cars for people to charge their phones, the Hong Kong government cleared everyone out; perhaps the scenes are too reminiscent of what happened over six years ago, or even 11 years ago, when protesters were on the streets...

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged a judge will lead a committee to investigate the cause of the fire; perhaps his administration, particularly the Labour Department should have listened to residents' concerns about the green mesh not being fire resistant and witnessing the construction workers smoking on site. While warnings were issued by the Labour Department, it seems punishment was not enforced.

Some survivors have raged about being forced to pay HK$160,000 in renovation fees, only to have their homes go up in smoke. 

As a friend said to me, governments are not prepared for disasters, but it is how they deal with them is what matters. 

Two days ago actor Chow Yun-fat opened the MAMA Awards by speaking in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, asking the audience to stand up for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the Tai Po fire. He was genuinely upset and felt this was an important gesture for Hong Kong.

The government declared three days of mourning from Friday to Sunday. Thousands of mourners descended on Tai Po, creating a 2km line, patiently waiting to walk closer to the makeshift alter near the fire-ravaged buildings where they left flowers, handwritten notes and toys. 

Hongkongers will never forget this horrific tragedy, nor will they stop finding out who should be accountable.

A mainlander, Jiang Yaling, who writes the Follow the Yuan on Substack, commented how the Hong Kong authorities deal with victims very differently from in China. Typically if a disaster happens, the victims and families are immediately shuffled into hotel rooms and forbidden from speaking to the media; she was very surprised to see how Hongkongers were able to speak freely with emotion...

For now a lot of fundraising has been done, over HK$1.3 billion raised. But where exactly will all this aid go? Will victims get the money directly? Or will it be given to charity groups? Where are people going to live now? They can't live in hotel rooms for weeks on end. And what kind of compensation will they get? 

All eyes are on the Hong Kong authorities. Will they step up and serve the people as they have promised?

Quote of the Day: John Lee Ka-Chiu's Dating Analogy

Lee is keen on "attracting girls" to find countries to trade with

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has again used the analogy of attracting girls when talking about finding economies that are mutually attractive. And the city is specifically eyeing Southeast Asia.

"It's like me chasing a girl -- you have to ensure there's some kind of attraction between us. So I think Asean is our second-largest partner after the mainland the mutual attraction is already there -- strengthen it," he told a media outlet.

In continuing the analogy, the newspaper's managing editor suggested that girls' families may be focused on preventing such relationships, a veiled reference to the US trade turmoil.

"But there are a lot of girls," Lee said, adding there were many options including the Middle East. "We've already decided to not just singly focus on the US market."

The dating analogy was used last June when Lee said attracting large-scale events to Hong Kong was like "chasing good women."

Meanwhile the labour chief said in March that talent matching efforts were compared to dating.

Even the justice chief has said that national security education was an ongoing process, comparable to how one treats their spouse beyond Valentine's Day.

Quite the curious analogy... perhaps the Lee administration thinks dumbing down policy makes it easier for everyone to understand the need to find a good match to do business?

Hong Kong has a Piano Star

Sham (centre), with Ozel of the US (left), and Starikov of Israel

Over the weekend, 29-year-old Aristo Sham Ching-tao was awarded first prize in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Forth Worth, Texas, the first time a Hongkonger has won this prestigious event.

He and 27 other competitors from 15 countries went through four gruelling rounds over two-and-a-half weeks. Vitaly Starikov of Israel won silver, and Evren Ozel of the United States was handed bronze.

The competition is held every four years and the Van Cliburn competition has an age limit of 30, so Sham is very lucky to win it this year.

Lee hopes to get Sham to perform in Hong Kong

Sham's award of a gold medal comes with a cash prize of US$100,000, international concert tours, a live album recording contract, career management support, and his performance wardrobe supplied by Neiman Marcus.

After news of Sham's win, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government would work hard to arrange for the pianist to perform in the city.

"If Aristo will find time to make a few performances in Hong Kong, it will really get us even more excited," he said. 

"We will work hard to see whether we can make it happen."

Looking at his website, the last time Sham performed in Hong Kong was in December, and before that September... perhaps the government could swing a concert or two soon?

Poor Travel is the Hottest Trend Now

Young mainland tourists sleeping in McDonald's for the night

While Hong Kong saw 22 percent surge in mainland visitors from the year before, about 1.1 million tourists during the week-long May Day holiday, a lot of them were not staying in hotels.

They weren't even sleeping in beds.

Mostly students and young people stayed overnight in 24-hour McDonald's outlets in Hong Kong.

"Poor travel" is the new trend

Just like some homeless people who opt to find shelter in the fast-food restaurant, these tourists put their suitcases between their knees and put their heads down on the greasy tables to rest -- for several hours.

It's called "poor travel", and Hongkongers were not impressed.

The pictures of mainlanders occupying tables in McDonald's to sleep at went viral and the matter was brought up with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

"Hong Kong has to be a city that welcomes tourists, and tourists include all kinds of tourists," he replied. 

"There will be high-end travellers, and there will also be non-high-end travellers, but we must look at tourism as a whole, so that every tourist will find their experience in Hong Kong is an enjoyable one, is a welcome one."

However, back in December 2023, Lee pledged the government's priority would be to attract more overnight visitors and boost their spending, and focus on high quality visitor experiences.

While Hong Kong did indeed attract a lot of visitors, they definitely did not spend much, and instead found as many free attractions and cheap food as they could by consulting Xiaohongshu.

It's another sign of China's economy slowing down considerably, and the instability is making people conserve their money, or they just don't have the cash to splurge.

Which made one Hongkonger comment online: "If you can't afford it, don't travel."

John Lee Sacks 2 Ministers in Surprise Announcement

Chan (left) and Law (right) are Lee's new ministers

Looks like Hong Kong officials who don't perform actually get sacked.

This morning in a surprise move, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that "after a period of observation" he had removed his tourism and transport ministers, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung and Lam Sai-hung respectively.

However, he repeatedly evaded questions from the media as to why the two were given the sack.

Yeung could not lure big acts to Hong Kong

Director of housing Rosanna Law Shuk-pui replaces Yeung, while Mable Chan takes over the transport portfolio from her boss, Lam.

Lee said Law and Chan would deliver better results with their ability to communicate their policies, and that both had shown they were proactive as senior civil servants.

"I see the strengths of the two new appointed secretaries," Lee said in a press conference on Thursday.

"They will be assisting me more to realise my goal of ensuring results and also doing as much work as possible in the coming years."

He said he needed a team to help Hong Kong catch up after the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2019 protests, and believed both Chan and Law supported his policy direction and could take up more responsibilities.

Sounds like Lee is getting pressure from above to belatedly kick-start Hong Kong's economy and so far it's been quite the struggle. It's been really hard to lure tourists to the city when their governments are warning them not to go because of the national security law.

Lam failed to improve taxi services, regulate Uber

There's also the logistics of planning remote night markets in public spaces didn't go so well, superstar footballer Lionel Messi dissing the crowd and refusing to play in a friendly match, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board hasn't been able to lure big acts to the city, except for Coldplay, which will perform four nights at the new Kai Tak stadium.

The HKTB's goal of having 46 million visitors in 2024 is far from achievable with less than a month to go. Someone on Bluesky calculated they would need an average of 189,000 visitors per day to meet that number.

Meanwhile Lam was unable to rein in the taxi industry, and the idea of encouraging taxi drivers to learn Arabic to cater to passengers from the Middle East was far-fetched, and he still hadn't come up with a way to regular ride-hailing apps like Uber.

Now that Lee has actually sacked two ministers for poor performance, who's next? Some are speculating it could be Secretary for Environment Tse Chin-wan for his failure to implement the waste tax that was so convoluted that it was axed at the last minute.

HK Golf Course Won't be Turned into Housing

High Court ruled the golf course not be turned into housing

When there was a consultation that recommended the government to take over the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling and build housing on the land in 2018, it immediately sparked a debate between the haves and have nots, as members, who are part of the elite class wanted to keep their prestigious club along with the green space, while those who waited for a roof over their heads are still waiting with no end in sight.

But it was finally decided when the High Court ruled against developing the city's oldest golf course into public housing. One could probably audibly hear the sighs of relief of Fanling golf club members.

That means 9.5 less hectares of land for flats

That means the government will have 9.5 less hectares to build housing, though Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu believes this setback won't have a significant effect on the overall housing supply, even though that means 12,000 fewer flats that were planned to be built on the golf course.

He spun it as a proposal by the previous administration.

"Now that the environmental assessment report is overturned, the government must do a comprehensive assessment and public consultation again," Lee said before meeting with the Executive Council.

"This will greatly affect the number of flats, the density and the completion date of the project."

But Lee believed the government was still on track to build 300,800 homes over the next decade.

Lee says the govt has enough land for housing

"The government has sourced enough land to construct more than 308,000 flats," he said. "The single change in the site's development will not have a huge impact on Hong Kong's overall housing supply."

So where else is Lee going to find more land to develop flats? It's an ongoing refrain that the city has numerous brown sites, land that has buildings that were for previous uses like schools or warehouses, and yet the government has not considered these, perhaps because they are too small.

But Hong Kong is not a place where it should neglect any possible sites -- land is scarce and any that is left vacant should be considered. Beijing is putting pressure on the Hong Kong government to house its citizens and in this case should comply with some creative solutions.

Tackling HK's Problem of Subdivided Flats

People with few resources end up in subdivided flats

In his policy address, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wanted to (finally) tackle the issue of subdivided flats -- where a space is subdivided to the point where tenants literally live in cupboard-like spaces, sharing bathrooms and kitchens, and there are hardly any windows for air circulation, let alone fresh air.

During his speech, Lee said about 30 percent of the 110,000 subdivided flats were "improper", and would be phased out with upcoming legislation, and that there would be time for landlords to upgrade these flats to meet the requirements of what the government believes is a decent living space.

How does Lee know it's about 30 percent? Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said after it didn't necessarily mean the other 70 percent were in full compliance with the requirements.

Lee says 30 percent of subdivided flats "improper"

With the new legislation, subdivided flats that have been registered and meet the requirements will be designated as basic housing units and will be allowed to be leased.

That means the flat needs to be at least 86 sq ft, with a ceiling height of 2 metres, have a toilet and ventilation system, and meet fire and structural safety standards.

If landlords don't meet this new code, they could go to jail for at least two years.

It'll be interesting to see how this registration process works and what it will reveal in terms of the state of these subdivided flats. 

The big problem though, is that while it would be good for these living spaces to be upgraded, where will the current tenants live temporarily and also will their rents increase to pay for these renovations? Has the government thought of that?

That's Vera Yuen Wing-han's concern, an economics lecturer at the University of Hong Kong. She says the government phasing out the smallest subdivided flats could lead to higher rents for other subdivided homes as long as there was a demand.

Will tenants be forced to pay more for upgrades?

After all, people live in these poor-quality spaces because they can't afford to live anywhere else.

She also said landlords would have to pay for the renovations to meet the requirements and pass down these costs to tenants.

"If the government does not do anything, [tenants] will have to be squeezed into one unit with dividers," she said. "[This] kind of model happened in Hong Kong, like in the 1950s and 1960s when a lot of families were living in one unit, sharing the living room and the kitchen."

The government will launch the consultation process in December and start the legislative process next year, while the registration will begin in the fourth quarter of next year until the fourth quarter of 2026. Once legislation is passed, then the government will decide the time frame and targets for enforcement action against landlords. 

The Concerning Subdivided Units Alliance said the government's time frame for enforcement action against landlords was "too vague" and gave the latter too much flexibility. 

"It is unclear when the government will take the enforcement action," the alliance's Lai Kin-kwok said.

Lai also questioned the effectiveness of implementing the legislation without a clear enforcement plan, suggesting landlords could continue to rent out flats with poor living conditions.

Subdivided flats in Hong Kong are a difficult topic to deal with, as people are desperate for places to live in, and yet they are practically inhumane... 

CE Lee's Proposals to Prop up Hong Kong

Lee promoting a green Hong Kong with his policy address

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu just finished delivering his Policy Address which clocked in at 2 hours, 31 minutes and 25 seconds, which is longer than it took 30 runners (25 men, 5 women) to complete the 2024 Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon.

The speech was filled with ways to bump up the economy, from developing the city into an aerospace research hub, cutting liquor taxes, attract more investment from the Middle East and Asean member states, and develop the Northern Metropolis.

Many in Legco wore green in support of policy

There's a lot of unease about Hong Kong's economy, with shops announcing their closures, people going across the border on the weekends for cheaper dining and retail experiences, and not many tourists coming back, particularly long-haul ones who spend more.

So there was a lot riding on Lee's shoulders in delivering this speech which had a green theme, and so many pro-establishment politicians sported green dresses for the ladies, and ties for the men, including the chief executive.

There were concerns about reducing the duty on liquor (priced over HK$200) from 100 percent to 10 percent. Those opposed were in the public health sector, including former secretary for health Sophia Chan Siu-chee, saying this only encourages people to drink more alcohol and will lead to more health problems; however, doctors in the Executive Council agree with the proposal, saying this will lead to people drinking higher quality alcohol.

Meanwhile Lee says Hong Kong should promote itself as an international hub for post secondary education. One way is by offering scholarships to 1,200 students enrolled in post secondary programs, and to entice students from Asean and Belt-and-Road countries to come to the city to study.

Can West Kowloon bring in droves of tourists?

But if many foreign professors have left Hong Kong because of national security fears, how will the city be able to lure students to study?

While Lee wants to promote the West Kowloon Cultural District as a must-visit landmark, and for the area to work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to get more visitors to the district, the arts hub could run out of money by next year. Its budget of HK$21.6 billion is almost all spent, which is why Lee wants more tourist dollars flowing into the area. However, is the HKTB going to move fast enough to get visitors to the area when admission to M+ starts from HK$120, when it's free going to the Hong Kong Museum of Art...

And speaking of tourism, effective today, travelers going in and out of Hong Kong will no longer have to fill out those arrival and departure forms with pen and paper! Finally!

HK Sex Education is to Play Badminton

Education Bureau teaches kids not to have sex, play badminton

Teenagers are exploring sex, whether you like it or not, which is why sex education experts in the west suggest giving advice to them on how to protect themselves with birth control, and giving them resources so they are aware of sexually transmitted diseases.

A recent CBC Radio Vancouver call-in show had a sex educator on explaining it was important for parents to accept that their children were learning about sex through their friends or online and to be open to fielding questions from them or keeping communication channels open in case they get into trouble.

However, the Hong Kong government seems to be taking the denialist view, telling students not to engage in premarital sex, and curb their sexual desires by playing badminton.

Choi says sex ed teaches kids to "love themselves"

You read it right -- play badminton if you're feeling... cocky.

Online people had a field day or should we say court day with this, commenting that "playing badminton" should be the euphemism for having sex.

Despite outrage from critics and sex educators that this strategy for taming sexual desires was "out of touch" and "unrealistic", Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin dismiss these claims and insisted it was a valid way to "protect the juniors."

In a television interview, Choi said the purpose of sex education was to teach children to "love themselves, respect others and be responsible for themselves."

"Our approach is not conservative -- we wish to protect the young people and equip them with the right values to face adulthood and the complexity of society... and it's illegal to have sex with an underaged person," she added.

Indeed -- sex with a girl under the age of 16 can result in a penalty of five years in prison, and if the girl is under 13, the maximum sentence is life behind bars.

Lee supports Education Bureau sex ed advice

But the reality is, teens are having sex!

Meanwhile Lee weighed in, saying: "Although people could have very different opinions on value education, the government plays a leading role in determining the kind of society it aims to build through education.

"The education we provide should align with our visions, bringing us towards the kind of society, living environment and societal culture that we aspire to build... this is a continuous and collective effort."

Is Lee speaking from experience? He married Janet Lam Lai-sim when he was 22 years old and she was, by some reports 17 or younger... 

HK Leader Asks Public How to get Tourists Back

Lee visited Tai Po to solicit ideas to get more tourists in HK

The Hong Kong government is looking for ideas on how to entice more tourists to come to the city, and even enlisted the help of the public for suggestions.

At a gathering in a primary school in Tai Po, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his ministers, including Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung sat in on the session attended by 120 residents.

The recommendations?

These colourful neon signs have disappeared

Have locals standing by in touristy areas like the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to help visitors take selfies; turn Lam Tsuen River into something
similar to the Seine, and a new Hong Kong mascot, perhaps McDull and have his porcine face featured in fireworks displays are restaurants.

At the end of the sharing session, Lee observed: "Hong Kong people are smart, you have a lot of great ideas. Tell us about your projects, and we will do our best to support them."

Why are people thinking so small? 

One of the bigger issues is Hong Kong is not a city people are thinking of visiting because it's so expensive to get there compared to pre-Covid. Why is it so costly? Can the government find out and fix this problem? 

While the McDull idea is a start in terms of having a mascot, no one outside of Hong Kong knows what this pig is about. 

No one outside of HK knows who McDull is

In addition, many previous tourists remember the city for its neon signs and yet now the vast majority of these colourful lights are gone ironically for safety reasons. Nathan Road is hardly photogenic anymore.

And how about making taxis and the drivers more friendly and accessible? Cash is not something overseas tourists carry anymore -- it's credit cards or other digital payments. Taxis cannot be stuck in the past when customers are used to Uber and mobile payments. 

So many details that need to be improved on, but if prospective tourists think Hong Kong too expensive to get to, then these visitors won't be coming anytime soon...

When Your Goal in Life is Public Housing

Some young people climb housing ladder by public housing

Young Hong Kong people continue to "lie flat" by making it their goal to get into public housing, even taking lower-paying jobs or adjusting their salary on the application to be eligible.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has disapproved of these tactics, telling them to chase their dreams instead.

"If you waste your possibilities and your dreams for a public housing unit, I believe that [young] people will regret it. For a lot of people, their success today is created from their own struggle and their own hard work," he said.

Lee says aim for public housing is "inappropriate"

"The final result of what they achieve [with hard work] is better than what they imagined in the first place."

He said that instead of working hard, Lee noted some young people have deliberately adjusted their income to be eligible for public housing, and he called this "inappropriate".

"Having a roof over your head is important, but one should not waste their development potential and opportunities simply for a public housing unit," he said.

"That's because it is possible that your final results and achievement will be a hundred times or even unlimited times greater than what that unit would give you."

Does Lee know how much a flat costs these days? A tiny 300 sq ft one-bedroom flat is at least HK$5 million. Those who can afford to buy one have wealthy parents who have either given them a down payment or have bought a flat outright for them.

HK tops list for least affordable homes

If they don't have a rich family, the next option for a young person is to try to get a public housing flat. When they get one, they can rent it for a few years and save up money to buy a place. 

The government is not doing enough to help young people get their foot in the door of the housing market, and Lee is chastising them for not chasing their dreams? When people have housing, then they feel secure to focus on their work, get married, have a family and so on. But if they can't even get a roof over their heads because it is so far beyond their reach, they either give up and live with their parents, or they are "ambitious" by trying to get a public housing flat. 

According to Demographia, in 2023, the least affordable market in the English-speaking world was Hong Kong, followed by Sydney, and Vancouver in third place. 

Singapore has the highest homeowner rate at 89 percent, then Ireland with 70 percent and Canada at 67 percent. Hong Kong was at the bottom at 51 percent.

Perhaps Lee and his administration should look at these numbers and wonder why its homeownership rate is so low compared to Singapore? If he wants to improve people's livelihood that would be a great place to start.

The Hype of Pandas Coming to HK

HK and Chinese officials are excited about pandas coming

As if a distraction from Hong Kong's struggling economy, there's a lot of attention focused on the city getting a pair of pandas from China. Even Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has flown to Sichuan to see pandas, though it's not clear if he's seen the pandas chosen for Hong Kong.

"The male panda weights 120kg and has been described as agile, clever and active, while the female is around 100kg and is gentle and adorable, with a mild temperament," Lee said. 

Hmm... sounds like what he expects male-female relationships to be like... whatever the species...

Lee (far left) seeing pandas in Sichuan

Lee hopes the pair will produce offspring to bring "even more joy and warmth" to the public.

Before the pandas come to Hong Kong, they need to be quarantined for 30 days in China and another 30 days in Hong Kong before the public can see them.

Again where did this 60-day quarantine number come from?

The Chief Executive hopes to have the pandas by -- you guessed it -- October 1, National Day.

Communist Party secretary of Sichuan Wang Xiaohui met the Hong Kong delegation on Monday and said the central government's move to give the pair of pandas to Hong Kong showed its care and support.

"Sichuan is the hometown of giant pandas, and the pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the central government all come from Sichuan," Wang said. "Giant pandas have become special envoys and a bond of friendship between the people of Sichuan and Hong Kong.

"Under the unified arrangements of the central government, we will fully cooperate and make all necessary preparations to ensure that the giant pandas can soon arrive and meet with the people of Hong Kong."

The hype is growing...

Hong Kong Marks 27th Anniversary of Handover

Flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention Centre

Hey it's July 1! The 27th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong back to the motherland!

Some 4,000 police officers were deployed across the city to ensure celebrations go ahead smoothly. Those wearing what is considered seditious clothing could be stopped and questioned by police, or worse, arrested.

Celebrating the 27th anniversary of the handover

At the flag-raising ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, top officials attended, but there was no room for the public to witness the proceedings. Former chief executives Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Leung Chun-ying, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Tung Chee-hwa were there along with Zheng Yanxiong, head of the liaison office.

In an article published on Monday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wrote about the passing of Article 23 that has become part of Hong Kong's "glorious history".

He said the city's door was once "wide open to both thieves and friends", and now with Article 23 in place, it is a sophisticated security system that can identify "thieves" and protect its "friends".

"For an extremely small minority of those who jeopardise national security, this law is a sharp sword pointed at them; for the community at large and foreign investors, this law is a 'protector' of their rights, freedoms, property and investments," Lee wrote.

Two new pandas will come to Ocean Park

As part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the handover, Hong Kong will receive two giant pandas that will be cared for at Ocean Park. 

In a Facebook post, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung wrote: "A new pair of giant pandas will attract a massive amount of tourists and residents, injecting impetus into Hong Kong's tourism industry."

How massive is massive? 

Meanwhile, Hong Kong permanent residents who are not of Chinese nationality will be eligible for five-year permits to enter the mainland starting from July 10. Each stay can be no longer than 90 days. Yet more people will be coming to Shenzhen to shop...

 

Hong Kong's Sexist Attitudes Persist

Lee and his wife Janet attracted to the colour red

Women are on the Hong Kong government's mind these days.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu equated trying to seal some deals to attract mega events to the city was akin to chasing women.

In an interview with Sing Tao newspaper, Lee admitted there was stiff competition in trying to lure overseas performers to Hong Kong.

Last week Lo compared women's fertility to soil

"It's like how I used to chase girls. For the good ones, of course everybody will chase them, [we] must work hard and fight," he said in Cantonese.

Then Lee added he would not disclose their strategy of attracting big events to Hong Kong.

In the case of Lee's personal life, he was 22 years old when he chased his then girlfriend Janet Lam Lai-sin who became his wife at the age of 16 in 1980...

Then last week Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau compared female fertility to soil, in that they should not delay having children and that freezing their eggs now would not necessarily help them conceive either.

"It's not just a problem with the eggs, it is also a problem with the soil. Even if you have frozen your eggs, when you have reached 40, the chance that the egg could become a healthy baby will drop substantially," he said in Cantonese.

"Freezing the eggs could not revert the physiological limit on women's reproductive age," he added.

Lam said not all women can give birth early

Lo was immediately criticised by lawmaker Nixie Lam, who opted for assisted reproduction and gave birth to her first child last year, said his remarks were a "heavy blow" to all women in the city.

"The way the minister spoke just now, is it that I couldn't give birth because my soil was bad?" she asked. 

"I believe the minister's remarks would deal a heavy blow even to women without childbirth issues. You are telling them... they cannot get pregnant because the soil in their bodies is bad, and they should give birth naturally whilst they are still young," Lam continued.

"How can you give birth when you are 18 and still studying?" Lam said. "Not everyone is like the minister yourself, who met your match in your 20s, got your degree, got married and had a kid, all in a row."

How much more sexist can this administration get? Perhaps that's why they aren't attracting any big acts either? It is 2024, not 1980...

We Continue to Remember

Five years ago in Victoria Park...

It is 35 years since that horrific night in 1989 when the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and thousands of people did not go home that evening.

It is five years since the last time people in Hong Kong were able to gather in Victoria Park to commemorate the dead.

It is now a crime to do that in the city.

Artist Sanmu Chen was arrested the day before in Causeway Bay soon after he started making hand gestures allegedly related to June 4.

The Hong Kong police will be out in force all over the area and near Victoria Park to ensure no candles are lit, real or digital, nor any other public signs of remembrance.

"The government's position on public events is very clear: all activities by any person must be conducted according to the law," explained Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at a media briefing. 

"No activities that contravene the law should take place. The government of course will take action according to the law, which includes the public order ordinance, the Hong Kong national security law, and safeguarding the Hong Kong safety ordinance."

So instead in Vancouver, there are plans to hold a large candlelight vigil at Dr David Lam Park this evening. While the organiser, Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement suggests people bring their own candles and dress according to the weather, and the forecast is for sunny skies by late afternoon, early evening. 

There will be a Zunzi comics exhibition, and not only information about June 4 but 2019 as well.

There are so many things to remember, but we must carry on commemorating what happened 35 years ago, five years ago. 

Three Men Charged in the UK under National Security Act

Three men have been charged under the National Security Act

Three men have been charged under Britain's National Security Act for allegedly assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service according to the London Metropolitan Police on Monday.

The trio are Peter Wai Chi-leung, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Bill Yuen Chung-biu, 63. Yuen is of particular interest because the Hong Kong government confirmed he is an office manager at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in London.

Yuen is the office manager at the London HKETO

They are alleged to have carried out surveillance, gathered information, and forced entry into a residential address in the United Kindom.

Yuen is believed to be a former police officer, while Wai is understood to be a city of London Police special constable and the director of D5 Security Limited, and has over 20 years' experience in the British military, police and private security sector.

Finally Trickett was an immigration enforcement officer, and also a director of MTR Consultancy, a security, surveillance and private investigation firm.

With these charges, particularly on Yuen, some countries may review the roles of HKETOs on their soil; in the meantime this latest development could further sour relations between the UK and China.

Nevertheless, pro-China experts were quick to be on the defensive. 

Lau Siu-kai of the semi-official Beijing think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said: "It is indeed reasonable for the Hong Kong authorities to look into the anti-China activists," he said.

Wai has police and military experience

"Britain might want to demonstrate their responsibilities in protecting these anti-China activists now settled in the country, but is this so-called information really that significant which could threaten national security?"

Meanwhile Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu warned countries against their attempts to interfere with Hong Kong's trade promotion outposts overseas.

"Any attempt to interfere with the work of the [HKETOs] in different places will be against free trade and free economy, and will be harming the economy of the countries that try to do bad things to the operation of the [HKETOs]," Lee added. 

"We will of course, do our best to protect the rightful interest and the rights that [HKETOs] enjoy as a result of legitimate officials working for the Hong Kong government, and we'll urge all governments to respect the rightful duty of our [HKETOs] in their economies."

Trickett has a private investigation firm

In the meantime, Tom Tugendhat, Britain's security minister, said Monday that the National Security Act, which was passed last year to target threats from foreign states, was a game-changer in terms of the country's ability to crack down on foreign intelligence services and hostile actors.

Currently Hong Kong has 14 HKETOs outside China, including one in London, three in the United States, and two in Canada, one in Toronto and the other in Vancouver. These offices enjoy some of the privileges and immunities of diplomatic missions.

HK Market Sees Spectacular Trading Flop Debut

Chabaidao had biggest debut flop in Hong Kong since 2015

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, which operates Asia's third-largest stock market, had a 13 percent drop in profit for the first quarter with fewer new listings and lower turnover. 

From January to March this year, net profit was HK$2.97 billion (US$380 million). 

Hopefully the second quarter gets better?

Bloomberg followed Chabaidao's first trading day

The city's largest IPO in 2024 was a Chinese bubble tea chain, Sichuan Baicha Baidao or Chabaidao (2555), which raised HK$2.59 billion (US$330 million), or HK$17.50 per share back in November.

How did it do on its first day of trading yesterday?

Soon after the markets opened, it plunged 38 percent to HK$10.80 before finishing the day slightly higher at HK$12.80.

It was considered the worst debut since 2015 for a company that had raised at least US$300 million, according to Bloomberg.

Yikes. 

Another company, Tianjin Construction Development Group also made its debut in the market and it also tanked, dropping more than 30 percent in value after having raised US$20 million in its IPO.

Not exactly what the Hong Kong government had in mind when it had hoped the stock market would help reboot the city's trading market, which has seen a drop in new listings for four consecutive years.

Lee optimistic the market will be bullish 

However, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu remains optimistic that new measures by China's securities regulator will help boost sentiment.

"Dozens of companies have applied to the mainland regulators for going public in Hong Kong, including large companies from traditional industries like manufacturing and logistics, as well as key companies from high value-added industries like AI and fintech," he said.

"We have also been actively promoting financing in Hong Kong to top unicorn companies in the mainland," Lee said, referring to startups worth at least US$1 billion.

Last year the Hong Kong exchange only saw 73 IPOs, raising HK$46.3 billion...