Turquoise-Coloured Budget for Hong Kong

Chan walking into LegCo to deliver his budget speech

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po unveiled his budget today and it reflects the tough economic climate the city is in.

Chan reported the deficit is at HK$87.2 billion for financial year 2024-45, with the aim to get Hong Kong into the black by 2028-29. Meanwhile the city's reserves continue to dwindle, from HK$734.5 billion (US$94.5 billion) to HK$647.3 billion, and is expected to decrease further to HK$580.3 billion in 2025-26. 

In order to tighten the government's belt, he announced pay freezes for civil servants and cutting some 10,000 posts. That clearly reveals a very bloated operation.

Ip wearing sunglasses and leather top

Other ways to bring in more money is to charge HK$200 instead of the current HK$120 for departure tax, allow betting on basketball games through the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and to make seniors shell out more for public transportation.

The elderly have had a great time taking advantage of the HK$2 fare on most public transit, and the government has had to subsidise the rest of the fares. But now there will be a cap on 240 trips per month, and seniors will have to pay 20 percent more on those routes costing over HK$10. 

It's controversial because it's mean to take away what was a privilege for the elderly, though 240 trips is more than reasonable.  

Chan's address clocked in at one hour and 48 minutes, and some lawmakers lost interest and looked at their smartphones.

However, it was hard to tell with Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who wore dark sunglasses inside the Legislative Council chamber. Lau claimed she had an eye inflammation, but she looked grumpy; she did comply with the dress code of wearing something turquoise to match the colour of the budget's cover.

Hong Kong's Fortunes Fall Flat

People went to Che Kung Temple to have their fortunes read

Today Hong Kong's fortune for the Year of the Snake was chosen and it was a warning for the city's government to be prudent and spend wisely.

Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk, knelt down on a cushion in the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin and gently shook a round container filled with numbered bamboo sticks on an angle until one fell onto the floor.

It was No. 24, considered a "neutral" stick that had the corresponding poem: "Do not do anything wrong during your life or cause trouble because of your greed, unless you have a noble person helping you, you should not waste your efforts."

Lau gave his own interpretation: "This fortune means that everyone should do good things and everyone should do what is right. As long as you are not greedy, it will be OK. Things that are done should also be practical."

He was hinting his take on the prophecy was directed at Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, who will deliver the budget on February 26.

"The financial secretary needs to make a decision amid the HK$100 billion (US$12.8 billion) deficit, I believe that everyone has very high expectations," Lau said.

"Besides spending within his means, I hope the financial secretary will look after the middle-class and low-income residents and not raise fees or taxes."

Lau also pointed out people should not do things just for money, alluding to the recent news of people trapped into scam farms in Cambodia and Myanmar.

However, fortune-teller Chan Tin-yan says the prophecy is a bad one for Hong Kong.

"The city's economy will be bad, it will be utterly terrible," he said. "Che Kung is telling the city government not to bother with so many frivolous things, he is not asking them to do these things."

Indeed.

But the problem is the government doesn't have many creative or innovative ideas to jumpstart the economy, only relying on the mainland which has now backfired, with more locals residents going up north instead in search of cheap shopping and dining sprees.

How about having some foresight and long-term planning that will benefit future generations? 

Wouldn't that be novel?

Night Vibes Become Quiet Vibes

Not much activity happening at the Wan Chai waterfront

The Hong Kong government's "Night Vibes" campaign, with evening bazaars in various parts of the city has already fizzled out, as Temple Street is seeing far less crowds than when it started back in January. 

Originally it was launched by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po to entice visitors and locals alike to spend in the city, but the initial wave of interest has already faded and people aren't coming back.

It seems the government has very little idea of how to promote the city, let alone the logistics of putting these events together. If they don't know how much electricity is needed to power up food stalls and prepare for adverse weather conditions, then how will the authorities be able to handle mega events?

Chan launched the campaign last September

A local businessman who asked to be anonymous was frustrated at how the Wan Chai bazaar was organised last September when the power was cut and some stalls struggled to serve hot food, while others could not collect electronic payments. 

"That's the thing, they talk, talk, talk, but have no idea how to do it," he said.

"They should hire professional companies if they want to organise a great market for Hong Kong because, from the way they handled it, it doesn't even feel like they cared."

Indeed -- the authorities haven't even bother to measure how many visitors attended "Night Vibes" or recorded feedback; Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun dismissed the need to analyse attendance numbers, saying it was more important to look at the social impact.

Perhaps it's because they just wanted to tick Night Vibes off their "to-do list" and not be held accountable for how they spent taxpayer dollars?

Interest in the night bazaar has fizzled out

But lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon said it was necessary to look at the numbers in order to learn from mistakes and improve the next time.

"These things are necessary so we can properly monitor, assess, learn from the experience and avoid repeating mistakes," she said. "If things don't work out, that's fine. It's not that we want to blame authorities for trying something new."

She added: "The problem now is that we never do any reviews, so we keep doing the wrong thing once, twice, and a third time."

Kong's other piece of advice was for the government to listen to the public.

"If you want to gain the trust of Hongkongers and increase their happiness, public engagement is very important," she said.

Unfortunately that's not what motivates government officials these days, but rather praise from Beijing. Yet another sign of how things operate in Hong Kong...

Financial Secretary's Expensive Plan to Lure Tourists

Fancy a monthly fireworks show at the tune of HK$1M each?

In an effort to revive tourism in Hong Kong, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has a brilliant idea -- hold a fireworks display once a month that will cost HK$1 million.

He said this during his annual budget address, setting aside HK$1.1 billion for monthly fireworks and drone shows over Victoria Harbour to boost visitor numbers.

But some residents are concerned that after a few times the pyrotechnic show will be boring and suggested focusing on getting big name artists to perform in the city.

Chan believes it will keep tourists in HK longer

But Chan said holding monthly fireworks and concerts were not "mutually exclusive", and that tourists could schedule their stays around the fireworks.

That would make the city flooded with tourists once a month, kind of like a mini Golden Week, but monthly.

He also left the task of making the fireworks interesting to watch to the Hong Kong Tourism Board... talk about passing the buck in case it doesn't work out...

Others felt the HK$1 million could be better spent, say, helping those residents in poverty, particularly the homeless. Why not put that HK$1.1 billion towards providing them stable low-income housing? Wouldn't that help give the impression the city was wealthy by getting the homeless off the streets?

Setting off fireworks is literally like burning money. How about putting it to good use instead?

Star Power at HK Marathon

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon was back this Sunday Hong Kong time, and on my social media feeds I saw many people I know who participated, either in the full marathon, half or 10K.

Known for hiking almost daily, actor Chow Yun-fat ran in the half marathon and completed it in 2 hours and 26 minutes -- not bad for a 68 year old.

"I felt very comfortable in general, but there were some sections of the route that were slightly challenging due to the inclines," Chow said. "I had to be patient and take it slow."

He is already aiming to cut his time to 2 hours and 15 minutes in next year's race.

"There were a lot of people and the vibe was very nice. I'm happy to see a lot of senior residents running with me. I encourage Hongkongers to do more exercise," he said.

It must have been a shocker to see Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po lace up and actually run -- in the 2K Leaders' Cup. Interestingly his bib number was "852".

The route was from the Wan Chai Sports Ground to Victoria Park, and Chan came in second, after business tycoon Peter Woo Kwong-ching.

Is 2K the best Chan can do? What about Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung getting out and pounding the pavement?

Looking for Ways to Generate More Money for HK

Did this help get Hong Kong out of its financial doldrums?

Hong Kong's coffers aren't as flush with money as it used to be, spending freely for things like tourism campaigns with the slogan "Happy Hong Kong", and "Night Vibes Hong Kong", and buying plane tickets to give away. Oh and what about that wall-to-wall advertising reminding people to vote on December 10 while making public transportation free?

So now the city is desperate to find ways to get rid of its budget deficit and some pro-Beijing legislators have a great idea -- tax people when they leave Hong Kong by air, sea or land.

Four lawmakers from the Liberal Party met with Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Monday about their expectations for the upcoming budget.

How about a departure tax on permanent residents

Among the 40 policy suggestions, one was a departure tax on permanent residents to generate more income.

"We do not support a departure tax levied on everybody. Instead, we support one that is imposed on Hong Kong's permanent residents -- whether they leave the city by flights, by vessels, or by cars. We support a short-term tax income to compensate for the current deficit," said Tommy Cheung, after meeting with Chan.

Last month the finance minister had to backtrack on an earlier projection that the government would be in the black in the next fiscal year, saying Hong Kong could expect another year in the red in 2024-25.

Chan believed it would take an extra "one or two more years" before the city would turn a profit. Government reserves were expected to fall to HK$720 billion at the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Gone are the days when Hong Kong had a whopping HK$1.835 trillion in reserves in 2018.

A good chunk was used to build the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge that is hardly used, millions spent on the Hong Kong Police especially during the 2019 protests, and then the Covid-19 pandemic for vaccines and doling out handouts to people and businesses.

Chan open to ideas to generate more money

Another great idea that was pitched was to further develop the "Night Vibes Hong Kong" campaign... does that mean extending night vibes to during the day? Don't people have to work?

If these ideas are from the best and brightest legislators, the city will have to do a lot more to stimulate the economy...

 

Hong Kong's Tourism Numbers Don't Add Up

This campaign focuses more on China tourists than N America

A friend from Hong Kong told me the hospitality sector is still struggling despite the city being fully open for tourists and the government pushing its "Hello Hong Kong" campaign.

Hotels are hurting the most, with low occupancy numbers, while high-end restaurants are trying to lure in diners with set menu deals.

And the Hong Kong government is wondering why the tourists aren't coming...

Chan wonders why tourists aren't coming to HK

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said the city needed to improve its tourism offerings even though it had 3.6 million visitors last month, up 30 percent from June.

On his blog, Chan wrote inbound tourism would continue to be the main drive of economic growth for the remainder of the year, along with private consumption. As a result, Hong Kong needed to improve its attractiveness to visitors.

"Many tourists, especially the young ones, come to Hong Kong mainly to attend exhibitions, cultural and artistic activities or major concerts," he wrote.

"This change in travel and consumption patterns means that we need to deliver what our tourists value: the features, creativity and quality of products and services, as well as the user experience."

It took Chan this long to figure this out?

Obviously neither he nor his fellow officials have learned anything from the Covid-19 pandemic, that people are seeking experiences over shopping and what does it have to offer that's new?

The mainland Chinese people who have visited Hong Kong are not interested in going there again, and so the only ones coming now are newbies.

Will more conferences lure people back to HK?

Their consumption spending power is much lower than previous visitors, and with China's high speed rail network, Chinese tourists don't have to stay overnight in Hong Kong -- they can zip across the border to Shenzhen for a cheaper hotel room before going back to Hong Kong again (if they so please).

But more importantly it's the implementation of the national security law, with headlines around the world reporting about the eight pro-democracy activists and former lawmakers with HK$1 million bounties over their heads, and the arrests of many others that has scared potential long-haul visitors from coming.

Another is the exorbitant prices for flights that have deterred many from coming back too.

However, former financial services secretary Chan Ka-keung tries to put the blame on other factors.

"A lot of people still -- because of the slow economic activities -- are not traveling much. It's not just Hong Kong not receiving tourists, many countries in Asia aren't receiving tourists either," he told reporters.

Has he seen Japan and Taiwan overwhelmed with visitors?

"But Hong Kong of course has another problem, which is because of the propaganda from the western media, a lot of people don't understand Hong Kong," Chan continues. "We should host more exhibitions and conferences, get more people to come to Hong Kong to see for themselves."

Perhaps if the city's government wasn't so repressive and arresting so many people then maybe more potential visitors would feel comfortable to travel there? The Hong Kong Police recently boasted it has collected over 380,000 tips from its reporting hotline.

For Chinese visitors, it's a stark reminder of home, not a respite.

Feeding Pigeons in HK Could be Fined HK$100K

Feeding pigeons could soon become illegal and HK$100K fine

Hong Kong seems to be becoming more legalist by the day, as residents may be fined up to HK$100,000 (US$12,750) and one year in jail for feeding wild animals, including pigeons.

It is a proposal submitted to the Legislative Council by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in a bid to stop people from feeding these animals. The proposed fine amount is 10 times what it is now. 

For comparison sake, a dog owner not picking up his or her canine's feces is HK$1,500.

Wild boars dig through human garbage for food

Needless to say animal activists and public policy experts say the move is out of proportion and question if this kind of punishment will be effective.

AFCD says residents feeding pigeons "constitute a public health issue".

"Feeding feral pigeons will inevitably attract other wild animals... to eat the food given by the feeders," a spokesman said, citing species such as spotted doves, tree sparrows, monkeys and wild boars.

But Benson Wong Wai-kwok, a retired assistant political science professor at Baptist University specialising in comparative public administration, said such a heavy penalty for a relatively light wrongdoing was a "disproportional move".

"Instead of addressing the problem, this policy may probably yield nothing but seed fear among residents," he warned.

There is a valid concern about feeding wild boars, but in the time that I had encounters with these creatures, no one fed them. 

Nevertheless, surely if this whopping fine does become law, it will be reported internationally for sure -- "Feed the pigeons in Hong Kong and get fined over US$12K!"

Is that a happy Hong Kong story?

Chan budgets extra HK$5B for national security

Or how about the fact that the Hong Kong government has budgeted an additional HK$5 billion for national security. 

During his 2021 budget speech, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po had allocated HK$8 billion and told reporters after it would be "enough to last for the next few years".

That amount was to to be used for "minor construction works, specialised equipment, system set-up, machinery" or other capital expenditure.

Imagine if the HK$5 billion was focused on housing homeless people, or giving men living in cages a decent place to live. What about those people in those subdivided flats? 

It's another priority Beijing has told Hong Kong to work on, or has housing these people taken a back seat?

Meanwhile those container flats at Penny's Bay are still empty and unused...

Recycling was never Hong Kong's strong suit.

Fact of the Day: Hong Kong's Lowest in the World

Hong Kong doesn't offer enough incentives to have children

Hong Kong has a new reputation of having the lowest birthrate in the world.

This ranking is according to a report by the United Nation Population Fund that was released on April 19.

The Hong Kong government previously said the population dropped as students went overseas to study.

Hong Kong's birthrate continues to plunge

But now it can't hide the fact that there are very few babies being born in the city. Many young women have migrated elsewhere in light of the national security law and there are others who prefer to remain childless.

According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong's fertility rate dropped from 1,080 in 2018 to 772 in 2021.

In the latest financial budget released in late February, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po proposed increasing the the child allowance by HK$10,000 (US$1,275) to HK$130,000.

However, lawmakers to residents complained the amount was too little to cover the costs of raising a child in Hong Kong. Experts suggest giving financial aid is the best option -- provided the amount was enough.

"There is international evidence suggesting that financial incentives including tax incentives have a positive impact on fertility, and at least, may encourage couples to give birth earlier," said assistant professor Tan Poh Lin, who studies Singapore's low birth rate at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

HK has a higher number of seniors than youth

However, Paul Yip Siu-fai, the chair professor in population health at the University of Hong Kong, said the government had yet to treat the low birth rate as "a matter of life and death" as the Singaporean government had.

"It will not work unless you invest a very large sum of money," he said.

Yip said the government should instead focus on improving people's quality of life to make them happier while improving work conditions for women.

Indeed. But will the government listen?

Mask Debate Continues in HK

Hongkongers continue to wear masks until at least March 8

Hong Kong is probably the only place on Earth where there is still a mask mandate in place.

China dropped its mandate when it went to zero-Covid, and today Macau has dropped its policy of wearing masks outside, unless visiting a hospital or taking public transport.

The Hong Kong government has extended the mask mandate until at least March 8, which means people attending the upcoming Clockenflap music festival March 3-5 must wear masks while enjoying live music outside...

Sridhar advises doing away with masks now

Hardly makes Hong Kong appealing, even if it brands itself as "Happy Hong Kong" in a bid to entice more visitors to the city.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has suggested that the mask mandate could be dropped by the "end of the season", which means the end of the financial year, (March 31).

However, Dr Siddharth Sridhar, a clinical assistant professor in microbiology at the University of Hong Kong said the city could scrap the mask mandate anytime, since the population had a high level of hybrid immunity.

"Mask-wearing could not fully prevent a Covid outbreak, as we can see from the fifth pandemic wave last year," he said. "As to preventing influenza, we have never relied on a mask mandate either."

Sridhar also argued an outbreak of influenza was inevitable regardless of when Hong Kong lifted the mask mandate, as the population had low immunity levels.

Nevertheless he did advise people to wear masks in public transportation and crowded indoor areas.

Lo claims masks prevent people from smoking

The fact that Hong Kong is still debating this issue shows there is no straight-forward exit plan -- that the government hadn't even considered lifting the mask mandate and would rather people keep wearing them.

Like Secretary for Health Dr Lo Chung-mau, who suggests the smoking population has decreased because of the necessity of wearing masks in public places.

"Over the last three years, the masks have helped us not only by controlling Covid-19, but also in reducing the number of smokers," he said.

How does that even make sense?

The government echoes his sentiment in this FAQ about wearing masks in public:

"Smokers are more likely to touch their mask and face with their hands during smoking, leading to increased chance of infection. Besides, smoking damages lungs and weakens immunity. Smokers who have contracted Covid-19 are more likely to develop severe complications. We appeal to members of the public to avoid smoking in public places, and to quit smoking whenever possible."

What a reason to quit smoking -- I couldn't light up cause I had to wear a mask outside.

HK Govt Plans to Stimulate Economy by Eating

Does Gourmet Marketplace mean food festivals all year round?

The Hong Kong government has run out of ideas. It really cannot think of anything fun, innovative, or clever in its bid to stimulate the economy.

So it has resorted to a campaign called "Happy Hong Kong".

Hello Hong Kong

and now Happy Hong Kong.

Chan announced "Happy Hong Kong" in speech

The new campaign was announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po today during his budget speech and the details are... laughable.

"We will soon launch the "Happy Hong Kong" Campaign for the general public, providing them opportunities to share happy and enjoyable moments together, thereby bringing more joy to the community," said Chan.

Uh huh.

"One of the major themes for this series of events is the launch of a "Gourmet Marketplace", under which large-scale food fairs will be organised in various locations across the territory in the coming months, bringing together Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas gourmet food, with a view to enabling the public and visitors enjoy the good food in the city," he said.

It just sounds like a major gorge-fest that's going to have a lot of drunk and overstuffed people all over the city crawling for their Pepto-Bismol.

How about these outdoor food stalls every week?

But perhaps even worse is for the kitchen staff who will probably have to work remotely outside of their restaurants to prepare food which is a huge challenge in itself. Trucking in all the ingredients, pots, pans, refrigerators, stoves, cutlery, then having to cook onsite... it already sounds like a culinary nightmare.

And anyway Hong Kong has had several of these food festivals before and they were OK-lah, overpriced and weather dependent. It makes no sense and this "Gourmet Marketplace" has not been thought out carefully.

Does the government think shoving lots of food in front of Hongkongers will make them forget the deteriorating human rights situation, the national security law and growing authoritarianism in the city?

It's a pathetic attempt at wallpapering things over...

Hong Kong's Splashy Welcome

Were TVB dancers recruited to kick off the presentation?

Hong Kong's back, baby!

That's what the Hong Kong government wants the world to know.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has just launched a HK$2 billion (US$255.2 million) campaign called "Hello Hong Kong" where 500,000 free airline tickets will be given away along with free welcome drinks at select bars and restaurants across the city. One would assume champagne and cocktails, not Hong Kong-style milk tea at a cha chaan teng...

Lee all smiles in launching HK$2B campaign

At the kick-off event held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dane Cheng Ting-yat, head of the Tourism Board, also boasted some 250 events will be held in the city, including Clockenflap, Rugby Sevens, and Art Basel.

The Tourism Board will also give away 1 million vouchers for welcome drinks, discounts on attractions as well as food and drinks and transportation. Do they mean Uber or the Star Ferry?

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also talked about Hong Kong entering a new development phase.

"We are actively returning to normalcy. Nothing can stop us from bouncing back... We eagerly welcome friends from around the world to come, see and experience for themselves the vibrancy and dynamics of our city."

He also says the government will provide accurate information about Hong Kong to the world as people overseas might have misunderstandings about the city.

"We will try our best to explain," Chan says, adding he wants visitors to come and "feel Hong Kong's loveable sides".

Where's the women in this stage?

Since when was the city cuddly?

More importantly how can the government erase the stark 2019 images of police with batons hitting protesters holding up umbrellas, and officers shooting rounds of teargas? With over 300,000 people leaving Hong Kong for the United Kingdom alone in the last two years, surely it's a sign they cannot live in their own hometown anymore, while some 1,300 political prisoners are still languishing in jail.

But this is the Chinese way of doing things -- moving on and pretending it never happened, wallpapering over the problem in the hopes no one remembers.

Will this flashy campaign actually work? It depends on who the government wants to target. There are those who have missed coming to Hong Kong for three years, while others have yet to discover the place.

Those who have recently visited tell me it feels different from before, but can't quite put their finger on it. They know the city has been hit hard by Covid-19, but don't really know or understand how the national security law has dismantled the city as they knew it before.

But hey -- no need to worry about that now, Hong Kong's back, baby!

Year of the Rabbit Won't be a Big Leap Forward

Cute pink fluffy rabbit at Pacific Place in Admiralty

The Year of the Tiger is just about over and most people would agree to be happy to see it leave and usher in the Year of the Rabbit.

While the Rabbit is known for its politeness, and patience, it is also shrewd.

However, many Hong Kong fortune tellers don't believe the Year of the Rabbit -- a water one -- it won't be hopping into too bright of a future.

Lee and his wife sending good wishes for CNY

They believe the property market will still be weak, the economy will not completely rebound, and Covid-19 will still linger.

Things may be tough for Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu as he is born in the Year of the Rooster, which clashes with the rabbit. 

"His policies may face resistance or not turn out as planned," said Yunwenzi, or Master Cloud, a specialist in Qimen Dunjia, the ancient Chinese art of divination. She predicted the protests in 2019.

She advised Lee to be patient, saying: "Although society is turning more peaceful and harmonious, allowing him to push reforms more easily, it will take time to see results."

Geomancer Tong Pik-ha suggested Lee could improve his luck by going to more celebratory events. "He should travel more, perhaps go overseas to tell more good stories about Hong Kong," she said.

Chan in Davos promoting Hong Kong

Like what Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po is doing, wandering the streets of Davos, Switzerland and trying to convince the Swiss to visit Hong Kong by looking at videos on his super old iPad...

Meanwhile well-known soothsayer Raymond Lo Hang-lap isn't optimistic about the year ahead.

"There is a total absence of the fire element in the Rabbit year," he said. "Fire is a symbol of happiness and positive energy. When fire is absent, there will be less drive for investment activities. There may also be setbacks in the stock market."

Sounds like a repeat of this past year...

On that note, we certainly hope things will be better in the Year of the Rabbit!

祝你i新年快乐！身体健康！心想事成！万事如意！

Paul Chan Claims No Special Treatment

Look who's back... and ignoring all protocols for returnees

One country, two systems continues robustly in Hong Kong when it comes to its treatment of Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.

He contracted Covid-19 while in Saudi Arabia, but somehow tested negative on Monday and returned to Hong Kong on Tuesday -- and the Centre for Health Protection did not declare his PCR test on arrival was negative. 

Instead the CHP claimed he was a "recovered case" and waived from doing any quarantine. 

Ho slammed the government for zero consistency

Where did he go? Straight to the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit where he addressed the crowd without a mask.

The media was on Chan's case, but claimed he was not handled differently from others at the airport:

"The treatment I have been given was the same as anyone. There's no particular privilege at all," he said, adding he went through Hong Kong's usual pre- and post-flight checks.

Such a high profile case that the CHP didn't seem to scrutinise close enough...

He was in a room full of people and even though he didn't eat with them, he spoke to them maskless!

Ho Pak-leung, the city's leading microbiologist from the University of Hong Kong, slammed the government regarding Chan's case as "failing to comply with a unified standard."

Is Chan's vaccine pass amber? It should be...

"Besides, some unnecessary screening measures towards new arrivals will hinder the process for society to return," he added.

Ho said it was inevitable for the city to soon scrap all entry curbs and go to "0+0", and that the amber health code on the Vaccine pass should be scrapped as well.

This hypocrisy will continue post national security law, where elites can do as they please, while the plebeians are severely punished for any minor infraction.

If there is a wave of Covid-19 cases from bankers in the next few days, we know where it came from...

Is Hong Kong Back in Business?

Chan gave a pre-recorded message from Saudi Arabia

Hong Kong's back baby! FinTech Week has kicked off in the city, but its host, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po contracted Covid-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and can't come back until he tests negative. 

It's quite embarrassing to not be able to be there to host your own party, isn't it?

He started his speech apologising for not being at the opening ceremony in person. "Obviously the Arabian hospitality is keeping me away," he joked.

Har-har.

The event is held at the convention centre

Chan told the audience in a pre-recorded message that the event was a "memorable moment for Hong Kong in a great many ways... In a great many ways, we're telling the world that we're back. Back in business, back in the business, and pleasure, of welcoming you to Hong Kong."

Quite repetitive. Does he have anything else to say?

On Wednesday the Global Financial Leaders' Summit kicks off, followed by the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament two days later. Oh good news! People can eat in their seats while watching the games now!

There is also the fact that some heads of American banking institutions are attending the event when the US government has warned them of "whitewashing human rights violations" with their presence and enabling Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu's strategy of opening up when he is one of several government officials sanctioned by the US for cracking down on human rights in the city.

As a result, Lee cannot open a bank account with these financial institutions whose top executives are sharing the stage with him later this week.

Stand News' Lam was arrested last December

While this hoopla about luring top bankers to come to Hong Kong as proof that it's back in business is taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, some 300 metres away in a courtroom are two former editors of the defunct Stand News are on trial for conspiracy to publish seditious publications, a sedition law from the colonial era.

Stand News editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam were arrested last December and if convicted, they could face a maximum jail term of two years and a fine of HK$5,000 (US$640) for a first offense, and three years for a subsequent offense. 

Their trial is expected to last 20 days.

Is this what Chan means by Hong Kong's back? 

Only China Terrified of Covid-19

The Queen made her final journey to Windsor Castle

Queen Elizabeth II was finally laid to rest today, but not before a funeral full of tradition, ceremony and meaning.

Numerous heads of state were invited, and the only person wearing a mask at Westminster Abbey was Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan -- complete with a Chinese flag on it for branding purposes.

It was also a metaphor for how much China is an outlier compared to the rest of the world when it comes to Covid-19.

Wang (centre) wearing a mask at the funeral

And people within the country are angry after a bus in Guiyang, Guizhou province, carrying people who tested positive, was involved in a motor vehicle accident, killing 27 of those passengers and injuring 20. on Sunday. 

They were being bussed at 2am to a remote quarantine centre 260km from Guiyang, the capital.

It wasn't Covid that killed them, but an accident.

CNN even pointed out a picture of someone in a hazmat suit spraying the crumpled heap that was the bus with disinfectant afterwards.

Guiyang vice-mayor Lin Gang apologised on Sunday night, but did not elaborate on the government's role in the crash, or what the apology was for.

Instead he said the government would "inspect safety risks in transporting people to quarantine" as well as investigate the cause of the incident.

The crushed bus that left 27 passengers dead

But the apology and the suspension of three officials was not enough to quell the anger fomenting online. There were more than 69,000 comments on social media after 24 hours of the crash, and related topics on Weibo were viewed more than 400 million times.

The level of social media engagement is similar to when Dr Li Wenliang, the doctor who warned about Covid-19, died in February 2020.

Meanwhile in Hong Kong, things are starting to look up. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu suggested the city should have an "orderly" approach to opening up, and there were indications hotel quarantine will end soon, but people arriving will have to self-monitor at home for seven days.

"I'm conscious of the fact that while we need to control the spread of Covid, we also need to ensure that there will be maximum activities... and economic activities for society to carry on," Lee said.

Lee strongly hints hotel quarantine over soon

"I am also conscious of the need to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness by ensuring that we have good connectivity."

Finally Lee's pleas are being heard by Beijing, after several major sporting events were cancelled. 

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon was cancelled for November 20 but now organisers have announced it will be held in February, though no word on how many can participate.

Covid-19 has taken a terrible toll on Hong Kong's economy, with financial secretary Paul Chan Mo Po projecting a potential budget deficit of more than HK$100 billion (US$12.7 billion). All that taxpayer money going down the drain all for "dynamic zero-Covid"...