Review: Creative Flavour Profiles at One-Star AnnaLena

Kaw's Michelin statue with the star at AnnaLena

My quest to visit (almost) all the Michelin-starred restaurants in Vancouver is close to completion.

Earlier this week I managed to score a table at AnnaLena in Kitsilano and the one-starred Michelin restaurant had just changed its menu too.

It's located on a quiet street with other casual restaurants, cafes and an ice cream bar shop. If I wasn't so full I would have wanted to check it out!

Fingerling potato with parmesan foam

Inside AnnaLena diners are greeted with a small statue of irreverent artist Kaws' version of the Michelin man and the coveted one star. The place is minimalist, contemporary, with bar seating by the open kitchen, but we opted for seats at a table. 

As I waited for my dining companion, I sipped on a non-alcoholic drink called "Plannin' on stackin'", which was a refreshing berry concoction of zero-proof "gin", with raspberry and lemon at the quite steep price of C$13.

When my foodie friend arrived, our server introduced the menu, and interestingly the restaurant tries to upsell the set menu with add-ons. For example, the second course could have shrimp for an extra price, while the lamb rack could be substituted with Japanese wagyu beef for a big chunk of change.

We said we'd have the menu as the chef intended...

Rich, oily bread course with leek and ramp

Two snacks appeared to whet our appetites. The first was a fingerling potato topped with a raspberry and beet savoury sauce a billowy creamy parmesan cheese foam that was quite delightful.

Another snack were miniature burgers with foie gras mousse in the middle with finely julienne carrots and cilantro leaves. So far so good.

The first course was turnip and radish crudite, the small plump root vegetables were quartered at the bottom of the bowl, covered in the crudite sauce, followed by a burrata creme fraiche, black garlic and a "crouton" -- a thin slice of roasted bread covered in charcoal.

Next came a bread course. It looked like a toasted iceberg sitting in a green pond decorated with vegetables. We were encouraged to break off the bread pieces with our hands and dip it in the leek and ramp veloute, that included meaty king oyster mushrooms and green garlic.

Lamb rack, lamb belly and asparagus

The bread was very oily and I would have appreciated a wet towel to wipe my hands after. It was also quite a filling dish. The sauce was delicious but quite rich, while the bread quickly filled the stomach.

Another plate of carbs followed in the form of cacio e pepe spaghettini, a small enough portion with smoked squid and XO sauce. What?! Had they appropriated Chinese XO sauce? But the slight spicy kick worked well and worth considering putting XO sauce on all pastas in the future.

The main course of lamb rack was actually two small portions of lamb, one piece deboned, the other fried lamb belly in a croquette. The lamb was very tender and juicy, the lamb belly tasted decadent.

By now we were quite full, but curious about the green apple dessert. It turns out to be a creative deconstruction of apple pie and we felt this was the strongest dish in terms of the melding of flavours seamlessly.

Deconstructed apple pie with miso ice cream

At the bottom were the subtly cinnamon-seasoned diced green apple, an almond financier, maple caramel and the whole thing topped with a giant dollop of miso ice cream. It was dreamy to eat this dessert, soft, slightly crunchy, room temperature, cold, tangy and sweet.

If that wasn't enough, AnnaLena makes sure you are super full with petit fours -- served on the sole of a Nike Air sneaker! Actually it's a plaster mould of the sole and it really takes you for a loop! On it were mini foie gras rice krispie squares, and they do have a subtle hint of that umami flavour, while the berry jelly was lightly dusted with milk powder.

At C$98 per person it's high-end dining for sure. Despite my criticisms the dining experience was enjoyable and more refined than say, Barbara. 

The last two Michelin-starred restaurants on my list are Masayoshi, which has an eye-watering C$200 charge per person! And iDen & Quanjude Beijing Duck House that charges and arm and a leg for roast duck...

Petit fours served on the sole of a Nike sneaker

AnnaLena

1809 West 1st Avenue

Vancouver, BC

778 379 4052

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?

China's Low Birthrate Blamed on West

China alarmed at low birthrate, but it's a global trend

The Chinese government is desperately trying to get its young people to marry and mate, but they aren't buying it.

After decades of the one-child policy and in the last several years the rising costs of raising a child along with education costs have made people think twice about getting married, let alone having babies.

So Beijing is trying to blame Western culture for influencing young women to focus more on their careers and not interested in having children.

India is overtaking China as most populous nation

Professor Zeng Yi, a population expert at Peking University's National School of Development, says the growing number of adults living alone was "very worrying".

He urged the media to stop promoting such lifestyles because it would lead to "a large group of empty-nest elderly people" and an "accelerating decline in the working-age population".

A similar appeal was made by Wang Peian, party secretary of the China Family Planning Association. 

"We should greatly promote the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation and the social respect for producing offspring, encourage couples to share child-raising responsibilities, and eliminate bad customs such as high bridal prices," he wrote in a journal published in March.

"In the late 20th century, with the rise of individualism, feminism and materialism, the second demographic transition, featuring a disconnection between marriage, family and procreation, started taking place in Europe," he said. "It had an extensive impact on the younger generation in China in the new century via globalisation and wide internet coverage."

How can he blame the internet when there the Great Firewall is in place in China?

Nevertheless, Yu Hai, a professor from Fudan University's school of social development and public policy, said low birthrates were a global and irreversible trend as more people say no to marriage and children.

Officials call for more traditional family values

"It's not something that can be changed by cultivating a new culture, or refusing Western values," he said.

"You may be able to make people not have babies, but it's hard to force them the other way round," Yu said, referring to the one-child policy enforced between 1980 and 2015, which resulted in numerous abortions.

"Besides, it's unfair to say Westerners do not value families. As far as I can see, family is of similarly high importance whether in the West or the East."

He said there were many reasons why young people were not having children, the top two are the financial burden and the education system focusing on exams and not encouraging creativity.

Meanwhile a single Chinese woman is appealing in a legal battle for the right to freeze her eggs to possibly have children later in life. Single women are currently not allowed to do this unless they get married, whereas single men can freeze their sperm. Why the double standard? And if a woman can afford to raise a child on her own, why not let her?

The ball's back in Beijing's court...

Opinions Allowed -- as Long as They are Correct

Lee says opinions are allowed -- as long as they are right ones

Following Ming Pao's announcement that it will end publishing Zunzi's cartoons from Sunday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu today spelled out criticism of the government is still allowed.

However -- false, biased, misleading and/or defamatory information is not allowed.

"Responsible media must meet public expectations, social responsibilities and professional ethics," he said in a press conference.

Zunzi vows to keep publishing cartoons

But it is what the government deems is false, misleading and/or defamatory that is the problem.

For example last week a reporter asked Lee a question regarding the overhaul of the District Council elections following the 2019 protests.

He immediately chastised the reporter, saying the unrest four years ago should be called "black violence".

"First of all, it is not the 2019 protests. It is the black violence. It is the attempt to make Hong Kong independent and [an] attempt to cause disaster to Hong Kong society as a whole that we need to prevent," Lee said.

"I think that has been made very clear. we lived through that, and don't forget it. We have to bear that in mind so as to ensure that in the long run, the system will protect us from all this chaotic and harmful situation to arise again."

So there is no space for any discussion on the matter -- the government has set the tone and the narrative of what happened in 2019. No ifs, ands or buts.

No dissenting opinions are allowed. 

You have been warned.

Ming Pao to Stop Publishing Zunzi Cartoons

Ming Pao ends its 40-year run publishing Zunzi cartoons

The Hong Kong government has a thin skin when it comes to cartoons satirising its policies, and this has led to Ming Pao ending its 40-year association with cartoonist Zunzi. The Chinese newspaper announced it would end running the political cartoons on May 14.

Zunzi, whose real name is Wong Kei-kwan, contributed two daily cartoons to the paper, one of a single illustration, the other a three-panel comic strip. They mostly poked fun at current affairs, and it seems since John Lee Ka-chiu became Chief Executive last July, he and his administration have criticised the cartoons.

On district council overhaul

Most recently, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen slammed a cartoon published on Tuesday that referred to the city's district council overhaul. It depicted a man telling a woman that representatives would be selected "as long as their superior deems them suitable", even if they failed all exams and health checks.

Mak, who is involved in the overhaul, said the cartoon was "distortive" and "unethical", and accused Wong of smearing the government's reputation.

Earlier Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung condemned another cartoon by Wong, claiming he made misleading accusations and fostered public ill will against the authorities.

The cartoon depicted two people speculating that the government was actually reserving HK$20 billion (US$2.5 billion) from its budget to build prisons and hire correctional staff to target the public, after the authorities announced they would spend HK$5.2 billion to upgrade the police's information system in the coming year.

Wong declined to comment on why Ming Pao cut him loose. 

"The incident is part of the current 'Hong Kong story' in which people can see and feel, not the one the officials are talking about," Wong said, referring to the pledge by the government to promote a positive account of the city.

Zunzi says he will continue creating cartoons

He said he would continue to create cartoons but did not elaborate on which platform he would use. 

"There are various forms of creation. I appreciate other creators expressing their opinions in the ways they are good at and I will learn from them," Wong added.

Ming Pao said in a statement that said in part: "Ming Pao thanks Zunzi for witnessing the changing times with us over the past 40 years."

The paper's Ming Pao Staff Association expressed regret the artist's columns would no longer be featured in the publication.

"Apart from news reporting, the works of columnists are also part of the core value of Ming Pao. A diversified society should be inclusive of different voices," it wrote in a statement.

"We hope all sectors of the community will respect freedom of speech and protect the core values of Ming Pao, while maintaining social justice and kindness."

Zunzi's cartoon on Xi's plans for Hong Kong

Wong is no stranger to controversy, having riled up at least five government departments, including the police and Security Bureau. His cartoons were once banned in Macau and Singapore more than 20 years ago.

In an interview with AFP in 2000, Wong said "jokes can be very dangerous".

"The powerful try to... make the masses believe there is no one else but them to follow," he said.

"Jokes can quickly pierce through all this and nail the lies. They can drag the powerful down from their thrones."

Picture of the Day: Blooming Peony

Our first peony in bloom this season!

It's that time of year when giant buds suddenly appear in the garden and just as quickly begin to bloom.

A few days ago one large red peony bloomed, and now several others are opening up as well!

They have such a vivid red colour and the petals look delicate and thin like tissue paper, but are resilient enough to stick around for a few days.

These flowers are my mother's pride and joy, as she has cultivated these Chinese peonies for years and uses the soil from her compost to help them bloom so beautifully.

Looking forward to seeing the other peonies open up soon!

Canada Expels Chinese Diplomat

Zhao has been declared persona non grata by Canada

The Canadian government finally pulled the trigger and declared Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei persona non grata. He must leave in five days for targeting opposition MP Michael Chong and his family in Hong Kong for intimidation. 

In retaliation, the Chinese government has expelled Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn Lalonde in Shanghai. She has until May 13 to leave China.

Chong says expulsion should be done earlier

This comes a week after the Globe and Mail published a report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service revealing Zhao had taken efforts to target Chong and his relatives after he sponsored a motion to condemn China's treatment of Uyghurs.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: "I have been clear: we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home."

Chong called the move a victory, but not just for himself.

"It's a victory for all Canadians who have been a victim of foreign interference for the past five or 10 years, who've been subject to threats from authoritarian regimes like Iran, like the government in Beijing."

Joly will not tolerate foreign interference

But he said it has taken too long for the government to finally take action.

Former ambassadors to China like Guy Saint-Jacques, David Mulroney and Gordon Houlden have been sounding the alarm for at least a year that Canada needs to be more pro-active in dealing with Beijing's aggressive moves.

In a TV interview today, Saint-Jacques wasn't surprised if China would retaliate and expel a Canadian diplomat (which was subsequently done), but that economically Canada may not be hit too hard, as China's economy is not doing well and is trying very hard to court foreign countries to come back and do business.

Nevertheless this latest development further sinks Sino-Canadian relations further; a motion was passed to set up a foreign agent registry despite calls by Senator Yuen Pau Woo that it is racist. On the contrary, this registry applies to all countries, not just China. 

An alleged Chinese police station in Richmond

There may also be more momentum to demand China shut down its police stations in Canada, which would be a relief to a lot of people, not just those in the Chinese diaspora.

New Ways to Use Chilli Oil

Chilli heads will enjoy this brand of spicy oil

Yesterday I was invited to a chilli oil tasting from a local brand called Holy Duck Chili Oil in the Chinatown Storytelling Centre in Vancouver's Chinatown.

Grape tomato, bocconcini and chilli

Husband and wife Chris Fung and Louise Pang founded Holy Duck Chili Oil, and they not only presented the various products they have, but also showed how to use them in interesting ways.

I usually use chilli oil to spice up dumplings or noodles, but they demonstrated how they could be used in various finger foods to serve at parties.

The first one had diced mango and octopus on a cracker and drizzled with the original Holy Duck Chili Oil.

Who knew that mango tastes good with a chilli kick?

Another easy to make munchie for friends is grape tomatoes and bocconcini with a basil leaf on a mini skewer and a bit of chilli oil drizzled on top, in particular the vegan version of the Holy Duck chilli oil that is made with lion's mane mushrooms. 

The third dish they showed was rice rolls filled with imitation crab, various vegetables, vermicelli and their chilli oil with salted egg yolk sauce. Interestingly the distinct salted egg yolk flavour didn't come through in the rice rolls, though they were prepared ahead of time. 

Fung and Pang invite people to try

Finally a fun finish was their take on Caesar drinks by making jelly shots of tomato juice, a stick of celery, lime juice, but no vodka, and the rim featured their powdered chilli seasoning called sum sum. It wasn't too spicy -- or had I become acclimatised by this point?

Fung and Pang started Holy Duck Chili Oil in 2021, a year after they arrived in Vancouver from Hong Kong, unable to find work.

They adapted Pang's grandmother's chilli oil recipe and gave it to friends and family as Chinese New Year gifts and many told the couple they should sell it, so they did. Their secret is using rendered duck fat to give the oil richness that isn't found in other chilli oils, hence the name, Holy Duck.

With a knack for coming up with a clever name and fun label depicting a duck eating a hot chilli, Holy Duck's sales seem to be good online and it is stocked in a few local stores.

Chinese-Canadian Caesar jelly shots

We hope they continue to find more success with their can-do attitude and gracious hospitality.

Review: Wildlight Kitchen + Bar

The pescatarian board with cured fish, mussels and cod rillette

People who live near the University of British Columbia finally have a good high-end restaurant to eat at. It's just off University Boulevard, where there's an upscale gourmet supermarket called Urban Fare and nestled between two condominium towers. There's definitely a captive audience for Wildlight Kitchen + Bar.

We had to circle around to find it as it isn't facing the street, but we go there eventually. Cars parked in the area or underground must pay for parking, but those in the underground can show their parking receipt to get reimbursed up to C$8 when paying the check.

Grilled beet salad with burrata cheese

Inside the restaurant is airy with exposed high ceilings and has a west coast vibe with lots of wood panelling to create a contemporary minimalist look. Booths line the perimeter of the dining area, and tables in the middle. We're not quite sure what to make of the screens showing a wood-burning fire suspended above the bar.

The menu is straight forward, using many BC products. The starters or "small plates" offer something for everyone, from west coast seafood chowder to vegan brisket flatbread, oysters and chicken wings.

Recommended by our server, the grilled beet salad (C$20) featured red and yellow beets, decorated with greens, sunflower shoots, Okanagan apples, and roasted and crushed hazelnuts. Very refreshing and easy to share.

We chose the signature pescatarian board ($42), featuring house-made salmon "pastrami", beet-cured ling cod, smoked albacore, cod rillette (with various crackers) and Salt Spring Island mussels, complemented with lots of pickled vegetables like sea asparagus, and carrots, olives and caperberries.  

Seared Hokkaido scallops with risotto

For the three of us, there was at least one piece each of the fish, each delicious but not particularly outstanding. The rillette was delightful with the poppadom and nori crackers, and the pickled sea asparagus was new for me. I have had them raw or slightly cooked, and it was interesting to have it pickled.

After our plates were taken away we waited a very long time for our mains -- it seemed like we were not the only ones, as other tables had the same issue of waiting at least 30 minutes for the next course.

The selection of main or "large plates" also has something for everyone, such as gin steamed mussels, seasonal risotto, a meat burger as well as oyster mushroom burger, and even beef tomahawk for two.

We had the celeriac agnolotti (C$30), large rectangular-shaped packages that were quite rich in the beurre-blanc sauce, topped with generous bunches of oyster mushrooms. 

More gravy with the duck breast please

Seared Hokkaido scallops (C$42) were placed on a bed of lobster and truffle risotto -- hitting all the umami notes and a very hearty portion.

Same goes for the BC duck (C$37) that comes from the Fraser Valley, very tender and sitting on a very generous serving of dijon spaetzle, along with a confit leg croquette, and lots of vegetables on the side including Brussels sprouts, carrots, undercooked potatoes, and beets. A minor quibble of more gravy would have been appreciated.

While we didn't really have room for dessert, we felt we should at least try one to share. The lemon tart (C$14) is not too sweet on its own, but the torched meringue on top is a bit too much. Nevertheless we appreciated the presentation along with macerated blueberries.

Overall a pleasant dining experience from the staff, but the lull between courses needs to cut in half. Diners should not be kept waiting too long.

A bit too much meringue on the lemon tart

Wildlight Kitchen + Bar

5380 University Boulevard

Vancouver, BC

604 915 0722

Pillar of Shame Confiscated as Evidence

The Pillar of Shame when it stood in the HKU campus

The saga of the sculpture paying homage to the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre continues with it being confiscated by the police yesterday, apparently related to a national security case.

The Pillar of Shame, which had been taken apart, wrapped up and hidden in the University of Hong Kong's Kadoorie Centre in Yuen Long, was taken by the police as evidence for a subversion case.

Since 1997, the eight-metre tall sculpture featuring people in an organic pyramid, was standing at the HKU campus until it was dismantled in the middle of the night by a crew in hard hats in December 2021.

It was removed late one night in December 2021

When Jens Galschiot, the artist who made the sculpture heard about the latest development from the media, he slammed the operation as "outrageous", as he said he was the owner of the artwork and no one had consulted him on the matter.

He wrote a message on his newsletter which read in full:

I just got the news from the media about the removing of the Pillar of Shame from Hong Kong University. This is outrageous. This is my sculpture and nobody has consulted or informed me about anything.

I have heard that the sculpture will be used as evidence under the national security law, but this makes no sense to me.

The pillar was placed in Hong Kong, before Hong Kong was handed over by the British. It is an art piece made and exhibited by a Danish artist (me) as his personal project. The initiative has been mine, nobody has incited me to put it there, and I personally paid all expenses for it. 

I cannot see how they can use the sculpture under the national security law. The Democratic Alliance and many Hongkongers have been assisting me putting the sculpture in Hong Kong, but so has shipping companies, crane firms and University of Hong Kong. Even Hong Kong authorities has given permission for me to put it up and move it around.

Though I am deeply touched that the Pillar is used this way in Hong Kong, the events confirm the that symbolic language of art cannot be crushed, and only gets stronger when attacked. The Pillar of Shame and talks about the June 4th massacre hasn’t been more present than now. Hong Kong (China!) took down the pillar but got a 1000 back. It appears as 3D prints all over the world, as AI and as banners.

 

Galschiot continues to demand sculpture back

Sincerely yours,
Jens Galschiot, May 5^th, 2023

 

The security bureau released a statement replying to Galschiot in part: "Some organisations attempted to mislead the public in the name of artistic freedom and requested to return the evidence, smearing the police's legal action with insensible blame, undermining law and the rule of law."

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said the removal of the statue had nothing to do with the upcoming June 4 anniversary, and that the operation was done according to the ongoing investigation.

"The legal proceedings are still ongoing. I cannot reveal any details... We will continue to search for more evidence to support the prosecution work," he said.

The organiser of Hong Kong's annual Tiananmen Square candlelight vigil -- the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriot Democratic Movements of China -- together with three of its leading members, Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yah, and Chow Hang-tung have been charged with inciting subversion under the national security law.

The chances of Galschiot retrieving his sculpture have dimmed significantly now that it has been confiscated as "evidence"...

Claims of Chinese Intimidation of MPs

Chong claims he did not know he and his family were targets

There was a very strong exchange of words between Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Chong today over the government continuing to allow a Chinese diplomat to continue to operate in the country when he allegedly targeted Chong and his family overseas.

The diplomat in question is Zhao Wei, who was accused of "intimidation operations" in 2021 against Chong and his family in Hong Kong, which was first reported by the Globe and Mail on Monday.

Joly concerned about fallout from China

When pressed to summon the Chinese ambassador about this alleged intimidation campaign, Joly said considerations had to be made on how this would impact Sino-Canadian relations with regards to trade and politics.

The newspaper reported Zhao was looking into Chong's relatives who live in China, for possible sanctions by China. The report cites a leaked Canadian intelligence document from July 2021.

Chong said he was received the briefing in 2021 but claimed he had no idea he and his family were targets -- until this week.

The Toronto MP Chong has taken a strong stance against the Chinese government, including sponsoring a motion in parliament declaring that Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities amounts to genocide.

Cong was summoned by Joly this morning

However, while Joly did summon Chinese ambassador Cong Peiwu, she seemed very cautious, worried about the possible political and economic consequences following the experience with the two Michaels, Spavor and Kovrig who were detained for nearly three years.

"It's about you, but it's about also the interests of the country," Joly said to Chong.

"So as we are assessing the interests -- and I know that we are under pressure to go fast -- we need to make sure as well that we protect our democracy and this is why we will take action in light of the facts that are being presented regarding your case."

But Chong pushed for action to immediately expel Zhao.

"I can't think of an interest more important to the Canadian state than the protection and the safety and the security of its own citizens," he said.

The two Michaels were detained for 3 yrs

"I think that that is the only course of action here, because if we do not take that course of action, Minister, we are basically putting up a giant billboard for all authoritarian states around the world that says we are open for foreign interference."

In a statement in Chinese, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the claims it targeted Chong's family, saying the reports were false and hyped up by some Canadian politicians and the media.

"China has never interfered in Canada's internal affairs, nor does it have any interest in doing so, let alone threatening Canadian MPs," the statement said. It added sanctions it had applied directly to Chong in 2021 were "entirely self-inflected."

This incident is keeping the Liberals in the hot seat despite its best efforts to try to deflect it away; China is souring on Canadians and this latest development adds a lot more heat.

HK Near Bottom of Press Freedom Index

This year's press freedom map, with HK as "difficult situation"

Today is World Press Freedom Day.

The World Press Freedom Index was released and Hong Kong has risen slightly to 140 from 148 this year, while China is at 179, just above North Korea at the very bottom of the list.

Put into perspective, Hong Kong is behind Colombia and Cameroon, but above Somalia and Brunei. 

The city's ranking plunged last year after the national security law was implemented in 2020 -- that is in stark contrast to when Hong Kong was ranked as high as 18 in 2002 when the World Press Freedom Index was first released. 

Ranking of all the countries from Norway as No. 1 to North Korea at 180

"The slight rise in the index this year is mostly due to the fact of adjustment in the index after [a] sharp drop of 68 places last year -- at the same time, Hong Kong has scored lower or the same as last year in three of five indicators... and the most notably the lowest in the legal factor," Cedric Alviani, East Asia bureau director of Reporters Without Borders [RSF] said.

The "legal factor" Alviani is referring to is the trials of editors and reporters at the defunct Apple Daily and Stand News. 

He said the watchdog recorded 13 "press freedom defenders" detained under "trumped up charges".

Most notably in the last few weeks there has been a concerted campaign by Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's lawyers and his son Sebastien to raise awareness of the tycoon and how Lai has already served one of his sentences for illegal assembly and is serving another sentence of five years and nine months for a fraud case. His trial for allegedly violating the national security law will start in September.

Alviani notes the deteriorating situation in HK

"In the past month -- and week -- we have also observed cases of media outlets being barred from reporting on official events, while a few journalists including from independent online media outlets have been followed," Alviani said.

He also noted the increasing number of journalists in exile, including those who made "a very difficult decision to leave their home due to increasing pressure from the government" for places including the UK and Taiwan.

Alviani said the slight change in Hong Kong's ranking in the index should not be seen as an improvement, but rather the ranking movement of other countries and the index adjustment.

Journalism is not a crime.

Journalism is not a crime.

Journalism is not a crime.

HK's Drastic District Council Overhaul

There won't be as many ballots to count in new elections

I still remember standing in line, patiently waiting to get into the voting station in Kennedy Town to mark my ballot for the 2019 District Council elections.

After peaceful protests against the proposed extradition bill fell on the government's deaf ears and eyes, and then protesters faced off with the police using guerrilla tactics that resulted in clashes all over the city, Hong Kong residents made their voices heard on November 24, 2019.

Long lines of people waiting to vote in 2019

An unprecedented 2.94 million people out of 4.13 million registered voters cast their votes and the results were overwhelmingly pro-democratic. Seventeen out of the 18 districts turned yellow overnight, completely upending the pro-establishment's belief that the "silent majority" would show up at the ballot box.

The district councillors who were voted in did not have much political power -- they were only focused on the areas they were responsible for, such as suggesting where traffic lights could be installed, improving garbage disposal, and rounding up sweaters and thermoses for the elderly. But it was the symbolism of how the election was seen as a referendum on the protests.

Nevertheless, the results infuriated Beijing and in 2021 the government introduced an oath-taking requirement, where district councillors had to pledge allegiance to the city. This led to their mass resignation, and now only one-third of the 18 districts still have elected representatives.

Residents celebrate 2019 results of DC elections

But not to worry -- the government has overhauled how district councillors are chosen, and the vast majority will not be voted in anymore. Only 20 percent will be picked via the ballot box, compared to 90 percent four years ago.

The 20 percent is even lower than in the 1980s when the district councils were set up when Hong Kong was under the British.

The rest of the 470 seats will be filled by government appointees, rural committee chairpersons, and others elected by local committees that are staffed by pro-establishment figures.

This is Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's method of overhauling the system.

"I do not agree that pure counting [of] election votes mean democracy," he said. "Different places have their own systems that must take into consideration of all the characteristics and all the elements of that place."

Lee (centre) says only 20 percent of seats elected

What does that even mean?

Hong Kong residents exercised their right to vote at the time and those were the results. Lo Kin-hei, chairman of the Democratic Party, says the public will be disappointed by the drastic drop in the number of elected seats, which will result in fewer people willing to run for district councillor.

Will this overhaul help the city improve its living conditions for its residents with these appointed officials, or is the exercise to show Beijing how politically correct Hong Kong has become?

Kennedy Town's New and Old Shops

A stationary store with everything you need

A friend Whatsapped me to say he was visiting my old neighbourhood, Kennedy Town, even checking out a restaurant on the same street where I used to live.

It's a new restaurant serving chicken cooked in different ways -- Hainan chicken, Sichuan chicken, roast chicken leg...

My friend's purchase of pens

Afterwards he texted me again, asking where the nearest stationary store was and I directed him to Knowledge Stationary Centre on Catchick Street, near Belcher Bay Park.

He went in to get some pens and soon after sent a picture of five pens for HK$70.

I remarked that I missed buying my appointment book there for HK$28, but that I bought my 2023 one in Vancouver for C$26!

The owner told my friend the stationary store has been open for over 70 years!

He will be back towards the end of the year to get his 2024 calendar.

Hopefully this shop, which seems to stock almost everything you would need in a stationary store, will still continue to operate for many years to come!

More Bureaucracy to Recycle Glass

Only a tiny fraction of the glass bottles in HK are recycled

The government is making glass recycling more complicated than it needs to be.

It has now announced that from May 1, glass bottle suppliers must pay a recycling levy and register with the government before distributing their products.

Overflowing bins are not emptied

Suppliers will have to pay a HK0.98 levy for every one-litre bottle they distribute in the city, and register with the Environmental Protection Department before distributing them in Hong Kong.

The department added suppliers must submit returns and annual audit reports, and keep records related to the returns.

So far 900 suppliers have applied for the scheme as of late April, and two granted exemptions because they already have their own system of collecting and treating glass containers.

Why is the government making glass recycling so difficult with all this extra paper work? 

And when it refers to glass suppliers, does that mean the manufacturers of glass bottles and not say, wine companies selling wines or beer companies selling beers?

Why not focus on the task at hand -- recycling as much glass as possible? There's an NGO called Green Glass Green that tries to pick up as many glass bottles as they can, giving bins to businesses to put their glass bottles in and are then collected regularly.

Make recycling easier in HK

But that is just one group. And shouldn't the government encourage users to return bottles to stores and getting a small refund? At least a few main glass collection points around the city? Surely that wouldn't be difficult to set up near garbage disposal sites? Who doesn't want extra money in their pocket? That alone is incentive enough.

The bigger question is why the government is so behind when it comes to recycling. It's a no brainer.