Four Arrested in Attempt to Flee HK

Tsang two years earlier looking small and young

Many critics are pointing out how the Hong Kong police have paraded four young men who absconded their court hearings related to the 2019 protests.

The four, ranging from 16 to 24 years old, hid from the authorities for almost two years, moved from place to place at night in cardboard boxes, and it looks like they were malnourished.

Apparently their alleged plan was to leave for Taiwan, as they were arrested at Pak Tam Chung, a peninsula in southern Sai Kung very early on Wednesday morning.

Tsang (far right) and another arrestee

The police's main arrestee is Tsang Chi-kin, who some may remember was shot by a policeman in broad daylight on October 1, 2019 in Tsuen Wan.

Now three years later he is lean and skinny with very long hair. He is also escorted by policemen that some observe are shorter that Tsang to make him look taller, perhaps in a bid to show that he is no longer the young secondary student who was shot.

Critics also note that the media are not usually allowed to photograph arrestees so closely, but a few days ago they were able to get up close, perhaps to hint to others this is what happens when you try to hide from the authorities.

It's also interesting senior superintendent Li Kwai-wah attempted to sympathise what the four young men had gone through.

"Although the four arrestees had committed some offences in the past, and violated bail conditions, after seeing what they had been through and their appearance, we felt very upset and appalled," Li said.

Tsang was shot by a policeman in October 2019

The four "were living a lie and full of fear for nearly two years -- and wasted two years of their youth for nothing."

It seems ironic for Li to say this, as the four were perhaps fearful of what would happen to them if they were arrested, which is why they did what they did. It may not have been the right decision, but this what what they chose to do.

He also noted the arrestees' long, unkempt hair, and "poor mental condition" when they were arrested.

Li says the four were supported by a foreign crowd-funding group -- based in the UK -- and some people in Hong Kong moved them to different locations for two years. One arrested was a 34-year-old man. Li said the four paid the group HK$400,000 to get them out of Hong Kong.

The four had even tried to approach the US Consulate in Central in October 2020 but were denied entry. 

Seven of 12 were convicted of perverting justice

Now the national security police are involved in the investigation, and that people who had donated to the group's crowdfunding activity may have violated the law. 

And by the way seven of the 12 people who were first reported to attempt to flee to Taiwan were handed sentences ranging from seven to 10 months in jail for perverting the course of justice.

They all pleaded guilty after having served several months in prison across the border for entering China illegally.

Michelin Comes to Vancouver

The big announcement today that has foodies excited

The Michelin Guide is coming to Vancouver.

It was announced earlier today in a press conference hosted by international director of the Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec, who had just arrived from Singapore where the latest stars were announced.

In the press release he revealed the Michelin inspectors have already come to Vancouver to "shine a spotlight on all that Vancouver has to offer".

Poullennec stands next to the Michelin Man

"Vancouver is celebrated by international travellers for its artistic vibe and multi-faceted identity -- from impressive buildings to outdoor spaces -- and we're pleased to focus on its very promising culinary potential," he said.

The westcoast city is the second Canadian destination for the prestigious French dining guide after Toronto. Many had speculated that Montreal would be the next spot, but it looks like Vancouver snapped up the opportunity instead.

The guide will include the restaurants awarded one, two or three stars, as well as non-rated ones called Bib Gourmand, as well as the Michelin Green Star for those restaurants offering sustainable dining, ie locally sourced ingredients.

Chefs like Gus Steiffenhofer-Brandson, chef-owner of Published on Main which recently ranked as the top restaurant in Canada -- welcome Michelin here.

"Vancouver arguably has access to some of the best produce in the world and we have so many great cooks. It's always been a bit of a struggle, not being an internationally recognised city, so it's a positive thing for Vancouver," he says. 

Steiffenhofer-Brandson won't change his cooking

But he says he won't be cooking for the inspectors, which is the right attitude to have. 

Though when you see a well dressed single diner, it's most probably an inspector...

Nevertheless, one has to wonder -- Vancouver with a population of 2.6 million  -- does it have enough fine dining restaurants to merit a Michelin Guide?

A chef friend from Vancouver who is now working in Hong Kong wondered why his hometown doesn't have many fine dining restaurants. 

He observed the only ones that were busy were the mid-range, casual places like Earl's, Cactus Club, and Brown's Social House. Several fine dining restaurants have closed over the years, like Lumiere, West and most recently Bishop's.

There are a lot of rich people, the chef said, mostly Chinese so the Chinese restaurants do well, and wealthy non-Chinese, but seems like they aren't as willing to shell out for good food.

When I posed this question to another friend, he said the only people who can afford to eat out at fine dining restaurants on a regular basis are bankers with big expenses accounts. And those people would be bankers, those in finance.

Many places like Bishop's have already closed

Vancouver is not the finance capital of Canada -- Toronto is.

What Vancouver has going for it is the fresh produce, and restaurants that are in the upper mid-range that are in not-so-easy to reach locations (for cheap rent), but at the same time they are able to take risks and experiment with ingredients and concepts.

So is the Michelin Guide going to be more heavy on the Bib Gourmands than stars? Or is it going to bump up these mid-range restaurants to star accolades? 

Restaurant owners might be blinded by the stars and start raising prices after, driving their core customers away.

In any event we shall see a few months from now when the stars are revealed in the fall. In the meantime try to eat in the purported top restaurants in Vancouver now because they may get pricier once the guide is out...

Defiance Punished with No Mercy

Koo is a well-known pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong

Hong Kong demonstrates it has practically zero tolerance for dissent with the convictions of two elderly protesters on two consecutive days. 

On Tuesday 75-year-old Koo Sze-yiu was sentenced to nine months in prison for planning a protest against the Beijing Winter Olympics in February. He was arrested before he could even carry out his plan. 

Koo is a well known pro-democracy activist, and before 2019 his protest would have garnered some attention, perhaps arrested and then released after a few hours in jail. But now he is in jail for endangering national security because he wrote slogans like, "democracy and human rights are above the Winter Olympics" and end one-party dictatorship". 

Koo planned to protest the Beijing Olympics

Not only is Koo getting on in age, he is also suffering from terminal cancer.

Then yesterday, another pro-democracy activist known as "Grandma Wong" was jailed for unlawful assembly. Prosecutors accused Alexandra Wong, 66, of participating in two unlawful assemblies on August 11, 2019, shouting "offensive words", and her waving the British Union Jack flag encouraged illegal gathering.

Wong was sentenced to eight months.

More than three years ago she would probably have been detained for a few hours and then let go, paid a fine or a few days in jail.

These two are defiant in their criticism of the government, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Department of Justice found more evidence to charge them with other crimes before they got out of jail.

Grandma Wong jailed for illegal assembly

Meanwhile freedom of expression and free access to information are being further challenged.

The famous or infamous Hong Kong Book Fair begins on July 19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Run by the government, it has become even more strenuous on how it vets the exhibitors. Before it allowed "lang mo" or pseudo models who have no experience walking fashion catwalks to have booths to hawk books filled with soft porn pictures of themselves.

But now independent publishers who publish books deemed to be politically sensitive are banned.

What did those publishers do?

They rented a space elsewhere to hold the "Hongkongers' Book Fair", but it was cancelled the day before the launch after the landlord was worried about the attention it was getting on social media.

Yeung's alternative book fair suddenly shut down

"Even though the authorities have been saying Hong Kong people still have the freedom to publish, the reality is that people do have certain fears and pressure, leading to these irrational decisions," Raymond Yeung, a former teacher and organiser of the book fair said.

He said the venue had held small market events before, and when they signed the lease, the landlord was aware of what they were planning to do. "I have no idea why their attitude changed so rapidly," Yeung said.

Some people cannot withstand the pressure, whereas others are willing to walk into the fire for the greater good.

HK Quarantine-Free by November?

If no need for quarantine, then these containers are for who?

Wow is there really light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel?

New Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau is suggesting that quarantine measures could be lifted by November -- just in time for a government-sponsored bankers summit in a bid to keep and lure finance types to Hong Kong.

During that time there is also supposed to be the wildly popular and alcohol-soaked Rugby Sevens tournament... but no details as of yet.

Others are mortified that November is way to far off...

Lo says quarantine-free arrival with conditions

Nevertheless, Lo told the South China Morning Post that as Hong Kong is under the "one country, two systems" principle, the territory does not and has not followed the mainland's Covid-19 protocols and policies.

He said while there is the possibility of quarantine-free arrivals into Hong Kong, there will be conditions attached, but they were not outlined. Presumably it could involve a battery of tests or reporting daily to health workers?

Meanwhile Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has established his advisory panel on the pandemic. There are some familiar faces like David Hui Shu-cheong, Gabriel Leung, and Yuen Kwok-yung, while new ones are Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, Wallace Lau Chak-sing, and Lau Yu-lung.

Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor had four advisors, and now Lee has six. As we saw over two and a half years, each expert had their own opinion and that was already bad enough with four, and now there are two more?

Leung stays on despite going to HKJC

Interesting that Gabriel Leung stays on, as he has a new job at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

It will be interesting to see if Lee keeps a tight leash on these advisors or if they will all tow the same line or not speak at all?

And in other health news -- don't eat too much dim sum! There's a lot of salt in those bamboo steamer baskets!

The Centre for Food Safety tested 120 dim sum samples from 50 restaurants and found the sodium content of shrimp siu mai, spring rolls with shrimp, and steamed minced beef balls were relatively high.

Christine Wong, the centre's controller, said for example, an adult could effectively consume around one-third of the daily sodium intake by just having shrimp siu mai and a shrimp spring roll dish.

She advises people to eat less dim sum and for restaurants to provide sauces on the side and in smaller portions.

Shrimp siu mai has a lot of sodium in it

With inflation skyrocketing, surely there are fewer people eating out there days, and then the Covid-19 social-distancing restrictions too.

And this news is just what restaurants need -- fewer people patronising the food and beverage industry when they are still trying to recover from the pandemic...

China Health Codes Come to HK

The dreaded LeaveHomeSafe app now includes health codes

People in Hong Kong hate the LeaveHomeSafe app. 

Users have to upload their vaccination records on it -- and those who still haven't been vaccinated aren't able to enter any restaurant to dine in, cut their hair, go to the pub and so on. They can only order takeout. And there are a lot of people in this category.

When the app first came out there were concerns it would be modelled similar to the Chinese health code, where when it shows a green colour, the person has not been infected and allowed to move around the city as they please; yellow means a person may be asked to stay home for seven days; and red is a two-week quarantine.

Only yellow and red health codes will be used

In China people have no choice but to use this app if they want to get around the city and do the most basic things like buy groceries, banking and work.

There were concerns the government could abuse this health code and that happened recently in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan province in central China.

Protesters occupied the front of a state-owned bank as they were unable to access their accounts since mid April. In a bid to try to control these people, the authorities turned the protesters' health codes red so they were unable to gather at the bank and instead were sent off to quarantine.

A few days later Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau announced Hong Kong was mulling the possibility of adopting the mainland's health code system, and now Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has given a few more details.

Apparently the health code in Hong Kong will only feature yellow and red, yellow for all incoming passengers, while red means the person is infected and must stay home or go to the hospital for treatment. 

Lo announced the possible move a few days ago

When the media asked about the Henan situation where the health code was abused, Lee replied the government will tackle "misinformation".

"We will make sure that we'll well-explain the scope and the method so that people understand why we do it, what benefits they gain, and what are the concerns they do not have to really bother, because there may be some misinformation, which we need to address very quickly so that everybody knows what we are doing," he said.

Better yet he said the health code would only affect a small number of people...

Where have we heard that before?

But it will affect a lot of people because over half the Hong Kong population is believed to have had Covid-19 at some point, and/or they know people who were infected with the virus.

In addition, those who are infected with Covid-19 will have to wear an electronic bracelet when they undergo home quarantine to ensure they don't leave to go out during the isolation period.

"We have to make sure that home isolation is more precise while being humane," Lo said, announcing the new requirement would begin on Monday.

If someone breaches the mandatory home isolation order, the perpetrator could pay a fine of up to HK$25,000 (US$3,200) and up to six months in jail.

Not even two weeks into Lee's new position and already the mainlandisation of Hong Kong is happening even faster under the guise of the pandemic...

Macau Locks Down to Stamp Out Omicron

Macau shuts down its casinos this week, gaming stocks fall

From today casinos in Macau will be shut for a week in a bid to clamp down on Covid-19 Omicron infections that have spiked -- to 71 infections on Saturday. It has a total of 1,526 infections. This compares to Hong Kong's 1.271 million cases.

For Macau 71 cases is a lot considering it had zero infections for the longest time, and the random case here and there.

This is the first time since February 2020 -- when the pandemic first began -- that casinos are closed temporarily. 

All residents will face a battery of PCR tests

When news broke about the impending lockdown, gaming shares fell between 6.1 percent for SJM Holdings, founded by the late casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun, and 7 percent for Sands China, a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands.

Schools and entertainment venues, such as bars and cinemas had already closed because of rising infections and casinos were the last to shut down.

Only those businesses deemed essential are allowed to stay open, otherwise everyone else needs to stay at home. There is no dine-in service at restaurants either. 

The word is that Beijing is not happy with its "favourite child" up until now, and may be using the pandemic as an opportunity to take down the gambling industry several notches in an attempt to make Macau less dependent on gamblers.

However, this will be a tall order as this is the only industry modern Macau has known since the 1960s when Ho won the former Portuguese colony's monopoly gambling license.

Beijing plans to minimise gambling in Macau

In the meantime, while 91 percent of Macanese residents have received two doses of the vaccine -- many of which are probably Sinovac -- the numbers are even less clear for those who have gotten boosters.

Macau is like Hong Kong in that they are both at the mercy of China when it comes to reopening borders.

But Macau only has 600,000 people and doesn't have the volume to support the economy in the long term on its own, whereas Hong Kong still seems to find money to open restaurants and shops, though not at the rate of replacing the ones that have closed.

So we will eagerly watch what happens in Macau this week to see if the lockdown works according to the "zero Covid" strategy, and how the city will be remade even further into China's image...

Differing Vaccine Strategies

Hong Kong has consistently encouraged people to get jabbed

Today is the 900th day Hong Kong has dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

What a milestone.

The city recorded 2,791 cases yesterday, with hospitalisations and critical care cases climbing steeply.

In this context the new Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says Hong Kong is mulling adopting the health code now used on the mainland and Macau.

Lo considering China health code system in HK

He said the measure was justified, as the government was looking for ways to avoid further tightening of social-distancing measures.

Just another step in dragging Hong Kong closer to the mainland...

Meanwhile in British Columbia where the population is 5.2 million compared to Hong Kong's 7.3 million, the former reported 765 cases from June 26-July 2. The week before it was 620 cases.

There is also a steep 35 percent jump in hospitalisations compared to the week earlier.

In BC 91 percent of residents have had two shots.

In Hong Kong anyone can get inoculated anytime as long as they book an appointment online, and they are strongly advised to get the fourth dose.

British Columbia is taking a bizarre approach -- Dr Penny Ballem, head of the province's immunisation program announced yesterday that the big push for the fourth shot would launch in the fall, when the current third wave of Omicron is at its highest. 

People below 70 wait until fall for 2nd booster

It is believed at that time the newest vaccines will be available, which can not only fight the newest variants, but also the original Covid-19.

Only those who are 70 years old and older are eligible to get the second booster now, while the rest of us have to wait, which is very frustrating.

Some people have taken to social media to complain that they need the fourth shot now because they have immunocompromised parents who they look after or live with, or they themselves have health issues, or they just want to get the vaccine in their arm for some assurances they will be OK if they are infected.

Why can't people who want to have the second booster, get it before the third Omicron wave is at its highest?

But BC health authorities are ignoring these people, and instead want those who haven't had their first booster to do that. Every other province in Canada is encouraging people to get their second booster.

However, the BC government had to dump 200,000 doses of the vaccine because some people didn't want their third or fourth shots...

Ballem says third Omicron wave is in BC

Many people in BC are over Covid-19 even though this latest strain is more contagious; health authorities are highly recommending masks indoors in places like supermarkets and public transit, and washing hands thoroughly and often.

And with summer sort of here (it keeps raining periodically and temperatures are hardly scorching), people even more so don't want to wear a mask.

Hello? What about the rest of us who want that fourth dose now?

It boggles the mind... at least in Hong Kong vaccines are readily available regardless of which dose you're on. They would rather you have a vaccine in your arm than none at all. 

And those of us who had our shots in December and January, Dr Horatio Bach, a UBC clinical assistant professor says those who have only had two shots offered "very little or zero protection" against Omicron BA.5 variant in Israel where second boosters were rolled out in January.

I'd rather have a fourth and then fifth shot soon after than have to wait another until the fall.

Or am I being overly cautious?

Hong Kong in the Hot Seat

The HK delegation answered UNHRC questions via video link

Finally some kind of accountability is taking place -- the United Nations Human Rights Committee began its review of Hong Kong's rights record for the first time since Beijing implemented the national security law in July 2020.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai and other senior officials weren't in Geneva but attended the meeting via a video link.

Bulkan asking for reassurance for CSOs

He gave a speech that was just under 20 minutes long, stating the government had done much to protect people's rights in Hong Kong.

"Safeguarding human rights and freedoms is a constitutional duty of the HKSAR government. The government attaches the utmost importance and it is firmly committed to the protection of human rights, which has been upheld firmly and across the board by all our government bureaux and departments," Tsang said.

He even added that Chinese President Xi Jinping said the "one country, two systems" principle is working well and is recognised by 1.4 billion Chinese people and the international community.

The implementation of the national security law and the overhaul of the electoral system, Tsang said, was necessary in the wake of the 2019 protests.

However this reasoning did not go down well with UN committee members.

Chow says no protesters killed

"I note, honourable secretary, your comment about the events that precipitated this law, but I must observe that it was done overnight, without consultation, and bypassing the local legislature," noted Guyanese lawyer and the committee's vice chair Christopher Arif Bulkan.

He asked the Hong Kong officials if civil society organisations (CSO) taking part in this review would be violating the national security law.

"Can you provide assurances that the CSOs who participate here today, and over the next three days, are not in danger of prosecution or victimisation under the NSL, for such engagement?" Bulkan asked.

While the Hong Kong authorities sought to assuage concerns that CSOs would not be targeted under NSL, the committee was not convinced, and again asked for assurances.

Apollonia Liu of the security bureau replied that the NSL does not target "normal interactions" such as participation in this review.

Another vice chair from Japan, Shuichi Furuya, also expressed concerns about the overreaching nature of the law and its broad scope.

He said the committee had received reports from organisations overseas who said they received requests from Hong Kong authorities to remove content that may violate NSL.

Other committee members said the police consistently violated international standards in excessive, indiscriminate response to the protests, to which deputy commissioner of police Joe Chow described them as "riots", and that "certain media" falsely accused the police "to purposely divide society, incite hatred and compromise national security."

"We are extremely restrained in the use of force," he said. "Not a single protester was killed... even under the serious situation. This showed the professionalism of my staff."

Chow added no protesters were killed during the social unrest, and that the police seized Molotov cocktails, and that protesters killed a cleaner with bricks.

Meanwhile questions about NSL cases regarding Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, Chow Hang-tung and Tong Ying-kit were not answered.

Probably the usual excuse of not commenting on individual cases...

But the committee pressed on, reiterating its previous recommendation that Hong Kong should have an independent mechanism to conduct an investigation into police abuses. However, Shirley Yung said the current complaints mechanisms like Complaints Against Police Office and the Independent Police Complaints Council are fair and adequate.

Gaslighting at its finest.

The UNHRC also pointed out how NSL judges threaten judicial independence, but Liu replied that the chief executive does not assign the judge to a particular case so judicial independence is not undermined.

But the chief executive can choose which judges can oversee NSL cases, which pre-determines the result of the case! 

There were also questions about the LeaveHomeSafe app and if it really did collect people's information.

And then, what do you know -- the Hong Kong delegation is having technical difficulties with their video link!

 

Apparently the Hong Kong group was not attending in person because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but perhaps Tsang did not want to risk US sanctions? Or pulling the plug was one of the strategies all along?

In any event, the discussion or rather the grilling continues on Tuesday -- with extra time tacked on because it was suddenly cut short on Thursday.

We'll be watching...

Abe's Grave Situation Celebrated in China

Just as we were finishing dinner at a restaurant this evening, I received a news notification that former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe had collapsed after being shot.

This was just horrific news, as shootings are an extremely rare occurrence in Japan -- typically involving the yakuza -- and the last time someone attempted an assassination on a prime minister was back in the 1930s.

While the rest of the world is watching anxiously, die-hard Chinese nationalists are already celebrating on Chinese social media.

The Chinese artist @Badiucao based in Australia translated a few of the comments on Twitter. They include:

Calling the attacker a "hero" and sending a death wish to Abe;

"Congratulations from the people of Shanxi"

"I am waiting for Abes death"

"Who is the attacker? I want to donate money"

The hashtag  #安倍无生命体征” or "Abe has no vital signs" went viral in China. 

And it continues...

Interesting the Chinese censors have not made an effort to shut down the comments at all. But since Beijing loves bashing the Japanese for political ends, it is probably allowing it for now, but it's outrageous and completely insensitive.

200kg of Mangoes Destroyed

200kg of Taiwanese mangoes were destroyed in Hong Kong

Hong Kong mango fans are in distress after hearing the news that 200kg of the sweet yellow fleshy fruit were destroyed after one was found to have Covid-19 on its skin.

It also just so happens that the shipment came from Taiwan.

The move follows Macau's decision to impose a one-week ban on mangoes from Taiwan as well after traces of Covid-19 were found on the fruit.

How many mango puddings made from 200kg?

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety said the virus was detected on the skin of one of the mangoes in a shipment weighing 200kg.

CFS told the distributor to stop sales of the distributed mangoes, remove the rest and destroy them.

"Samples of similar products will continue to be tested for Covid-19," the CFS added.

It has been proven over and over that Covid-19 is spread through aerosols, not on surfaces, and yet China, Macau and now Hong Kong are determined to perpetuate this fear that is completely scientifically wrong.

Meanwhile on Twitter, people were upset that the mangoes were wasted, and that if they were triple jabbed, why couldn't they eat the fruit? And besides, they wouldn't be eating the skin anyway.

Imagine how many people would have happily enjoyed biting into the sweet fruit in so many different ways, from slices to topping it on tapioca or on shaved ice, or making mango pudding, or jam, ice cream and smoothies...

Covid-19 was found on the skin of one mango

We're getting hungry just thinking about it.

But all those mangoes have been wasted all in the name of protecting citizens from Covid-19.

The ridiculousness, my friend YTSL reminded me, is on par with the culling of hamsters. Actually what happened to those little furry critters is worse than the destruction of mangoes. But finding Covid-19 on the skin of a fruit that won't even be consumed is totally absurd.

Staying the Covid-19 Course

Lee says Hong Kong will not "lie flat" when it comes to Covid

In Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's first question and answer session in the Legislative Council, he said that Hong Kong would not "lie flat", nor would it live with the Covid-19 virus, echoing the mainland's dynamic zero Covid policy.

"Regarding anti-epidemic strategies, I do not agree with lying flat, allowing infection numbers to increase arbitrarily, as there will be risks of serious and fatal case numbers increasing proportionally, when the base number increases," Lee said Wednesday.

He echoed Xi's policy of dynamic zero Covid

Lee said Hong Kong would continue as before, detecting cases early by using PCR testing, and then isolating and treating them as soon as possible, while ruling out more travel curbs.

He added the new Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau is looking into possibly reducing the length of time in quarantine.

In his address to lawmakers, Lee said Hong Kong should "pay the smallest price for the biggest effect" in stopping case numbers from rising. They are currently at around 2,000 per day.

The former security chief's language was very similar to President Xi Jinping's, in saying that "herd immunity" and "lying flat" would risk too many lives in the most populous country in the world.

More PCR tests in Hong Kong, no relief in sight

Nevertheless, as Lee continues to tow the line set by his predecessor Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong residents didn't have much to hope for in terms of any light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel. 

So the chances of Hong Kong ever opening up might be in 2023? Lee has said border talks with the mainland would be "pragmatic"... whatever that means...

Remembering a Beloved Novelist

Ni was a prolific writer of over 300 novels

Science fiction fans are mourning the loss of novelist Ni Kuang who died on July 3 at the age of 87 of skin cancer.

He was very prolific, writing over 300 novels around the themes of wuxia and science fiction, as well as over 400 film scripts. How he managed to do all that is an amazing feat in itself. 

Ni came to Hong Kong in 1957

Originally from Shanghai in a family of seven children, Ni joined the People's Liberation Army at the age of 16 and was posted in Inner Mongolia in 1951.

But five years later he was convicted to 10 years' imprisonment as a counter-revolutionary when he and other soldiers removed wooden planks from a bridge to burn so that they could stay warm in winter. Ni thought he would receive the death sentence when his dog bit the commanding officer, and it took him six months to flee to Hong Kong via Dalian, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Portuguese colony Macau.

He arrived in Hong Kong in 1957 and started off working as a labourer. He became a writer after Ni won a writing competition in a newspaper.

Some of his best known works include Wisely Series, and Dr Yuen, as well as screenplays for such films as Fist of Fury, One-Armed Swordsman, The Assassin, and Crippled Avengers. 

Ni was a staunch anti-communist and in Britain's impending handover of Hong Kong back to China in 1997, he immigrated to the United States with his wife in 1992, but they returned in 2006 after she could not get used to the lifestyle there.

Nevertheless, Ni was well known for his anti-communist stance, which he would weave into his work.

Many of his novels were adapted for film

One journalist remarked after Ni's passing that in 1989, he said any struggle for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong is dangerous under an authoritarian regime.

Another journalist points out that in Ni's science fiction novel Chase the Dragon, he wrote about the fall of a great city in the east. It was not destroyed by natural disasters, but human's wrongdoings. And he wrote this around the time of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in the early 1980s...

How prescient. 

But perhaps he just knew from his personal experiences what would happen to Hong Kong...

Double Standards

Cheung sang in the 25th anniversary song released before July1

Cantopop superstar Jacky Cheung Hok-yau got into hot water with mainland fans the other day when he said, "香港加油 Hong Kong add oil!"

He also failed to mention the "motherland" in his congratulatory message marking the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover that was broadcast on CCTV.

Cheung said:

Hong Kong has experienced a lot of ups and downs over these past 25 years. However, because I grew up together with this city, and I was born and grew up here, I still believe in this city, and I still hope that it will become a better one than before. Hong Kong add oil.

"Hong Kong add oil" was a rallying cry in 2019

One has to keep in mind that the singer and actor is very careful with his words when it comes to anything related to politics. 

But Chinese people online immediately pounced on Cheung for being "unpatriotic", and after more angry than positive comments were posted, his video message was taken down.

They apparently believed that the "ups and downs" he was referring to were related to the 2019 protests, and one of the slogans the protesters used at the time was "Hongkongers add oil!"

On Sunday Cheung issued a statement to address the video clip that was taken down.

He said he is a patriot and always tried to separate politics from art. Cheung said it was precisely because he had such a deep relationship with Hong Kong that he has witnessed the most "golden and glorious moments in Hong Kong".

However, Cheung pointed out that Hong Kong is undergoing an "unsatisfactory" phase over the past few years with violence, followed by the pandemic, depressing all industries and causing panic among the people.

Cheung's rebuttal on Sunday

"Now is the time for Hong Kong to add oil," he said.

Then Cheung pointed out the phrases, "Beijing add oil", "Wuhan add oil", and "Shanghai add oil" are frequently used. He questioned why "Hong Kong add oil" or the colours yellow and black determine how patriotic someone is. 

He expressed hope that "we Chinese people are rational and will convince people with reason", and added: "Whether I love the country and Hong Kong or not, the community will make a judgment."

Cheung also addressed his haters, thanking the public for their supervision of his words and deeds, and described himself as an "ant citizen". 

"I will continue to work hard to be a good person and a good singer under everyone's supervision as a Chinese."

Hopefully that's the last of what Cheung will have to address, but it was good of him to bring the issue out into the open. Why is it that other places can use "add oil", but not Hong Kong?

Will he be boycotted? So far no reaction yet.

Everything's a political minefield when dealing with China. It seems one can never be patriotic enough...

Picture of the Day: Blast from the Past

Digging out the past from my closet, 25 years later

I recently cleaned out my closet and found an envelope containing these two magazines dating back from the 1997 handover of Hong Kong back to China.

The Time magazine was more happy go lucky, with a long amusing article on 97 reasons to love Hong Kong, while Newsweek had more substance with a serious look at the city's history and hopes for the future.

I remember carrying my copy of Time magazine with me and getting people to sign it. I just thought it was a fun exercise at the time. 

Flipping through the pages 25 years later, there are some signatures I can make out, and the rest I have no idea who they are! 

Raining with Memories

Do you remember walking down the ramp at Kai Tak Airport?

Soon after President Xi Jinping left Hong Kong, typhoon Chaba gathered strength and the Hong Kong Observatory declared it was T3 and soon T8.

A friend lamented it was too bad the typhoon arrived 24 hours late...

The artist wants to create nostalgia around Kai Tak

Nevertheless it seemed like an ominous sign, much like 25 years earlier.

That's what I remember most about the handover -- it was dumping with rain outside. Many felt it was not a good sign of what was to come.

The typhoon's gale force winds also disrupted flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport, which is probably another sign that the typhoon really is that bad.

Speaking of airports and anniversaries, Hong Kong artist Christopher K Ho has created an installation in Vancouver to remember Kai Tak Airport before it closed in 1998.

Next to the Shangri-La hotel is a large art installation that is somewhat reminiscent of the ramp that passengers walked down to greet loved ones waiting for them in the arrival hall.

Even floor tiles are reminiscent of the arrivals hall

It was such a cramped space, but the ramp gave people an opportunity to spot their friends and family and rush over to them on the ramp before helping them push their luggage carts down and towards the taxi stand.

Remember those days?

It was such a chaotic scene that one of the first few times we arrived in Hong Kong it was quite scary seeing so many people staring at you!

Ho calls this work CX889, the Cathay Pacific flight number from Hong Kong to Vancouver. In addition to the ramp there's a tall clock (that doesn't work), as well as a lone baggage cart secured in place. 

Ho even replicates the tiles that are at the end of the ramp, with the words "Please don't...", asking bystanders to not crowd in that space.

There is water collected on the floor, making me wonder if it was deliberate or from the previous days of rain that created this giant puddle of reflection.

Does it bring up nostalgic feelings? You have to be of a certain age to remember it, in other words older than 24 years old to remember what Kai Tak's arrival hall looked like.

A lone luggage cart stands by the ramp

Now Kai Tak is a giant construction site, with some super tall residential buildings completed, others being built and lots of empty land around too. Some Chinese developers ran out of money and had to sell at a much cheaper price than what they had paid for it.

More infrastructure, particularly public transport needs to be sorted as well as shops, supermarkets and so on before people might be interested in living in the area. 

It's funny how Hong Kong changes so much, but people's memories are a constant.

CX889

Christopher K Ho

Offsite

1100 West Georgia Street

Vancouver

Now until October 16, 2022

Lee Sworn in as New Chief Executive

Lee and Xi stand together at the HK Convention Centre

Chinese President Xi Jinping came and went, and left behind a newly anointed John Lee Ka-chiu as the next chief executive of Hong Kong.

The entire swearing-in ceremony was conducted in Mandarin -- not Lee's strong suit -- but with the world watching, or rather the domestic Chinese audience watching, he had to oblige.

So many local Hong Kong and international media were barred from attending the event, and had to reply on pool feeds for pictures and video. This ensured the narrative did not veer from the script.

Lee's swearing-in was in Mandarin

After Lee was sworn in, he gave his first speech as Chief Executive. 

He said he took on the role of Hong Kong's leader with "humility", and thanked the central government for its support, and citizens for their trust, saying he would lead his team to do their best in building an "inclusive and energetic" Hong Kong.

Optimistic words, but hardly reflect the reality. Firstly, he does not have the mandate of Hongkongers, as they cannot directly vote for their leader, and how can he be "inclusive" when he helped former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor shut down any kind of dissent from media outlets to civil society groups and political activists?

Lee added the implementation of the national security law allowed Hong Kong to return from chaos to order, and that the electoral overhaul of the Legislative Council enabled "patriots ruling Hong Kong".

Meanwhile Xi, Lee's boss, said in his speech that the "one country, two systems" framework had proven successful so there was no reason to change it.

He described it as "a great initiative with no precedent to follow", and that it is to uphold the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests, and to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in both Hong Kong and Macau.

Lee's new cabinet is hardly social-distanced...

How are Hong Kong and nearby Macau going to achieve prosperity when China refuses to open the border with Hong Kong and Macau, and that Beijing is cracking down on gambling, the dominant source of income for the former Portuguese enclave?

"Today I wish to highlight once more that the policy of 'one country, two systems' having been tested and proved time and again, meets the fundamental interests of the country and the Chinese nation and those of Hong Kong and Macau," Xi said.

"It enjoys the full support of the more than 1.4 billion people of the motherland, it has the unanimous endorsement of Hong Kong and Macau residents, and it is widely recognised by the international community. There is no reason to change such a good system, and it must be adhered to over the long run."

Ah yes, the support of more than 1.4 billion people! They had no say on how Hong Kong is governed -- they are only told how the city is governed.

But the reasoning goes if it's been endorsed by 1.4 billion people, then "one country, two systems" must be be right, right? 

It's a pity that the British side and the Chinese side have two completely different definitions of "one country, two systems", or perhaps Beijing kept its cards really close to its chest until now?

Either way it's Hongkongers who lose. Those who want to cut their losses are taking a leap of faith to leave Hong Kong and start new lives again. Those who refuse to leave feel that departing would be a sign of giving up.