As a matter of fact, no Hong Kong tour groups departed for Egypt when (or after) the red outbound travel alert was raised on January 29. In other words, the affected tour groups had all left for Egypt or were already there when we issued the red alert, and there was no question of any tour members being stuck in the country because they were confused or misled by the travel alert on January 29 or its further upgrading on January 30.

Indeed, we swiftly upgraded the amber alert in light of the fast-changing circumstances in Egypt. A red alert urging intended travellers to 'avoid non-essential travels or adjust their travel plans' was issued on January 29.

As the situation further deteriorated, we escalated the alert to black on January 30, warning residents to 'avoid all travel to the country'.

The consideration of different levels of alert, each with its inherent travel advice, is to provide local travellers with an objective assessment of tourist safety among some popular tourist spots in 60 countries.

This assessment is made taking account of up-to-date information made available among, inter alia, the network of Chinese embassies, relevant consuls-general in Hong Kong, the tourist industry's direct feedback, assessments and travel alerts by other countries.

The primary and fundamental basis of the outbound travel alert assessment is threat-based.

It may be worth noting that the red alert on January 29 was in line with the general advice 'against all but essential travel' then given by the British and Canadian governments.

Our black alert issued on January 30 tallied with the advice of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian government urging nationals not to travel there.

All Hong Kong tour group members who were in Egypt have now returned and assistance requests from other individual travellers have been settled satisfactorily.

At present, different levels of travel alert are still in force against nine countries, including Egypt.

Lai Tung-kwok, undersecretary for security

Hopes dashed by weak Aquino

Watching the Egyptians revolt after the uprising in Tunisia makes one ponder on how people power movements in Asia differed from these two current Arab revolutions ('Military holds the key as Egypt seethes', January 31). The Tunisians and Egyptians had no charismatic leaders waiting in the wings to suddenly come on the scene and rally the people against their oppressive rulers.

This brings to mind the 1986 drama in Manila when the despised dictator was ejected, creating an inspiring event.

Great hopes lay with the new regime led by Cory Aquino who let the country down by allowing political bickering to thrive and the old feudalism to remain.

Equally to blame were those citizens who thought miracles, not hard work, would solve the nation's problems.

The spontaneous expressions of a long-suppressed rage and sense of injustice that have finally exploded in Egypt now transfix the world.

If anarchy reigns after Hosni Mubarak's ousting, with Islamist hotheads possibly joining the fray, that country's future will surely be messy.

But if, as seems likely in Tunisia with its well-educated population, cooler heads prevail, the newly found freedom will surely augur well for the Egyptians.

If only such a scenario could play out in Burma and North Korea.

But with the weakened Burmese population ground down under the heel of the malevolent military, and the equally debilitated North Koreans afflicted by their tyrannical rulers, it is hard to see when the light of liberty will finally shine on these two long-suffering Asian nations.

Isabel Escoda, Lantau

Women taking prominent role

It is refreshing to see women in Arab states like Tunisia and Egypt joining in the protests to overthrow the old order.

This indicates a civilised attitude among the men in those societies who acknowledge that women hold up half the sky, to paraphrase Mao Zedong .

Will countries like Saudi Arabia and the other Muslim dictatorships realise they will remain backward societies so long as they repress their women?

Now that the so-called Muslim Brotherhood (note it does not mention sisters) is making noises about inserting itself into Egypt's new order, we all know what that means - sharia law and the rest of that nasty hidebound tradition which abuses its power and tramples on human rights.

Vandana Marino, Lantau

Many parents overprotective

It is human nature that all parents want to do the best by their children.

However, most of today's parents make the mistake of being overprotective.

By the time I was 10 I could take care of myself, because that was the way that my parents had trained me.

For example, I made up my bed every morning and went to school on my own.

In the afternoon I decided what I would eat.

I look at the new generation of parents who do not allow their sons and daughters to get involved in activities that enable them to develop independent thinking and problem-solving skills.

You mature mentally and spiritually if you learn to overcome the obstacles you will face in life.

Young people need these challenges so they can grow.

Carson Liu, Tsing Yi

Teens can help troubled pupils

Given the fact that the problem of child suicides is getting worse, something must be done to curb this disturbing trend.

Most parents are busy making ends meet and feel that the onus for educating their children should rest with teachers and social workers. But they have a hugely important role to play, especially when it comes to keeping in touch with their children.

They should take part in counselling courses so they can learn the necessary communication skills and provide emotional support.

Peer support is also important as teenagers like to share their problems with fellow classmates. Suitable students could be selected and trained by social workers to detect when a fellow student is depressed or suffering from low self-esteem.

They could act as a link between troubled pupils and teachers.

I would also urge the government to consider improving the school-social worker ratio to meet current demand.

All concerned parties must make a concerted effort to deal with this problem in the most effective way possible.

Chris Ho Ka-kui, Lam Tin

Against all work and no play

There has been a heated debate over tiger mothers and traditional Chinese methods of parenting.

While they might do well in school and score straight As, children could become alienated from their peers if they are pushed too far by these tiger mothers.

It is a pity that some multi-talented children are not given the time to relax. They may face hours of practice for such things as swimming and music lessons, without the opportunity to watch television or play computer games.

I can remember as a child enjoying watching cartoons. However, now with demanding parents it seems as if the fun is disappearing from childhood.

Young people should have to work hard. You cannot achieve your dreams unless you make the effort, but they also need to have a childhood they can look back on with fond memories.

The truth is that everyone is unique and they have their own qualities.

This is something these tiger mothers tend to forget when they impose such a heavily disciplined system of study.

Lily Tong, Choi Wan

Group is selling a religion

Once again I see that young men are parading outside Worldwide House in Central accosting women and apparently no comment is made.

Apparently these men are selling a particular form of religion and belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are commonly known as Mormons.

This religion requires its adherents to pay a minimum of 10 per cent of their income to their church.

This means that they are selling.

Do they have a hawker licence? Are they required to have a licence?

I think that if they want to continue with these activities they should be licensed and regulated.

Michael Jenkins, Central

Ironic loss

I refer to the report about Stanley Ho Hung-sun ('How the elderly tycoon found out he was poor, and what he did about it', January 27).

When he found out that his personal fortune was worth a mere HK$600, it made me think that is probably how many of the patrons of his casinos feel most days.

Mark Peaker, The Peak