Lai See | Things are already looking up above and on ground for 2013

In 2012 we spent much of the year raging about illegal car parking, Hong Kong's dirty air, the Shek Kwu Chau incinerator, the legal system, banks and their travails, the politics of illegal structures and local politics. What can we say about the year ahead? Things look mildly promising in that the chief executive is expected in his policy speech later this month to announce measures to reduce roadside pollution, and the ombudsman is to look into the scandal of Hong Kong's lax approach to the management of its archives.

There is even the prospect of some progress in illegal car parking with a senior policeman quoted in this newspaper as saying: "Those who break traffic regulations will be ticketed. If necessary, vehicles will be towed away. Police will not exercise discretion", adding that the crackdown had improved traffic flow in Central.

We are told by a reader that she passed Prince's Building recently where tycoon-mobiles are often parked two and three deep, and saw only a police motorcyclist and no cars. A blip or a trend ? We will be watching with interest. Feel free to resume sending e-mails on matters you feel we should be aware of. A belated happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

For reasons that are not entirely clear it appears that that it is not possible to search for the name Winston Wen on any of the mainland's search engines. Winston Wen, or Wen Yunsong, is the son of Premier Wen Jiabao. Interest in the younger Wen grew following The New York Times' story in October claiming that Wen's family controlled at least US$2.7 billion in assets, most of which was accumulated after he was named vice-premier in 1998 and ascended to the premiership in 2003. The allegations in the story have been denied by Wen and his family.