bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Taking all the enjoyment out of childhood
There is no doubt that parents want their children to have the best opportunities so that they can have a bright future.
However, they sometimes go too far. I do not think it is good for a child aged four or five to have to attend a multitude of tutorial classes and extra-curricular activities to improve their chances of getting into a prestigious school.
In Hong Kong, it is common to see that parents let their children join playgroups before going to kindergarten. Not only are some of them drilled to recognise a wide range of Chinese and English words, but they are also forced to play musical instruments and train in sports. With the tight and demanding schedule arranged by parents, children can feel stressed and tired.
In the past, children were allowed the freedom to enjoy their childhood, but this has changed with parents being so set on gaining a place at a prestigious school. In this sense these parents are neglecting the feelings of their young sons and daughters.
The government must also take responsibility for this change in attitude.
The education system in Hong Kong is exam-oriented. People just see it as a path to secure a promising future. Children lose interest in the learning process. This is unfortunate, as the whole purpose of education should be to cultivate young people's interest in learning.
The current education system is failing and needs a complete overhaul. If it does not improve, Hong Kong's future development will be at risk. Parents have to enable their children to have some fun.
Wong Ho-tai, Shun Lee
 
High price of taxi licences will affect fares
The report that taxi licences are now changing hands at over HK$7 million proves that the licensing policies of the Transport and Housing Bureau are idiotic ("Hong Kong taxi licences hit record high of almost US$1m" August 7).
The issuance of additional public bus and taxi licences has been severely curtailed for many years, supposedly to limit oversupply and, more importantly, to prevent traffic congestion.
As a result of this policy both these forms of licences have now become a tool of massive speculation.
The high cost of acquiring these licences leads in turn to pressure for fare rises because owners require a return on investment.
Passenger Services Licences for buses have recently changed hands at over HK$3 million each, which will mean that the public bus companies purchasing these to satisfy a genuine need for additional capacity on existing routes and also to provide buses for new bus routes will have to incorporate this additional cost into their next application for fare rises.
Meanwhile, the bureau has permitted the uncontrolled and explosive growth of private car and van ownership, causing daily misery for hundreds of thousands of people stuck in slow-moving and congested traffic on our downtown roads and at cross-harbour tunnels.
Allowing this speculation and unacceptable growth in traffic congestion was among the policy failings of our previous administration led by Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Henry Tang Ying-yen.
P. A. Crush, Sha Tin
 
Air-con system on bus was working
We are writing in response to the letter from William Sim ("Sweltering trip highlights bus problems", June 22) regarding air-conditioning on one of our buses.
Having noted Mr Sim's comment, a corresponding investigation has been conducted of the incident and it was found that the air-conditioning system of the bus concerned was functioning properly.
Our aim is to provide comfortable journeys for our passengers, and all our buses are equipped with an air-conditioning system, which facilitates the provision of a refreshing in-bus environment for passengers.
With its thermostatic function, the air-conditioning system is designed to maintain the saloon temperature at a suitable pre-set limit.
To ensure a safe, reliable and enjoyable bus journey for our passengers, we have a stringent maintenance practice to keep our buses in tip-top condition, and the design of our buses and in-bus facilities strictly complies with the regulations set up by the Transport Department.
To ensure the air-conditioning system functions properly, we allocate substantial resources in carrying out regular checks and investigating any complaints.
New World First Bus and Citybus have been trying to provide high- quality service to the public at a reasonable price, and we have managed to keep fares stable over the years.
To achieve higher emission standards, we have ongoing fleet replacement, with new buses equipped with the latest Euro-standard engines.
We are sorry Mr Sim had an unpleasant experience. In future, we will continue our efforts to provide quality services for passengers as always.
Charlize Liu, public affairs manager, New World First Bus Services Limited, Citybus Limited
 
Mainlanders' behaviour has improved
In a recent SCMP.com poll readers were asked "Are Hongkongers getting oversensitive about misbehaving mainland Chinese tourists"?
I answered "yes", for I have thought for some time now that Hong Kong people have not only become oversensitive but have also lost perspective on this issue.
I recently spent 20 days in Hong Kong, visited Shanghai and took a cruise from Shanghai to Korea, when only 100 of the 3,200 passengers on the ship were not mainlanders.
During my travels there was only one incident which I would describe as upsetting.
Certainly the mainlanders talked too loudly and would not queue, but I found it encouraging that, unlike a few years ago, when asked not to talk so loudly and to queue they normally did.
Those of us with a long memory can recall nouveau riche tourists from Japan, Germany, the US and Britain being disruptive and causing offence. As has been pointed out by others, there are cultural reasons why mainlanders act as they do when they travel, and given time they will adopt behaviour in line with society's norms. Hongkongers need to be patient and more tolerant towards mainland visitors.
One last word. If mainlanders came to Australia and behaved as many Australians do in Bali and ski resorts in Japan, there would be calls to ban them.
Paul Dickinson, Perth, Western Australia
 
Come clean on waste disposal strategy
I agree with Frank Lee ("Viable waste management plan snubbed", August 5) that the government's waste disposal plans leave much to be desired both in transparency and positive action.
Green Island Cement's offer to incorporate waste disposal into the production cycle at its plant in Tuen Mun is infinitely better than expanding landfills, and is obviously ecologically preferable to the ill-considered Shek Kwu Chau reclamation.
I was also alerted by your report highlighting Cheung Kong Infrastructure's acquisition of a stake in the largest producer of electricity by waste burning in the Netherlands ("CKI eager to enter new industries as profit grows", July 26).
The Netherlands is at the forefront of safe and eco-friendly methods of waste disposal.
This begs the most obvious question - why is Li Ka-shing's Power Assets (formerly Hongkong Electric) not burning waste (or planning to) at its Lamma power station?
Naturally the same question could be asked about CLP Power's operations.
On the one hand the Environmental Protection Department appears to be weak-kneed in the face of hostile opposition, while on the other hand it seems to be stubbornly empire-building and bureaucratically avoiding systems outside its own direct day-to-day control.
I think it is overdue for the department to come clean on the matter of waste disposal.
Charlie Chan, Mid-Levels
 
Rules to curb light pollution are needed
People may not consider light pollution as serious as other environmental problems such as bad air or landfills nearing capacity. However, I believe it is serious as it can affect people's health.
It can affect our body clock. Excessive external lighting at night can be bad for nearby residents, who can suffer sleep deprivation.
The government should take a closer look at excessive neon lighting used in some parts of the city. Vested interests, such as tourism, advertising and the property sector, are opposed to any controls. However, controls are needed and they must be mandatory even if certain lobby groups try and oppose any legislation.
The public interest and people's health must override firms with an economic interest in maintaining the status quo.
I am not saying neon lights should be banned, but the intensity of external lights should be reduced and a time at night should be established when they have to be switched off.
The government must introduce the necessary legislation as soon as possible for the sake of affected citizens.
Lily Cheng Tin-lai, Sha Tin


Letters to the Editor, August 13, 2013

Taxi licence prices have now hit record highs. Photo: Martin Chan

Opinion

Letters

There is no doubt that parents want their children to have the best opportunities so that they can have a bright future.


Letters to the Editor, August 13, 2013

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}There is no doubt that parents want their children to have the best opportunities so that they can have a bright future.

There is no doubt that parents want their children to have the best opportunities so that they can have a bright future.