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Letters

Anti-pollution measures ineffective
I agree with those correspondents who have pointed out that China's economic boom has come at a price.
It has caused a lot of environmental problems such as air and water pollution. The central government has recognised this and tried to introduce measures to reduce pollution levels, but when it does so, it encounters problems.
It can pass new laws and introduce tighter regulations, but often local authorities ignore them and are able to do so, because Beijing does not appoint officials to monitor the enforcement of legislation.
Corruption is rife, with local officials receiving bribes from business people and allowing the polluting factories to keep emitting toxic fumes without facing any punishment.
There is a lack of transparency and the public is given limited information about whether anti-pollution measures are working and if targets to lower pollution levels are being met. This means that mainland citizens are unable to check the progress of these measures.
There are also no clear channels of complaint for people who want to report polluting plants or incidents of corruption where factory owners are colluding with officials.
They have evidence of such collusion, but where do they go to report it? If it is not reported, it will not be acted upon and nothing gets better.
If Beijing does not act to ensure that the measures it has introduced to curb pollution are effectively implemented, then these policies will be ineffective.
Sunny Ip, Tseung Kwan O
 
Chinese citizens can stop the killing
I wrote to these columns in January and am doing so again to repeat my deep concern over the comprehensive and completely meaningless poaching going on, especially in Africa but also in Asia. Elephants, rhinos and tigers are killed every day by poachers.
What is happening is outrageous.
Because of this illegal, tragic poaching these animals have for many years faced the threat of extinction.
Some of the money from illegal poaching provides finance to terrorist organisations like al-Shabaab.
As long as Chinese consumers do not appreciate how serious this is and as long as they continue to believe in the false medicinal properties of animal parts, the killing will continue.
Chinese consumers are the only ones who can put a stop to this meaningless mass slaughter. They must understand that parts from wild animals have no medicinal properties.
Something must be done. The poachers must face severe punishment.
Karin Sorensen, Galten, Denmark
 
Leaders like child having a tantrum
Following the commencement of the civil disobedience protests on September 28, my child was affected by the suspension of schools in affected districts.
Who will compensate her for the loss in learning - those who organised the protests, academics who supported it? I think not. After all, missing school is a small sacrifice in the pursuit of ideals, as is the slowdown in emergency services due to traffic congestion.
I watched events unfold on television on the night of September 28 and the following morning and I felt the student leaders encouraged the initial assault on government property.
The confrontational and disrespectful attitude of some leaders reminded me of children throwing a tantrum when they do not get their way. And this was before tear gas was used.
Are these the future leaders of Hong Kong? But who can blame them when I have seen, on television, legislative councillors who display similar unbecoming behaviour during debates, unbefitting their status? Lead by example, I believe, is the saying.
The original manifesto for Occupy Central was for universal suffrage, but after the protests began it was expanded to a demand for the government leadership to step down.
It appears that the co-organisers are themselves unclear as to what they want. Is the euphoria of the moment clouding our rational thinking? Or are the young and impressionable being manipulated by unseen insidious forces?
Are these young protesters aware that "one country, two systems" will remain unchanged for only 33 more years, when they would be in their 40s and 50s, and possibly parents themselves? What happens after, no one knows.
What will they pursue then - mass exodus by political asylum, emigration?
Perhaps another protest. But remember, this time it will be on different turf.
The organisers demanded rights from China, but what about my right to continue my daily life uninterrupted?
M. Low, Mid-Levels
 
Youngsters becoming more aware
Some people have argued that Hong Kong youngsters lack a competitive instinct, but I do not think this is the case.
I believe Hong Kong youngsters can be competitive and want to broaden their horizons.
Many parents encourage their children to develop different skills and nurture their talent.
Also, schools now seek a more rounded development of pupils, for example, encouraging them to take part in extra-curricular activities in different fields. And in school they have a much greater variety of subjects to choose from.
With more varied learning opportunities, they can broaden their horizons and will be able to cope with the competitive environment that exists in Hong Kong.
A claim has also been made that they are insulated and take little interest in what is happening in the wider world.
I do not think this is any longer the case. Youngsters want to know about what is happening here and abroad and they are quite obviously taking an interest in and taking part in politics.
You can see this with the current campaign of civil disobedience in Hong Kong which has included class boycotts.
Many of them are involved in the Occupy Central movement.
The Diploma of Secondary Education curriculum has also helped raise their awareness, with the introduction of liberal studies. They have a deeper understanding of what is happening around them and are more reflective about the issues of the day.
However, there is still too much pressure put on youngsters in Hong Kong and parents and schools have to recognise the importance of a happy childhood.
Cindy Yuen Wing-sze, Kwun Tong
 
Exam system is stifling creativity
In Hong Kong's education system, emphasis is placed on getting into university and this undermines some students' creativity.
This has been made worse by the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) where it seems that all that matters is to get a degree.
Students are told the marks they will have to get to win one of the places available on undergraduate courses at a local university, and nothing else seems to be important.
Education should be about acquiring knowledge and nurturing the talents of young people. If they show a desire to be creative, that should be encouraged.
However, with so much pressure and such a competitive learning environment, the scope to be creative is limited. They often are reduced to learning what is needed to get high marks in the HKDSE exam.
The set-up in our schools is therefore restrictive. Youngsters are being brought up to think along straight lines and follow instructions.
They have been frightened of speaking out and being told they are wrong. They are discouraged from differing from the norm. They are encouraged to be doctors or lawyers, rather than artists, dancers or musicians.
The government should look into ways to reform our restrictive education system.
Sandy Li Pui-shan, Kwai Chung
 
Impossible dream of owning a flat
I agree with those correspondents who have written to say that the prospects of owning a flat are remote for many Hongkongers.
After I graduate, I think there is little likelihood I will have enough money to get a mortgage for even the tiniest apartment.
I think this will be the same for most young people, even those who do well at university, get a good degree, and who in the past could have expected to find a good job and eventually buy their own home.
Less land is available now in Hong Kong that can be developed for homes, and property prices keep rising.
Low-income families are at a particular disadvantage facing rising rents and increased prices for food.
Salaries cannot keep pace with the rising cost of living. It does not matter how hard and long you save. We have to endure an unfair system which favours the rich.
The government must recognise the problems that exist with regard to people not being able to own property and also the existence of so many subdivided apartments.
It must come up with an effective strategy to deal with these problems.
Clovis Wong Man-sze, Tseung Kwan O


Letters to the Editor, October 13, 2014

The tragic consequences of poaching. Photo: AFP

Opinion

I agree with those correspondents who have pointed out that China's economic boom has come at a price.


Letters to the Editor, October 13, 2014

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}I agree with those correspondents who have pointed out that China's economic boom has come at a price.

I agree with those correspondents who have pointed out that China's economic boom has come at a price.