OpinionPolitical wisdom, not infant formula, in short supply in Hong Kong
Albert Cheng says the government has failed to understand the problem and only tried to capitalise on public discontent to raise its own popularity
We often see people trying to divert attention from their inadequacies by stirring up trouble and using conflicts and setbacks to their advantage. The baby formula shortage in Hong Kong is a classic example of this.
First, the shortage was a man-made problem created by suppliers in order to push up prices. Then the administration eagerly jumped on the bandwagon and took advantage of the situation.
Meanwhile, some retailers and mothers' groups further encouraged the situation by going along with it, acting like accomplices, while local babies and mothers suffered the consequences.
Ironically, the administration thought it could take advantage of the situation to boost its popularity, without realising it was in fact another wave of conflict between Hong Kong and the mainland.
The entire baby formula saga was meticulously scripted and acted out by a handful of suppliers. In fact, people in the industry routinely anticipate a certain supply shortage at this time of year, allowing suppliers to jack up prices.
Simply put, the shortage scare was a by-product of a lopsided market that was created by a handful of big suppliers who control the flow and supply of products in order to inflate prices.