Unlucky stick bodes ill for HK's year ahead

Attempts by senior officials to talk up Hong Kong's prospects for the Year of the Goat suffered an unexpected blow yesterday when the Secretary for Home Affairs drew a fortune stick that signified 'everything will be bad'.

Fulfilling the annual ritual at a temple in Sha Tin, Patrick Ho Chi-ping, dressed in a traditional Chinese jacket, drew the unlucky bamboo stick while praying for prosperity for Hong Kong.

Bearing the number 83 - the luckiest is the number one - the stick signified waves, turbulence and a hard time ahead, according to the fortune teller at the Taoist temple who gave Dr Ho his reading.

The bad omen came as senior officials including Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa urged Hong Kong people to be positive. In his new year address on Friday, Mr Tung said Hong Kong's situation would improve this year.

'Hong Kong has a promising future because it has a clear direction forward, a solid foundation built over the years, and irreplaceable strengths. We have every reason to welcome the new year with a well-founded hope,' he said.

Yesterday, Dr Ho gave incense offerings at the crowded Che Kung temple with other government officials.

He tried to put a positive spin on the drawing of the unlucky stick, saying it proved the ceremony was not a fix.