I take issue with the letter 'Airport centre can handle all of Hong Kong's exhibitions' (September 8), by Nicolas Borit, chief executive of AsiaWorld-Expo Management. Mr Borit says he 'supports any initiative which will foster and develop the exhibition industry' in Hong Kong, adding that proposals for new facilities 'need to be carefully considered, both in terms of industry needs and the public interest, and no commitments on further space should be made until there is a clear picture about the demand for existing facilities'. The announcement by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council ('Convention centre expansion unveiled', September 7) shows an extremely clear picture and very specific demand for the expansion of the major exhibition space, Halls One and Two, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The convention centre has an envious international record for developing prestigious exhibitions. It is recognised by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, as a premier venue. It has established its reputation over 16 years through its loyal clients, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose and flexible facilities, and its location in the midst of this vibrant city. Our clients have spoken loud and clear. The demand exists. They want additional exhibition space at the convention centre. The time is not premature as he speculates. It is here. The new AsiaWorld-Expo venue is also very important to Hong Kong. But spreading the existing exhibition business is not the correct objective. Its management must strive to locate and develop new exhibitions for Hong Kong. It would be sad if planners concluded that this venue's success would only result if convention centre clients ultimately moved to the airport venue, especially when they desire the Wan Chai venue. Relocating such a client base could have an adverse economic impact as they now stay and spend in the central area. It would also be a shame if a new management company restrained or distorted trade by supporting restrictions on the convention centre. This would be a blemish on Hong Kong's reputation as the freest economy in the world. CLIFF WALLACE, chief facility executive, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Real Hong Kong issues I am disappointed by the quality and focus of the Legco election campaigns. Democracy, direct elections and Article 23 are important, and I accept a degree of candidates' criticising each other. But we also need to debate education, technology, welfare and the economy. How should Hong Kong compete on the world stage? As our only natural resource is people, it is logical that we should invest in the population. But the government seems determined to reduce its financial commitment to higher education. What do the candidates propose? Many companies have outsourced jobs to the mainland. What can be done to create jobs in Hong Kong. The economy depends on something we have little of - land. Since 1997, the government has taken initiatives related to information technology, Chinese medicine and logistics, but few, if any, concrete results are evident. Do the candidates have better ideas? What are our competitive advantages? What should we invest in developing? STEPHEN CHAN, Hunghom Housework: who's best? I refer to the article ''I'd rather work in Iraq than HK' (September 8). Grace Pedregosa, a former maid planning to work in Iraq said of her last employer: 'She expected me to care for her six-month-old child and two-year-old son while cooking and cleaning at the same time. Wasn't that dangerous?' Well, Ms Pedregosa. My mother raised six kids with no maid and not much help from my father, who was in the navy. She cooked, cleaned, chauffeured, mowed a half-acre yard (until we could be trusted with the job), hand-tailored our Sunday suits, ran the local cub-scout troop, and picked up a PhD along the way. Somehow we all survived and five of us made it through university. When locals try telling me how superior their mothers are, I cannot help but chuckle. SCOTT HATCH, Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station, Shenzhen Myth of curing gays What Gordon Truscott fails to tell us in his letter against gay rights ('Gays who go straight', September 6) is what so-called ex-gays are subjected to in an attempt to 'cure' them of their homosexuality. I am a survivor of an ex-gay movement. When I was 16, my loving parents (devout, right-wing Christians) handed me over to someone who said he could cure me of my homosexuality. I was subjected to what could only be described as torture. For up to 15 hours a day, I was locked in a room with up to 10 other people and brainwashed into believing that God would be my salvation. At least once a day, I was hooked up to a machine that gave electric shocks to parts of my anatomy whenever I showed interest in images that were not deemed appropriate. Fortunately, my aunt, who is a psychiatrist, rescued me from this living hell and took me in. What young gay people need is the truth, which is that you cannot cure homosexuality as it is not a disease. Nor is it an addiction (this is the first time I have heard it called such - it caused much mirth among my friends). Today I am a happy, healthy and well-adjusted gay man. And, no, my aunt did not 'recruit' me - she is a happily married heterosexual. DR ROBBIE KENT-SMITH, Sydney Tax and democracy There is a fundamental structural impediment to Hong Kong's advance of democracy. Only about 1.2 million people pay tax, as opposed to more than three million entitled to vote. Most voters pay no tax and receive taxpayers' money in the form of public housing and other social benefits. With Legco rigged by the functional constituencies, the voter-taxpayer anomaly does not matter because voters do not have much real say. But full democracy under these circumstances would twist the tenet of 'no taxation without representation'. A majority of non-taxpaying voters would decide how to spend tax dollars provided by a minority. Spreading the tax base would legitimise calls for real democracy. Taxation is not just a financial issue. It is at the heart of the democratisation of Hong Kong and it needs to be at the heart of political agendas too. Finding a workable tax reform plan and then persuading millions of voters that paying tax might be a good thing will be one of the greatest challenges faced by the Democrats. ROY PROUSE, Stanley Solving Taiwan issue The tension between Taiwan and China will stay high in the foreseeable future because the differences are complex. But like all complicated things, it may have an easy solution. The 'one country, two systems' approach does not appeal to Taiwan. Well, the Communist Party could consider holding free and fair elections in China, allowing other parties to seek power. In that case, Taiwan will certainly go back to China, recognising Beijing as its capital. ANGELO PARATICO, Mid-Levels Elite force won't work Sorry, an international force of elite soldiers operating in hostage situations similar to that in Russia would not work ('UN force for Chechnya?'). Language difficulties, different equipment, training and politics - and who would make the decision to go in? Imagine sending Israeli troops to fight Muslim separatists. It would go down like a lead balloon. And when it comes to peacekeeping and intervention, the UN has a terrible record. Why would these UN special forces do any better when the politicians controlling them are weak, gutless and plain greedy. BRUCE McLAREN, Lamma
