Pianist Li Yundi becomes a Hong Kong resident
Mainland-born pianist Li Yundi, who shot to fame after winning first prize in the Warsaw International Chopin piano competition in 2000, became a Hong Kong resident yesterday. The 25-year-old said he was proud to be a member of Hong Kong society and would do more to help promote music education in the city. He praised the city for its 'dazzling lifestyle'. Li, who was born in Chongqing , completed formalities under the quality migrant admission scheme at the Immigration Department's Wan Chai offices. He was on his way back to the mainland after returning from a concert in Italy. A spokeswoman for his record company, Universal Music, said Li had a brief interview with immigration officers before being told his application was approved. 'He has no plan to settle down in Hong Kong in the near future, but said he would come more frequently. He wants to help music education in Hong Kong.'
Quake net report urged
Lawmakers demanded that telecoms watchdog Ofta submit a report on the internet disruption caused by the Boxing Day earthquake in Taiwan. During a meeting of the Legislative Council panel on information technology and broadcasting, legislator Emily Lau Wai-hing and chairman of Hong Kong Broadband Network Ricky Wong Wai-kay questioned why PCCW needed more time to resume its services.
Land auctions rejected
Five attempts to trigger a land auction were rejected last month. The Lands Department monthly update showed developers were interested in low-density residential sites. They included lots in Tuen Mun, Kowloon Tong and Tsuen Wan.