bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Can the typhoon signal system be improved?

There has been criticism of the typhoon signals for the two most recent storms,  Prapiroon  and Pabuk.  I think there should be some changes in the typhoon signal system.

The climate in Hong Kong has changed over the years because of  global warming and pollution, and now the weather can alter rapidly.  Take Pabuk, which changed direction. Nevertheless, the Observatory did not have an instant or   correct typhoon signal. This created a lot of problems for people.

A new system must be implemented, which can deal with unstable weather conditions. The typhoon signal system  has been in place with few changes since the 1970s.  Things have changed in the last 30 years.  For example, students are involved in a lot more extra-curricular activities and working practices have changed.

The government has to introduce  better arrangements for typhoon days. The typhoon signal system should be tailored to Hong Kong's specific  requirements.

Ho Chung-ting, Tseung Kwan O

Hong Kong is an international and cosmopolitan city. A better typhoon signal system should be introduced.

The  Observatory should upgrade the system, as it was introduced in 1973. It should co-operate and collaborate with experts and related authorities in Hong Kong as well as different countries, to get a standardised system.

Also, the needs of society should be considered, such as the impact on public exams and the start of the school term.  An improved typhoon system would  improve public confidence.

Daisy Chan, Choi Wan

I don't think the  typhoon signal system needs to be improved. The Observatory came under fire on August 10 for giving little advance warning that typhoon signal No8 would be raised.

However, weather is unpredictable. It could not have been predicted that  Tropical Storm Pabuk would be strengthened by another tropical disturbance and turn around.

The guideline given by the Observatory was to stay indoors. There was no need to rush home. But  members of the public did not take this advice.  They jammed bus stops, train stations and ferry terminals, trying to get back home.

I don't think  the typhoon signal system was at fault.

Peter Wong Yee-ho, Kwun Tong

What do you think of the metal workers' protest?

On Saturday, a union of metal workers blockaded Queen's Road Central in a pay protest.

Traffic in  the major business district of Hong Kong was  paralysed.

I was very disappointed to learn that this had happened  in an international and prosperous city like Hong Kong.

The government is to blame for this. If the administration does not show its concern for  the needs and benefits of  unions in the various economic sectors, the unions may resort to action like this.

This can only result in economic losses for  Hong Kong and undermine its reputation as an international financial centre.

However, the union members are also to  blame for bringing disgrace on the city.

Despite their deep concerns about their pay, they should behave like responsible Hong Kong citizens.  Instead of blockading the street and causing  economic losses to businesses and damaging the city's reputation, they should have had talks with  the authorities, and tried to settle their dispute in a peaceful manner.

As responsible citizens of Hong Kong, we are obliged to maintain the city's reputation and improve its status.

Vicky Chan, Happy Valley

What do you think of the proposal to preserve the shops on 'Sneaker Street'

I think this proposal is feasible and would  be beneficial to all kinds of people.

Under the proposal, only five buildings would be torn down to be replaced with a 30-storey commercial building, so most of the existing shops would be able to operate as usual. This means that the shop owners could still earn a living.

Also, the cost of the new plan would not be too large, since the demolition area is small. The authorities would not need to compensate most of the shop owners. Under this plan, the government and the shop owners would both benefit.

As Fa Yuen Street, or 'Sneaker Street', attracts many tourists, as well as local buyers, the disruption would be minimal as the renovation could be speeded up, with only the small area being demolished.

The government would, therefore, benefit, as the tourist trade would not be disrupted.

'Sneaker Street' is a part of Hong Kong that has real character.

I hope and believe that, under this proposal, it can be preserved and that with this plan, the shop owners, the Urban Renewal Authority and the government can meet their respective aims.

Leung Pui-ki, Tseung Kwan O



Talkback