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SCMP Reporter

Blocking of bid by Coca-Cola will hurt China
Regardless of whether it breaches the new anti-monopoly law, Coca-Cola's   HK$19.65  billion bid to acquire the Huiyuan Juice Group  was a good price ('Beijing vetoes Coca-Cola bid for juice firm', March 19). 
The cash offer of HK$12.20 per share gives a significant premium. Plus, the companies' combined market share will be modestly around 20 to 30 per cent.
 The reason for rejecting the bid is not convincing enough.  However, as Chinese citizens, most of us have a pride that China should keep a major Chinese brand in Chinese hands. To bolster the economy in the global slowdown, we had better dump such worthless pride and avoid any intention of protectionism. 
Meanwhile, Chinese companies which begin their overseas acquisitions  are facing similar uncertainty of regulators' approvals. The rejection of Coca-Cola and Huiyuan's marriage may hurt China's interests its own overseas forays. If it is simply regarded as a business deal, Beijing should let this good arrangement  proceed.
Cindy Shi, Hong Kong Baptist University
Democrats don't deserve help
 The recent incidents concerning the barring of pan-democrats from Macau has aroused intense debate.  The  pan-democrats' high-profile attempt to gain entry to Macau on March 15 resulted in five  being denied entry. As usual, the pan-democrats protested against the Macau government's  handling of the case, claiming they had been politically censored. Their actions again  became the spotlight of the local media.
Well, it seems  this is merely a matter of politics and  Macau  is only responding to it politically.  The Macau government's response  is  in accordance with its internal security law.
 It is absurd to get the Hong Kong government involved.  It is absolutely a matter for the pan-democrats, who should bear all the consequences.  It has nothing to do with the  Hong Kong government.  After all, Hong Kong  cannot interfere with Macau's internal affairs. It is also groundless to conclude that people's rights and freedoms have been jeopardised, as most of the general public can enter  Macau freely.
Regarding the law professor and the Post  journalist who were refused entry, I would consider their cases  as  isolated ones.
 The government should concentrate its efforts on ways to combat the economic downturn  and ensure future development rather than waste time on politicians.  I am sick of the democrats' political gimmicks and I strongly urge them to stop for the sake of  society. 
Kelvin Sou, Tseung Kwan O
League trio speaks for me
Stefan Lam Kit-yung's  letter ('League's disgraceful outbursts no reflection on working class', March 13) was putting words in people's mouths. 'Hong Kong people do not like this or that, would not condone this or that', are statements we often hear when in fact, they are just personal opinions.
I belong to the working class; I support the League of Social Democrats, I think they are saying what I want to say and I do not find their outbursts disgraceful. 
The most inspiring thing said about the league's incident during the budget speech was the remark by Executive Council convenor Leung Chun-ying, who lamented that the Legislative Council should not be exhibiting behaviour not tolerated even in a tea house. 
But Mr Leung should not forget  all three represent the underprivileged, the poor and the helpless. In a way, when dealing with the trio, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah should imagine himself speaking to such a crowd in a shabby tea house, not those of the type he might frequent. 
If he had that kind of empathy, he would not have condemned their acts as naive, childish and tasteless. Rather, he would have commented that it was regrettable the budget had drawn so much repulsion from certain people and promised that he would do his best to engage in deeper dialogue with their elected representatives. 
But our leaders never do this, not Mr  Tsang, not Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. They only resort to anger and condemnation when challenged. They want a 'civilised' political culture, forgetting that a place where everyone speaks but not listens is only civil, not civilised. 
It is time our government faced reality and insisted on realism. Financial turmoil or not, we have a long list of serious problems to solve: fair competition, the rich-poor gap, an ageing population, health care, education and political reforms.  Protests, in the chamber and on the street, are signs  the government is not doing its  bare minimum of the right things. 
J.Y. K. Cheng, Quarry Bay
Loot cannot be laundered
 The debate over Christie's auction of the two Qing bronzes shows western jurisprudence at an impasse when confronted with excesses of the west's imperial past. 
Frank Ching ('Salvage plan', March 11) asserted that the artefacts that 'began as stolen goods' have 'become the legal property of Pierre Berge'.  What laundering process has  exonerated any owner  from  handling stolen goods? 
Self-serving pundits allege that China has forfeited its claim on looted artefacts by past neglect. They refer to the 50-year limitation of the 1995 Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects  (Article 3 (3)). They ignore the  exemption clause that 'any contracting state may declare that a claim is subject to a time limitation of 75 years or such longer period as is provided in its law' (Article 3 (4)).  
Apologists for imperialism's past excesses  should wake up to the reality that political stability and diligence have made China the world's fastest growing economy with the largest foreign reserves. China is the only legitimate, morally qualified owner  of its national treasures.
Audrey Lam, Mid-Levels
Foster science
When a child tells his mother that he wants to be an inventor, she  turns him down as it is viewed as an 'unprofitable' profession. Such an archaic notion will not help us get  through the hardships we face. We need change.
 What hinders us from developing environmentally-friendly energy is  not our ability, but attitude. There is no denying that we have talented students, but the lack of support smothers further accomplishments.
 We need a to establish a science-focused  institute to foster innovative talent  and improve Hong Kong's image as an educational hub that attracts  more promising students from overseas to bolster  our ageing population.  
Kenneth Wong, Mid-Levels
The big chill
 Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic cities in the world. But  one thing  is  puzzling:  one gets the impression that  people  are  trying to reduce air pollution. 
Anyone can see that this is clearly not the case. Take our taxis as an example:   the air conditioner is always on, resulting in temperatures way below what is  considered pleasant.  The driver  dresses as though he was headed for Antarctica.  The same goes for buses, restaurants, shops, offices and most indoor spaces in the city. They will gladly suffer the biting cold as long as they know it will increase pollution.
But when asked, people will say that  officials should do something to cut  pollution.  
Sven Erik Topp, Aberdeen



Letters