bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

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

factSheets

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

HK's judiciary still stuck in colonial past
John Smith, a reader from South Africa, objects to Elena Kagan's nomination to the US Supreme Court ('Reject Kagan', July 2). He opines that the nominee lacks a 'mature philosophy of judging' and her approach to legal interpretation deviates from public opinion.
Her strengths and weaknesses are widely commented on in the world's leading media.
Mr Smith's interest in airing his view on judicial appointments in the US contrasts with the general public's blind faith in, or indifference to, everything judicial in Hong Kong.
Judicial appointments in the US are democratically decided, either indirectly by presidential nominations subject to congressional approval for federal courts, or directly by popular elections for the state courts, with the nominee's background and political stance subject to public scrutiny.
In contrast, a judicial appointment in Hong Kong is a secretive process, very much like the papal selection. Public opinion is immaterial because the public  is accustomed to the judiciary as a colonial legacy where judges, who work in a foreign language, interpret laws according to legal principles the origin and development of which are outlandish to the native people.
The irony of Hong Kong's democratic movement is that enthusiasts who clamour for the right to elect lawmakers unquestioningly accept their powerlessness in the selection of judicial officers who interpret the law. This irony reflects Hong Kong's democratic immaturity.
Rosanna Yam, Mid-Levels
Gays deserve fairer workplace
Chan Yuen-wang's call for fairer treatment of homosexuals and legislation against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a brave declaration which deserves respect ('One march, a cross-section of social causes', July 2).
However, it is not just the government that needs to adopt a fairer attitude to the  lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Corporations  must also implement a fairer and more inclusive workplace for  these employees. This was recently acknowledged with the publication of 'Creating Inclusive Workplaces for LGBT Employees' sponsored by Goldman Sachs and IBM. As an openly gay businessman, I have personally been on the receiving end of office homophobia. 
An example of this happened to me while working for a German bank. I was astounded as a senior manager came running into the dealing room,  telling everyone at the top of his voice that I was gay.
My colleagues did know, yet the embarrassment I felt was not diminished by my own ease with my sexual orientation or the support given to me by my colleagues, who were more enraged than I over the incident.
The need for openness in the workplace may be an odd concept; do I reveal my sexuality  or do I allow my work itself to define my success? Why do I, as a gay person, feel the need to open myself fully to others when I do not seek the same level of divulgence? 'Creating Inclusive Workplaces for LGBT Employees' is a positive step. It is one the government should follow, ensuring Chan Yuen-wang's call for fairer treatment of homosexuals and enabling all minority groups to work free from harassment and ridicule.
Mark Peaker, The Peak 
Allow children to use school
The recent secondary school allocations have meant heartbreak for many Hong Kong children. But South Lantau is especially unfortunate. Its only secondary school was closed and residents have been asking that it be reopened since 2004.
The demographics of South Lantau continue to change and the population of school-age children continues to grow. Yet  they are forced to travel more than three hours  a day just to get their education.
This puts an intolerable strain on family life. It also leaves a community without the heart that a vibrant school provides.
This government appears not to be listening to its South Lantau constituents.
After more than five years of struggle, surely they deserve a fair hearing.
Julia Brown, Lantau
Expo helps whole economy
I think China will benefit from Shanghai hosting the World Expo.
There are 242 countries and international organisations taking part. Expo acts as a showcase for China to let the world know about its unique culture. And with the other nations involved there will be an exchange of cultures.
Tourists cannot help but be impressed by the efficient public transport in Shanghai, which makes it easy for them to get to the expo site.
I would also like to praise the expo website. It enables those people who cannot visit to learn about the exhibits.
I do believe that with so many people visiting the country for expo the event will be a boost for China's economy.
Nancy Chan Wai-kuen, Sham Shui Po 
Effective and safe treatment
Chinese  medicine is an integral part of our culture, passed down  through the generations. While there are sceptics, I think it is now safe and reliable.  
Although it may be less effective than Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine offers milder medication and there are generally fewer side effects. 
Chinese medical practitioners consider the constitution of a patient before writing a prescription. Patients just have to be aware that the herbal medicine will often have a bitter taste.
People have come to a point where they rely too much on Western medicine.
There has been a great deal of research into Chinese medicine and it now has a sound scientific base. 
I hope more regard can be paid to this branch of medicine as it can contribute to improved health within the community.
Lam Ho-pak, Tuen Mun
Pollution health risks obvious
Edwin Lau Che-feng, director of Friends of the Earth (HK), says Hong Kong citizens desperately want to see the government tackle the problem of air pollution ('Progress on air quality? You must be choking', July 8).  
In the 1970s I was involved in writing music for the government's 'Clean Hong Kong' campaign. As far as I could tell, it was moderately successful, in that it resulted in people becoming more aware of thoughtless littering habits. 
As the campaign was based on a gentle approach, the outcomes were somewhat cosmetic and the smelly  streets remained.
In comparison, the response of Hong Kong society to the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak was extraordinary in its effectiveness - reeking back alleys cleared, rubbish in public areas became socially unacceptable and provision for personal hygiene became the norm. 
This dramatic change of attitude continues today.
It makes one wonder what sort of disaster it will take for Hong Kong to address the obvious problem which all people face inescapably every day - air pollution. 
The current health risks are clearly there for all to share, from street sweepers to tycoons. Immediate political will is needed to instigate action which will actually do something positive about cleaning the air that we breathe. 
We do not want to wait for another Sars-type event to eventually spur Hong Kong into action.
Noel Quinlan, Sydney, Australia
Simple change to idling law
It seems to me the fairest way to deal with the hardship of drivers and their passengers is to suspend the requirement to switch off idling engines from June to September. 
That way, the drivers and the environmentalists can be pacified, at least partially.
Otherwise, it is difficult to see how this law can be enforced if dozens of people have to be taken to hospital or the morgue due to health issues caused by intense heat in motor vehicles with the air-con switched off. 
I would also like to know if the law will cover marine vessels. 
I think my suggestion is more reasonable and realistic than the government's concession ('Drivers not satisfied after backdown on idling engines',  July 9). 
It is basically impossible for the law to be enforced unless the police are given the go-ahead to charge offenders without worrying about whether the Hong Kong Observatory has issued a hot weather warning.
W. K. Wong, Central 
Criticism was unjustified
I was shocked to read the comments of the director of audit about  the privacy commissioner ('Privacy commissioner hits back at auditor's accusations of inactivity', July 6).
As a privacy advocate, I have been impressed with the efforts of the commissioner, Roderick Woo Bun, and in particular his willingness to arrange the first privacy audit conducted in Hong Kong, in 2008. 
This audit of the Hospital Authority in the light of repeated losses of personal data was a major step forward in privacy protection in Hong Kong. It was made possible by the use of volunteers - including a legislator, a doctor, a former administrator of the Law Society and myself - given the limited funds provided by the government.
If  Audit Commission director Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun was unaware of that first privacy audit, despite all the publicity, then he must be much less knowledgeable about both privacy and the audit process in Hong Kong than he thinks.
John Bacon-Shone, Pok Fu Lam



Taiwan and Philippines try to figure out how to navigate the return of Donald Trump

Philippines turns to US firms for South China Sea oil drills as Beijing tensions persist

Did Trump snub Philippines’ Marcos Jnr by not inviting him to his inauguration?

Beijing and Manila promise further South China Sea talks despite row over ‘monster ship’

South China Sea

Letters