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SCMP Reporter

Reading comprehension
1 What concern did legislators express in regard to the Manila hostage crisis?
 a. Government support to Hong Kong people in the emergency was insufficient.
 b. Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen failed to follow diplomatic rules in calling Philippine President Benigno Aquino.  
 c. Hong Kong needs swifter ways of talking to foreign governments when  handling emergencies.
 d. Aquino failed to observe diplomatic rules in missing a call from Tsang.
2 Hong Kong set up a system after the South Asian tsunami in 2004 to ...
 a. review contact channels with foreign countries.
 b. handle overseas emergencies involving Hong Kong people.
 c. work with the Beijing to deal with crises.  
 d. none of the above
3 Why was Tsang's attempt to contact Aquino seen by some as inappropriate?
 a. Philippine officials do not know him. 
 b. It was  not such an urgent situation.  
 c. The Basic Law prohibits Hong Kong's chief executive from calling foreign country leaders.
 d. The Basic Law states Hong Kong's diplomatic affairs  should be handled by the central government.
4 What did academic Simon Shen Xuhui say?  
 a. The Hong Kong government overacted in handling the Manila hostage crisis.
 b. The Basic Law enshrines the rights for Hong Kong to develop foreign relations  in certain areas.
 c. Co-operation with foreign countries comes under  diplomacy and Hong Kong cannot  control it.
 d. Hu Jintao should have called Philippine leaders.
Think about
1 Why is direct communication important in times of emergency?
2 What could be the consequences if Hong Kong leaders cannot reach their foreign counterparts quickly in emergency?
3 Do you think Donald Tsang was right to call Benigno Aquino?  
4 How do we define diplomacy and external relations?  Which category does the handling of the Manila hostage crisis belong to?
Vocabulary
1 The president has appointed a team of _________ who will advise him on all policy- making decisions.
2 Mary and Tony are now ___________ after their manager has given them the same title.  
3 People have become more aware of their personal hygiene ____________  an epidemic outbreak of flu. 
4 The economic co-operation pacts signed by Hong Kong and the mainland cover many ______, such as manufacturing, legal and financial services.
Answers:
Reading comprehension: 1. c, 2. b, 3. d, 4. b
Vocabulary: 1. aides, 2. on an equal footing,  3. in the wake of, 4. realms




liberal studies