On Sunday, the Hong Kong Journalists Association, concerned about the safety of local journalists, warned media organisations not to send frontline reporters to Japan to cover the earthquake. Almost all have since returned to Hong Kong over the past few days.
The magnitude of the deadly earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck northern Japan last Friday sent shockwaves around the world. The extent of the damage is unimaginable and some of the worst in Japan's history. Many who witnessed the devastating disaster on television have expressed shock and sympathy, and offered assistance.
With threats of more aftershocks came the news of a volcanic eruption on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Sunday and then the threat of nuclear radiation at the stricken Fukushima nuclear power station, and the potential for an eventual meltdown.
Following successive blasts at three of the reactors and a fire at a fourth, hundreds of thousands of people living in the area have been evacuated due to the threat of radiation, and others living farther away have been advised to stay indoors. Higher radiation levels than usual have already been recorded in Tokyo, which is about 240 kilometres south. It has been one disaster after another, and there seems no end to it.
Facing such devastation and ongoing threats, the Japanese people have conducted themselves admirably and the way they faced disaster with such calm and courage has earned them respect from around the world. They have proudly displayed the best human qualities. To all the earthquake victims, I pray for them and wish them well.
Watching the disaster unfold from afar, some Hongkongers have, on the contrary, displayed some less-desirable human traits.
There were some utterly heartless people who made unsympathetic and cruel online comments. And some have insisted on taking a holiday in Japan despite the disaster.