Columnist
Alex Lo has been a Post columnist since 2012, covering major issues affecting Hong Kong and the rest of China. A journalist for 25 years, he has worked for various publications in Hong Kong and Toronto as a news reporter and editor. He has also lectured in journalism at the University of Hong Kong.
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Latest from Alex Lo
There are plenty of contagion incidents, both financial and viral, that would qualify to be named after America if we follow the US president’s notion of origins
There are plenty of contagion incidents, both financial and viral, that would qualify to be named after America if we follow the US president’s notion of origins
When you see nations or people in deep trouble, react with compassion and humility – because you may be next.
When you see nations or people in deep trouble, react with compassion and humility – because you may be next.
Proposed law that would help otherwise viable businesses to restructure debt and stay afloat or to find a white knight faces opposition in the legislature
Proposed law that would help otherwise viable businesses to restructure debt and stay afloat or to find a white knight faces opposition in the legislature
Studies show that productivity actually increases and companies can save on rent with the kind of flexibility that has been introduced during the coronavirus crisis.
Studies show that productivity actually increases and companies can save on rent with the kind of flexibility that has been introduced during the coronavirus crisis.
Thanks to their respective political systems, authoritarian China and Western democracies complement one another – one in causing an outbreak, the other in enabling its global spread.
Thanks to their respective political systems, authoritarian China and Western democracies complement one another – one in causing an outbreak, the other in enabling its global spread.
Disasters have a way of exposing a country’s weaknesses and strengths, both of which need to be accounted for to arrive at an objective and fair assessment.
Disasters have a way of exposing a country’s weaknesses and strengths, both of which need to be accounted for to arrive at an objective and fair assessment.
Whether or not the Hong Kong government and police have committed human rights breaches, a country accused of being responsible for war crimes is in no position to sit in judgment
Whether or not the Hong Kong government and police have committed human rights breaches, a country accused of being responsible for war crimes is in no position to sit in judgment
The protest movement has condoned violence, vandalism and vigilantism, if not committed them. Whatever noble intentions it might have had, it has compromised itself by using the ends to justify the means
The protest movement has condoned violence, vandalism and vigilantism, if not committed them. Whatever noble intentions it might have had, it has compromised itself by using the ends to justify the means
Handing Canada what may be the world’s biggest IPO would be a gesture of goodwill that would satisfy full disclosure on finances, governance and ownership structure and help clear the way for Ottawa’s approval of the 5G pioneer.
Handing Canada what may be the world’s biggest IPO would be a gesture of goodwill that would satisfy full disclosure on finances, governance and ownership structure and help clear the way for Ottawa’s approval of the 5G pioneer.
Washington has already decided to exploit the city’s political unrest and instability as part of a multipronged cold war against China.
Washington has already decided to exploit the city’s political unrest and instability as part of a multipronged cold war against China.
An offensive sign put up by localist district councillor Lee Man-ho doesn’t just insult his enemies, but demeans his own office.
An offensive sign put up by localist district councillor Lee Man-ho doesn’t just insult his enemies, but demeans his own office.
Restaurants that will not serve people from the mainland are just ignorant, particularly at a time of community spread when locals are infecting locals.
Restaurants that will not serve people from the mainland are just ignorant, particularly at a time of community spread when locals are infecting locals.
Lifting mandated showing of RTHK programmes is not censorship, as it is unfair to force private TV stations to air public shows with low ratings.
Lifting mandated showing of RTHK programmes is not censorship, as it is unfair to force private TV stations to air public shows with low ratings.
Alarm bells ought to ring loudly when Eric Schmidt, former head of Google, and Tesla boss Elon Musk suddenly start talking about the technology contest leading to war
Alarm bells ought to ring loudly when Eric Schmidt, former head of Google, and Tesla boss Elon Musk suddenly start talking about the technology contest leading to war
The latest plan to name a park after the dead girl is part of a fact-free, conspiratorial political campaign that borders on collective insanity
The latest plan to name a park after the dead girl is part of a fact-free, conspiratorial political campaign that borders on collective insanity
The government may have bad policies, but the opposition has no policy besides rabble rousing and throwing our children at the barricades
The government may have bad policies, but the opposition has no policy besides rabble rousing and throwing our children at the barricades
The world would be a saner place if people learn to judge China with more common sense and less ideology
The world would be a saner place if people learn to judge China with more common sense and less ideology
Government should wait for market sentiments to improve before selling prime Central site that may not go to the highest bidder, but one with ‘best designs’.
Government should wait for market sentiments to improve before selling prime Central site that may not go to the highest bidder, but one with ‘best designs’.
The opposition claims the budget contains a Trojan horse: extra money for the force to hire more officers. But the question is: will people want to join?
The opposition claims the budget contains a Trojan horse: extra money for the force to hire more officers. But the question is: will people want to join?
Deficit-financing every now and then is not such a bad thing when the government’s large fiscal reserves have been a source of social tensions.
Deficit-financing every now and then is not such a bad thing when the government’s large fiscal reserves have been a source of social tensions.
For a government sitting on a pile of money, it’s never wrong to give some of it back to its real owners, the people of Hong Kong; still, one only wishes any handouts could be done in a more effective and equitable way.
For a government sitting on a pile of money, it’s never wrong to give some of it back to its real owners, the people of Hong Kong; still, one only wishes any handouts could be done in a more effective and equitable way.
It’s an unlikely scenario, but suppose it did happen: those dissatisfied with Hong Kong would have a new home, while others who want to live here – including many from southern China – would be an infusion of new blood
It’s an unlikely scenario, but suppose it did happen: those dissatisfied with Hong Kong would have a new home, while others who want to live here – including many from southern China – would be an infusion of new blood
Some opposition figures have proposed using People’s Liberation Army barracks for quarantine, thereby undermining their previous objection to the military getting involved in local affairs
Some opposition figures have proposed using People’s Liberation Army barracks for quarantine, thereby undermining their previous objection to the military getting involved in local affairs
Going after the Huawei No 2 is a sideshow for Americans, but a dangerous crisis for Canadians and the US president should now move to help out one of his nation's closest friends.
Going after the Huawei No 2 is a sideshow for Americans, but a dangerous crisis for Canadians and the US president should now move to help out one of his nation's closest friends.
Call me masochistic, but I can’t help but feel my long-held suspicion confirmed by reports of racism against Chinese around the world since the coronavirus outbreak
Call me masochistic, but I can’t help but feel my long-held suspicion confirmed by reports of racism against Chinese around the world since the coronavirus outbreak
Despite its much-vaunted ‘special relationship’ with Washington, post-Brexit Britain needs the China trade more than ever.
Despite its much-vaunted ‘special relationship’ with Washington, post-Brexit Britain needs the China trade more than ever.
Restaurants such as Kwong Wing Catering in the so-called yellow-ribbon economy that are refusing to serve Mandarin speakers are xenophobic and reprehensible
Restaurants such as Kwong Wing Catering in the so-called yellow-ribbon economy that are refusing to serve Mandarin speakers are xenophobic and reprehensible
Responsible parliamentarians the world over would interrogate or investigate the relevant government departments when they read worrisome news reports
Responsible parliamentarians the world over would interrogate or investigate the relevant government departments when they read worrisome news reports
Now is the time for the government to take action and also use Disneyland, Ocean Park and cruise ships for quarantine and treatment
Now is the time for the government to take action and also use Disneyland, Ocean Park and cruise ships for quarantine and treatment
Those newly put in charge of Hong Kong affairs are more likely to go after the old guard of pro-establishment parties rather than the pan-democratic opposition.
Those newly put in charge of Hong Kong affairs are more likely to go after the old guard of pro-establishment parties rather than the pan-democratic opposition.
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