Latest from Bernard Chan
There is no way the Hong Kong and Beijing governments can yield to the violence that threatens the constitutional order. However, once order is restored, the SAR government will not be able to proceed without making serious reforms.
There is no way the Hong Kong and Beijing governments can yield to the violence that threatens the constitutional order. However, once order is restored, the SAR government will not be able to proceed without making serious reforms.
The local stock market is reflecting jitters about local stability. Fears about Hong Kong’s international image and economy affect not only those in the financial sector but, ultimately, everyone in Hong Kong.
The local stock market is reflecting jitters about local stability. Fears about Hong Kong’s international image and economy affect not only those in the financial sector but, ultimately, everyone in Hong Kong.
Older Hongkongers may prize material well-being while younger ones value social justice, but focusing on these divisions is to miss the point. To be effective, the government needs to listen to a broad range of the community on a broad range of issues.
Older Hongkongers may prize material well-being while younger ones value social justice, but focusing on these divisions is to miss the point. To be effective, the government needs to listen to a broad range of the community on a broad range of issues.
Hong Kong is split on who is to blame for the crisis – officials or opponents, police or protesters – and people’s views are only reinforced by what they choose to read online. A genuinely new and different approach to governance is the only way to move on.
Hong Kong is split on who is to blame for the crisis – officials or opponents, police or protesters – and people’s views are only reinforced by what they choose to read online. A genuinely new and different approach to governance is the only way to move on.
If Hong Kong is to avoid being collateral damage in the US-China trade war, it must get the relationship between the government and the people – riven by the controversy over the extradition bill – back on track.
If Hong Kong is to avoid being collateral damage in the US-China trade war, it must get the relationship between the government and the people – riven by the controversy over the extradition bill – back on track.
Extradition is neither simple nor straightforward and safeguards are in place against a miscarriage of justice, including open court hearings and the right to be heard up to Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal.
Extradition is neither simple nor straightforward and safeguards are in place against a miscarriage of justice, including open court hearings and the right to be heard up to Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal.
While making effort to correct mismatches in the labour market, such as too many graduates for too few jobs, the city should be prepared for any unforeseen changes in technology and the economy that will upend the best-laid plans.
While making effort to correct mismatches in the labour market, such as too many graduates for too few jobs, the city should be prepared for any unforeseen changes in technology and the economy that will upend the best-laid plans.
While the sentences handed down to the leaders of the 2014 Occupy movement appear to have satisfied few, they highlighted the independence of the courts and Hong Kong’s tolerance of protest, compared to other jurisdictions.
While the sentences handed down to the leaders of the 2014 Occupy movement appear to have satisfied few, they highlighted the independence of the courts and Hong Kong’s tolerance of protest, compared to other jurisdictions.
While the government will not tolerate advocacy of Hong Kong independence, the city still enjoys freedom of speech and the independence of the judiciary. The current system may continue after 2047, if it remains of service to both Hong Kong and the mainland.
While the government will not tolerate advocacy of Hong Kong independence, the city still enjoys freedom of speech and the independence of the judiciary. The current system may continue after 2047, if it remains of service to both Hong Kong and the mainland.
Upcoming district council elections mean candidates put pressure on lawmakers to block cross-harbour tunnel fee adjustments that could cost them votes from a small number of motorists – but which would improve both the commute and air quality for most people.
Upcoming district council elections mean candidates put pressure on lawmakers to block cross-harbour tunnel fee adjustments that could cost them votes from a small number of motorists – but which would improve both the commute and air quality for most people.
While frictions over political and economic issues will continue to rise in Hong Kong, vicious personal attacks, like those directed at Peter Wong Man-kong on his death, serve little purpose.
While frictions over political and economic issues will continue to rise in Hong Kong, vicious personal attacks, like those directed at Peter Wong Man-kong on his death, serve little purpose.
The idea is to lower barriers that create inefficiencies in business and everyday lives across the region. But not all barriers: there is unlikely to be a free flow of capital, so as to keep Hong Kong’s special status as a free market.
The idea is to lower barriers that create inefficiencies in business and everyday lives across the region. But not all barriers: there is unlikely to be a free flow of capital, so as to keep Hong Kong’s special status as a free market.
Despite Donald Trump announcing a delay in the trade deadline, growing mistrust between China and the West leaves smaller economies wondering how they will adjust.
Despite Donald Trump announcing a delay in the trade deadline, growing mistrust between China and the West leaves smaller economies wondering how they will adjust.
Hong Kong’s draft national anthem bill targets public and intentional misuse, and is not intended to curb general freedoms or force people to be more patriotic.
Hong Kong’s draft national anthem bill targets public and intentional misuse, and is not intended to curb general freedoms or force people to be more patriotic.
From calls to build homes on golf course land, to the fuss over tunnel tolls and protests against raising the elderly welfare age limit and mainland shoppers, discontent is festering in Hong Kong, and the government needs to listen.
From calls to build homes on golf course land, to the fuss over tunnel tolls and protests against raising the elderly welfare age limit and mainland shoppers, discontent is festering in Hong Kong, and the government needs to listen.
Fears of a Hong Kong brain drain are overblown. The city’s long life expectancy, high education levels and low crime rate are just some of the advantages it offers residents, but the government must manage key livelihood issues.
Fears of a Hong Kong brain drain are overblown. The city’s long life expectancy, high education levels and low crime rate are just some of the advantages it offers residents, but the government must manage key livelihood issues.
With an economy at full capacity and after years of high rents and housing costs, a return to more affordable prices should be welcomed. Hong Kong’s 2019 fortunes will rest on many factors, not least the outcome of the US-China trade talks, Brexit, and China’s challenging economic transition.
With an economy at full capacity and after years of high rents and housing costs, a return to more affordable prices should be welcomed. Hong Kong’s 2019 fortunes will rest on many factors, not least the outcome of the US-China trade talks, Brexit, and China’s challenging economic transition.
Young people have good reasons for not flocking to the mainland. China isn’t short of skills and not all young Hongkongers have employment advantages across the border, even though there have been success stories.
Young people have good reasons for not flocking to the mainland. China isn’t short of skills and not all young Hongkongers have employment advantages across the border, even though there have been success stories.
Even with significantly more government spending on education, the challenge is to ensure the city’s school system is diverse and nimble enough to provide children with the skills and capabilities that are in demand.
Even with significantly more government spending on education, the challenge is to ensure the city’s school system is diverse and nimble enough to provide children with the skills and capabilities that are in demand.
Issues that have arisen in pedestrian zones, such as in Mong Kok, could be relieved by creating more traffic-free areas. In addition to more space and cleaner air, this would give street performers more options and disperse crowds.
Issues that have arisen in pedestrian zones, such as in Mong Kok, could be relieved by creating more traffic-free areas. In addition to more space and cleaner air, this would give street performers more options and disperse crowds.
Economics, rather than politics, drives the push for Greater Bay Area development, and fears that Hong Kong will become just another Chinese city are unwarranted.
Economics, rather than politics, drives the push for Greater Bay Area development, and fears that Hong Kong will become just another Chinese city are unwarranted.
Hong Kong must choose between new attractions that inconvenience residents or tailoring tourism around the city’s authentic character.
Hong Kong must choose between new attractions that inconvenience residents or tailoring tourism around the city’s authentic character.
After Hong Kong’s worst typhoon on record, we should recognise the precautions that protected us but also how technology can ease the disruptions that followed, particularly on public transport.
After Hong Kong’s worst typhoon on record, we should recognise the precautions that protected us but also how technology can ease the disruptions that followed, particularly on public transport.
The public-private partnership model has worked in the past and can work again – if government officials, developers and the general public set aside their mistrust and commit to finding a mutually beneficial agreement.
The public-private partnership model has worked in the past and can work again – if government officials, developers and the general public set aside their mistrust and commit to finding a mutually beneficial agreement.
There are myriad interest groups to consider in the discussion about short-term rentals. Besides hotels, guest houses and Airbnb, there are the thousands of Airbnb users and small businesses that benefit, and the residents whose lives are disrupted.
There are myriad interest groups to consider in the discussion about short-term rentals. Besides hotels, guest houses and Airbnb, there are the thousands of Airbnb users and small businesses that benefit, and the residents whose lives are disrupted.
Taking land from country parks, the Fanling golf course, unused New Territories land and brownfield sites would either do more harm than good or be stymied by legal challenges. Land reclamation has its own obstacles, but will leave a better housing environment for the next generation.
Taking land from country parks, the Fanling golf course, unused New Territories land and brownfield sites would either do more harm than good or be stymied by legal challenges. Land reclamation has its own obstacles, but will leave a better housing environment for the next generation.
The sheer volume of electronic equipment Hong Kong throws away every year has made the new producer responsibility scheme necessary.
The sheer volume of electronic equipment Hong Kong throws away every year has made the new producer responsibility scheme necessary.
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory problems are the major causes of death in Hong Kong and linked to the ageing population. The government’s “Towards 2025” action plan is taking steps to address this.
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory problems are the major causes of death in Hong Kong and linked to the ageing population. The government’s “Towards 2025” action plan is taking steps to address this.
In her year in office, the Hong Kong chief executive has offered herself up for grilling by lawmakers in Legco sessions far more often than her predecessors, in a move that improves transparency and accountability.
In her year in office, the Hong Kong chief executive has offered herself up for grilling by lawmakers in Legco sessions far more often than her predecessors, in a move that improves transparency and accountability.
Experience shows cultural issues and community relations can be a worry for the Chinese companies and investors venturing abroad, and this is where Hong Kong, with its unique combination of business know-how and soft skills, can help.
Experience shows cultural issues and community relations can be a worry for the Chinese companies and investors venturing abroad, and this is where Hong Kong, with its unique combination of business know-how and soft skills, can help.