Latest from Bernard Chan
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.
The Hong Kong government is already taking steps to accommodate Hong Kong’s ageing population, but there are opportunities for the private sector, too
The Hong Kong government is already taking steps to accommodate Hong Kong’s ageing population, but there are opportunities for the private sector, too
Heritage conservation in Hong Kong can be fraught with challenges, but the Tai Kwun project shows that its possible to get it right.
Heritage conservation in Hong Kong can be fraught with challenges, but the Tai Kwun project shows that its possible to get it right.
The government’s offer of more generous compensation to try to speed up new town development represents a break with its long-held principles of safeguarding taxpayers’ money, and is a sign officials are ready to move with the times.
The government’s offer of more generous compensation to try to speed up new town development represents a break with its long-held principles of safeguarding taxpayers’ money, and is a sign officials are ready to move with the times.
The government can strike a deal with private developers to unlock land in the New Territories in an open and transparent manner that benefits Hongkongers.
The government can strike a deal with private developers to unlock land in the New Territories in an open and transparent manner that benefits Hongkongers.
Hong Kong’s new voluntary labelling scheme on the salt and sugar content of packaged food and drink is the first step towards the long-term goal of building a healthier society.
Hong Kong’s new voluntary labelling scheme on the salt and sugar content of packaged food and drink is the first step towards the long-term goal of building a healthier society.
There is no quick fix for Hong Kong’s housing woes, but a win-win arrangement with landowners in the New Territories could free up sites for development.
There is no quick fix for Hong Kong’s housing woes, but a win-win arrangement with landowners in the New Territories could free up sites for development.
The appointment of four respected judges to the Court of Final Appeal shows that judicial independence and the rule of law in Hong Kong are intact and that the city welcomes overseas legal talent.
The appointment of four respected judges to the Court of Final Appeal shows that judicial independence and the rule of law in Hong Kong are intact and that the city welcomes overseas legal talent.
The significant increase in recurrent spending this year, in areas such as health care and education, was unnoticed by most, but it is a sign of fresh thinking on the government’s part.
The significant increase in recurrent spending this year, in areas such as health care and education, was unnoticed by most, but it is a sign of fresh thinking on the government’s part.
Hong Kong must plan for the housing needs of single young people and the elderly in addition to families.
Hong Kong must plan for the housing needs of single young people and the elderly in addition to families.