Latest from Cliff Buddle
Strict measures need to be backed by science and go no further than necessary to protect public health. And the impact on people’s lives must be considered.
Strict measures need to be backed by science and go no further than necessary to protect public health. And the impact on people’s lives must be considered.
Omicron has created a race against time which may eventually mean ‘living with the virus’ is no longer a choice. But we have to be careful for what we wish for
Omicron has created a race against time which may eventually mean ‘living with the virus’ is no longer a choice. But we have to be careful for what we wish for
This is the first crisis faced by Hong Kong’s new political order. The public needs to see that the ruling elite will be held accountable under the new arrangements.
This is the first crisis faced by Hong Kong’s new political order. The public needs to see that the ruling elite will be held accountable under the new arrangements.
As 2022 begins many Hongkongers will be glad to wave goodbye to another year that has been dominated by the ‘two Ps’ – politics and the pandemic
As 2022 begins many Hongkongers will be glad to wave goodbye to another year that has been dominated by the ‘two Ps’ – politics and the pandemic
Many people thought the national security law was a self-contained piece of legislation. But a decision by the Court of Final Appeal last week says otherwise.
Many people thought the national security law was a self-contained piece of legislation. But a decision by the Court of Final Appeal last week says otherwise.
The opening of the mainland China border should be the catalyst for the lifting of other restrictions, rather than a justification for keeping them in place.
The opening of the mainland China border should be the catalyst for the lifting of other restrictions, rather than a justification for keeping them in place.
The transport sector has powerful interests, with many resistant to change. The government must show political will to reform and modernise the system.
The transport sector has powerful interests, with many resistant to change. The government must show political will to reform and modernise the system.
There is a lesson to be learned from the saga of three Cathay Pacific pilots recently fired in a case linked to a violation of pandemic isolation rules, says the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle. He argues that in Hong Kong’s current risk-averse environment, there are serious and far-reaching consequences for what the city’s flagship airline describes as a “serious breach” of requirements for crew while overseas.
There is a lesson to be learned from the saga of three Cathay Pacific pilots recently fired in a case linked to a violation of pandemic isolation rules, says the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle. He argues that in Hong Kong’s current risk-averse environment, there are serious and far-reaching consequences for what the city’s flagship airline describes as a “serious breach” of requirements for crew while overseas.
The threatening letters sent to judges have been rightly condemned. But they should also prompt reflection on the way perceptions of the judiciary have changed
The threatening letters sent to judges have been rightly condemned. But they should also prompt reflection on the way perceptions of the judiciary have changed
It is no surprise that the arts museum is already in the pro-establishment firing line over ‘lawbreaking’ works. But any hint that it is susceptible to political pressure will be fatal to its ambitions
It is no surprise that the arts museum is already in the pro-establishment firing line over ‘lawbreaking’ works. But any hint that it is susceptible to political pressure will be fatal to its ambitions
The ruling by the Court of Final Appeal narrowed the scope of riot and unlawful assembly prosecutions. It is unlikely to have the impact that some claimed but may prevent miscarriages of justice
The ruling by the Court of Final Appeal narrowed the scope of riot and unlawful assembly prosecutions. It is unlikely to have the impact that some claimed but may prevent miscarriages of justice
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 measures do not appear to be necessary to protect public health, and instead seem to be more about persuading the Chinese central government to open the border with the mainland. The SCMP’s Cliff Buddle argues that the city is paying a high price in pursuit of its goals... with no end in sight for the toughest quarantine rules in the world.
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 measures do not appear to be necessary to protect public health, and instead seem to be more about persuading the Chinese central government to open the border with the mainland. The SCMP’s Cliff Buddle argues that the city is paying a high price in pursuit of its goals... with no end in sight for the toughest quarantine rules in the world.
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 measures do not appear to be necessary to protect public health but are more about persuading the central government to open the border.
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 measures do not appear to be necessary to protect public health but are more about persuading the central government to open the border.
The event’s return is welcome, marking another step in the city’s recovery. The atmosphere is a rare mix of fun, excitement, friendly competition and togetherness.
The event’s return is welcome, marking another step in the city’s recovery. The atmosphere is a rare mix of fun, excitement, friendly competition and togetherness.
Even British spy James Bond would struggle to unpack the dilemma now Hong Kong faces as it steps forward with national security legislation that counters theft of state secrets, as well as treason and sedition. But as the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle argues, new measures being considered by the city’s government could provide more clarity than the sweeping security law imposed on Hong Kong by China’s central government in 2020.
Even British spy James Bond would struggle to unpack the dilemma now Hong Kong faces as it steps forward with national security legislation that counters theft of state secrets, as well as treason and sedition. But as the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle argues, new measures being considered by the city’s government could provide more clarity than the sweeping security law imposed on Hong Kong by China’s central government in 2020.
Hong Kong already has legislation on treason, official secrets and sedition and an all-encompassing national security law. It is difficult to see what more needs to be done
Hong Kong already has legislation on treason, official secrets and sedition and an all-encompassing national security law. It is difficult to see what more needs to be done
The award shared by campaigning journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov gives a much-needed lift to the world’s media and comes amid an increasingly challenging environment
The award shared by campaigning journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov gives a much-needed lift to the world’s media and comes amid an increasingly challenging environment
The chief executive’s speech should be inclusive in a bid to bridge the political divide. And while a clear vision for the future would be welcome, the difficulty will be achieving it
The chief executive’s speech should be inclusive in a bid to bridge the political divide. And while a clear vision for the future would be welcome, the difficulty will be achieving it
Restrictions on peaceful and orderly gatherings in Hong Kong should be relaxed as the threat of Covid-19 recedes, argues South China Morning Post columnist Cliff Buddle. He says a good start would be to lift the city’s rules limiting group sizes to no more than four people.
Restrictions on peaceful and orderly gatherings in Hong Kong should be relaxed as the threat of Covid-19 recedes, argues South China Morning Post columnist Cliff Buddle. He says a good start would be to lift the city’s rules limiting group sizes to no more than four people.
A look back at a Post edition from 27 years ago reveals headlines that could be from today. But the difference is a sense of optimism and excitement that has been lost
A look back at a Post edition from 27 years ago reveals headlines that could be from today. But the difference is a sense of optimism and excitement that has been lost
Restrictions on peaceful and orderly gatherings in the city should be relaxed as the threat of Covid-19 recedes. A start would be to lift the ridiculous four person rule.
Restrictions on peaceful and orderly gatherings in the city should be relaxed as the threat of Covid-19 recedes. A start would be to lift the ridiculous four person rule.
It is in the public interest that the principle of ‘open justice’ is respected in cases involving the national security law. The media should be free to report them.
It is in the public interest that the principle of ‘open justice’ is respected in cases involving the national security law. The media should be free to report them.
Much more needs to be done to restore the “Brand Hong Kong” reputation and to convince the world that the city remains free, diverse and dynamic, says the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle, who adds that it is not good enough for officials to dismiss negative perceptions as simply the work of “biased” foreign media.
Much more needs to be done to restore the “Brand Hong Kong” reputation and to convince the world that the city remains free, diverse and dynamic, says the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle, who adds that it is not good enough for officials to dismiss negative perceptions as simply the work of “biased” foreign media.
The city has a proud history of turning adversity into opportunity. To do so again depends on maintaining the core values and characteristics that made it such a special part of China
The city has a proud history of turning adversity into opportunity. To do so again depends on maintaining the core values and characteristics that made it such a special part of China
The decision by two British judges to continue sitting on the Court of Final Appeal appears to have averted a potentially disastrous exodus. But challenges remain
The decision by two British judges to continue sitting on the Court of Final Appeal appears to have averted a potentially disastrous exodus. But challenges remain
Hong Kong’s “zero-tolerance” approach to Covid-19 has left residents isolated, says the SCMP’s special projects editor Cliff Buddle, arguing that as the vaccination rate grows, the city should follow Singapore’s more nuanced strategy.
Hong Kong’s “zero-tolerance” approach to Covid-19 has left residents isolated, says the SCMP’s special projects editor Cliff Buddle, arguing that as the vaccination rate grows, the city should follow Singapore’s more nuanced strategy.
The city’s ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to Covid-19 has left residents isolated. As the vaccination rate grows, Hong Kong should follow Singapore’s more nuanced strategy.
The city’s ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to Covid-19 has left residents isolated. As the vaccination rate grows, Hong Kong should follow Singapore’s more nuanced strategy.
The credibility of Hong Kong’s legal system is at stake because of questions raised over a 2019 drugs case that sentenced a young noodle-shop worker to 23 years in prison, says the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle. The special projects editor explains why an investigation must take place to look into the unfair conviction of the man, who was recently released after his successful appeal.
The credibility of Hong Kong’s legal system is at stake because of questions raised over a 2019 drugs case that sentenced a young noodle-shop worker to 23 years in prison, says the SCMP’s Cliff Buddle. The special projects editor explains why an investigation must take place to look into the unfair conviction of the man, who was recently released after his successful appeal.
The facts surrounding the jailing of a man on drugs charges are so alarming that the credibility of Hong Kong’s legal system is at stake. An investigation must be launched.
The facts surrounding the jailing of a man on drugs charges are so alarming that the credibility of Hong Kong’s legal system is at stake. An investigation must be launched.