Latest from Michael Chugani
Singapore is clean, convenient and meets its citizens’ housing needs, although political free speech is limited. Hong Kong has none of the benefits, and its edge in personal liberties is rapidly eroding.
Singapore is clean, convenient and meets its citizens’ housing needs, although political free speech is limited. Hong Kong has none of the benefits, and its edge in personal liberties is rapidly eroding.
Unification by force would be devastating for the region, including Hong Kong, and must be avoided, while the option of a Hong Kong-style ‘one country, two systems’ is dead on arrival. Perhaps there is a third way.
Unification by force would be devastating for the region, including Hong Kong, and must be avoided, while the option of a Hong Kong-style ‘one country, two systems’ is dead on arrival. Perhaps there is a third way.
In this new cold war, the US and other democracies that abide by fair and open rules of engagement cannot stop China claiming its place as the world’s No 1 superpower. Where will that leave the rest of us?
In this new cold war, the US and other democracies that abide by fair and open rules of engagement cannot stop China claiming its place as the world’s No 1 superpower. Where will that leave the rest of us?
Beijing and Hong Kong have accused a US diplomat of interfering in the city’s affairs. But the State Department has a duty under US law to monitor whether Hong Kong retains a high degree of autonomy and thus remains eligible for special status.
Beijing and Hong Kong have accused a US diplomat of interfering in the city’s affairs. But the State Department has a duty under US law to monitor whether Hong Kong retains a high degree of autonomy and thus remains eligible for special status.
Resistance in Hong Kong to the idea of transferring fugitives to the mainland stands in stark contrast to the openness to an extradition arrangement with Taiwan.
Resistance in Hong Kong to the idea of transferring fugitives to the mainland stands in stark contrast to the openness to an extradition arrangement with Taiwan.
Two decades after Tung Chee-hwa promised to maintain Hong Kong’s liberties and enhance quality of life, the city is clearly going backwards in both categories.
Two decades after Tung Chee-hwa promised to maintain Hong Kong’s liberties and enhance quality of life, the city is clearly going backwards in both categories.
The rare sight of a legislature united in opposing an unpopular government plan is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, with the pro-Beijing loyalists caving in within a day, their defiance did not last long enough to make a difference.
The rare sight of a legislature united in opposing an unpopular government plan is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, with the pro-Beijing loyalists caving in within a day, their defiance did not last long enough to make a difference.
Huffing and puffing at every perceived slight only exposes Chinese netizens’ lack of self-confidence. Given that Chinese people themselves have been unapologetically peddling racist tropes, the double standard is grating.
Huffing and puffing at every perceived slight only exposes Chinese netizens’ lack of self-confidence. Given that Chinese people themselves have been unapologetically peddling racist tropes, the double standard is grating.
China and the US have changed drastically under Xi and Trump’s leadership, for the worse in many ways, destabilising global relations.
China and the US have changed drastically under Xi and Trump’s leadership, for the worse in many ways, destabilising global relations.
The arrest of Huawei’s Sabrina Meng Wanzhou means Hong Kong officials need to think twice before further eroding political freedoms and drawing Washington’s attention.
The arrest of Huawei’s Sabrina Meng Wanzhou means Hong Kong officials need to think twice before further eroding political freedoms and drawing Washington’s attention.
Chief executive Carrie Lam does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation in her reaction to a critical US congressional report. If the US chooses to use Hong Kong as a chess piece in its trade war against China, and removes its special trading status, the city will be severely hit.
Chief executive Carrie Lam does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation in her reaction to a critical US congressional report. If the US chooses to use Hong Kong as a chess piece in its trade war against China, and removes its special trading status, the city will be severely hit.
The Carrie Lam administration should stop pretending that things are the same in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has become a city where a journalist is blacklisted as a tourist, and an arts venue needs to second-guess Beijing.
The Carrie Lam administration should stop pretending that things are the same in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has become a city where a journalist is blacklisted as a tourist, and an arts venue needs to second-guess Beijing.
Hong Kong doesn’t have a choice in which side it will take in the cold war between the US and China, but it must plan for a changed reality.
Hong Kong doesn’t have a choice in which side it will take in the cold war between the US and China, but it must plan for a changed reality.
The US president’s divisive politics has energised democracy, rather than eroded it. The fact critics are mobilised to oppose his extreme policies is a sign that democracy is thriving in America, which is more than we can say for Hong Kong.
The US president’s divisive politics has energised democracy, rather than eroded it. The fact critics are mobilised to oppose his extreme policies is a sign that democracy is thriving in America, which is more than we can say for Hong Kong.
New Article 23 legislation can be expected to target not only pro-independence groups, but also localists, and this would signal the end of the freedoms that make Hong Kong unique.
New Article 23 legislation can be expected to target not only pro-independence groups, but also localists, and this would signal the end of the freedoms that make Hong Kong unique.
Hong Kong’s top judges, in their recent rulings on protest cases, seem to sympathise with young activists. Are they sending Beijing a message, and what will happen if the inevitable ban on Andy Chan’s separatist party is challenged in court?
Hong Kong’s top judges, in their recent rulings on protest cases, seem to sympathise with young activists. Are they sending Beijing a message, and what will happen if the inevitable ban on Andy Chan’s separatist party is challenged in court?
The US president’s steady approval ratings, despite the scandals surrounding him, show that he is not only telling people what they want to hear but that his policies have merit.
The US president’s steady approval ratings, despite the scandals surrounding him, show that he is not only telling people what they want to hear but that his policies have merit.
There is nothing to be gained from giving the Hong Kong National Party convenor undue attention or from clamouring for the Foreign Correspondents’ Club that hosted his talk to be evicted.
There is nothing to be gained from giving the Hong Kong National Party convenor undue attention or from clamouring for the Foreign Correspondents’ Club that hosted his talk to be evicted.
Government officials’ overreaction to the planned talk by a Hong Kong National Party co-founder at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club displays a lack of understanding of local media freedom and has provoked attention to a lost cause.
Government officials’ overreaction to the planned talk by a Hong Kong National Party co-founder at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club displays a lack of understanding of local media freedom and has provoked attention to a lost cause.
The government’s move to ban a party that advocates for Hong Kong’s independence from China goes a step too far.
The government’s move to ban a party that advocates for Hong Kong’s independence from China goes a step too far.
The influx of mostly economic migrants is straining social fabric and fanning hardline populism in the once-welcoming liberal West. Donald Trump has got it right with his zero-tolerance approach.
The influx of mostly economic migrants is straining social fabric and fanning hardline populism in the once-welcoming liberal West. Donald Trump has got it right with his zero-tolerance approach.
The US president’s erratic negotiating style has come in for criticism but has proved to be one of his strengths.
The US president’s erratic negotiating style has come in for criticism but has proved to be one of his strengths.
Michael Chugani says Carrie Lam should be inspired by the US president and adopt a ‘Hong Kong first’ policy, banning the sale of new flats to non-Hongkongers.
Michael Chugani says Carrie Lam should be inspired by the US president and adopt a ‘Hong Kong first’ policy, banning the sale of new flats to non-Hongkongers.
The financial secretary invoking the little-known Guizhou province capital as an example to follow was the final insult to Hong Kong’s prowess as an innovator, as well as a wake-up call.
The financial secretary invoking the little-known Guizhou province capital as an example to follow was the final insult to Hong Kong’s prowess as an innovator, as well as a wake-up call.
The interest in the wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle defies logic, unless one remembers the legacy of Britain’s colonial rule
The interest in the wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle defies logic, unless one remembers the legacy of Britain’s colonial rule
‘Trumplomacy’ – the US president’s unique style of diplomacy – has achieved results in a shorter time than his predecessors.
‘Trumplomacy’ – the US president’s unique style of diplomacy – has achieved results in a shorter time than his predecessors.
With the mainland drawing Hong Kong closer every day, Hongkongers who seize the array of economic opportunities on offer must understand they are risking their personal freedoms.
With the mainland drawing Hong Kong closer every day, Hongkongers who seize the array of economic opportunities on offer must understand they are risking their personal freedoms.
Despite heavy criticism, the US president’s gunslinging diplomacy has got the US where it wants to be – around the negotiating table with nuclear-armed North Korea, and outplaying China on trade
Despite heavy criticism, the US president’s gunslinging diplomacy has got the US where it wants to be – around the negotiating table with nuclear-armed North Korea, and outplaying China on trade
Implementing the anthem law will stretch Hong Kong’s resources and generate greater antipathy towards the nation among young people.
Implementing the anthem law will stretch Hong Kong’s resources and generate greater antipathy towards the nation among young people.
The choice in the new cold war is between stable and prosperous authoritarianism and chaotic democracy that offers greater personal and internet freedom.
The choice in the new cold war is between stable and prosperous authoritarianism and chaotic democracy that offers greater personal and internet freedom.