Latest from Mike Rowse
Unresponsiveness from the government – supposedly accountable to both Hongkongers and Beijing – has been a major factor in this crisis. Officials must quickly announce action to show they are listening, even if the measures don’t take effect right away.
Unresponsiveness from the government – supposedly accountable to both Hongkongers and Beijing – has been a major factor in this crisis. Officials must quickly announce action to show they are listening, even if the measures don’t take effect right away.
Britain will not reverse policy and start recognising Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders as citizens. The US will not throw open its doors to immigrants from Hong Kong. No one is coming to our rescue. The only capital city worth visiting in a pickle is Beijing.
Britain will not reverse policy and start recognising Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders as citizens. The US will not throw open its doors to immigrants from Hong Kong. No one is coming to our rescue. The only capital city worth visiting in a pickle is Beijing.
As term starts and protests begin to thin out, the government should use the chance to relearn leadership and accountability, and start tackling the issues of housing and suffrage.
As term starts and protests begin to thin out, the government should use the chance to relearn leadership and accountability, and start tackling the issues of housing and suffrage.
With the 70th birthday of the People’s Republic just weeks away, it is imperative that the Hong Kong government urgently address the legitimate grievances of protesters. It should withdraw the extradition bill, order an independent inquiry and introduce electoral reform.
With the 70th birthday of the People’s Republic just weeks away, it is imperative that the Hong Kong government urgently address the legitimate grievances of protesters. It should withdraw the extradition bill, order an independent inquiry and introduce electoral reform.
The introduction of the accountability system in 2002 saw three ministers resign under public pressure in the first 18 months. But, since then, the idea of ministers quitting for their political failures seems to have been forgotten.
The introduction of the accountability system in 2002 saw three ministers resign under public pressure in the first 18 months. But, since then, the idea of ministers quitting for their political failures seems to have been forgotten.
Protests have already served their purpose, but have since gone too far and gone on for too long. Protesters don’t trust Beijing or the Hong Kong government. Only opposition politicians may have the credibility to convince them to stop
Protests have already served their purpose, but have since gone too far and gone on for too long. Protesters don’t trust Beijing or the Hong Kong government. Only opposition politicians may have the credibility to convince them to stop
Far from ripping Hong Kong apart and deepening divisions, political reform will allow a more representative government to better deal with controversial legislation, whether on extradition or national security.
Far from ripping Hong Kong apart and deepening divisions, political reform will allow a more representative government to better deal with controversial legislation, whether on extradition or national security.
Taiwanese regard the massive protests against the extradition bill as yet another sign ‘one country, two systems’ is failing. Hong Kong must show that democratic development is possible if Beijing wants Taiwan back in its fold.
Taiwanese regard the massive protests against the extradition bill as yet another sign ‘one country, two systems’ is failing. Hong Kong must show that democratic development is possible if Beijing wants Taiwan back in its fold.
For my daughter, who asked me to. For a speedy resolution to the Taiwan murder case. And for an unrushed, comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s extradition arrangements.
For my daughter, who asked me to. For a speedy resolution to the Taiwan murder case. And for an unrushed, comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s extradition arrangements.
Over the past four years, events like the tear-gassing of Occupy protesters, the disqualification of lawmakers over their oaths, and the asylum-seeking of wanted activists have attracted widespread attention. The world is watching and the city’s reputation is at stake.
Over the past four years, events like the tear-gassing of Occupy protesters, the disqualification of lawmakers over their oaths, and the asylum-seeking of wanted activists have attracted widespread attention. The world is watching and the city’s reputation is at stake.
Hong Kong needs to examine its resistance to change and truly open up the doors to competition, whether in ride-hailing or to foreign doctors. Meanwhile, more pan-democrats need to receive their home-return permits to see the mainland’s progress for themselves
Hong Kong needs to examine its resistance to change and truly open up the doors to competition, whether in ride-hailing or to foreign doctors. Meanwhile, more pan-democrats need to receive their home-return permits to see the mainland’s progress for themselves
As the prime minister seeks to achieve the impossible, the chances of the UK leaving the EU with an agreeable deal look increasingly unrealistic, with the October 31 deadline unlikely to be met.
As the prime minister seeks to achieve the impossible, the chances of the UK leaving the EU with an agreeable deal look increasingly unrealistic, with the October 31 deadline unlikely to be met.
While Chief Executive Carrie Lam seems determined to push through the change to Hong Kong’s laws on the transfer of fugitives, did her subordinates raise the concerns that would inevitably arise from various sectors?
While Chief Executive Carrie Lam seems determined to push through the change to Hong Kong’s laws on the transfer of fugitives, did her subordinates raise the concerns that would inevitably arise from various sectors?
By raising the age cut-off for welfare payments to the elderly, the government was trying to address the reality of our ageing society. However, a more comprehensive approach that recognises the skills the elderly have to offer would be preferable.
By raising the age cut-off for welfare payments to the elderly, the government was trying to address the reality of our ageing society. However, a more comprehensive approach that recognises the skills the elderly have to offer would be preferable.
Is it a private company first or a public service provider? A rail operator or property developer? The train crash last week, the latest in a string of scandals, indicates massive governance failure and brings home the need for a complete overhaul.
Is it a private company first or a public service provider? A rail operator or property developer? The train crash last week, the latest in a string of scandals, indicates massive governance failure and brings home the need for a complete overhaul.
The HK$600 million set aside to spruce up the toilets under the government’s care will go to waste if the crux of the problem – the outsourcing of the work through a tender exercise that stresses cost over quality – isn’t addressed.
The HK$600 million set aside to spruce up the toilets under the government’s care will go to waste if the crux of the problem – the outsourcing of the work through a tender exercise that stresses cost over quality – isn’t addressed.
Patient welfare should rank higher in doctors’ priorities than their own status. Their years of opposition to sensible changes to the entry requirements for foreign-trained doctors, so as to ease a manpower shortage, must end.
Patient welfare should rank higher in doctors’ priorities than their own status. Their years of opposition to sensible changes to the entry requirements for foreign-trained doctors, so as to ease a manpower shortage, must end.
The recent seizure of ivory and pangolin scales by customs officials and the failure to prosecute those involved in the record ivory haul in 2017 show that Hong Kong must do more to ensure wildlife trafficking is treated as a serious crime.
The recent seizure of ivory and pangolin scales by customs officials and the failure to prosecute those involved in the record ivory haul in 2017 show that Hong Kong must do more to ensure wildlife trafficking is treated as a serious crime.
The new Central-Wan Chai Bypass won’t solve Hong Kong’s long-term traffic problems. We need a revamp of transport policies with a focus on stricter licensing for private cars, electronic road pricing and legalising ride-hailing services.
The new Central-Wan Chai Bypass won’t solve Hong Kong’s long-term traffic problems. We need a revamp of transport policies with a focus on stricter licensing for private cars, electronic road pricing and legalising ride-hailing services.
Expecting respect for a national anthem is not unprecedented in Asia. But, while some criticism in Hong Kong about the national anthem bill is hysterical, concern over the two-year prosecution window should be addressed.
Expecting respect for a national anthem is not unprecedented in Asia. But, while some criticism in Hong Kong about the national anthem bill is hysterical, concern over the two-year prosecution window should be addressed.
The administration’s mishandling of the National Party affair, which led to the denial of visa for a journalist, was notable among its misses.
The administration’s mishandling of the National Party affair, which led to the denial of visa for a journalist, was notable among its misses.
The elderly live longer and healthier now, but still need more support as they get older and Hong Kong can’t provide it with its current birth rate.
The elderly live longer and healthier now, but still need more support as they get older and Hong Kong can’t provide it with its current birth rate.
Lee Cheuk-yan’s defeat in the West Kowloon by-election should press home the point that pan-democrats urgently need to change their strategy. They must completely disassociate themselves from pro-independence advocates and stick to grass-roots issues.
Lee Cheuk-yan’s defeat in the West Kowloon by-election should press home the point that pan-democrats urgently need to change their strategy. They must completely disassociate themselves from pro-independence advocates and stick to grass-roots issues.
We first need answers to practical issues, such as internet access, convoluted and costly travel arrangements, payment systems and phone services, as these can help pique interest in the bay area, especially among young people.
We first need answers to practical issues, such as internet access, convoluted and costly travel arrangements, payment systems and phone services, as these can help pique interest in the bay area, especially among young people.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s reclamation proposal will allow Hong Kong to build a township of the future and will also help free up land elsewhere
Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s reclamation proposal will allow Hong Kong to build a township of the future and will also help free up land elsewhere
- The disqualification of the controversial politician from the upcoming by-election will allow the pan-dems to shed her troublesome baggage
- The pan-dems have a legitimate role to play in fighting for Hong Kong’s interests while acknowledging its place as part of China
- The disqualification of the controversial politician from the upcoming by-election will allow the pan-dems to shed her troublesome baggage
- The pan-dems have a legitimate role to play in fighting for Hong Kong’s interests while acknowledging its place as part of China
From water bills and replacing old lifts to its latest attempt to scrap the MPF offset mechanism – by offering a whopping HK$29 billion in subsidies – the government is using money to get out of the need to make tough decisions.
From water bills and replacing old lifts to its latest attempt to scrap the MPF offset mechanism – by offering a whopping HK$29 billion in subsidies – the government is using money to get out of the need to make tough decisions.
Mass migration, driven by war and politics, has already fuelled social discontent in Europe and America. But things may get much worse if climate change continues unchecked and leaves millions in at-risk countries homeless.
Mass migration, driven by war and politics, has already fuelled social discontent in Europe and America. But things may get much worse if climate change continues unchecked and leaves millions in at-risk countries homeless.
The trend towards smaller and smaller flats, and higher and higher prices needs to be arrested now. The government must ban non-permanent residents from buying a property, and enforce a minimum flat size - ideally not less than 700 sq ft.
The trend towards smaller and smaller flats, and higher and higher prices needs to be arrested now. The government must ban non-permanent residents from buying a property, and enforce a minimum flat size - ideally not less than 700 sq ft.
It is puzzling why a champion of Hong Kong freedoms should suggest asking the US to suspend the SAR’s trade privileges. And that’s just one of the illogical points of Chan’s FCC speech.
It is puzzling why a champion of Hong Kong freedoms should suggest asking the US to suspend the SAR’s trade privileges. And that’s just one of the illogical points of Chan’s FCC speech.