Latest from Mike Rowse
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.
The escalation of events surrounding the ban on the Hong Kong national party and the objections to its convenor’s talk at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club are a convenient filler in the slow summer news cycle.
The escalation of events surrounding the ban on the Hong Kong national party and the objections to its convenor’s talk at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club are a convenient filler in the slow summer news cycle.
Granting ride-hailing firms premium taxi licences will improve service in the city faster than lengthy consultations on demerits for drivers.
Granting ride-hailing firms premium taxi licences will improve service in the city faster than lengthy consultations on demerits for drivers.
The complex supply chains built up since the UK joined the EU mean a ‘clean Brexit’ that Leave voters wanted would be disastrous for the economy. In the much larger market for services, however, even a ‘soft Brexit’ may present insurmountable problems.
The complex supply chains built up since the UK joined the EU mean a ‘clean Brexit’ that Leave voters wanted would be disastrous for the economy. In the much larger market for services, however, even a ‘soft Brexit’ may present insurmountable problems.
Winning at the Fifa 2018 World Cup isn’t just about scoring goals. Off the pitch, the behaviour of hosts Russia and the fans of Panama and Japan has been exemplary.
Winning at the Fifa 2018 World Cup isn’t just about scoring goals. Off the pitch, the behaviour of hosts Russia and the fans of Panama and Japan has been exemplary.
With five major rail projects on its hands, was the MTR, which is majority-owned by the government, too beholden to political concerns to properly prioritise its heavy workload?
With five major rail projects on its hands, was the MTR, which is majority-owned by the government, too beholden to political concerns to properly prioritise its heavy workload?
The chief executive’s finance, health and development secretaries have been bright spots, but the lack of vision in the transport bureau and clumsy handling of the education textbook controversies suggest room for improvement - or change
The chief executive’s finance, health and development secretaries have been bright spots, but the lack of vision in the transport bureau and clumsy handling of the education textbook controversies suggest room for improvement - or change
Demographic changes and Hong Kong’s role as the gateway to China mean Mandarin will increasingly make its presence felt, but Cantonese can continue to thrive alongside.
Demographic changes and Hong Kong’s role as the gateway to China mean Mandarin will increasingly make its presence felt, but Cantonese can continue to thrive alongside.
A recent discussion between prominent political figures from the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps provides some hope that Hong Kong can work towards achieving national security legislation and, ultimately, more democracy.
A recent discussion between prominent political figures from the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps provides some hope that Hong Kong can work towards achieving national security legislation and, ultimately, more democracy.
There are only two real solutions to the lack of land for housing – Hong Kong must reclaim land and make use of developers’ extensive bank of agricultural plots.
There are only two real solutions to the lack of land for housing – Hong Kong must reclaim land and make use of developers’ extensive bank of agricultural plots.
The Mandatory Provident Fund’s foundation was possible thanks to an understanding previous governments had with businesses, including that they ‘do not need to pay twice’. Reneging on those promises would be a breach of trust
The Mandatory Provident Fund’s foundation was possible thanks to an understanding previous governments had with businesses, including that they ‘do not need to pay twice’. Reneging on those promises would be a breach of trust
If it wants to be taken seriously, the pan-democratic camp needs to focus on solutions, especially for those most in need, not the democracy cause and obstructionism.
If it wants to be taken seriously, the pan-democratic camp needs to focus on solutions, especially for those most in need, not the democracy cause and obstructionism.
Budget surpluses make it difficult to curb harmful habits, like the overuse of water and electricity, through taxes when the government already has too much money.
Budget surpluses make it difficult to curb harmful habits, like the overuse of water and electricity, through taxes when the government already has too much money.