Latest from Regina Ip
The new law rolls back some curbs on Hong Kong’s law enforcement enacted just before 1997 and allows central authorities to deal with cases that a local government cannot, or where there is a major national security threat.
The new law rolls back some curbs on Hong Kong’s law enforcement enacted just before 1997 and allows central authorities to deal with cases that a local government cannot, or where there is a major national security threat.
Hong Kong’s separate systems, grounded in common law and an independent judiciary, will survive, but Hong Kong must recognise that it is part of China, not a US-led world order.
Hong Kong’s separate systems, grounded in common law and an independent judiciary, will survive, but Hong Kong must recognise that it is part of China, not a US-led world order.
Both the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the liaison office were established before 1997 and so cannot be regarded as departments of the central government established after 1997 under Article 22(1) of the Basic Law.
Both the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the liaison office were established before 1997 and so cannot be regarded as departments of the central government established after 1997 under Article 22(1) of the Basic Law.
Is more democracy the answer to Hong Kong’s problems? Democracy does not work when the executive and legislative branches are in deadlock: worryingly, some pan-democrats are threatening to block all bills if they win a majority in September.
Is more democracy the answer to Hong Kong’s problems? Democracy does not work when the executive and legislative branches are in deadlock: worryingly, some pan-democrats are threatening to block all bills if they win a majority in September.
The suggestion that Hong Kong officials could fall foul of US legislation on human rights has in itself caused reputational damage to the city. Hong Kong politicians seeking to use the legislation against enemies do a disservice to voters.
The suggestion that Hong Kong officials could fall foul of US legislation on human rights has in itself caused reputational damage to the city. Hong Kong politicians seeking to use the legislation against enemies do a disservice to voters.
Strikes are legal under a restricted definition which the agitating medical workers could have breached. They should not pave the way for the chief executive to declare a public emergency to deal with the new coronavirus.
Strikes are legal under a restricted definition which the agitating medical workers could have breached. They should not pave the way for the chief executive to declare a public emergency to deal with the new coronavirus.
A study of the provisions of the new law reveals America’s intentions lie less in protecting Hong Kong freedoms than targeting China’s – and thus Hong Kong’s – rise as a serious competitor in hi-tech and economic advances.
A study of the provisions of the new law reveals America’s intentions lie less in protecting Hong Kong freedoms than targeting China’s – and thus Hong Kong’s – rise as a serious competitor in hi-tech and economic advances.
In calmer times, the diligent provision of district services has been enough for pro-establishment district council candidates. This is no longer the case, as overall dissatisfaction in Hong Kong has led voters to reward extremist tactics.
In calmer times, the diligent provision of district services has been enough for pro-establishment district council candidates. This is no longer the case, as overall dissatisfaction in Hong Kong has led voters to reward extremist tactics.
Hong Kong had a strong connection to China during the colonial era and there was little desire for self-governance. Those saying otherwise sell a dangerous delusion at a time when many Hongkongers simply want their orderly society back.
Hong Kong had a strong connection to China during the colonial era and there was little desire for self-governance. Those saying otherwise sell a dangerous delusion at a time when many Hongkongers simply want their orderly society back.
If the protests drag on, pro-government parties may well lose big in the next district council and Legco elections. In that case, it wouldn’t be impossible for an anti-China democrat to be elected as chief executive, sparking a constitutional crisis.
If the protests drag on, pro-government parties may well lose big in the next district council and Legco elections. In that case, it wouldn’t be impossible for an anti-China democrat to be elected as chief executive, sparking a constitutional crisis.
Carrie Lam has gone further than her predecessors in responding to mass demonstrations and meeting protesters’ demands. Unfortunately, the chief executive does not have any power to grant a blanket amnesty or universal suffrage.
Carrie Lam has gone further than her predecessors in responding to mass demonstrations and meeting protesters’ demands. Unfortunately, the chief executive does not have any power to grant a blanket amnesty or universal suffrage.
A look into previous successful commissions of inquiry show that they took place when the matter was no longer ongoing. Because Hong Kong’s protests are still raging, an ‘independent’ inquiry would be difficult; we need a radical reform agenda instead
A look into previous successful commissions of inquiry show that they took place when the matter was no longer ongoing. Because Hong Kong’s protests are still raging, an ‘independent’ inquiry would be difficult; we need a radical reform agenda instead
The mishandling of the extradition bill shows that the machinery for governance is all but broken. Drastic changes in officials’ mindset, as well as policies and systems, are the only way to preserve Hong Kong’s status as a vibrant and safe city.
The mishandling of the extradition bill shows that the machinery for governance is all but broken. Drastic changes in officials’ mindset, as well as policies and systems, are the only way to preserve Hong Kong’s status as a vibrant and safe city.
The government’s proposed changes to Hong Kong’s extradition laws would aid the global fight against crime, put the mainland on an equal footing to other jurisdictions the city has agreements with, and expose China to the common law system.
The government’s proposed changes to Hong Kong’s extradition laws would aid the global fight against crime, put the mainland on an equal footing to other jurisdictions the city has agreements with, and expose China to the common law system.
A deal made four decades ago, letting the company delve into property development to finance its rail lines, has evolved over the years into a poor bargain for Hong Kong people. The government has the authority to correct that.
A deal made four decades ago, letting the company delve into property development to finance its rail lines, has evolved over the years into a poor bargain for Hong Kong people. The government has the authority to correct that.
The city’s free-market economy is stagnating, and entrepreneurs have not been creating new value. The world has changed since Hong Kong was first named the world’s freest economy and it’s time for the government to intervene more to stop the rot.
The city’s free-market economy is stagnating, and entrepreneurs have not been creating new value. The world has changed since Hong Kong was first named the world’s freest economy and it’s time for the government to intervene more to stop the rot.
The new budget is a hodgepodge of crowd-pleasing measures and deal-making with sectoral interests. The financial secretary has failed to think through issues facing Hong Kong’s economy, education system and health sector.
The new budget is a hodgepodge of crowd-pleasing measures and deal-making with sectoral interests. The financial secretary has failed to think through issues facing Hong Kong’s economy, education system and health sector.
Local officials should stress what the US gains by granting Hong Kong special status - like two decades of trade surpluses - rather than giving them ideas on how to end it.
Local officials should stress what the US gains by granting Hong Kong special status - like two decades of trade surpluses - rather than giving them ideas on how to end it.
China is a civilisational power for whom democracy is no easy fit, making its rivalry with the West hard to resolve. Beijing must do better at presenting its point of view while the West needs a better understanding of China’s eventful history.
China is a civilisational power for whom democracy is no easy fit, making its rivalry with the West hard to resolve. Beijing must do better at presenting its point of view while the West needs a better understanding of China’s eventful history.
The long history of the concubine system negates the argument that marriage in Chinese tradition is the union of ‘one man and one woman’. There are complex reasons behind the evolution of the Judeo-Christian concept of marriage that go beyond same-sex couples seeking equal rights.
The long history of the concubine system negates the argument that marriage in Chinese tradition is the union of ‘one man and one woman’. There are complex reasons behind the evolution of the Judeo-Christian concept of marriage that go beyond same-sex couples seeking equal rights.
Regina Ip says Hong Kong’s old balance of Chinese cultural traditions and Western values, like property rights and the rule of law, is coming apart due to anti-China zealots.
Regina Ip says Hong Kong’s old balance of Chinese cultural traditions and Western values, like property rights and the rule of law, is coming apart due to anti-China zealots.
Hong Kong’s chief executive needs to decide where she stands because an independent judiciary, upholding individual rights over national interests, will remain at odds with Beijing and its backers here.
Hong Kong’s chief executive needs to decide where she stands because an independent judiciary, upholding individual rights over national interests, will remain at odds with Beijing and its backers here.
The main reason Hong Kong’s fellow ‘little dragon’ has surpassed it is because Singapore’s leaders, starting with Lee Kuan Yew, have shown more interest in real long-term solutions.
The main reason Hong Kong’s fellow ‘little dragon’ has surpassed it is because Singapore’s leaders, starting with Lee Kuan Yew, have shown more interest in real long-term solutions.
While public-private partnerships have worked in the past to spur Hong Kong housing development, the circumstances were different. Any deals today with landowners must be 100 per cent transparent, with every sum scrutinised.
While public-private partnerships have worked in the past to spur Hong Kong housing development, the circumstances were different. Any deals today with landowners must be 100 per cent transparent, with every sum scrutinised.
In contrast to Singapore’s bold commitment to a home-owning society, Hong Kong’s leadership has dithered over the years on housing policy. As a result, it simply does not have enough land to build the ladder of property ownership that Carrie Lam seeks.
In contrast to Singapore’s bold commitment to a home-owning society, Hong Kong’s leadership has dithered over the years on housing policy. As a result, it simply does not have enough land to build the ladder of property ownership that Carrie Lam seeks.
The government plans to let developers build expensive housing in the New Territories, and will seek to pacify the public by sacrificing golf course land and implementing a vacancy tax. The scheme, however, may just inflate prices and worsen inequality.
The government plans to let developers build expensive housing in the New Territories, and will seek to pacify the public by sacrificing golf course land and implementing a vacancy tax. The scheme, however, may just inflate prices and worsen inequality.
Xi Jinping’s pledge to help Hong Kong become an innovation hub will not only bring in much-needed research funding but will also enable Hong Kong scientists to participate in national research projects
Xi Jinping’s pledge to help Hong Kong become an innovation hub will not only bring in much-needed research funding but will also enable Hong Kong scientists to participate in national research projects
The effectiveness of Singapore’s bilingual education should be credited to Lee Kuan Yew’s foresight and sound policies, which Hong Kong – now caught in a row over the status of Cantonese language – sorely needs.
The effectiveness of Singapore’s bilingual education should be credited to Lee Kuan Yew’s foresight and sound policies, which Hong Kong – now caught in a row over the status of Cantonese language – sorely needs.
Given Hong Kong’s limitations, the government’s attempts to spark innovation will only bear fruit if the city can capitalise on cross-border collaboration.
Given Hong Kong’s limitations, the government’s attempts to spark innovation will only bear fruit if the city can capitalise on cross-border collaboration.
Hong Kong must address the four factors of supply, demand, liquidity and expectations that are causing the lack of affordable housing in the city. The task force on land supply is moving in the right direction by exploring all possibilities.
Hong Kong must address the four factors of supply, demand, liquidity and expectations that are causing the lack of affordable housing in the city. The task force on land supply is moving in the right direction by exploring all possibilities.