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Letters

Judiciary must remain independent
Democracy of the kind achievable here in Hong Kong is not worth the heat it is generating, and the whole issue of political reform has become a distraction in my opinion.
What is much more important for stability and success in Hong Kong is the maintenance of the rule of law founded on an independent judiciary and independent law enforcement.
For that reason, I share the alarm that has been expressed in connection with the white paper issued by the central government last month.
The autonomy exercised up to now by Hong Kong is not founded solely on the authority of the central government, as the white paper claims. The city's autonomy is the subject of an international agreement freely entered into by the sovereign governments of China and Britain in 1984. That agreement remains in effect until July 1, 2047.
Under that agreement, Hong Kong's judiciary is to remain independent, and any attempt by politicians to subjugate the decisions of the judiciary to their wishes would constitute a breach of the agreement.
It follows that in directing the members of Hong Kong's judiciary to make themselves subservient to political leadership, the white paper is in breach of the Sino-British agreement on a key point.
What makes this so disappointing is that China has up to now had a strong record as a highly dependable partner in international agreements. The white paper marks a move in a different direction, and I agree with those who caution China about the risks attached to a change in its policy of honouring such agreements. The consequences could well reach far beyond Hong Kong and affect China's ability to strike international agreements in the future.
The points in the white paper which run counter to the terms of the Sino-British agreement need to be withdrawn.
Paul Flynn, Clear Water Bay 
 
Thumbs up for renovated facilities
I refer to Tai Po district councillor Dr Yau Wing-kwong's letter ("Rate retailers to protect local businesses", July 18).
The Tai Yuen Food Podium, for which a trade mix enhancement initiative is being planned, is the food zone of Tai Yuen Commercial Centre, mentioned by Dr Yau.
A recent customer opinion survey shows that customers view the property as lacking in cuisine choices, and are calling for more varied cuisine types. The survey also provided The Link Management Limited with more details on what customers prefer to have in Tai Yuen.
To explore ways to continue our relationships with existing tenants, we have engaged them in group and individual discussions, and we invited them to send us their proposals on how to run their restaurants to better serve customers with a diverse range of quality food offerings. Among the proposals received, there were fresh ideas presented by existing tenants, and some of our tenants have decided to stay with us but with a fresh look.
I would like to stress that in assessing all leasing proposals received, we look at a number of criteria, including non-financial factors, so that the final restaurant mix is one that can best meet customers' expectations in terms of food choice and quality.
As shown in post-renovation customer opinion surveys conducted at all our properties that have undergone asset enhancement works, the renovated facilities are generally well received by customers, with high levels of customer satisfaction recorded.
For example, 86 per cent of survey respondents indicate that they are satisfied with the renovated Tai Yuen Market, which forms part of Tai Yuen Commercial Centre.
The Link owns and manages a portfolio of retail facilities that form an important part of community life, and we are committed to serving and improving the lives of those around us. We continually communicate with tenants, and we are doing our utmost to provide opportunities to carry on our relationships with them.
B. C. Lo, director, corporate communications and external relations, The Link Management Limited 
 
Allocation exercise was not open
I refer to the letter by Li Mei-fun of the Education Bureau ("Education Bureau working to support non-Chinese speakers", July 11). When Ms Li says that there are "no readily available school sites on Hong Kong Island" for St Margaret's Girls' College, she may not be aware of all the facts.
Two sites that spring to mind are the former St Mark's campus at 460 Shau Kei Wan Road and the former St Peter's campus on Ap Lei Chau.
Both of these sites would have been suitable for St Margaret's and both have recently been part of the school allocation exercise.
However, applications were not open to all, as Ms Li claims, but restricted to operators of non-subvented international schools. There was nothing "open" about the allocation exercise at all.
There may very well be problems with the provision of international school places. However, why is our government solving that problem by making students at St Margaret's Girls' College relocate to a campus 15 kilometres away from their current location on Caine Road and sentencing them to five years of education hardship as their school closes down around them?
I understand that in the past five years, there has never been a school allocation exercise for which St Margaret's was eligible.
I appeal to the bureau, to just give St Margaret's the same chance as it has given to international schools.
Charles Yeung, Sheung Shui
 
Stay optimistic despite bad exam results
I refer to the letter by Charlie W. Chan ("Secondary students must plan ahead", July 12).
The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination result is very important to young Hongkongers.
They are obviously keen to do well in all subjects, particularly English language and Chinese language.
Teenagers who come from a well-off family and who have managed to get good results in the exam will get the support they need to further their studies.
However, for those students from low-income families who got poor results, they should try, if possible, to repeat the exam.
That might not be possible if they have to leave school and find work in order to help support their families financially, but they should not give up hope.
Bill Gates dropped out of his university course to establish Microsoft.
He followed his dream and went ahead with what he really wanted to do.
Students in Hong Kong with bad HKDSE results should not give up at this stage in their lives, and maybe they will do well if they follow their hearts.
Pang Chi-ming, Fanling
 
Intangible heritage list is flawed
Last month, the government picked out 480 items of intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong.
It is a long list, but can the items really be regarded as authentically part of the intangible cultural heritage of this city?
The definition of this form of heritage on the Hong Kong Heritage Museum website differs from that given by Unesco.
The Unesco convention of 2003 on this form of heritage said, "This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity."
You do not find a similar description on the Heritage Museum website. I find this very disappointing, given that an Intangible Heritage Unit was set up in 2006 under the establishment of this museum to undertake necessary work in compliance with the convention. The information provided on the museum's website is very superficial. The government has come up with a long list of 480 items, but little serious thought (or screening) appears to have gone into compiling the list.
Some may not appear to be feasible, due to technological developments or economic changes, for example, glove puppetry, leather shoe making and quilt making techniques, and pig raising techniques.
How can we have 480 items when the intangible heritage list for Guangdong in 2006 only came to 78?
Rebecca Ho, Yuen Long
 
Unimpressed by top official's concerns
Secretary for the environment, Wong Kam-sing, is disingenuous in his concern that delays in the approval of the landfill extensions and construction of an incinerator will lead to higher costs ("Delays to push up costs of landfills, incinerator", July 14).
If Mr Wong was genuinely concerned about the costs of waste management, he would have put forward more economical solutions. Instead, he has chosen a site for the incinerator that will cost the taxpayer an extra HK$3.2 billion and take an additional two years to build.
It is disappointing that Mr Wong has not yet taken the opportunity to respond to the articles by Tom Yam ("Incinerator's hefty price tag defies guidelines and sense", July 3) and Howard Winn ("Incinerator proposal goes to Legco for funding", July 4), that question the costs of his approach.
Could it be that the costs of his proposals are in fact indefensible?
Louise Preston, Lantau


Letters to the Editor, July 24, 2014

Former St Mark's campus was suitable. Photo: SCMP

Letters to the Editor, July 18, 2014

Cardinal Joseph Zen has been outspoken. Photo: Dickson Lee

Education Bureau is increasing support for non-Chinese-speaking students

St Margaret's Girls' College students and PTA members speak on their struggle for a permanent campus.

Letters to the Editor, July 12, 2014

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye attend the Korea-China Investment Forum in Seoul. Photo: EPA

Opinion

Democracy of the kind achievable here in Hong Kong is not worth the heat it is generating, and the whole issue of political reform has become a distraction in my opinion.
