https://www.scmp.com/rss/321522/feed Bernard Chan, born in 1965, is a Hong Kong businessman. He is chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority board and chairman of the Tai Kwun arts and heritage centre. The grandson of Chin Sophonpanich, the late founder of Bangkok Bank, he is a former convenor of Hong Kong's Executive Council. He is also chairman of Asia Insurance Company Limited. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Bernard Chan Bernard Chan No protester sets out expecting a friend to be arrested, injured or caught in a confrontation with the police. Yet when that happens, the reasons for returning to the streets can change. People may return not only because of the cause that first brought them out, but because they believe a friend has been treated unjustly. That is how anger becomes personal, and how a protest can move towards a dangerous cycle of action and reaction. This is the risk confronting France. The student protests... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3372437/frances-protests-hong-kongs-2019-risk-being-defined-violence https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3372437/frances-protests-hong-kongs-2019-risk-being-defined-violence Fri, 30 Oct 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The most consequential outcome of President Xi Jinping’s Washington visit might be his US counterpart Donald Trump’s unusually lavish welcome. It told Beijing, US allies and global markets that, however fierce the strategic rivalry, China’s importance makes sustained diplomatic engagement essential. The airport greeting, lavish banquet at the White House and flyover by military aircraft restored the appearance of a workable relationship between two powers. Even so, Beijing has learned not to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3370935/pageantry-matters-us-china-summits-even-modest-results https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3370935/pageantry-matters-us-china-summits-even-modest-results Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The farewell to former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa was moving because it marked the passing of a figure who stood at the beginning of a wholly new chapter for Hong Kong, a city to which he devoted so much of himself. For many, Tung will always be associated with the formidable demands of the early years after the return to the motherland – the Asian financial crisis, the bursting of the property bubble, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and sharp social divisions. The institutions of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369327/tung-chee-hwas-task-hong-kongs-chief-executive-was-without-precedent https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369327/tung-chee-hwas-task-hong-kongs-chief-executive-was-without-precedent Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:30:06 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The Himalayan disaster that tore through the China-Nepal border last month was a human calamity before it became a media story. A torrent of ice, rock, mud and debris swept through valleys, destroying key infrastructure, severing roads and communications, and leaving families desperate for news. In Gyirong county in the Tibet autonomous region, the disaster hit a major border crossing and created a rescue environment as physically difficult as any imaginable. The human toll extends beyond the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3367709/what-china-nepal-floods-teach-us-about-crisis-communication https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3367709/what-china-nepal-floods-teach-us-about-crisis-communication Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:30:04 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan A cabinet secretary fretting about his daughter’s university choice might once have been considered a private family matter. In Donald Trump’s America, it has become official content. US transport secretary Sean Duffy recently appeared with his family in a road trip series carried on the department’s YouTube page. In one episode, his daughter, Paloma, said if she were admitted to Harvard University, she would probably urge her parents to let her attend. Duffy, however, warned the university had... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3366124/what-trump-officials-dig-harvard-means-hong-kong https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3366124/what-trump-officials-dig-harvard-means-hong-kong Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:30:06 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Much of the Western debate about China begins with a category error. “Communism” is often treated as synonymous with a monolithic command economy, limited private enterprise and bureaucratic control over every commercial decision. Modern China does not fit that model. It is better understood as a mixed, state-led system in which private enterprise, foreign investment and fiercely competitive markets coexist alongside public ownership and state control in strategic sectors. This is more than... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3364594/china-shows-liberal-capitalism-not-only-path https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3364594/china-shows-liberal-capitalism-not-only-path Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Every Fifa World Cup begins with a script based on rankings, reputations and player salaries. Every World Cup also produces a few teams determined to tear up that script. This summer, the most memorable stories came from beyond the usual nations in the form of smaller sides such as Cabo Verde or Curacao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament. Their performances gave the expanded tournament some of its most compelling moments. For many viewers, the underdog has a natural pull. It... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363114/why-underdogs-alexandra-eala-cabo-verde-dear-you-fascinate-us https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363114/why-underdogs-alexandra-eala-cabo-verde-dear-you-fascinate-us Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Officials talking about artificial intelligence (AI) often speak in terms of the next industrial revolution or existential risks. Such rhetoric ultimately does little to capture how AI filters into the ordinary workings of a city like Hong Kong. The geopolitics of AI are no longer abstract. They are beginning to shape who can use which tools – and on what terms. Over the past few months, two major international banks in the city have reportedly felt the impact. Anthropic’s Claude, a generative... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3361470/hong-kong-must-wake-cold-hard-geopolitics-ai https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3361470/hong-kong-must-wake-cold-hard-geopolitics-ai Fri, 24 Jul 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan US President Donald Trump’s negative portrayal of China’s achievements in renewable energy began at a White House meeting with oil executives on January 9 and was amplified at the World Economic Forum later that month. The story he told was shaped more by domestic politics than fact – a narrative that has lingered through subsequent debates over China’s alleged clean-energy “overcapacity”. While such rhetoric might rally support in the American Midwest, it does not withstand scrutiny. Trump’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3359838/trumps-climate-jibes-china-and-eu-just-make-him-look-out-date https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3359838/trumps-climate-jibes-china-and-eu-just-make-him-look-out-date Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan When a modest Chaoshan-dialect film about an indebted grandson, a missing grandfather and a bundle of yellowing remittance letters opened quietly in China in late April, few expected it to become one of the biggest films of the year. Yet Dear You has earned more than 1.8 billion yuan (US$265.75 million) at the Chinese box office. It has done so without major stars or heavy promotion – an unlikely triumph for a film told largely in Teochew or Chiu Chow. As the film is released across Southeast... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3358199/many-outside-china-dear-you-reflects-family-history-not-politics https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3358199/many-outside-china-dear-you-reflects-family-history-not-politics Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:30:06 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Before Scott Pelley was fired from 60 Minutes last week, he accused CBS’s editor-in-chief of “murdering” the programme he had served for over two decades. For a show that once defined hard-edged journalism, his dismissal raises questions about what institutional independence means. The split followed a tense staff meeting in which Pelley confronted the show’s new executive producer. In a statement after his firing, Pelley said the organisation was becoming more politicised and tried to get him... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3356645/scott-pelleys-firing-60-minutes-offers-hong-kong-food-thought https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3356645/scott-pelleys-firing-60-minutes-offers-hong-kong-food-thought Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Nothing about the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Beijing suggested high drama. The language was restrained, the optics disciplined. The impression it left was simple: escalation of tensions for its own sake is a losing strategy. The announcement that China would buy 200 Boeing aircraft served mainly as a political gesture of goodwill, with the commercial details to be filled in later by negotiators. More important was the pattern across readouts from... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3355081/tv-coverage-trumps-visit-showed-americans-how-ordinary-chinese-live https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3355081/tv-coverage-trumps-visit-showed-americans-how-ordinary-chinese-live Fri, 29 May 2026 01:30:05 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Hong Kong’s latest quarterly figures look better than many observers expected. Despite the disruption caused by the war in the Middle East and an unsettled global backdrop, growth has been steady, markets have remained buoyant and visitors have been returning. On the surface, the numbers point to a resilient economy despite heightened global geopolitical tensions and elevated risk. Yet in conversations with many business leaders overseas, there is a quiet unease that has not yet entered the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353431/hong-kongs-economic-figures-look-good-business-unease-rising https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353431/hong-kongs-economic-figures-look-good-business-unease-rising Thu, 14 May 2026 08:30:05 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan After winning legislative backing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club to offer basketball betting – an initiative aimed at drawing punters away from illegal online bookmakers and capturing additional tax revenue – the government has now paused the roll-out. Officials say the rise of prediction markets has altered the landscape and warrants closer examination. So, what is it about prediction markets that unsettles officials? Prediction markets are online platforms where the menu stretches far beyond... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3351875/why-governments-beyond-hong-kong-are-wary-prediction-markets https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3351875/why-governments-beyond-hong-kong-are-wary-prediction-markets Fri, 01 May 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan March is a highlight of Hong Kong’s cultural calendar. Last month, as I welcomed delegates to the International Cultural Summit during Art Week, many told me they had come to network with local and international collaborators and explore Hong Kong’s museums, galleries and performance venues. Tens of thousands attended Art Basel, Art Central, gallery openings, performances and other events across the city. The month also buzzed with jazz, opera, classical concerts and other performances, with the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350293/art-march-hong-kong-firmly-global-cultural-map https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350293/art-march-hong-kong-firmly-global-cultural-map Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The sentencing of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has been cited by several Western officials and media outlets as further evidence that Hong Kong’s legal system is in decline. Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, faced multiple charges, including two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications. He was convicted last December and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in February. That same month, however, the Court of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348705/dont-let-geopolitical-rivalry-skew-debate-over-jimmy-lais-sentencing https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348705/dont-let-geopolitical-rivalry-skew-debate-over-jimmy-lais-sentencing Fri, 03 Apr 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan By the time this column appears, the world will feel very different from when my previous column appeared earlier this month. In just days, a conflict that some in Washington seemed to believe would quickly topple Iran’s leadership has instead become a potentially long and uncertain war, with little clarity on how or when it will end. The front lines will have shifted, more oil tankers will have been stuck at sea and more flights cancelled, and there will almost certainly have been further... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3347056/iran-war-revives-pandemic-era-shocks-and-may-go-further https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3347056/iran-war-revives-pandemic-era-shocks-and-may-go-further Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Athletes of Asian heritage have come to the fore at this month’s Winter Olympics. They broke records, reshaped perceptions and inspired millions worldwide. Yet in the United States, the conversation around two of the most successful athletes, Eileen Gu, the freestyle skier representing China, and Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu, has too often drifted from their incredible achievements to questions of identity, loyalty and partisan point-scoring. This speaks volumes about the anxieties of a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3345433/let-achievements-eileen-gu-and-alysa-liu-speak-themselves https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3345433/let-achievements-eileen-gu-and-alysa-liu-speak-themselves Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan I travelled to Zurich, Switzerland, last month to attend the Asia Leaders Series, a forum designed to foster candid exchange between Europe and Asia, offering policymakers, economists and business leaders a trusted setting to engage seriously with global challenges. The event took place on the eve of the World Economic Forum meeting. I was asked to moderate a session on a topic that was hardly novel: US-China rivalry. I approached the event with modest expectations. Strategic competition between... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3343913/us-and-china-can-again-find-common-ground-ais-risks https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3343913/us-and-china-can-again-find-common-ground-ais-risks Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Europe’s political and business elite arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year with nerves already frayed after a bruising first year of US President Donald Trump’s second term. That period was defined by the imposition of a protectionist tariff strategy to gain economic and geopolitical leverage, an often combative approach to the war in Ukraine and renewed doubts over Nato security guarantees. In the run-up to Davos, the White House threatened eight European countries – including... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3342380/after-davos-search-begins-what-comes-after-post-cold-war-order https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3342380/after-davos-search-begins-what-comes-after-post-cold-war-order Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The recent drama surrounding US action in Venezuela, its renewed interest in Greenland and tariff threats on governments that object, along with comments on Cuba, Colombia and Mexico, appear disjointed – part diplomacy, part law enforcement, part political theatre. Like many observers, I rely on the news to try to make sense of the policy logic and what it may mean for those who have to live with its consequences. Washington’s rationale for its actions in Venezuela was initially framed as law... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3340704/venezuela-greenland-trump-using-us-power-rewrite-rules https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3340704/venezuela-greenland-trump-using-us-power-rewrite-rules Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan I attended a memorial service last month for victims of the Nanking massacre, held at the Hong Kong government offices in Admiralty. Such occasions are solemn reminders of history’s darkest moments, forcing us to pause and reflect on the scale of the tragedy that unfolded after the city was seized on December 13, 1937, and the broader suffering inflicted on China during World War II. Government figures estimate that military and civilian casualties exceeded 35 million, with 21 million lives... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3339076/amid-historical-tensions-japan-hong-kong-must-engage-future https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3339076/amid-historical-tensions-japan-hong-kong-must-engage-future Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:30:11 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan China’s National Press and Publication Administration introduced gaming regulations for under 18s in 2019, including a curfew and daily playing time limits of 90 minutes on weekdays and three hours at weekends and on public holidays. When the authorities tightened the rules in 2021, some Western media characterised the measures as draconian and a textbook example of state overreach. Since then, the regulation of minors’ online activity has attracted wider attention as more governments grapple... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3337434/west-getting-same-page-china-childrens-social-media-use https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3337434/west-getting-same-page-china-childrens-social-media-use Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Within hours of the Wang Fuk Court fire, international news channels were broadcasting harrowing scenes of burning buildings and a community in chaos. Thousands were displaced, the death toll has, sadly, reached 160, and the city is still seeking answers. Hong Kong was thrust into the global media spotlight, drawing its most intense scrutiny since 2019. While the Tai Po fire dominated international coverage, the deadly floods in southern Thailand and landslides in West Sumatra received limited... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3335921/after-tai-po-fire-hong-kong-needs-support-compassion-and-answers https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3335921/after-tai-po-fire-hong-kong-needs-support-compassion-and-answers Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan China’s National Games marked a historic milestone this year: for the first time since the event’s inception in 1959, competitions were held throughout the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area – a clear sign of the region’s increasing connectivity and spirit of cooperation. Hong Kong achieved its highest medal tally, with nine golds, two silvers and eight bronzes, fostering pride in a city discovering a new level of confidence through sport. Behind every medal lies a personal story of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334268/national-games-underscored-ties-bind-hongkongers-rest-china https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334268/national-games-underscored-ties-bind-hongkongers-rest-china Thu, 27 Nov 2025 21:30:11 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York’s mayor has drawn worldwide attention, resonating well beyond US borders. His self-description as a “democratic socialist” has reignited familiar debates, sparking curiosity and concern. Critics have labelled him a communist and portrayed his political programme as a radical departure from the American mainstream. Meanwhile, supporters view his victory as a sign of a generational shift – a growing impatience with the inequalities present in many... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3332499/why-zohran-mamdanis-new-york-election-win-resonates-beyond-us https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3332499/why-zohran-mamdanis-new-york-election-win-resonates-beyond-us Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:30:11 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Few moments in US history have tested academic freedom as much as the present, with US President Donald Trump’s administration releasing a 10-point Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. What started as bureaucratic proposals have hardened into a national doctrine tying federal funding to political conformity. It is changing the nature of US universities and reshaping international education options. The plan, initially sent to nine universities, proposed conformity with certain... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3330793/how-hong-kong-can-capitalise-trumps-attacks-us-universities https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3330793/how-hong-kong-can-capitalise-trumps-attacks-us-universities Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan My previous column explored how the fear of repercussions is driving widespread self-censorship within institutions and public discourse. Yet, at the same time, the world of sports is experiencing a troubling increase in toxic behaviour, where once-unifying arenas are becoming battlegrounds of hostility and division. At the recent Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, Rory McIlroy and the European team faced relentless abuse, including verbal taunts, homophobic slurs and even outright... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3329131/hong-kong-can-showcase-true-sportsmanship-national-games https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3329131/hong-kong-can-showcase-true-sportsmanship-national-games Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Charlie Kirk’s death in the United States was a major political shock. But what followed was more revealing: employees disciplined for social media posts, celebrities facing backlash for controversial remarks and businesses scrambling to distance themselves from the fallout. The controversy highlighted a broader truth of the digital age: a single comment, whether in jest or in earnest, can escalate into a crisis. In today’s hyperconnected world, words travel instantly, reach audiences well... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3327429/even-west-era-consequence-free-expression-over https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3327429/even-west-era-consequence-free-expression-over Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan China’s recent high-profile diplomatic activity, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin and the Victory Day parade in Beijing in the same week, conveyed more than international headlines suggested. Although much of the media spotlight focused on the optics of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, I think the real story centres on pragmatic engagement, regional reassurance and the realignment of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325907/focusing-pageantry-west-misses-point-chinas-diplomacy https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325907/focusing-pageantry-west-misses-point-chinas-diplomacy Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Since its launch late in 2022, the Top Talent Pass Scheme has become a central component of Hong Kong’s global competitiveness strategy. By July this year, the scheme had attracted close to 140,000 applications. Of these, around 110,000 were approved, resulting in more than 90,000 new arrivals to the city. This influx of skilled residents is a sign that Hong Kong remains a strong magnet for talent. However, as former chief executive Leung Chun-ying and other commentators have warned, the real... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324217/hong-kongs-top-talent-scheme-succeeds-if-people-are-really-staying https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324217/hong-kongs-top-talent-scheme-succeeds-if-people-are-really-staying Fri, 05 Sep 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill, currently before Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, has become a key point in debates about the city’s traditional values and international reputation. Indications suggest it is likely to be rejected: many lawmakers have dismissed the bill as impractical or warned it could set a precedent for advancing same-sex marriage, with only a minority expressing support. Rejecting the bill, however, has serious consequences. It risks portraying Hong Kong as a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3322539/hong-kong-cannot-afford-ignore-civil-rights-same-sex-couples https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3322539/hong-kong-cannot-afford-ignore-civil-rights-same-sex-couples Fri, 22 Aug 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Fear is a powerful emotion with a profound capacity to influence not only individual choices but also the direction of national and global policies. In today’s polarised world, fear is no longer just a spontaneous reaction; it has become a deliberately used tool to influence public opinion, guide behaviour and shape narratives. This intentional use of fear has wide-reaching consequences, such as subtle changes to societal perceptions. From headlines warning of conflict over Taiwan to data... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3321040/how-fear-became-tool-manipulation-not-just-hong-kong https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3321040/how-fear-became-tool-manipulation-not-just-hong-kong Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Between 2012 and 2018, Hong Kong experienced substantial growth, partly driven by a notable rise in tourism. During this period, Ocean Park often operated at full capacity, and the MTR was frequently crowded with travellers carrying suitcases. The streets of many neighbourhoods were transformed to provide goods and services mainly catering to mainland visitors. For some locals, daily routines were disrupted as queues formed at bakeries and popular spots, creating a mixture of emotions about the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3319307/tourists-return-hong-kong-has-second-chance-getting-balance-right https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3319307/tourists-return-hong-kong-has-second-chance-getting-balance-right Fri, 25 Jul 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Hong Kong prides itself on transparency, caution and adherence to the rule of law. Policy proposals undergo scrutiny and seek to strike a balance between legal, social and public interests. However, in an era of increased public scrutiny, the optics of governance often overshadow its true purpose or public benefit. This is frequently the case in large-scale projects, where perceptions of favouritism or collusion undermine public trust even when there are genuine efforts towards progress. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3317499/dont-let-perceptions-collusion-derail-hong-kongs-large-scale-projects https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3317499/dont-let-perceptions-collusion-derail-hong-kongs-large-scale-projects Fri, 11 Jul 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan In today’s political climate, perception often matters as much as, if not more than, policy results. This is particularly clear in the United States under Donald Trump’s presidency. Whether one supports him, Trump’s skill in shaping the narrative and rallying support has changed modern politics, even when his proposals are unrealistic or unattainable. Consider Trump’s earlier proposal to impose a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports. Economists universally dismissed the idea as unfeasible.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3315814/us-hong-kong-governance-divided-world-ever-more-complex https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3315814/us-hong-kong-governance-divided-world-ever-more-complex Fri, 27 Jun 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Four months into his second term, US President Donald Trump has launched a high-stakes campaign against three pillars of American society: mainstream media, elite universities and the nation’s most influential law firms. Through lawsuits, executive orders and threats to funding, he has exerted unprecedented pressure on many institutions, sparking debate about whether his actions signify genuine reform or personal vendettas. Critics argue that these confrontations reflect a desire to settle old... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3314013/trump-hits-out-critics-damage-america-may-go-far-deeper https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3314013/trump-hits-out-critics-damage-america-may-go-far-deeper Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The Trump administration’s astonishing decision to revoke Harvard’s ability to enrol international students has reverberated far beyond the university. This action, characterised by the unpredictability and brinkmanship that defines recent US policy, escalates tensions, dominates headlines and wields uncertainty as leverage. It undermines the very essence of America’s academic and scientific leadership and its role as a beacon to global talent. The impact is personal for the nearly 6,800... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3312169/trumps-harvard-blow-risks-irreversible-damage-us-academic-leadership https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3312169/trumps-harvard-blow-risks-irreversible-damage-us-academic-leadership Thu, 29 May 2025 12:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The US-China tariff war has sharply focused attention on global trade, supply chains and economic interdependence, forcing people worldwide to confront the challenges of today’s interconnected economy. While the conflict has highlighted the fragility of supply chains, recent events have also ushered in positive developments, fostering a sense of hope and optimism. At the beginning of the week, negotiations between the world’s two largest economies in Geneva resulted in a 90-day pause on tariff... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3310356/thanks-trump-we-now-have-profound-appreciation-supply-chains https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3310356/thanks-trump-we-now-have-profound-appreciation-supply-chains Fri, 16 May 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan From Australia to Europe and the United States, Tesla has become a focal point of protests, with demonstrators accusing the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, of embodying divisive political and economic decisions. The recent wave of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, showrooms and charging stations underscores a broader trend in which iconic businesses and institutions become lightning rods for public frustration and societal grievances. This phenomenon is not unique. Hong Kong also faced... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3308562/deja-vu-hong-kong-tesla-becomes-lightning-rod-public-anger https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3308562/deja-vu-hong-kong-tesla-becomes-lightning-rod-public-anger Fri, 02 May 2025 01:30:08 +0000 The global economy is caught in the crossfire of an escalating trade war and policy shifts driven by the US administration. While the world largely dismissed provocative statements such as annexing Canada or Greenland as rhetorical stunts, the Trump administration’s trade wars and tariff policies have far-reaching consequences. They have introduced severe volatility into global markets and undermined the foundations of trade. The lack of a clear international response to the remarks about Canada... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3306772/why-cowed-silence-amid-trumps-attacks-global-trade-and-stability https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3306772/why-cowed-silence-amid-trumps-attacks-global-trade-and-stability Fri, 18 Apr 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Asia is at a critical juncture. As natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity, the region remains dangerously underprepared, leaving communities, economies and industries vulnerable, especially the insurance sector. This year, events such as the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar, which affected neighbouring countries such as Thailand, the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Tibet, wildfires in South Korea and Japan, and severe snowstorms across East Asia have resulted in widespread... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3304937/asia-racked-natural-disasters-needs-insurers-step https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3304937/asia-racked-natural-disasters-needs-insurers-step Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:30:09 +0000 Improving efficiency has become a critical priority for governments worldwide, especially given rising financial pressures. In the United States, gross federal debt had surged to US$35.5 trillion by the end of last year, and servicing it accounts for 16 per cent of federal spending. In response, the new Trump administration established the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to reduce public spending. However, its lack of independent oversight and the concentration of power... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3303035/why-hong-kong-must-persevere-reforming-civil-servants-pay https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3303035/why-hong-kong-must-persevere-reforming-civil-servants-pay Fri, 21 Mar 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Hong Kong’s recent budget measures, announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, aim to balance fiscal prudence with economic recovery by increasing revenue while controlling government expenditure and minimising the impact on the public. They highlight the city’s struggle to implement sustainable solutions to its structural fiscal issues, which have persisted for years. Key budget measures include a pay freeze for civil servants – including personnel in the executive authorities,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3301198/pay-freezes-wont-fix-hong-kongs-chronic-fiscal-problems https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3301198/pay-freezes-wont-fix-hong-kongs-chronic-fiscal-problems Fri, 07 Mar 2025 01:30:09 +0000 The Trump administration has fulfilled a central campaign promise by issuing sweeping executive orders representing an unprecedented rollback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the United States. These measures have dismantled DEI initiatives in the federal workforce and military while enforcing a federal policy that formally recognises only two genders. The measures extend beyond the public sector. The administration is targeting private companies by threatening investigations and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3299309/us-hong-kongs-challenge-balance-progressive-ideals https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3299309/us-hong-kongs-challenge-balance-progressive-ideals Fri, 21 Feb 2025 01:30:09 +0000 I was among the 50 attendees from Asia and Europe at the recent Asia Leaders Series annual meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. Created in 2016, it is a high-level platform that brings together global leaders, policymakers, academics and business executives for dialogue on critical geopolitical and economic issues. I am a member of its global advisory board. This year’s meeting was strategically scheduled on the eve of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, making it very convenient for key... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3297480/world-sound-bites-leaders-need-forum-engage-candour https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3297480/world-sound-bites-leaders-need-forum-engage-candour Fri, 07 Feb 2025 01:30:09 +0000 As one of the world’s most densely populated and expensive cities, Hong Kong’s public housing is a vital safety net for its low-income residents. But as the government grapples with the multifaceted challenges of balancing a limited supply of affordable housing with increasing demand, it must also address abuses of the public housing system while ensuring equity and support for its most vulnerable residents. Recently, local media channels and online platforms have highlighted the challenges... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3295835/hong-kong-must-beware-fallout-fixing-public-housing-ills https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3295835/hong-kong-must-beware-fallout-fixing-public-housing-ills Fri, 24 Jan 2025 01:30:08 +0000 The Chinese economic miracle occurred on a far greater scale than even the most experienced observers could have imagined. It transformed a country with a gross domestic product of US$361 billion in 1990 into an international financial powerhouse and market leader in several technology-related areas. By 2023, its GDP had risen to US$17.8 trillion, an increase of over 4,800 per cent. This economic transformation lifted over 800 million people from poverty, vastly expanded the middle class and led... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3293929/china-will-rein-vicious-competition-root-its-overcapacity https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3293929/china-will-rein-vicious-competition-root-its-overcapacity Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:30:09 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan The US presidential election has occupied international media attention for the past year, its twists and turns worthy of a Hollywood film, with friends, family members and donors vying for the next president’s favour, some hoping for roles in the new administration. Unfortunately, nepotism in US politics, as in many countries, is nothing new. Favouring relatives or friends with appointments and contracts, often regardless of qualifications, has deep historical roots and remains a significant... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3292063/against-us-nepotism-and-transparency-concerns-hong-kongs-integrity-shines https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3292063/against-us-nepotism-and-transparency-concerns-hong-kongs-integrity-shines Fri, 27 Dec 2024 01:30:09 +0000 Hong Kong’s highly anticipated Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development signals the government’s commitment to developing the sector. With the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority at the forefront, key stakeholders, including the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, are committed to driving the agenda forward. The blueprint aligns with the chief executive’s policy address this year. It is designed to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as one of the most prominent players... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3290346/how-hong-kong-can-take-arts-and-culture-next-level https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3290346/how-hong-kong-can-take-arts-and-culture-next-level Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:30:08 +0000