https://www.scmp.com/rss/321846/feed Gary Wong Chi-him is a board member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, a non-official member of the Commission on Children and a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 2006 with his first degree in BA, and received his second degree in LLB from The University of London and a master’s degree in diplomatic studies, concentrating on China-US relations, from the University of Oxford, which he attended as a British... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Economic development policies are, in essence, policies for youth. With their energy and positive outlook, young people often have ambitious goals and are eager to make their mark on society. Hence, they are more likely to take up the key role of driving the economy while also becoming one of the greatest beneficiaries of that economic growth. In this context, Beijing’s plans for Hong Kong, as part of the recently announced expansion of the Qianhai economic zone, is great news, particularly for... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3149044/how-ensure-hong-kongs-youth-capture-qianhais?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3149044/how-ensure-hong-kongs-youth-capture-qianhais?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Sep 2021 00:45:18 +0000 If there is one lesson we should learn from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is humility. The novel coronavirus has brought unprecedented challenges, and ending the pandemic remains a distant goal. Global society has urgently called for collective leadership. To our dismay, many world leaders have not displayed humility to acknowledge the forces of nature, resulting in a misguided approach to tackling the crisis. A case in point is the vigorous debate on the origins of Covid-19. Earlier this year, the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3145983/what-does-us-really-hope-achieve-its-probe-covid-19s-origins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3145983/what-does-us-really-hope-achieve-its-probe-covid-19s-origins?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Aug 2021 19:30:18 +0000 Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has taken concrete action to recruit young people under 35 to public service. The government also pledged to set up a Youth Development Commission in the coming year. The objective is to adopt a broader mindset and higher-level thinking for more “down-to-earth” youth policies. The recently concluded “Pilot Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth”, to recruit 11 members aged below 35 for five committees, attracted over 1,000 applicants. This shows a... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2125083/how-hong-kong-can-harness-youth-power-create-future-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2125083/how-hong-kong-can-harness-youth-power-create-future-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:24:56 +0000 Bernard Chan, the Executive Council convenor, has criticised Hong Kong soccer fans for booing the national anthem, as this risks punishment from Fifa and other bodies, and may force the Hong Kong team to play future matches behind closed doors. This was not the first instance of a disservice to Hong Kong. Other examples include lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu’s call to “kill mercilessly” pro-independence advocates, and the oath-taking saga involving six lawmakers that caused them to lose their... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2117588/hopes-united-hong-kong-rest-people-and-how-they-vote?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2117588/hopes-united-hong-kong-rest-people-and-how-they-vote?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:47:24 +0000 During her maiden official trip to Singapore, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor visited the country’s Civil Service College, admitting that it was her second attempt to learn from the vision of the local academy. In the face of new global challenges, professional training for public servants is important, but the Singapore government’s great foresight is not merely the result of a civil service training facility. Rather, its rigorous system in recruitment and development of political... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2109807/if-singapore-can-groom-political-talent-good-governance-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2109807/if-singapore-can-groom-political-talent-good-governance-why?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Sep 2017 04:15:46 +0000 In 2014, Ko Wen-je broke the ideological rivalry between the blue and green coalitions in Taiwan to become the first Taipei mayor with no party affiliation. I studied his campaign model in the hope of seeking an alternative path out of the split in Hong Kong between the pro-establishment, pan-democratic and self-determination camps, and recently attended Ko’s seminar in Taipei. His ideas on politics and management were insightful, but his comment about Hong Kong sparked a reaction from those of... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2089508/hong-kong-not-taiwan-its-commitment-democracy-no-less?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2089508/hong-kong-not-taiwan-its-commitment-democracy-no-less?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:01:37 +0000 Before she formally takes office on July 1, Hong Kong chief executive-elect Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor must focus on several tasks, not least assembling a credible cabinet. Here are some suggestions for her to-do list. Tense executive-legislative relations have never been so evident, stemming largely from the fact that the Executive Council, cabinet and advisory bodies are full of partisans from the pro-establishment faction. To ease the tension, Lam should recruit people with different... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2084739/how-hong-kongs-next-leader-carrie-lam-can-attract-right?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2084739/how-hong-kongs-next-leader-carrie-lam-can-attract-right?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Apr 2017 11:07:37 +0000 Given the current political climate in Hong Kong, there is an urgent need to not only bridge the adversarial divide but also rebuild social cohesion. Fighting for the disadvantaged to create a diverse, inclusive society remains one of my goals as a politician. Despite Hong Kong’s privileged “small-circle” election system, the next chief executive must not turn a blind eye to the forgotten people in society, including the 450,000 non-ethnic-Chinese who account for 6 per cent of the total... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2077116/hong-kong-needs-do-more-make-its-non-chinese-residents-feel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2077116/hong-kong-needs-do-more-make-its-non-chinese-residents-feel?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2017 04:30:11 +0000 This year, I resigned from my full-time job and stood in the Legislative Council election. Amid the chaos of Hong Kong politics, I had hoped to offer citizens an alternative, rational and moderate voice. I aspired to be a legislator who was willing to bridge divides, resume political reform and preserve order and dignity in the legislature. Regrettably, I failed to win enough support for the path of constructive democracy, a third option other than the traditional pro-establishment and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2054780/hong-kong-must-strive-democracy-not-go-down-independence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2054780/hong-kong-must-strive-democracy-not-go-down-independence?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Dec 2016 17:08:51 +0000 Recently, some 30 young pan-democrats signed a declaration titled “Resolution on the Future of Hong Kong” calling for “internal self-determination” by Hong Kong people. As someone from the same generation, I, too, love Hong Kong. Yet, we must not be content with visions of the future and neglect current-day needs. The resolution itself seems confusing. For a start, it stresses that Hong Kong people must defend their autonomy under provisions in the Basic Law, amend illogical articles and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1946103/focus-fixing-present-day-problems-hong-kong-rather-pipe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1946103/focus-fixing-present-day-problems-hong-kong-rather-pipe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 May 2016 05:32:51 +0000 In order to break through the long-standing impasse between Hong Kong’s executive and legislative arms, nearly two decades since the handover, simply asking for democratisation is not going to cut it – we must take the initiative to develop party politics in the city. Whether in the form of a majority party or a coalition formed by multiple parties, a well-established system can manage power relations, lessen conflicts and, where necessary, encourage cooperation between the executive and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1937657/hong-kongs-political-parties-must-rise-above-status-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1937657/hong-kongs-political-parties-must-rise-above-status-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Apr 2016 03:48:18 +0000 Retirement protection has received a lot of attention, yet no consensus is in sight. Given our ageing population, a shrinking labour force and a bleak outlook for the economy, the challenge is to find a viable universal retirement protection scheme. Why a one-size-fits-all pension scheme won’t work in Hong Kong Those who have contributed to society should be able to enjoy their old age. But the reality is different. In Hong Kong, an elderly person who is single and who has less than HK$45,500 in... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1932820/start-hong-kong-people-must-agree-some-pension-protection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1932820/start-hong-kong-people-must-agree-some-pension-protection?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Apr 2016 04:18:48 +0000 One of the most controversial policies of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s recent policy address was the plan to inject HK$1 billion into scholarships for students in countries along “One Belt, One Road” to study at Hong Kong universities. The government unveiled plans to add 10 scholarship places each year, until there are 100 recipients. READ MORE: Hong Kong leader reveals details of the city’s game plan for One Belt, One Road strategy How can the government justify the scheme to the public... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1909793/dont-overlook-strategic-value-hk1b-scholarship-fund-one-belt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1909793/dont-overlook-strategic-value-hk1b-scholarship-fund-one-belt?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Feb 2016 06:21:13 +0000 Hong Kong is no stranger to traffic congestion. Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung Bing-leung announced that the government intends to consult the public over an electronic road pricing pilot scheme in Central and adjacent areas. The three-month consultation will look at the possibility of charging vehicles during peak hours to ease congestion. Looking back, the government has already completed three studies on electronic road pricing – in 1985, 2001 and 2009. However, the city... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1900065/it-will-take-more-electronic-road-pricing-ease-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1900065/it-will-take-more-electronic-road-pricing-ease-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jan 2016 04:36:18 +0000 The Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) saga has plagued Hong Kong with negative sentiment. More than 40,000 Facebook users have called on our education officials to scrap the tests. Parents, school organisations and political groups have all spoken out against TSA-related exam pressure and excessive practices. READ MORE: TSA fight continues: Hong Kong principals slam education bureau for telling schools to stop drilling for exams The problems created by the assessment are apparent before any... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1893950/tsa-row-provides-opportunity-reshape-hong-kongs-learning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1893950/tsa-row-provides-opportunity-reshape-hong-kongs-learning?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Dec 2015 02:26:10 +0000 The proposal for a joint immigration checkpoint for the express rail link has generated much controversy. Some say separate checkpoints would render the costly HK$84 billion rail link less efficient than the existing intercity through trains. Most others, however, are sceptical about a joint checkpoint because of the constitutional implications. Enforcement of laws by mainland officials in Hong Kong, outside the realm of national defence or diplomacy, infringes on Article 18 of the Basic Law and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1888310/hong-kongs-rule-law-must-be-protected-any-agreement-joint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1888310/hong-kongs-rule-law-must-be-protected-any-agreement-joint?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Dec 2015 06:37:52 +0000 The Legislative Council will resume its meetings next week and the government is expected to submit to the Finance Committee a funding application for the establishment of an innovation and technology bureau. As lawmaker Charles Mok pointed out, the government has to spell out the bureau's purpose and functions if it is to convince legislators and the public of the need to create another bureau in Hong Kong. To achieve this, the government should consider giving the proposed bureau the lead role... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1865537/new-tech-bureau-can-help-hong-kong-get-board-smart-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1865537/new-tech-bureau-can-help-hong-kong-get-board-smart-city?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:28:36 +0000