https://www.scmp.com/rss/322925/feed Jane Moir is research director, Hong Kong, at the Asian Corporate Governance Association. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jane Moir,Jamie Allen Jane Moir,Jamie Allen Anyone who picks up the latest CG Watch 2020 report by the Asian Corporate Governance Association could be forgiven for having a sense of déjà vu on reading the chapter about Hong Kong. Rules have been tweaked, corporate scandals are brassier and, occasionally, shareholders revolt – but the same shortcomings that vexed the market 20 years ago continue to do so today. Boardrooms stuffed with crony directors. A boys’ club ruling the roost. Legal remedies for minority shareholders? Still next to... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3135344/unlike-singapore-hong-kong-corporate-governance-still-stuck-loop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3135344/unlike-singapore-hong-kong-corporate-governance-still-stuck-loop?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 May 2021 06:30:07 +0000 Bruce Aitken, aka Mr Clean, had it easy when he trotted around the globe laundering millions of dollars in the late 1970s and 80s. All he needed was a plane ticket and his golf bag. Hong Kong-based Aitken, author of the book The Cleaner: The True Story of One of the World’s Most Successful Money Launderers (2017), would fold money end over end, wrap it into squares, stuff it in his bag and get on a plane. Throughout those freewheeling years, when he worked for smuggling operation Deak & Company,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3013411/hong-kong-trying-shake-its-reputation-haven?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3013411/hong-kong-trying-shake-its-reputation-haven?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:00:05 +0000 Last year’s Panama Papers revelations put Hong Kong in the crosshairs of global anti-money laundering bodies. The dump of 11.5 million documents from a Central American law firm incriminated senior political leaders from Vladimir Putin to David Cameron, and fingered Hong Kong as a key middle man in a web of offshore jurisdictions that allows the wealthy to conceal transactions and dodge tax. Hong Kong’s desire not to be branded a rogue jurisdiction saw the government last month propose an... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2073686/hong-kong-hub-corporate-offshore-schemes-must-ensure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2073686/hong-kong-hub-corporate-offshore-schemes-must-ensure?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Feb 2017 04:07:14 +0000 Whether it be in the public or private domain, Hong Kong has developed a reasonably effective system of corporate disclosure to show what is being done in the name of shareholders and by whom. Historically, minorities suffered “abuse” when controlling interests shoved through related party transactions on poor terms. Such antisocial behaviour has been tackled over the last 30 years on multiple fronts, but recent incidents show the continued presence of bad actors. Hong Kong risks a genuine... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1995005/regulators-could-be-about-make-huge-mistake-identifier-rules?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1995005/regulators-could-be-about-make-huge-mistake-identifier-rules?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2016 08:23:27 +0000 Hong Kong has emerged as the financial lynchpin in an audaciously simple US$3.1 billion scam, which, unchecked, threatens to damage its reputation for fast, efficient and generally trouble-free trade intermediation. The rip-off has all the appearance of “normal business” and masquerades under the cover of the territory’s multi-billion dollar legitimate trade finance business, which is the bread and butter of this economy. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation was not mincing its words last... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1991705/hong-kong-ground-zero-scam-fbi-labels-super-swindle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1991705/hong-kong-ground-zero-scam-fbi-labels-super-swindle?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jul 2016 04:10:33 +0000 Corruption complaints in Hong Kong rose 18 per cent last year, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s annual report which was released last week. On the one hand such a sharp rise in graft reporting is awkward for a mature financial centre with a well-established anti-graft agency, but on the other hand it at least points to civic vigilance. For its part, the ICAC put the surge down to increased public trust as a result of its “holistic” strategy and savvy publicity... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1988811/hong-kongs-anti-bribery-laws-should-be-expanded-cover-shore-graft?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1988811/hong-kongs-anti-bribery-laws-should-be-expanded-cover-shore-graft?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:54:04 +0000 Last month the US securities regulator awarded US$17 million to a corporate whistle blower whose information resulted in a successful enforcement action. Hong Kong, which relies on short-sellers, anonymous tipsters and activists such as David Webb to expose corporate malfeasance, has never encouraged such truth-telling by insiders. Never mind that whistle-blowers are not granted financial incentives for spilling the beans, they don’t even get statutory protection from reprisals that may result... https://www.scmp.com/business/global-economy/article/1985538/whistle-blower-protections-needed-hk-help-weed-out-illegal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/global-economy/article/1985538/whistle-blower-protections-needed-hk-help-weed-out-illegal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Jul 2016 03:32:59 +0000 Important stories in the public interest have been crafted from freedom of information requests. In Britain, revelations of parliamentarians' expense claim abuses, the London police's proclivity for tasering children and the trigger for a full inquiry into celebrity paedophile Jimmy Savile's abuses in public hospitals resulted from landmark legislation adopted a decade ago. In Britain's experience, a freedom of information law has been, on the whole, a positive force for governance and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1733419/officials-impede-hong-kongs-progress-blocking-freer-flow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1733419/officials-impede-hong-kongs-progress-blocking-freer-flow?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:35:06 +0000 As Britain grapples with plunging property prices, home repossessions and a virtual standstill on mortgage finance, at least one group of individuals has become more innovative with its housing needs. The group of 30 last month decided to make two Georgian listed properties worth GBP2.5 million (HK$250 million) on London's swanky Park Lane their temporary home, courtesy of an unlocked basement door and familiarity with Britain's squatting laws. Calling themselves the 'Temporary School of... https://www.scmp.com/article/670759/squatting-gets-new-lease-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/670759/squatting-gets-new-lease-life?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:00:00 +0000 Tipping in British restaurants has become as much a moral process as a financial one, with the plight of the country's most poorly paid workers at stake. Few topics have irked diners more in the past few months than the ultimate destination of their gratuity. For years, patrons of British restaurants have been willing to fork out 10 to 12.5 per cent - even up to 15 per cent - as a discretionary service charge on their bill. Most do it without thinking, particularly in expensive cities such as... https://www.scmp.com/article/665074/why-tipping-britain-leaving-bad-taste?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/665074/why-tipping-britain-leaving-bad-taste?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Hailed as an environmental asset and revered for its wide net, London's Congestion Charge Zone continues to incite controversy today as it did on its debut five years ago. Few topics have so polarised Londoners. Advocates are fast to point to reduced emissions, faster journeys around the capital and a shift towards a greater use of public transport. Its critics are equally quick to question whether it has eased congestion: driving around the city centre remains an exercise in patience during... https://www.scmp.com/article/663777/has-london-lost-its-way-battle-cut-car-use?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/663777/has-london-lost-its-way-battle-cut-car-use?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Few stories have penetrated the public psyche in Britain as deeply as the Baby P tragedy. For weeks, seething headlines have documented the calamitous series of events which led to the toddler's death. As the public learned of the short and brutalised life of the 17-month-old at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and a lodger, it flinched at revelations of myriad botched hospital and social worker visits in the lead up to his death, including by the doctor who examined him and failed to... https://www.scmp.com/article/661231/finger-blame?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/661231/finger-blame?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Fat-cat fatigue is hitting new highs in Britain. Having just bailed out a number of the country's banks, taxpayers are up in arms over the sums of money expected to flow to bankers as the City enters bonus season. Underscoring this discontent is tabloid-fuelled discontent with executive excesses. As the British economy heads towards recession and the financial crisis shatters confidence, the public is baying for blood. Bonus-flush bankers are an easy target. Yet despite promises of a... https://www.scmp.com/article/660304/days-seven-digit-bonus-are-far-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/660304/days-seven-digit-bonus-are-far-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000 A sober student during 'freshers' week' in Britain is a rare thing. The introduction to academic life is for many an alcohol-fuelled haze of parties, pub crawls and parental liberation. But the extremes to which students go to fit into the life of an undergraduate are proving far from frivolous. Once synonymous with campus life in the United States, 'hazing' rituals are surfacing as part of the student culture. As the initiation stunts become more gruesome and in some cases have catastrophic... https://www.scmp.com/article/656866/youth-booze-britain-deadly-binge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/656866/youth-booze-britain-deadly-binge?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:00:00 +0000 There is nothing frugal about the gothic mansion erected in 1798 for Lord Carrington in the lush woods of Bucking- hamshire. The majestic building is set among 65 hectares of sprawling land and is flanked by a silvery lake. Inside, its inhabitants receive an education ranked as one of the best in Europe. Even the weekly fare that includes eggs Florentine, hoi sin chicken and lemon meringue pie is more of an exercise in indulgence than austerity. The Wycombe Abbey School in Buckinghamshire is... https://www.scmp.com/article/655183/learning-curve?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/655183/learning-curve?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:00:00 +0000 In early October, a group of teachers, social workers, environmentalists and heritage buffs staged a last-ditch attempt to save Hong Kong's famous Wedding Card Street from the wrecker's ball. No 11th-hour reprieve for Lee Tung Street was to come, with police instead breaking up the protest and arresting 15 people for obstruction. And the incident did not end there. What had been a cut and dried case of urban planning protest became enmeshed in bigger questions of constitutional rights... https://www.scmp.com/article/618026/strong-arm-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/618026/strong-arm-law?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:00:00 +0000 This summer, two tourists from Taiwan set off alarm bells among global health authorities when they flew from Kaohsiung via Hong Kong to attend a relative's wedding in Nanjing. The couple was infected with tuberculosis. The 55-year-old husband had multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a less treatable strain of the disease. Like common tuberculosis, the strain is spread through germs in the air. But it is resistant to at least two of the leading first-line drugs used to treat the disease, and its... https://www.scmp.com/article/616388/return-old-enemy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/616388/return-old-enemy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Just over an hour's drive from the congested centre of Wuhan , a large alabaster building with a blue-tiled roof and landscaped courtyard sits amid sprawling fields. Flanked by farmhouses, it is accessible only by car or taxi. Its inhabitants have travelled from around the mainland to enter its doors, staying for up to a week at a time. Their aim is to suppress heroin addiction. In one room of the Kangjiu clinic, a petite 25-year-old woman with pigtails has just undergone minor surgery to... https://www.scmp.com/article/611716/new-road-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/611716/new-road-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Flanked by monotone high-rises and a crammed shopping mall, the Vietnamese restaurant Ho Loy has chosen for an interview seems an unlikely venue. Although alfresco, it is in the heart of Kwai Fong's busiest housing estate, with wall-to-wall concrete broken up only by the occasional plastic palm tree. 'Why can't they just have real trees?' hisses the long-time resident of Lantau, admitting a disdain for city dwelling despite her palpable passion for Hong Kong's urban icons. It is a zeal that has... https://www.scmp.com/article/610651/crusaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/610651/crusaders?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Gao Hong is no stranger to rigorous training. A request by a factory boss to play for the company team nearly two decades ago was the beginning of a soccer career that would see her compete in two Olympic Games, taking home silver medals both times. Tough coaching paid off for the Chinese goalkeeping legend at both Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. As China gears up for the Olympics next year, Ms Gao is again taking to the training pitch. This time she has swapped the national women's... https://www.scmp.com/article/608135/growing-concern?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/608135/growing-concern?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Christine Lee Ching-shun knows all too well the lengths women will go to in pursuit of the perfect body. The dietician at Chinese University's Centre for Nutritional Studies hears on a daily basis tales of fad weight-loss schemes and disappointments. In counselling sessions, she hears of the risks women will take in order to shed a few pounds. They pop pills and take concoctions that cause nausea, vomiting or heart palpitations, knowing these could be highly dangerous. 'Most of them will... https://www.scmp.com/article/599942/hard-stomach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/599942/hard-stomach?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:00:00 +0000 What is it? An indulgent pampering that includes a facial, a milk bath, a neck and hand massage and a mask. The idea is to treat your partner, wife or mother for all the hard work she does. What makes it so indulgent? The session starts with a good soak in a lotus milk bath - with jet sprays if you like, and the option of spending the 15 minutes catching up on the latest news on a flat screen TV. You're offered iced tea and three small cakes to get you into pampering mode. The... https://www.scmp.com/article/593252/trial-therapy-four-seasons-mothers-facial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/593252/trial-therapy-four-seasons-mothers-facial?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 May 2007 16:00:00 +0000 From the most mundane observations on food, family and etiquette to fervid rants about riding the subway and buying underwear, Asian bloggers are making their mark in cyberspace. They're also using these opinions to shape their purchasing choices. According to a recent survey by researcher the Nielsen Company, nearly three in 10 Hong Kong people will check out a product review on the internet before making a purchase. Six per cent will base their purchase on what they've read on a blog, a... https://www.scmp.com/article/591968/skin-clicks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/591968/skin-clicks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 May 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Kickbacks Hold weights and bend over parallel to the floor, abs engaged. Bend elbows and pull them even with back. Straighten arms behind you, squeezing the triceps and slowly lower back down. Triceps extension Sit or stand and hold one dumbbell with both hands, elbows bent behind the head to 90 degrees. Straighten arms, squeezing the triceps. Triceps press Lie on a bench and hold a light barbell with hands shoulder-width apart, palms out. Bend elbows to 90 degrees, lowering the weight... https://www.scmp.com/article/591392/tone-those-lazy-triceps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/591392/tone-those-lazy-triceps?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 May 2007 16:00:00 +0000 What is it? The treatments offer a thorough overhaul for your hands and feet in a luxurious setting. The manicure starts with a moisturising soak of the hands, followed by filing, removing of cuticles, an exfoliating cream and then a smothering of paraffin wax. The same goes for the pedicure. What does the paraffin wax feel like, and what does it do? For the feet, the wax is melted into a liquid form then applied. You're provided with plastic booties to wrap around your feet to trap the wax.... https://www.scmp.com/article/591391/trial-therapy-plateau-manicure-and-pedicure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/591391/trial-therapy-plateau-manicure-and-pedicure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 May 2007 16:00:00 +0000 As the mercury rises, it may be time to think about what lies beneath your long sleeves. Chances are it's not a pair of toned, lean arms. Before you reach for the dumbbells, follow the advice of experts and keep your goals realistic. The unfortunate fact is that, for a lot of women, the upper arms are a stubborn area where it's difficult - if not impossible - to shift the fat. 'We try not to over-promise and under-deliver,' says Rob Devereux, regional director of fitness development... https://www.scmp.com/article/591393/arms-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/591393/arms-way?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 May 2007 16:00:00 +0000 The Mayo Clinic suggests the following tips for sexual health and happiness, particularly for those seeking to improve sex as they age. Expand your definition of sex For example, touch can be a good alternative to intercourse, or try a sensual massage, masturbation or oral sex. Communicate with your partner Discuss any changes you're going through, and ask your partner about their needs. Make changes to your routine Change the time of day when you have sex or try a new position. Make time... https://www.scmp.com/article/590689/be-better-bed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/590689/be-better-bed?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 It's not often that you walk into a doctors' surgery and feel as if you've just entered a spa. Such is the decor at a Central clinic where a Balinese teak effect, silk curtains and double-glazed sliding glass doors have replaced the sterile white walls, stainless steel finishes and fluorescent lights typical of Hong Kong medical practices. The reasoning behind the unusual furnishings soon becomes clear: for Hong Kong, the subject matter of this clinic is still achingly taboo. It's hard enough... https://www.scmp.com/article/590687/going-undercovers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/590687/going-undercovers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 If your idea of a perfect day off is to escape the city without leaving it, Hong Kong's spas, salons and health clubs have treatments to give you the equivalent of a holiday in less than 24 hours. Although most spas offer combination packages and lengthy treatments, it's the extras such as poolside lunches, saunas and sunbathing that can turn what would otherwise be a few hours' solace into a day of pure indulgence. The Peninsula in Tsim Sha Tsui, for example, offers full- and half- day... https://www.scmp.com/article/590546/urban-oasis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/590546/urban-oasis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 What is it? An anti-ageing facial treatment that's meant to smooth your skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles and help with pigmentation. The facial is said to 'peel away the years' using tri-enzyme technology (a trio of enzymes) and there's a home-care kit for upkeep. What do the enzymes do? They help with rejuvenation of the skin, according to Elemis. As we get older, this slows down. The technology is said to improve your skin by stripping away the top layer and smoothing it out. The... https://www.scmp.com/article/589603/elemis-tri-enzyme-facial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/589603/elemis-tri-enzyme-facial?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 The curse of the micro mini is nearly on us. With summer approaching, it's time to get out of those black leggings and expose your legs. Short skirts require toned thighs, sleek skin and a golden glow. The good news is that beauty and fitness experts are confident that even the wobbliest legs can be reformed in time. On the downside, it's going to take hard graft - or deep pockets if your idea of a rigorous workout is to hit the spa. Weight or resistance training is a definite must for... https://www.scmp.com/article/589223/thighs-have-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/589223/thighs-have-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 For those who prefer a zen approach to beautiful legs, the following yoga poses recommended by Pure Fitness personal trainer Debby Tong may help: Utkatasana (chair pose) Keep the knees, ankles and toes touching, and drop the hips as though you're sitting in a chair. Your heels should remain grounded. Raise your arms over your head and point your fingers up. Virabhadrasana A (warrior 1) Keep your front knee at a 90-degree angle and the back leg fully active with the outer edge of the foot... https://www.scmp.com/article/589222/yoga-postures-luscious-legs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/589222/yoga-postures-luscious-legs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 What is it? Tucked below Fitness First at Millennium Plaza in Central is the gym's Body Care centre. There are no rose petals and fancy nametags here - it's an all-over massage, with particular attention to the upper back and shoulders, but without the frills. However, the experience was very relaxing and much easier on the budget than your average spa. Is it just for sporty, fit people? Not at all - one of the biggest attractions is the simplicity of what's on offer. Your masseuse will... https://www.scmp.com/article/588780/fitness-first-body-care-massage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/588780/fitness-first-body-care-massage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 IF YOU WANT to tell a woman's age, just look at her hands. The old adage still rings true as exposure to sunlight, detergents, dry weather and hard graft takes its toll. To avoid such a treacherous state of affairs, beauty experts have some key advice: invest in treatments and moisturising lotions and always wear protection when outdoors or plunging into a pile of dishes. 'Put on a hand cream or serum every day, every night, and after housework,' says Annie Fung, spa director at More than... https://www.scmp.com/article/585708/handy-hints?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/585708/handy-hints?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:00:00 +0000 SPORTING A DEWY complexion this spring is easier than you think. It's all about preparation, savvy makeup choices and technique, say the experts. With winter behind us, the look for skin is fresher, more radiant and clearer - not only for makeup, but the overall condition of your complexion. If you take steps now to give your skin a decent overhaul, summer will be less challenging. 'Get ready for the summer and rehydrate the skin,' says makeup artist Yasmin Chir of KiwiDivas. 'Spring is a... https://www.scmp.com/article/584765/raise-tone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/584765/raise-tone?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:00:00 +0000 YOUR NOSE IS running, your head's thumping and every muscle aches. As you grab the nearest painkiller, have a quick think: How many of these pills have you popped already today? Are they having any effect? When it comes to over-the-counter painkillers, doctors say many people are easily confused about dosage and, in many cases, don't really know which drug best suits their ailment. According to Department of Health figures, more than 80 people in Hong Kong were poisoned because of drug errors... https://www.scmp.com/article/583800/dose-and-donts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/583800/dose-and-donts?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:00:00 +0000 The most recent study of the effectiveness of teeth bleaching was by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international non-profit group that reviews health care treatments. In the study, researchers from the University of Michigan analysed 25 clinical studies that looked at over-the-counter and dentist-dispensed whitening treatments. It found that, after two weeks of use, tooth-whitening products worked no better than using no whitening product, but the degree of effectiveness varied depending on... https://www.scmp.com/article/577173/getting-root-matter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/577173/getting-root-matter?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:00:00 +0000 AMELIA LEE DOESN'T smoke or drink wine, coffee or tea to excess. But for years, Lee has been conscious that every time she smiles, she flashes stained teeth. After a few botched attempts to brighten her teeth with home-bleaching products, she tried the cosmetic route. One visit to the dentist later - and a few thousand dollars lighter - her smile was noticeably brighter, although not dazzlingly so. 'I could definitely see a difference ... but there was no way they were going to glow in the... https://www.scmp.com/article/577171/pearly-whites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/577171/pearly-whites?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Sebastian Lim has suffered from a fear of flying for more than a decade. As his job was about to demand regular business travel, he thought he would give hypnosis a shot. He sat down with a hypnotherapist a few weeks ago, and is awaiting his next trip with much less trepidation. The process was very simple: the pair started by having a long chat about his fear, how it had evolved, and how he felt at that worst moment of panic. The hypnotherapist then asked Lim to think of how he felt at... https://www.scmp.com/article/574988/beat-fear-flying-plane-and-simple?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/574988/beat-fear-flying-plane-and-simple?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:00:00 +0000 AN INSECT, A BALLOON, cheese or a piece of string may be innocuous to most, but to some, they're sweat-inducing. All are the triggers of a phobia, a common condition that can have palpable effects. As more people become afflicted - the Anxiety Disorders' Association of America estimates that one in eight people are now affected by phobias - therapies to combat these fears are rising in popularity. In Hong Kong, many people are turning to hypnotherapy. The profession is in part attributing this... https://www.scmp.com/article/574987/fright-club?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/574987/fright-club?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:00:00 +0000 THE RECENT CHANGE of season has probably forced you to dig out last year's autumn collection from your wardrobe. This can often result in the shock of realising that your waistline seems to have miraculously expanded. With the days of loose linen trousers dwindling, it may be time to literally contemplate your navel. Call it midriff misery or the middle-aged spread, a protruding stomach is likely to need some serious attention if you have any desires of fitting into that Dior cocktail dress by... https://www.scmp.com/article/572701/midriff-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/572701/midriff-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:00:00 +0000 Dietitian Kitty Wong Kit-yee, of Holistic Nutrition Consultants (tel: 2186 8470), offers the following tips to help reduce inches around the waist: Have a light dinner Cut your usual portion by half, especially starchy foods such as rice, noodles and potatoes. As activity level generally goes down at night, excess calories taken then will accumulate around the stomach area. Focus on high-fibre foods at main meals Choose whole-grain foods such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread and have... https://www.scmp.com/article/572703/waist-and-see?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/572703/waist-and-see?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:00:00 +0000 SOME PEOPLE will happily splurge on pampering treatments for the face and body, but forget their hair. After perms, bleach, fierce blow-drying and chronic split ends, your locks are just as likely to need some serious spoiling as your feet or fingernails. Most experts recommend a moisturising or repairing treatment at least every six weeks to reverse the damage of overwashing, chemicals, styling abuse and Hong Kong's nasty pollution. 'The water here is really hard, so that's why you need to... https://www.scmp.com/article/572325/trouble-top?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/572325/trouble-top?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:00:00 +0000 IT'S A COMFORTABLE 25 degrees Celsius outside and yet you can barely feel your fingers and toes. Adjusting the thermostat in your office may help, but you could be suffering from poor circulation and need to give the blood flow a kick start. The most obvious thing to do is get your running shoes on and trot around the block. There are, however, less strenuous options on Hong Kong's spa menu for the gym-shy who want to give their skin a burst of blood and make it glow again. Be it using heat,... https://www.scmp.com/article/570952/pump-action?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/570952/pump-action?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Nov 2006 16:00:00 +0000 THEY MAY BE the windows to the soul, but after a few late nights and general neglect, your eyes can quickly degenerate into the puffed, saggy mirrors of a hectic lifestyle. But Hong Kong has plenty of treatments to give your eyes a boost. On the down side, most people under-invest in eye care, or get their daily routine wrong. Experts say their clients tend to look at the big picture rather than singling out their eyes for special treatment. 'What they always think is, 'I'm going to have a... https://www.scmp.com/article/569159/feast-your-eyes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/569159/feast-your-eyes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:00:00 +0000 Don't know where to go to pamper your peepers? These spas say they can brighten, de-puff and smooth your eyes, often in half the time of a facial. Elemis Day Spa, 9/F Century Square, 1 D'Aguilar Street, Central. Tel: 2521 6660 More than Skin Urban Spa, 1/F, 8 Gilman's Bazaar, Central. Tel: 2815 5590 Feel Good Factor, G/F, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. Tel: 2530 0610 Plateau Spa, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2584 7688 Sense of Touch, LG/F, 2... https://www.scmp.com/article/569160/few-sites-sore-eyes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/569160/few-sites-sore-eyes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:00:00 +0000 THE THOUGHT OF being covered from neck to toe in heated frangipani oil may not be particularly enticing when it's hot outside, but with cooler climes around the corner, it could be time to check out some of the city's myriad body wraps. For those in desperate need of a moisture surge, swift detox or general sense of indulgence, Hong Kong's spas and salons have a wealth of options. Body wraps in the city generally fall into three categories: those promoting all-over moisture for the skin... https://www.scmp.com/article/567415/thats-wrap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/567415/thats-wrap?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Oct 2006 16:00:00 +0000 Hawaii's second-largest island has much to brag about. Its long, sandy beaches are regular winners in global tourist polls. It is home to one of the world's largest dormant volcanoes. Its waters are the winter destination of choice for humpback whales. It also proudly takes its name from the mythical creator of the Hawaiian isles: Maui. Visitors to the 'magical isle' quickly learn that it is exceptional. For a small island - it has a land area of only 1,888 sq km - Maui is amazingly diverse.... https://www.scmp.com/article/566850/lei-ing-low?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/566850/lei-ing-low?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Oct 2006 16:00:00 +0000 YOU'VE BOUGHT the gym membership, splashed out on the latest fitness gear and dedicated hours every week to an exercise regimen. Yet the flab is still there, and frustration sets in. Rather than throwing in the towel, it may be time to have a rethink. All too often, professional trainers say, people adopt bad workout habits, from exercising at the wrong time and lifting weights too quickly, to cheating on crunches. Chances are you've simply fallen foul of a fitness faux pas. These can occur... https://www.scmp.com/article/566555/jumbles-gym?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/566555/jumbles-gym?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Oct 2006 16:00:00 +0000 TAKE A DEEP breath and relax. For many, that's easier said than done, particularly when you live in a city where people work 10 hours a day, get minimal sleep and rarely take a decent holiday. The good news is that it doesn't appear to be taking too much of a toll on Hong Kong's mental health. But it does seem to be making people miserable. In a recent happiness survey of 178 countries, the city came in at No88. 'It's horrible,' says Cecilia Chan Lai-wan, founder of the Centre on... https://www.scmp.com/article/560680/keep-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/560680/keep-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:00:00 +0000