Critical commentary and analysis on Hong Kong, China and Taiwan affairs from HKFP’s community of columnists and expert voices.
Hong Kong’s bin bag plan: a matter of trust?
“All formal opposition to the government has been crushed. But it does not have enough confidence in the public’s trust to attempt controversial reforms,” writes Tim Hamlett. “It is simultaneously irresistible and weak, a giant with the courage of a gazelle.”
Is Hong Kong wise to tinker with guilty plea and good behaviour sentence reductions?
“The purpose of the guilty plea discount is to encourage early pleas, which save the time and expense of a contested trial. It appears that, if you are accused of a national security offence, you might as well try your luck in court. You won’t get the discount anyway,” writes Tim Hamlett.
Cultural cringe: For Hong Kong and Asia overall, the ‘East-meets-West’ cliché suggests a lack of self-confidence
“East-meets-West” has echoes of the banging of a gong, the qipao-and-suits juxtaposition, and a white man selecting dim sum with chopsticks,” writes Brian Cheng, who argues that the “sloppy” phrase implies an Asian need to tag along with the West.
Hong Kong needs a health model based on prevention and positivity, not fear and disease
“The image of Hong Kong children in 2024 sitting masked in front of a computer during break time, rather than running and laughing in a playground, is an example of the failings of public health policy,” writes David Owens.
Why it is time to ban corporal punishment and give Hong Kong kids a non-violent childhood
Corporal punishment in the home has a severe negative impact on children in physical, mental, social, emotional and academic terms, write Billy Wong and Cherry Kee.
Sour note: Reported land premium decision makes no sense when Hong Kong is crying out for music venues
Two developers may drop plans to include a cultural space in a Causeway Bay development because they say the Lands Department wants to charge a commercial land premium on the venue, writes Chloe Lai.
‘Smears,’ ‘slander,’ and ‘so-called’: Wolf-warrior language against critics does Hong Kong no favours
“The change in the government’s official language requires an explanation. I speculate that the central authorities now require it of official Hong Kong communication on some topics in some situations,” writes John Burns.
It’s time to get serious about shrinking Hong Kong’s growing garbage mountain
Despite endless trials over the years, the city lags behind its neighbours such as Shenzhen in recycling efforts, writes John Burns.
Hong Kong civil service vacancy rates suggest our happiness may have been exaggerated
“The two [departments] which are particularly beset by a large number of unfilled vacancies are RTHK and the Police Force,” writes Tim Hamlett. “RTHK had the highest vacancy rate of any government department, at 24 per cent. No wonder they have robots reading the weather bulletin.”
Hong Kong’s ‘smart city’ ambitions depend on trust as well as technology
“The success of government technology is not dependent solely on bits and cables – infrastructure, internet speed, and ubiquitous connectivity. No vision of smartness or technological advancement is possible without public trust and political legitimacy,” writes Kris Hartley.
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