Category Archives: Blog

No illegal acts today, please

The nearest thing to a June 4 vigil allowed these days is people walking around Causeway Bay eating ice cream cones. The largest-scale activity to mark the events of 1989 is the police presence. SCMP on the authorities’ June 4 … Continue reading

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Is the Lantau Tomorrow Vision mega-reclamation toast?

Not really, but sort of, perhaps. Financial Secretary Paul Chan… …noted that the Development Bureau had already initiated various studies on the Lantau Tomorrow Vision and that technical research would proceed to prepare for potential challenges, including hydrological considerations, should … Continue reading

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But *why* tell lawmakers not to comment?

HKFP op-ed asks why lawmakers have been advised to keep quiet on the Office of the Ombudsman’s deletion of online archives… …local media reported that authorities silenced LegCo on this issue. Authorities sent out “warm reminders” that LegCo members should … Continue reading

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‘Cousin and cousin-in-law’

Exiled activist and ‘absconder’ Joe Tay’s cousin and her husband are brought in for questioning by NatSec police… Tay’s other cousin and his wife were brought in by the police for questioning earlier this month. Tay, 62, currently based in … Continue reading

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In theory, you should complain to the Ombudsman

Transit Jam goes to the Ombudsman’s Office HQ to view a document that would until recently have been available online. Everything is as difficult as you would expect – from booking ahead to negotiating the Shun Tak Centre to reading … Continue reading

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It makes a change from tourism

In Japan today, manufacturers sell more adult than baby diapers. As the population ages, some market segments will grow while others shrink; at best, the overall economic effect will likely be neutral. But, under orders to Do Something, desperate Hong … Continue reading

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Hmmm…

Hong Kong’s tax department insists it ‘definitely does not’ audit for tax returns based on specific industry or background, even as it launches simultaneous investigations of independent news media outlets and their staff and their family members. HKFP points out … Continue reading

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We are all brown barn owls now

Hordes of visitors swamp an area to take photos, causing serious inconvenience to local residents. Do the authorities take action, or do they welcome the influx as good for the economy? If you are a family of brown barn owls … Continue reading

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Telling good Hong Kong stories

The Hong Kong tax authorities’ mass audits of independent media organizations and journalists get attention in the international press – as you would expect. From the Guardian… Hong Kong authorities have targeted journalists and media outlets with what are supposed … Continue reading

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Schadenfreude special

Hong Kong is becoming Asia’s ‘mansions firesales’ hub. Bloomberg reports that billionaires in the city are selling their luxury homes… This week, a sea-view villa previously owned by wealthy businessman Chan Ping Che was listed by receivers for HK$430 million … Continue reading

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