It’s not just me: Hong Kong really is infested with pandas. Aesthetically displeasing renderings of the creatures are all over public transport, on government publicity posters, in parks and foyers, and in senior officials’ speeches. Check under your bed.
The word has obviously gone out that promoting the lumbering, dull-witted beasts is vital to promoting Hong Kong as a tourist destination. It could also be that our charismatic leaders calculate that getting the infantile citizenry super-excited by pandas will divert attention from the mood of stagnation permeating the city for some years now.
And perhaps there is a deeper meaning to it all – a patriotic angle. Companies are now chucking cheap images of Ailuropoda melanoleuca on advertising hoardings and elsewhere, in a manner reminiscent of earlier political performances and pre-emptive cringing, such as embarrassingly forced enthusiasm for ‘Belt and Road’. (Maybe I’m showing my age: the hip buzzword du jour is ‘Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone’.)
If you thought you could get away from the animals by going to the post office to send something by registered mail, you’d be wrong…
Away from furry distractions – the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC)has noticed that it is being talked about at the trial of Jimmy Lai (see here) . Its response…
We … categorically reject the false claims regarding Jimmy Lai’s involvement with our network. On days 130-1 of his trial, Jimmy Lai was questioned repeatedly by the prosecution and the presiding Judges about his alleged connection to IPAC.
…Jimmy Lai had no involvement in the foundation or operations of IPAC…
IPAC has repeatedly offered the Hong Kong Department of Justice (HKDoJ) the opportunity to review evidence material to Mr. Lai’s charges, and which is in our possession alone. To date, they have failed to respond. Their silence on this issue highlights serious deficiencies in Hong Kong’s contemporary legal system.
Ongoing attempts to link Jimmy Lai to IPAC are part of a broader effort to portray him as having orchestrated criticism of the Hong Kong authorities at home and abroad. This narrative is false … the reality is that the relationship prosecutors are attempting to construct did not exist. We condemn this fabricated narrative, reiterate our offer to rebut it, and call for an end to all unjust politically motivated prosecutions.
Next time you take the MTR, some of the staff have little soft toy pandas perched on their shoulders and wrists, like little observers overlooking their every move…. wait
Sad news:
https://webb-site.com/articles/shutdown.asp
I’m sure I speak for many in expressing gratitude for David Webb’s journalism over the years, regret concerning his health situation, and all best wishes for him and those close to him.
Even more pandas in the FCC’s main bar.
The IPAC messaging is too soft, Need to give the so-called authorities a taste of their own medicine (with credit to ChatGPT):
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC)
STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE BLATANT LIES AND MALICIOUS PERSECUTION IN HONG KONG
The so-called “Hong Kong authorities” have once again resorted to blatant lies and political manipulation, fabricating a false connection between IPAC and Jimmy Lai. This reckless distortion of reality seriously harms international trust, causes insult to all who uphold justice, and deeply hurts the feelings of freedom-loving people worldwide.
Jimmy Lai has never had, does not have, and will never have any association with IPAC. This shameful farce is nothing but a desperate attempt to justify an unjustifiable persecution, undermining Hong Kong’s credibility and exposing its leaders as enemies of truth and justice.
Despite our generous and good-faith offers to provide irrefutable evidence disproving these absurd claims, the so-called “Department of Justice” remains silent and evasive, knowing full well their accusations are baseless and shameful.
Such disgraceful behavior deeply damages Hong Kong’s international reputation and makes clear to the world that its legal system is nothing but a tool of oppression. Falsehoods will never stand, and history will not absolve those who spread them.
We solemnly demand an immediate end to this politically motivated persecution and call upon all just nations and individuals to resolutely oppose these brazen violations of legal and moral principles.
IPAC Press Office
[Insert Contact Details]
I wonder how DeepSeek would respond?
Talking of pandas, check out what our Legco members are expending their time and our tax $$$ on
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/227406/HK-unveils-150-panda-sculptures,-ignites-tourism-with-innovative-DeepSeek-insights
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328333.shtml
No prizes for guessing why our economy is f..ked when the decision makers and government officials display the maturity of kindy kids.