Critical commentary and analysis on Hong Kong, China and Taiwan affairs from HKFP’s community of columnists and expert voices.
Hong Kong can learn a lot from watching how mainland China’s central and local authorities interact
Two recently published books – one on the Covid disaster and the other on lobbying for a high-speed rail service – offer contrasting lessons on relations between local and central authorities in China, writes John Burns.
Hong Kong’s homegrown security law: Safeguarding the city’s future
“In essence, Article 23 is not an infringement on our liberties; rather, it serves as a safeguard against potential hazards to our way of life,” writes Adrian Ho.
Fireworks may attract tourists to Hong Kong, but they are known to cause severe distress for wildlife
“Whether or not the [monthly fireworks displays prove] successful in terms of visitor satisfaction, we can be sure of one thing: its negative impact on local wildlife,” write Michael Boyle and Victoria Amaral.
Hong Kong’s chief auditor should stick to accounting and steer clear of security
“The flip side of the director of audit developing a new national security hobby is that it will reduce the resources devoted to his proper function, which is ensuring that government spending is honest and effective,” writes Tim Hamlett.
How Hong Kong’s unique cityscape helps boost its cultural identity and image
As film-makers and video artists have long appreciated, Hong Kong boasts iconic architecture and a stunning natural backdrop, writes Chloe Lai.
Hong Kong gov’t uses 2019 protests to justify new security legislation without fully learning from them
“In the Article 23 consultation document authorities offer their interpretation of 2019 without considering the government’s role in triggering the protests, the underlying causes of discontent in Hong Kong, the role of civil society, and the role of ‘external forces,’ ” writes John Burns.
When secrecy can spell disaster: Hong Kong’s new security law must protect whistleblowers
“The emphasis on secrecy and security in the Article 23 proposals is likely to strengthen the tendency of authorities, who are mostly risk-averse, to over-classify information,” writes John Burns.
Hong Kong’s Messi mess: Fun, but a distraction from more important matters
The Messi affair has “provided a great deal of harmless media fodder,” writes Tim Hamlett. “It has also, rather regrettably, consumed a large chunk of the rather small period allowed for people to comment on the upcoming national security legislation.”
Censorship, AI, disinformation, and repression undermine Asian elections in 2024
“A key takeaway from Asia’s election experience is the need to revisit existing media laws being weaponised to justify censorship and judicial tyranny,” writes Mong Palatino.
Fiasco over Hong Kong’s solid waste charging scheme highlights flaws in the way government works
“The policy has been discussed or been on the books for many years, and seemingly endlessly postponed,” writes John Burns.
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
