logo
Hong Kong's best chapters are still unwritten

Hong Kong's best chapters are still unwritten

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at
[email protected] or filling in
this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification
Advertisement
As Hong Kong celebrates the
28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, I can't help but recall my first impressions of the city. As a child, I watched the handover ceremony on television in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Hong Kong wasn't very familiar. We knew it as the land of
kung fu or Britain's crown colony. I read about Kai Tak airport in a book written by Satyajit Ray and imagined Hong Kong as a vibrant city, shrouded in mystery.
I thought of Hong Kong the way it was depicted in Hollywood films – full of intrigue, skyscrapers and narrow, neon-lit alleys. I never thought I would one day live here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Taiwan to mix war games and urban survival tests under 24/7 live fire in Han Kuang first
Taiwan to mix war games and urban survival tests under 24/7 live fire in Han Kuang first

South China Morning Post

time34 minutes ago

  • South China Morning Post

Taiwan to mix war games and urban survival tests under 24/7 live fire in Han Kuang first

For the first time, Taiwan 's largest annual military exercise will combine conventional war games and urban survival drills under 'unprecedented' live-fire conditions when it gets under way next week. The move signals growing concerns in Taipei that Beijing could trigger a prolonged conflict requiring both military defence and civilian resilience. The 41st Han Kuang exercise from July 9 to 18 would test joint operational readiness under 'unprecedented 10-day, round-the-clock live-fire conditions', the Taiwanese defence ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry stated that this year's edition would incorporate the 'whole-of-society resilience' approach, introduced last year by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te as an updated civil defence model. The urban drills would feature air-raid warnings, mass evacuations and critical infrastructure protection across multiple regions. The aim, the ministry said, was to simulate a full-spectrum response to war – from the initial non-military 'grey zone' pressure to full attack, coastal landings, and extended urban warfare. 02:57 Shandong aircraft carrier moves into Taiwan response zone ahead of PLA drills Shandong aircraft carrier moves into Taiwan response zone ahead of PLA drills 'Only through readiness can we preserve peace,' said Major General Tung Chi-hsing, head of the ministry's joint operations planning division, emphasising that integration of civil defence and national mobilisation was key to Taiwan's overall resilience.

The EU-China reset that never was: summits begin but divisions remain
The EU-China reset that never was: summits begin but divisions remain

South China Morning Post

timean hour ago

  • South China Morning Post

The EU-China reset that never was: summits begin but divisions remain

For six months, Europe has debated how Washington's shake-up of the Western order might reshape its relations with China . As a weeks-long flurry of summits gets under way, Brussels finally has its answer: not at all. Advertisement Flirtations between the two sides about patching things up in the early days of US President Donald Trump 's return have gone nowhere. European Union officials, laying the ground for the month ahead, say a much-vaunted Chinese charm offensive was threadbare. Instead of a grand rapprochement, the EU finds itself back where it was at the end of last year: fighting with Beijing over trade and pleading for it to do more to rein in Russia's aggression against Ukraine . For weary Europe, it's as if the first half of 2025 was a fever dream from which it is finally coming around. 'I don't think that the relationship has fundamentally moved. I think the Chinese have a tendency to want to portray this as a very problem-free relationship,' said a senior EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'That's because if they don't change on the economic imbalances, and they don't change on their embrace of Russia, it might be to their advantage, but it's not to ours, and our job is to try to get some balance in this relationship.' China's top diplomat will meet European Council President Antonio Costa in Brussels on Wednesday. Photo: AFP For much of the year, July has hung over the EU like Damocles' sword. Sandwiched between big-ticket engagements with China, Brussels must reach a deal with the United States before July 9 or face a 50 per cent import tariff. Now that it's here, policymakers and negotiators are girding themselves for some difficult conversations.

Hong Kong's complex social problems demand transparent and collective effort
Hong Kong's complex social problems demand transparent and collective effort

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's complex social problems demand transparent and collective effort

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Hong Kong celebrated the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on Tuesday. The government has made progress in some areas: Support for innovation and technology, local businesses and community engagement are positive steps. Promoting halal tourism not only attracts more Muslim travellers but also underscores the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The government has allocated grants to address environmental issues and support youth development. While these efforts are commendable, agencies, including NGOs, responsible for managing these funds must operate transparently. Proper oversight is crucial to ensure resources are used effectively. The government's support for small and medium-sized enterprises through various schemes is appreciated, but there have been cases of misuse of the 100 per cent government-guaranteed loan scheme. Strengthening monitoring and enforcement is vital. Similarly, the process of approving and regulating charitable organisations must be more rigorous. Income inequality and poverty remain urgent concerns. The high cost of living, limited affordable housing and unequal access to opportunities have widened the wealth gap. Targeted social welfare programmes, increased support for low-income families and expanded affordable housing are essential.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store