Politics
A major topic in the media is political reform. The standing committee of the Chinese Peopleś Congress recently published its plans for the nomination of candidates to the election of the next Chief Executive in 2017. These plans had been leaked beforehand and had already aroused considerable controversy. As previously a 1200 member nomination council elected by a mere 250,000 voters, representing the four sectors (business and finance,labour,professional and political) would nominate candidates. There would be only two or three candidates. These would have to be patriots and have to have the support of more than half of the nomination council.
Clashes occurred between prodemocracy demonstrators and both police and pro-Beijing supporters. Occupy-Central promised civil disobedience and Pan-Democracy politicians vowed they would block acceptance of the proposals in the Hong Kong Legislative Council. Some HK business organizations feared the effect demonstrations might have. Police spokesman assured them they could deal with it.
Various public figures have criticized both the Pan-Democrats and Occupy Central, saying they should accept Beijingś framework and work for improvements within it, as blocking its passage through the Legislative Council would only postpone one person-one vote.
The British government has claimed Beijing is failing to live up to promises made when it took over in 1997. Beijing has reposted that the UK did nothing for democracy in Hong Kong during the 150 years it was in control. How true!
Gutter OIl
A second item much in the news is a scandal concerning «gutter oil» from Taiwan. Various companies were suspected of having used this in their products. Basically the oil is industrial waste recycled but it may cause cancer and constitute other health hazards too. It has been hard to ascertain whether this oil has in fact been used here and by whom.
Housing
Last night a documentary on one of the two English language channels was devoted to housing in HK. There is a dire shortage of public housing and long waiting lists for what is. Rents have increased by as much as 70% over the past 5 years; people are spending between 30 and 40% of their income on rents and as a result the numbers of homeless are rising
A major topic in the media is political reform. The standing committee of the Chinese Peopleś Congress recently published its plans for the nomination of candidates to the election of the next Chief Executive in 2017. These plans had been leaked beforehand and had already aroused considerable controversy. As previously a 1200 member nomination council elected by a mere 250,000 voters, representing the four sectors (business and finance,labour,professional and political) would nominate candidates. There would be only two or three candidates. These would have to be patriots and have to have the support of more than half of the nomination council.
Clashes occurred between prodemocracy demonstrators and both police and pro-Beijing supporters. Occupy-Central promised civil disobedience and Pan-Democracy politicians vowed they would block acceptance of the proposals in the Hong Kong Legislative Council. Some HK business organizations feared the effect demonstrations might have. Police spokesman assured them they could deal with it.
Various public figures have criticized both the Pan-Democrats and Occupy Central, saying they should accept Beijingś framework and work for improvements within it, as blocking its passage through the Legislative Council would only postpone one person-one vote.
The British government has claimed Beijing is failing to live up to promises made when it took over in 1997. Beijing has reposted that the UK did nothing for democracy in Hong Kong during the 150 years it was in control. How true!
Gutter OIl
A second item much in the news is a scandal concerning «gutter oil» from Taiwan. Various companies were suspected of having used this in their products. Basically the oil is industrial waste recycled but it may cause cancer and constitute other health hazards too. It has been hard to ascertain whether this oil has in fact been used here and by whom.
Housing
Last night a documentary on one of the two English language channels was devoted to housing in HK. There is a dire shortage of public housing and long waiting lists for what is. Rents have increased by as much as 70% over the past 5 years; people are spending between 30 and 40% of their income on rents and as a result the numbers of homeless are rising