Thursday 28 July 2011

Hillary Clinton Comes Begging to Hong Kong

A somewhat fatter then she used to be, Hillary Clinton (non elected) will be visiting Hong Kong around the end of the month. Residents should not really be alarmed at this as it is just for one day and then she`ll be gone.

Hillary Clinton Donald Tsang Dancing

The United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is on her holiday an East Asian Tour which includes a visit to the Special Administrative Region.
It is thought that she will meet with some members of the Legislative Council(semi elected) and have a little chat about freedoms and democracy. On the other hand she will also meet with your Chief Executive, Donald Tsang (not elected).

To be real, most of her visit around the rim will be to try and install some confidence in the USA. Unless you have been on the same medications as Amy Winehouse then your know the USA is in a bad shape.

The cash flow of Government income is running dry much like the drought sweeping across the country. Asian investors hold a large stash of US Government bonds and with the approaching inability to service debts then there could be an unwillingness to buy more bonds. At worst it could see a massive selling spree of bonds as investors feel the toxicity.

It is not clear if Mrs Clinton stayed for afternoon teatime dim sum but she was soon across the border and in to China,. Mr Tsang danced for joy allegedly.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Hong Kongers Get Rent Free Accommodation

The Hong Kong Government is once again offering sweeteners to the local population. This time residents of Government Accommodation will have two rent free months.

Renovating Bathroom Hong Kong

While those in charge of the Special Administrative Region are increasing the Duty on Cigarettes and Tobacco to extortionate levels, the caring side seems to be giving it all back.

Just after the announcement of giving every resident a payment HK$6,000 into their bank accounts those in charge are on a roll with more gifts.

Tenants of The Governments Housing Authority will receive two free months rental in August and September this year.  According to the Government this is to counter effect the effects of inflation which has recently rocked around the world.
Just under 700,000 families will benefit from the rent allowance and will cost nearly HK$2 billion to the Government.

The Current Appointed Administration's term in power will soon be coming to an end next year in 2012. The more cynical group of Hong Kong residents will see these sweeteners to gain favor for the next elected appointed leader of the SAR.

Whatever the reasons behind the apparent generosity, local residents will gain a little to make their life a little bit more happier.

Sunday 10 July 2011

Sanctions For Africa From Hong Kong

Hong Kong is flexing its muscles with sanctions against African Countries.
United Nations Logo
Two countries are now feeling the might of the Special Administrative Region. The first in line is Libya with the implementation of the United Nations sanctions against the country. There are unconfirmed reports that General Qaddafi is absolutely shocked at the news from Hong Kong.

Mr. Qaddafi was said to have been disappointed that he could not come to Hong Kong and go out to buy some splendid shoes. This was recommended to him by a Mr. Robert Mugabe who has a residence in Hong Kong and is often spotted out trying on the quality fitting shoes that is on offer.

The Ivory Coast is also feeling the brunt of sanctions. You cannot miss the dazzling sparkle of the Jewellery shops around the streets of Hong Kong and now their source maybe at risk. The importation of rough diamonds which are more commonly known as blood diamonds has been banned.

Also banned is the transfer of Vehicles. The is going to hit the local industry quite hard which, I believe is not existent.

Partly true and Partly made up.

Friday 8 July 2011

The Sky100 a Panoramic View to Remember

Visitors to Hong Kong can now get a view of the city never seen before. The recently opened Sky100 observation deck in the International Commerce Center.


International Commerce Center Hong Kong

Hong Kong has some amazing skylines and a popular visit is a trip up to The Peak. The view from the hilltop offers spectacular views towards the Kowloon side of the territory.

The recently build International Commerce Center now offers a view of from the Kowloon side that has never really been available to the public before.

At a height of 393 meters above Victoria Harbor the Sky100 observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic views back towards Hong Kong Island and the Hills in the background. The Sky100 gives a wide view which also encompasses Lanta Island and towards Chek Lap Kok international Airport.

Hong Kong does have it`s gray days when the clouds are low or the pollution levels rise. Should this ever happen on your trip then you can still experience the atmosphere with recoded images - of so it`s not the best idea.

Like the views from The Peak, daytime and night offer contrasting scenes that you will never want to miss. If your lucky you may also catch the nightly Festival Of Light show or one of the amazing firework displays over Victoria Harbor.

The completion of the International Commerce Center makes it the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong and currently the worlds fourth tallest building.

The cost for this fantastic memory will start at HK$125 which is about US$15.


Image via As I see it

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Hong Kong’s Floating Casinos

Hong Kong is a mirror image with is sister SAR, Macau. On the former Portuguese colony casinos have become abundant. Hong Kong on the other hand has shunned this practice on open gambling.

 Cruise Ship at Ocena Terminal Hong Kong

While not illegal in the territory, it is strictly controlled for the local population. The main player here is the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) which offers a little thrill for a win on horse racing and the recently introduced football games.

The HKJC also runs the Mark 6 Lottery which runs every week and can make millionaires out of anybody with a lucky winning ticket. Profits from these ventures are reintroduced into the community in the for of good causes along with the promoting of sporting activities.

Gamblers who want a bigger thrill must look offshore and many venture on the short ferry (or helicopter) trip over to Macau.

However there is one alternative and that is taking a cruise. Gambling ships or Floating Casinos regularly make trips from Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui to often no apparent destination. Cruise Liners depart laden with punters regularly who want to play the high roller while rolling about on the ocean waves. Once in international waters the liners open their tables and business can begin.

At one time the Floating Casinos seemed like they would sail their last trip but now business is booming. So much so that bookings must be made well in advance. The future also looks bright for rolling the dice.

The former Hong Hong airport, Kai Tak, is finally after many years being developed into a cruise liner terminal. Along with the many international voyages arriving and departing there should be a few more that will just take you on a trip to the tables.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Scarlet Fever Hits the Territory

Hong Kong is currently undergoing a slight health scare. Scarlet Fever is quietly taking out children across the region and the health authorities say it might get worse before it gets better.

chinese hospital

Being a relatively newcomer to Hong Kong there are lot of little aspects of life that a completely new experience. Health is one of them and the step from a colder part of the world to the warm, humidity of Hong Kong and Asia is going to reveal health concern that were far from my mind.

The current health risk is an outbreak of Scarlet Fever among children and has already caused some deaths. The last death reported by Scarlet fever in Hong Kong was over 10 years ago and this year the infection rate is more than 3 times the number of cases last year. Mainland China has also seen an increased rate of infections.

Young Children are more prone to the infection which causes a sore throat, rash and a raised temperature. Luckily the disease can be eliminated with some forms of antibiotics, more so if caught early.

According to the regions health officials, this is a mutant strain of the bacteria which probably explains why the infection rate is extremely high.

Currently over 600 cases of the infection have been reported. This is nothing like the devastating SARS epidemic in  2003 which was completely unknown and much more virile.

Image: TopNews

Sunday 26 June 2011

Millionaires in Hong Kong On the Up

The Territory has seen large rise in the number of millionaires this year. A recent annual survey Citibank indicated that this year has seen the biggest jump since recording began 8 years ago.

Graph

Over half a million people now have liquid assets of over a million dollars. This is out of a population just under seven million.

The massive increase in wealth is put down to the ongoing property market and extortionate rents charged for tenants in both residential and business sectors.
Over the border in China things are looking good for a lucky few. The number there has doubled to 115 people with over a million billion dollars. China is currently sitting second after the USA in the league for billionaires. The continuing growth in China can only see this gap narrowing quickly in the years to come.

Saturday 25 June 2011

HK Government Electricity handout.

The Hong Kong Government is to credit residents with HK$150 of free electricity each  month. This will benefit 2.5 million homes in the territory.

Lamma Power Station Hong Kong


Each residential home will gain a HK$150 credit on their electricity bills each month for a whole year. This will give a total of HK1800 over the course of the scheme. The benefit to low income families could see them pay no charges at-all.

Around 20% of homes in Hong Kong, on average, use less electricity than the 150 dollar credit. Any excess credit remaining each month can be carried forward and for some this will mean they will have free power from more than a year.


The last time the Government of Hong Kong offered such a scheme was in 2008 and I can tell you it was a nice little extra bonus not that we personally needed it.

A side effect of free electricity is that residents might just use more. That in turn would mean more power generation and more pollution which Hong Kong can do without. This air quality in some parts of the territory is a major cause of concern for health.

Even with the pollution aspect, the subsidy is a welcome bonus to those who need it the most. Others may just see it as a bonus paid to to the power companies.

There are two Hong Kong Power Companies, Hong Kong Electric and China Light and Power which supply the needs of Hong Kong mainly through Coal and Gas power stations.

Friday 24 June 2011

Cost of Living in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is becoming an expensive place to live. While some can afford a million dollar home or two there are still many people who just manage to scrape a living.

Poor Chinese Family Eating

A frequent site on the streets are old ladies gathering scraps of paper or soda cans to sell for a few Hong Kong Dollars. Others sell vegetables by corners of streets. Sell is not the right word here as it is illegal for money to exchange hands
without them being licensed. Shoppers can place a few coins down on a mat pick up the food and catch the eye of the elderly seller, deal done.

Those who are a little bit more well off are having to cope with the increasing cost of living. Having a home on Hong Kong island or Kowloon is just too expensive and have to live further afield in the New Territories or on on of Hong Kong's many islands. Even with Hong Kong being quite small there is still and hour or so commute back and forth to work.

The cost of transport is cheap but steadily rising and for those commuting every day those small rises can add up at the end of a month.


House prices are out of control and very few people can now afford to buy a home of any decent size. This turns most not on the housing ladder in to renters that are constantly on the move. There is a tendency for contracts to be for 1 or 2 years then followed by a sometimes massive rent rise. The unfortunate tenants often pack their bags and downgrade to sometime just bigger then a cupboard.

Not only are homes subject to larger rises in rent but also businesses. One unfortunate health club in "Central" was paying HK$1.8 million a month for rent. They have been notified of a rise to - HK$3 million. Often places you frequent for a drink or mean will just vanish from their location. There is no doubt prices are out of control and eventually something has to break.

Image Via Virtual China

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Increase in Hong Kong's Tobacco Tax becoming Law.

Hong Kong Smokers lived in hope that the rise in tobacco tax would be overturned.

Hong Kong Cigarette Packet
Smoking can damage your health and pocket
 

A few months have passed since the Government increased the tax of cigarettes that came in to effect immediately. This was quite massive tax hike of 41%  which saw the price rise to HK$50 for a packet of twenty cigarettes. %70 of that price is now Tax.

June, saw the Legislative Council finally pass the legislation and there is now going back now. I caught some of the debate but got totally lost when member Leung Kwok-hung, the otherwise known as "LongHair", invited the whole council to visit Bhutan.

As a smoker myself, I always feel a little bit persecuted for my pleasure. Like many other smokers in Hong Kong the rise seems unfair when. This will no doubt cause hardship among many elderly and those with low paid jobs.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Tropical Storm 06W Haima

The typhoon season is under-way here in the Western Pacific with Hong-Kongers keeping a close eye on the current Tropical Storm, Haima. Storm signal is at level 1.

Tropical Storm Haima

This is number 6 of the season and does not look like it will give the population what that want. That is a day off work.

Currently the storm is classed as a Tropical Depression which will come close to Hong Kong and no doubt cause a few heavy downpours of rain as it passes over.

Signal number 1 The all important eye of the storm is about 350 kilometres south of Hong Kong island and heading roughly north west. In all the storm will pass by and we should not be affected by any strong winds.

The people here are used to the storms and mostly taking it all as a nearly normal occurrence. Wind damage and flooding can occur but residents see it as a chance of getting a day off work.
Images from HKO

Residents of Hong Kong are up for a Free $6,000

 
Every resident of Hong Kong will soon be able to collect a HK$6,000 payout that was promised during this years budget.
 

Everybody to Grab $6.000

When the payout was first proposed by the Financial Secretary, John Tsang, it was to come about as an injection into everybody's pension fund. The citizens realized they would not get their hands on any money until they retire and made for a few sad faces. A change of heart then came about to allow everybody to feel the cash between their fingers.

With the pension idea out of the window, each resident will now have a payment made to their bank accounts in phases. This is not the first time Hong Kong has operated on a system like this. When the Territory was introducing new electronic Identity cards where residents were processed in batches over some months according to their date of birth.

This time the lucky ones will be the elderly who can start applying in August and shortly after will have the bonus deposited in their bank accounts. Those of us a bit younger will have to wait longer.

Altogether around HK$36 Billion will be paid out to Identity card holders. Those who can decide to wait a bit longer to register which would reduce the workload in processing, can receive and extra HK$200 payment. The initial scheme is due to end in March 2012 which would give plenty of time for those who have somehow not heard of the news.

Monday 20 June 2011

Energy Drinks Pulled Off Hong Kong Shelves.

 
The Territory is under threat from more toxic substances, this time it appears to be Energy Drinks.
 energy-drinks

Europe is having its own scare with deadly life threatening E-Coli laden cucumbers bean sprouts and no doubt the USA is having some routine recall of meat or vegetables. Hong Kong, not to be outdone, has it’s own periodic little contamination scare and this time it is some thing called DEHP.


DEHP is a plasticiser - yep I have no clue what it is either - and has been found in energy sports drinks that apparently have come from Taiwan. Our Centre for Food Safety has slapped a ban on these drinks and whipped them off the shelf to keep us from harms way.

They say drinking high levels of this substance can cause problems in the kidney and liver area. Just to cause a little more alarm it can potentially cause cancer. Not quite sure what a high level is but it seems were not having any of it any-more.

So were safe - That is unless you take medication.

Not only are sports drinks contaminated but plasticisers are being found in medications. DEHP is joined by another chemical, DINP. These, like the sports drinks, originate from Taiwan.

DINP is used in drinks to make the liquid cloudy, which is intended to trick the consumer into thinking they are made from more natural ingredients and not just a bunch of chemicals in water.

Sunday 27 March 2011

Electric Vehicle Chargers Expand Across Hong Kong

There is some good news for environmentalists and residents in Hong Kong with the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations across the territory.

electric charger

Hong Kong is ideally suited for the mass use of electric cars than many other countries with its small geographic size and the only external routes are cross border with China.

Road side pollution is of a major concern and even with a comprehensive mass transport system many commuters still drive around the SAR and emit toxins in to the air.

Now with up to 300 electric charging stations there is a viable alternative in the the electric car. While energy must still be produced to produce the electric fuel any emissions are not concentrated in the highly urbanised city.

The technology of electric vehicles cannot yet match the performance of fossil fueled cars but this does not matter for a country as small as Hong Kong. Travel distances are small and easily accomplished with a fully charged electric vehicle.


Even with a small number of cleaner cars on the road the charging network needs to be quite comprehensive. Hopefully the charging stations will become more abundant and then there will really be no reason not for residents not to switch to electric.

Saturday 26 March 2011

iPhone App for Hong Kong Travellers

Travelling on the Hong Kong Buses has been made easier for residents and tourists. The Kowloon Motor Bust Company has developed an iPhone application that helps you on your way.

sleeping on a bus
Image from

For residents who often work long hours for very little pay the journey home allows time for them to catch up on a little bit of rest. They can often be seen eyes closed and head dropping as they nearly fall off their seat sleeping.
Now this little application will warn them of their approaching stop with a wake up call.

For tourist the application functions as a route search, it is often the case that you know where to go but you never know how to get there. As well as indication where to jump off your bus you can be informed of where the nearest bus stop is to catch you bus and what number you should take.

There is one big problem and it is quite a big one. The glue that holds the whole system together is the GPS system built into the iPhone which appears to be quite unreliable.

Errors in the GPS of up to 1000 meters can occur and this could see you heading in the wrong direction to catch that bus or completely missing your stop if you are soundly sleeping.

Friday 25 March 2011

Record Breaking Pulling a Jumbo Jet

The International airport serving Hong Kong was the scene of a recent Guinness World Record attempt. This task involved hauling a huge Boeing 747 airliner over 100 meters.

cathay pacific boeing 747

A team of 100 pulled the airliner which had a weight of 218 tonne across the tarmac at Chek Lap Kok. The strong team included members of the Immigration Department, Police Force and Fire Service Department as well as other Government services.

The Government of Kong Kong is making small steps to reduce pollution at the airport. It is not clear if this is an attempt to reduce emissions by having teams of residents pull aircraft around the airfield.

The record is still an admirable feat and too place as part of a celebration of 100 years of aviation in Hong Kong.

Thursday 24 March 2011

Hong Kong Radiation Fears

The effects of the recent tsunami in Japan is reaching Hong Kong in waves of despair. While the outpouring of sympathy for the Japanese people was slight evident there were more pressing concerns in the Special Administrative Region.
hong kong radiation
Image: HKO
Hong Kong hosts many Japanese restaurants and of course they have their customers wallets to entertain. The continuing supply of genuine Japanese raw fish for sushi was in doubt.

Knocking on the door is the continual spewing of radiation that is spreading and invisible cloud of warmth over Japan. Now the door has been opened and the importation of Japanese food has been banned in the country.

With increasingly high rent and the fear of eating potentially radiated fish by customers I wonder how many of those establishments will survive.

Home grown fears of radiation have seen a somewhat deluded idea that salt will protect the population. A rush on salt sales has occurred with prices sky-rocketing for the white condiment to many times their original. Unfortunately the protection does not work and excess consumption of salt will probably make them more sick than any impending radiation.

The government has tried to put the populations fears at rest by indication that there is no threat from any radiation cloud in Hong Kong. This comes at the same time as the Meteorologist at the Hong Kong Observatory have started to publish radiation levels form various locations.

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Love and Revenge Hong Kong Style

 
Hong Kong is a relatively safe place to work and live but crime does happen. The small number of criminal acts make up for their rarity by being very dramatic in their actions.
chinese-old-people-love
In a recent case a neglected wife took revenge on her cheating husband in a quite gruesome way. The husband who has apparently hopping across the Hong Kong / Chinese border for a bit of tender female company though his secret was safe.

However that was not the case, his wife found out about his naughty visits and planned her revenge. While feeling quite safe and soundly sleeping the plotting wife enacted her plan.

Her instrument of revenge here was a large bucket of sulphuric acid which was thrown over the sleeping man. Which I'm sure caused quite a burning sensation.
As a result the husband required facial surgery. For the wife, she has been sentenced to 4 years in prison.

The couple have been married for over 30 years and after this incident who knows how much longer that will last

Thursday 3 March 2011

Hong Kong Busses Pollution Improvement

The roads of Hong Kong are to be come a little bit less polluted with the introduction of more Euro V standard busses. There are currently around 90 Euro V busses travelling routes around the region.

kmb_euro_V_bus
Image from Kowloon Motor Bus

The Kowloon Motor Bus company is expecting the arrival of 300 new Euro V standard busses which reduce the emissions of Nitrogen Oxide by nearly 50% when compared with the Euro IV. In addition tests will be carried out in retrofitting existing Euro II and III grade busses with catalytic converters.

The European Emission Standards set the levels of exhaust emissions for road transport in the European Union. These include amounts permissible of Carbon Dioxide, Hydrocarbons and  Nitrogen Oxide.

Hong Kong has a pollution problem caused partly by traffic and on many days the levels of toxins in the air can rise to dangerous levels. This is an increasing problem for Hong Kong and of a major concern for its residents.

Saturday 12 February 2011

Railway for Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

 
The proposed bridge over the Pearl River Delta may include a rail track in addition to road traffic.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
Hong Kong loves it`s bridges and it seems every opportunity is taken to connect it`s land masses together. An ambitious project to connect Lantau island in Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai on the Chinese Mainland will be the longest yet.
Spanning 35 kilometres over the Pearl River Delta, the bridge was conceived initially as a road bridge. Now calls are being made for an additional rail track to be incorporated in to the development.
Lantau is Hong Kong's largest island and hosts the international airport.
The bridge already is estimated to cost HK$43 billion and no doubt the price will be much higher by the time it is completed in 2016.

Friday 11 February 2011

New Hong Kong Airport Construction

 
The International Airport located on Lantau Island is expanding its capacity with the construction of a new concourse.
Hong Kong Airport
Plans are afoot to develop a new concourse in the middle of the Airfield that will have a capacity for 20 Aircraft. The new capacity will include facilities for the giant Airbus A380. Passengers will be able to connect from Terminal One by unmanned trains. Taking a trip on these unmanned trains is like taking off in a rocket with the quick acceleration as the journey begins.
The construction is to begin in the latter end of 2011 and will be completed in 2015. The cost here will be HK$7 Billion for the Airport Authority.
The completion of this project will see the last large scale development at the Airport without seeking out any additional land.

Thursday 10 February 2011

Asian Film Awards 2010

The eyes of the world will soon be looking to Hollywood and the Oscars. Meanwhile on this side of the world the Asian starlets are getting excited about their own Award Ceremony.
let_the_bullets_fly_poster
The Asian Film Awards are quite recent on the scene having only stated in 2007. Even at this early age they still have all the excitement of any award ceremony.
This year the 5th Asian Film Awards will have 14 categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. Not forgetting those who play an important part of movie making but not as well known Best Cinematography, Best Music Score and Best Editing.
The event will take place in Hong Kong on the 21st March.
Hot on the nominations list this year is "Let the Bullets Fly" starring Chow Yun-Fat and directed by Jiang Wen who are both in the line for an award.

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Disneyland still Making a Loss

The number of visitors to Hong Kong's Disneyland park reached record number in 2010. Over 5.2 million passed through the park’s gates last year.
Hong-kong-disneyland
The increasing number of visitors is still not producing a profit for the theme park which still recorded a loss of HK$718 million for the last year.
The park faces stiff competition from Ocean Park which seems to be the much preferred site of entertainment.
Maybe Ocean Park is much more suited to the Asian Cultures with its water life shows and does not try to take the Mickey.

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 2011

Between March 25th and the 27th Hong Kong will host the Rugby Sevens Tournament.
hong Kong Stadium
This yearly sporting event is looked forward to by many dedicated sporting fans. And like most recent years their loyalty is rewarded by all the tickets all sold out.
The demand is high and corporate allocations some say taking a large untitled chunk of the available seats.
Still on the bright side this round of the tournament will see teams from Australia, Scotland, Hong Kong, China and France among a long list play on the field.
Hong Kong Stadium will host the event and a now routine bit of chaos for a few days.
The tournament heads off to Adelaide, Australia for the next leg starting April 2nd.

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Hybrid Buses May Reduce Pollution

Cleaner Buses maybe coming to the streets of Hong Kong. The so called Environment Bureau has proposed buying six Hybrid Buses for trials on the busy Hong Kong roads.

Hong Kong Buses
The buses will be given to three companies for trials in the busiest parts of the region. Kowloon Motor Bus, Citybus and New World First bus will operate and maintain the Hybrids during their lifetime, which is expected to be around 18 years.

On completion of the trial and if successful, the Hong Kong Government will implement legislation for new rules on the city's Franchised bus services.

Roadside pollution in Hong Kong often rises to dangerous levels and is becoming an increasing factor on the health of the population. Switching to Hybrid vehicles could reduce the toxic emissions by up to 30%.

China’s Adopted Children Return Home

The Economic Downturn around the world has made many Adopted Chinese return to their place of birth. Partly to renew their birth culture and secondly to find work.

chinese girls worker 
After the Adoption rules were relaxed up to 120,000 young Chinese were adopted by overseas parents. Now with many of those in their late twenties and educated the wish to return draws them back home.

Many thinking that their upbringing in overseas nations would be an asset to finding work are realizing that looks may count for more than they think.

Many of China`s companies are looking for relations with overseas partners. They feel that it would be a benefit to hire non-Chinese-looking liaisons would be more beneficial. This brings the returning Adopted Children at a disadvantage, after all they look Chinese and this seems to outweigh their education and upbringing.


Whether this maybe true or not, the returning children are finding it as had as any native Chinese person to find work. The may eventually get their ideal job but they are reuniting with their cultural heritage and for many that is not enough.

Monday 31 January 2011

Throwing out with the Lunar New Year

A custom for the Chinese Lunar New Year is to throw out the old and bring in the new. Old furnishings and clothes are tossed out, or sold on with fresh new hear to replace them.
The fledgling and often hilarious democratic movement in Hong Kong probably have and idea of what they would like to throw out. But it seems the Hong Kong people are not so active in this area as the people in Tunisia or Egypt.
There is not enough time left after clearing their houses to take to the streets to protest. The roads here are filled with people to busy stocking up with brand new replacement of what they have just thrown away.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Travelling for the Chinese New Year

 
The Chinese Lunar New Year and this is the time that families get together no matter where they are. In China, many families split across the country as husbands or wives move from the farm lands to the cities in the look for work or children attend schools.
China busses
During the days of the New Year the extended families congregate together which often means traveling great distances with mostly everybody going back to visit their grandparent. This creates huge problems for transport logistics and I never realized just how many people are on the move.
This year there will be an estimated 2.8 Billion passengers on trips across the whole country. A million is a big number but 2.8 Billion people all wanting to get on the right bus and with many of them not really knowing how to get there.
The lunar Festival is usually a week long holiday that allows families to get together every year. With economic migration for work this might be the only chance for many families to get together.
February 3 2011 will make the end of the Year of the Tiger and the Start of the Year of the Rabbit.

Friday 21 January 2011

Hong Kong Government is Loaded

The pockets of the HK Government seem to be quite large. This year there is an estimated HK$ 72 Billion spare cash lying around gathering dust. Whatever will they do with it only time will tell.

pile-of-cash

There have been calls for returning it back to the people through widening the tax bands although this will just reduce the amount paid next year, not that the tax rates are excessive in Hong Kong Compared to some other countries. This is unlike the other SAR of China, Macau, which recently happily actually gave money back to every citizen.

No doubt there will be some big construction project planned but what could you do with HK$72 Billion spare. Apart from a good holiday and a long party.