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.



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.

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.



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.

Sanctions For Africa From Hong Kong

Hong Kong is flexing its muscles with sanctions against African Countries.

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.

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.

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.

Increase in Hong Kong's Tobacco Tax becoming Law.

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

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.

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.

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.


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%.

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.

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.

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.