Just a few days ago I read some article (sorry I forgot from where, Next Magazine perhaps) claiming that, despite the I’m-Not-Actually-The-Boss picture the slogan “I’ll Get The Job Done” paints, Sir Bowtie’s team is actually ecstatic because of all the noise it generated. They thought people would keep talking about it for weeks at least, and that’s good.
Then came Czar Li and Burnt Rice, who jointly usurped the number one position in the town’s most talked about quote chart, with “I’ll Remember This. You’ll Pay!” and “Watch Your Mouth, Mister!”
Now that’s what they mean by “administrative-led governance.”
Who would’ve thought? At just the right time, too. I wonder who’ll pay.
No, this isn’t really about Google.cn not having a legal ICP license. Someone just doesn’t like what they have done, especially in how they are telling users they are censored (emphasis mine):
But the China Business Times, a business newspaper with a sometimes nationalist slant, blasted Google for even telling people that links are censored.
“Does a business operating in China need to constantly tell customers that it’s abiding by the laws of the land?” it said, adding that Google had “incited” a debate about censorship. The paper likened Google to “an uninvited guest” telling a dinner host “the dishes don’t suit his taste, but he’s willing to eat them as a show of respect to the host.”
Yes it’s all about face-giving. Go ahead and close it down I say. People still uses the uncensored Google.com instead anyway.
KA360, Hong Kong -> Tokyo, December 4 07:50 (UTC+8) - 12:25 (UTC+9)
Yes, that means I miss out on the march. Again.
Speaking of the march, Apple Daily is once again trying to get as many people to go on the streets as possible during the past week, culminating with today’s headline, “For Our Next Generation’s Tomorrow, Go On Street Today”, together with a “I Want To See Universal Suffrage” banner.
Really he is. By using prime time TV to address everybody, even people who were disinterested in political reform are now very clear of the issues involved in the debate.
Very effectively, he reminded everybody to go march on Sunday.
I’ve always wondered why the government insists on an underground Central-Wanchai Bypass, instead of underwater so that no ground need to be created for it to go under.
Apparently Swire Properties think so too, and they’re now saying it’s technically feasible to have it underwater. Their alternative proposal is actually pretty reasonable and one that I’d like to see implemented. Normally I don’t advocate for yet more road-building and want to see public transport improved instead, but in this case I can see why the Bypass is needed (public transport already stretched to its limits, no alternative road for people not wanting to go into Central, etc.)—the arguments have already been rehashed to death.
The other question is, why is Swire doing this even though the government will probably ignore them, just as they did with Swire’s West Kowloon proposal? Is it all marketing? Or could it be that they are smart enough to see the value that improving Hong Kong’s liveability brings to them?
Sir Bowtie, you don’t want to even hear about electoral reform. Fine. You are kowtowing to property developers’ interests in West Kowloon. Fine. You are arse-licking the CCP with regards to Ching Cheong and the swine flu. Fine. But what the hell is this? Just because you’re not happy with the fact that the courts aren’t happy with how ICAC spies upon us mere mortals, you issue an executive order that effectively slaps the whole legislature in the face? What the hell are you trying to tell us? The legal process’s a pain in the arse, eh? Why not simply get rid of jurisprudence, the courts and other annoying stuff like the LegCo? Just keep issuing executive orders! A return to the rule of the emperor! That’s been oh-so-successful for thousands of years in China! How efficient! Only two months in office, and you have done so much. Way to go Bowtie!
It has been almost 2 weeks since reports of Sichuan’s swine flu outbreak have trickled through to Hong Kong. And while Sichuan pork meat has disappeared in local markets, this is not because Hong Kong has banned the import of pork from Sichuan, but rather, Sichuan themselves have banned the export of their pork.
While the end results may be the same, the difference is significant. What good is a government that outsources the protection of its own citizens to some other state?
Even other provinces in mainland China have imposed their own bans. Alarmingly, ’sources from the HK Government’ (don’t you just love these unattritable ’sources’?) reveal that Hong Kong actually do not have any autonomy over foodstuff imports; Hong Kong has to ‘present enough scientific evidence’ before ‘negotiating with the PRC any bans’. How wonderful. Once again, one country two systems successfully implemented — HK gets the worse system.
Still very busy, but just a quick note. Two recent events once again demonstrate the utter incompetence of the Hong Kong Government.
The Health Department refused to ban pork import from Sichuan while
reported cases of streptococcus suis are on the rise. Our
Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food said
Scientific evidence and international guidelines and practices
must be carefully considered before imposing any ban.
Huh? What scientific evidence and guidelines do you need when people are
getting killed, Dr Chow? Are you telling us international guidelines are more important than
Hong Kong people’s lives? Even Beijing is banning Sichuan pork imports.
Tropical Storm Washi is within 500km of Hong Kong. Ships are getting
sunk in the South China Sea. Sustained gale force winds and widespread
thunderstorms are affecting Hong Kong. Yet the Hong Kong Observatory
refused to issue the T1
signal. Yeah yeah, people should look after themselves instead of relying on
the nanny state etc., but when people’s lives are potentially endangered this
is just outright irresponsible.
Clearly getting rid of Tung was not enough…
QQ, the largest instant messaging system in China, is now requiring users to register their real names. The official notice very clearly hints that they were forced to do so by the Public Security Bureau.
This is not new. Earlier this year the CCP Government required online BBSes to do the same; many or the largest and most popular ones closed down as a result. Together with the new laws requiring Internet content providers (Web sites for example) to register with the PSU, the CCP is really trying its hardest to wield absolute control over the Internet. Or at least the part that’s inside their borders.
Will we ever see a censor-free online environment in China in our lifetime? Just thinking about this is disgusting…
Londoners, you have again shown the world how stoic calm and confident you are in the face of terrorists. Well done. That’s exactly the right response: to hell with them, get on with the daily life. I admire you guys.
Oh, and how come John Howard is again in the UK during the attacks this time? Coincidence? Hmm… 
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