Seven More Acquitted of Rioting

Protesters set spectator stands on fire in Wan Chai last year

 

Seven people were acquitted of rioting during an anti-government protest on August 31 last year because the prosecution did not have enough evidence to prove without a reasonable doubt.

District Judge Sham Siu-man concluded on Saturday there was no evidence showing what the defendants did before their arrests in Wan Chai, and ruled their presence alone was not enough to justify a conviction, even if they were dressed in black and equipped with protective gear.

A boyfriend and girlfriend acquitted of rioting

"Undoubtedly, the situation of the night in question was not something that one would often see in Hong Kong," Sham said. "To some people, it was perhaps a rare and special historical moment. The court does not rule out the possibility that, among those present, there were indeed some who went there hoping to witness everything that was happening."

The judge also sided with the defence in ruling there could be innocent reasons for some of the defendants to try to flee from the scene, as they may have left due to police warnings, a spontaneous reaction to swarms of people, or "out of fear of the police" at the time.

"Their being participants of the riot is not the only reasonable inference," Sham concluded. "The court is of the view that the prosecution has failed to prove the offences beyond reasonable doubt and therefore the court finds all the defendants not guilty."

Police responded with tear gas and water cannon

As soon as the judge announced the acquittals, a round of applause erupted in the courtroom. Supporters outside the courtroom thanked the lawyers and chanted, "There are no rioters."

 On August 31, 2019, there were violent clashes between protesters and police at the intersection of Hennessy Road and Luard Road. Protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at police and set up roadblocks. They even dragged benches from the spectator stands at Southern Playground to the middle of the street and set them on fire.

Police responded with tear gas and water cannon, arresting 142 people that day.

In late September the same court dismissed a charge of rioting against a social worker, Jackie Chen Hung-sau who was also there that night in Wan Chai. She had been accused of rioting when in fact Chen was trying to calm the police down.

Jackie Chen was also acquitted in September

So far the number of acquittals in riot charges is 11. Only one protester to date has been convicted of rioting.

As of October 15, more than 10,100 people have been arrested in relation to the anti-government protests, with 2,285 charged, of which 691 were accused of rioting.

Now that another seven defendants have been acquitted, the Department of Justice should look at its scorecard and see it's not doing that well in terms of convictions. If their evidence is not solid, why are prosecutors wasting everyone's time (and taxpayer dollars) in pushing these cases through the judicial system, only to have them dismissed?

But perhaps these rulings are good -- they are for the record and proof the judiciary, which is under a lot of pressure, is still holding up the rule of law.

 

Counting Coronavirus Cases

China tested 4.75 million people in Kashgar in two days

 

Did you know the Chinese government counts coronavirus cases differently from everyone else in the world? It does not follow the World Health Organization definition of a confirmed case as someone who tests positive.

Kashgar is now in lockdown with five cases?

Instead China will only count cases of those who show symptoms, not those who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic but test positive.

That is why the cases in Kashgar, Xinjiang are counted as five confirmed cases, but 178 without symptoms but are positive. As a result these 178 people are not counted as confirmed cases, though they will be included if they later show symptoms.

China only began releasing figures counting asymptomatic cases from April, but they were only counted as confirmed cases if they developed symptoms or their lung imaging was abnormal.

By late February, one-third of the positive cases were silent carriers or presymptomatic. But it is unclear how many asymptomatic cases China has had so far because accumulated figures were never released.

China counts cases differently from the WHO

It is the only country in the world to have a different definition of what a positive case is. Is it any wonder the numbers since late December are not correct and we may never know what they really are?

Chinese officials argued early in the pandemic that the number of true asymptomatic cases was small, and "there was no evidence" they could spread the disease.

But 10 months on this conclusion does not hold water. Data shows asymptomatic cases comprise a significant percentage of the total positive ones and these patients can spread Covid-19.

For example, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported up to 40 percent of Covid-19 patients in South Korea were asymptomatic.

In the case of Kashgar, 4.75 million people were tested in two days. So if testing is so crucial, then the counting of positive asymptomatic cases is too and should be included in the total tally. Positive is positive whether they develop symptoms or not.

Xi says China will be more open to cooperation

Earlier today Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country will adopt a more open and inclusive strategy towards international scientific cooperation. He said this during the World Laureates Forum in Shanghai, an online forum attended by hundreds of scientists including dozens of Nobel Prize laureates.

"China is ready to work with top scientists around the world and international science and technology organizations to implement a more open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international scientific strategy," he said.

The country can start by being more honest with its numbers; if the number of confirmed cases is so low now, why are Chinese residents not allowed to fly directly to Beijing but instead quarantine in another city for 14 days first?

 

 

Cathay's Knock-On Effect in Hong Kong

Many flats in Discovery Bay are vacated by Cathay staff

 

The termination of the Cathay Dragon airline last week has already had a knock-on effect in the property market.

Someone I know who lives in Discovery Bay told me today how many of the residents there work for Cathay and they have had their salaries cut by 20 to 40 percent for flight attendants, 40 to 60 percent for pilots, or either one or even both spouses have lost their jobs and they immediately have to find a cheaper flat to live in or leave Hong Kong.

A friend described "tsunami" of empty flats

The result is a lot of people moving out and flats left empty. He described it as a "tsunami". 

A property agent in Discovery Bay says there is an increase in flats renting at HK$65,000 per month available. 

The same thing is happening in Tung Chung too.

In the last three months over 60 renters have given up their flats according to Joe Lee of Midland Realty.

"I've never seen so many people giving up their rented apartments in my career," Lee said. "Local crew members who were let go or had their salaries cut are terminating their leases."

Of those who still have jobs at Cathay have opted to swallow the pay cuts, though the airline unions criticized management for not giving the flight crews and pilots more time to consider the new contract, let alone give them a chance to negotiate for a better deal.

However, at this point having a job is better than none at all, and Cathay has reported the majority of Cathay pilots and flight attendants have opted for permanent pay cuts. 

Chris Beebe warns of Cathay's "bullying"

Chris Beebe, general secretary of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, said if the airline's comments were accurate, it would serve "as proof that bullying and intimidation" worked.

"The real [payback] may come in the months and years ahead as pilots remember how they and their families were dealt with harshly and opportunistically when most vulnerable," he warned.

While the pay cuts are severe, the projections for air travel don't look good. The International Air Transport Association projects airline revenues for 2021 to be half that of 2019 due to the global pandemic.

The cuts at Cathay have contributed to Hong Kong's unemployment rate to rise to a nearly 16-year-high of 6.4 percent with tourism taking the biggest hit. 

Simon Lee Siu-po, co-director of the international business and Chinese enterprises program at Chinese University, warned the jobless rate could rise to 7 percent or more by year's end after the wage subsidy ended.

Tung Chung as seen from a plane

"Those who didn't joint the second stage of the [wage subsidy] scheme have already axed staff, such as Cathay Pacific," he said.

"After November when the wage subsidy scheme ends, companies may start to lay off staff. The situation will be more serious in early next year when companies are due to close their accounts for the year end."

Yep 2020 has been a complete wipe out in many ways.

Hearing and reading these sad stories make you appreciate whatever you have... left.

Snitch Line Drags HK Further into Abyss

National security officers have more powers than the police

 

Now that the national security law has been promulgated in Hong Kong, the national security office established in a hotel the Chinese authorities have commandeered, and now it has been announced a hotline will be set up next month to pick up tips from the public on those who may have violated this law.

"Members of the public may possess information about activities that could jeopardize national security, or even suspects' details or their movement," a government source said.

"They will not call 999 to report such sensitive information. There needs to be a proper channel for making reports to police, as well as for the police to gather public intelligence. It will also create a deterrent effect for potential suspects, as there will be eyes and ears everywhere."

The national security office in Causeway Bay

This snitch line is the 2020 equivalent of neighbours informing on each other during the Cultural Revolution, when people would report on others they believed were bourgeois. The alleged victims were dragged in front of public trials and then dealt with in horrific ways.

In this updated hi-tech situation, tipsters could report on anyone supposedly committing acts of subversion, collusion with foreign forces, secession and terrorism; the public can send information, photos, audio and video clips to this number and the informant's identities could be kept secret.

Meanwhile in conducting an investigation, officers, with the approval of the chief executive, can intercept communications and conduct covert surveillance on a person suspected of endangering national security. Currently all law enforcers who are not with the national security unit must obtain permission from a panel judge to intercept postal or telecommunications, or carry out intrusive surveillance work.

New hotline is akin to 2020 Cultural Revolution

National security police can search premises, vehicles, vessels, aircraft and electronic devices. They can also order suspects to surrender travel documents to prevent them from leaving Hong Kong. Previously, police needed court approval to do so.

With Hong Kong becoming more and more polarized, introducing this new snitch line is a very easy way to breakdown trust in society and let the city dissolve into chaos... all in the name of national security.

Shock and Ridicule in One Day

Three national security police with Chung (second left) today

 

Today the National Security Police nabbed three young people related to a pro-independence group called Studentlocalism, one just metres away from the United States Consulate in Central.

The Hong Kong police said the trio, aged 17 to 21, were arrested for breaching the national security law with social media posts allegedly inciting others to split the country.

Chung allegedly violated the national security law

At 8am this morning the former leader of the group, Tony Chung Hon-lam, 19, was taken by national security police as he was at a coffee shop just across the street from the consulate. He was planning to go to the consulate to seek asylum.

However, the US does not grant asylum to people at its diplomatic postings -- asylum seekers need to be on US soil to apply. 

When the media contacted the local police to ask how to get in touch with the national security police about Chung's arrest, the force replied there were no contact details.

Huh? Perhaps this is the new normal?

Meanwhile later in the day two others, Yannis Ho and William Chan, were arrested by the national security police when they reported to the local police station for their previous arrest on July 29 along with Chung also related to violating the national security law. 

Chung was 50 metres from the US Consulate

At the time Chung's passport was taken, preventing him from leaving, and facing the charges makes it hard for him to enroll in post secondary studies.

He reportedly wanted to seek asylum because he was told on Monday to report to the police station today and Chung feared he would face further charges and his bail conditions revoked.

So far it is reported the trio have access to legal assistance, but will their situation continue to be relatively transparent?

Apart from this shocking news, there was farcical news coming from the Hong Kong government.

Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee announced there would be a further loosening of social-distancing measures. Starting Friday restaurants can have six people per table, up from two, and bars another two people per group to four. These businesses can also remain open until 2am, whereas currently they have to close at midnight.

However, public social distancing needs to remain at four people.

From Friday restaurants can have six to a table

That means theoretically that six people could go out for dinner at a restaurant, but as soon as all of them walk out of the restaurant, they could be arrested for not social distancing.

How does that make any sense?

When asked to explain this, Chan replied:

"Generally speaking, we must appeal to the public not to gather... even though we're exempting [the public gathering ban for certain activities], those social-distancing measures have conditions... and their risks can be managed," she said.

"Of course, any relaxation [of social-distancing measures] will carry risks, but most importantly we're not relaxing all the rules at the same time... and will continue to do so step by step. We will continue to monitor the epidemic and make adjustments when necessary."

Huh.

Oh and after over three months (basically the summer), beaches will finally reopen on November 3. 

Beaches will finally open November 3

Either the government is getting a lot of heat from the catering sector, or it isn't too worried about the fourth wave coming.

But yes if there are six of you dining, make sure the police aren't milling outside the restaurant ready to pounce...

 

 

 

HK Has Failed the Elderly and the Young

 Ma of the HK Public Doctors' Association

 

Every Sunday Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 3 has a segment called "Letter to Hong Kong". Usually prominent people "read out their letter" to the city to give their opinions about specific issues that are dear to them. 

Yesterday it was Arisina Ma, president of the Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association. She says the sign of the morality of a nation is how it treats the young and the elderly. She says Hong Kong is failing on both counts.

One can see how quickly Covid-19 could spread

When it comes to the elderly, Ma says Hong Kong lags far behind other developed countries in providing care and support for them.

"Most elderly could only reside in shabby private homes where they were sometimes poorly treated," she said. "Despite the frequent occurrence of incidents and negligence, the families of the elderly could only choke with silent fury, since the wait for government subsidized places seemed endless."

When there are incidents of the elderly being mistreated, Ma says the private care homes are only punished with a slap on the wrist, while the seniors are scarred psychologically and in some cases physically for a long time.

She also pointed out during the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, most of the positive cases spread in elderly care homes, and said the government didn't do enough to stop the virus in these places.

The government has failed the elderly in services

"The elderly are the most innocent yet the most affected by the epidemic. They did not attend vibrant social gatherings nor travel abroad nor benefit from economic activities," Ma said. "Yet most Covid-19 patients are older adults, among which some have unfortunately passed away."

She said many were cut off from their families because of strict visitation rules due to the pandemic. Meanwhile others were deprived of community support and rehabilitation services after day care centres suspended their services.

"How did the government officials respond to these? There was no apology, no condolence, not even a promise to evaluate the residential care services for the elderly."

It's scathing criticism of the authorities, but it is true -- these people who died were someone's parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt. They were the passive victims in this pandemic.

Then Ma talked about how the Hong Kong government has treated the city's next generation. She said last year's protests left a "deep wound on the young people". 

The protests left a "deep wound" on young people

Some were hindered academically, some were injured physically or psychologically, and some jailed.

"Although the young people should face legal responsibilities for disrupting social order, the police are also expected to treat them fairly and professionally, it is obviously not what we observed," Ma said.

"Not only do those in political power have no mercy for the younger generation, they are also resentful towards the professionals who have helped the young people, spoken up for social justice and criticized the government," she continued.

"Healthcare workers, the press, social workers, religious figures and legal professionals have all been attacked by the politically influential government officials. Those in power never reflected on their shortcomings in governance. Instead they blame the educators for instigating the youth and aggressively suppress them to ensure no educator would ever teach the students to think critically and independently."

Have the police acted fairly and professionally?

Ma ends her letter by sympathizing with both the young and old, how they may fee devastated. But she says those with a conscience will band together and "get through this bumpy ride together with you".

It is ironic Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's election platform slogan was: "We Listen, We Care, We Act".

She and her administration have not done that for the Hong Kong people. Yet she is not accountable to them at all, but to Beijing. Her governance over the city has become farcical by the day. How much longer can Hongkongers live with this?

No Consultation on HK Electoral Law

Lam wants to allow Hongkongers in China to vote next year

It is becoming clearer and clearer why the Hong Kong government delayed the Legislative Council elections that should have been held in September. 

They were cancelled in August by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on the pretense of the coronavirus pandemic, when other countries, like South Korea were able to hold elections safely. Even the United States is allowing its citizens to vote.

But the Hong Kong government knew the pro-establishment party, the DAB would lose sorely this year because of the protests last year, and decided to shore up more votes by allowing those Hongkongers living on the mainland to cast their votes in China.

"We care, We Listen, We Act"was Lam's platform

Currently any permanent resident registered to vote must come to Hong Kong to cast their ballot.

What about those permanent residents living elsewhere, like Europe, Canada, the US, other parts of Asia, do they get to vote by mail from overseas?

Nope.

Even worse, there will be no public consultation about this proposal.

Sources familiar with the matter said the government was keen on implementing the changes so that election officials would have enough time to prepare for polling for the delayed Legislative Council elections in September 2021.

That means the plan is going ahead before Lam reveal the details in her policy address... next month. Isn't that like putting the cart before the horse?

"The government plans not to wait till the end of November for Lam to unveil the proposals along with her delayed policy address," a policy bureau insider said. "We don't have much time left. We don't know what will happen [in the Legislative Council] if people try all kinds of tactics to block the bill."

And so the plan is to skip public consultation so that the amendments to the electoral law will be passed early next year.

Millions protested the extradition bill last year

The opposition bloc and academics warned that if the government changed the electoral laws without engaging the public, it risked political turmoil like last year's protests against the extradition bill that also had hardly any public consultation -- people only had three weeks to give feedback.

The reply was peaceful protests that culminated in months' long protests that grew increasingly violent due to the government not interested in engaging with the protesters in a dialogue.

So Lam is prepared for more protests, more dissent, more resentment?

Perhaps her skin has gotten thicker this past year.

Earlier Lam told a Shenzhen-based television channel that there had been "demands in society" to help Hongkongers living on the mainland to exercise their voting rights, especially as the coronavirus pandemic had led to travel restrictions earlier this year.

But the same goes for Hongkongers living in other countries too, no?

Lam did not listen to peaceful protesters

And she never did reveal where these "demands in society" came from.

In a recent report, the independent Electoral Affairs Commission recommended that the government should "facilitate a thorough discussion in society" before putting proposed changes to Legco. 

The watchdog did not comment on the government's plan to bypass public consultation, instead urging the government to "carefully consider the applicability and enforcement of the subsisting electoral law in places outside Hong Kong" so that the issue of law enforcement abroad could be addressed.

Apparently mail-in ballots were ruled out to prevent voter fraud, while statistics show there are 541,900 Hongkongers living in Guangdong last year. Would they all be voting for the DAB?

Chinese University political science professor Ma Ngok says the government should learn from mistakes in last year's protests, and warned of deeper distrust of the government if it did not engage the public again.

Ma warns more dissent if no public consultation

"It will seem that the government won't back down on the bill regardless of how unreasonable it is and how many legal obstacles lie ahead," he said.

"[The amendments] will be viewed as electoral manipulation by residents and western societies alike, further undermining trust and the credibility of the government."

Lam seems hell bent on further ruining whatever is left of her integrity and that of her administration by pushing this electoral law change forward without any consultation.

She seems to be doubling down... just for praise from her boss?

Hong Kong Phil Musicians Test Negative

How does the HK Phil move forward to have concerts safely?

 

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra issued a press release this afternoon saying that apart from the one clarinettist who tested positive for the coronavirus, and is in stable condition in hospital, everyone else tested negative and are out of quarantine after two weeks.

Flautist plays husband's trombone in quarantine

It is a relief for the 90 orchestra members, who were suddenly forced into quarantine, some wondering what to do with their young children (taking them with them), or being separated from their spouse for that period of time. 

They all quarantined in at Penny's Bay, where there was no wifi, and some were scalded by water that was too hot for the showers. Many brought their instruments with them to play, though the ones with bigger instruments were not allowed to, owing to space restrictions.

Some reported the food tasted horrific and opted to fast, while others just ate boiled eggs.

Earlier in the week they had a virtual meeting with the orchestra's management, expressing their frustration at all of them being forced into quarantine, and there was no proper protocols on how to deal with the pandemic. 

How about starting with chamber concerts?

Some had no contact with the infected musician, or even sat near him and questioned why they needed to be quarantined.

"We can't perform again until something has been worked out and approved in advance, because there is no way we can risk being sent back here. We just can't perform again if the CHP [Centre for Health Protection] isn't engaging with us to develop a plan," said one orchestra member who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The orchestra's management suggested testing everyone weekly, with musicians handing them deep saliva samples in bottles before the first rehearsal of each week.

Some musicians also felt it would have been better to start the season with chamber music than a full orchestra.

Leung says tests prove live concerts are safe

Nevertheless, first associate concert master and violinist Leung Kin-fung says the musicians all testing negative "proved once and for all that the orchestra is not a high-risk environment and that live concerts are perfectly safe".

Until the CHP works with the Hong Kong Philharmonic to develop a specific protocol for them on how to hold concerts safely, we won't be able to listen to any of their live performances anytime soon, and that would be a pity; we are starving for music to soothe our anxieties in these unsettling times.

Not Enough Flu Vaccines in HK

Sophia Chan gets her flu jab today and urges everyone else too

 

We were warned a few months ago that the winter months would be bad because of the double whammy of flu season and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Medical experts in Hong Kong have warned people should get their flu shots early this year to keep the number of influenza-related illnesses down.

But there are not enough flu jabs to go around

Earlier today Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee made the appeal as she got her flu jab.

But how can we get the flu vaccine if there isn't enough for all 7.8 million residents?

Apparently the city has only ordered 878,000 doses of the flu vaccine that will arrive next month, and has yet to secure another 100,000 doses.

Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan Hon-yee says the government is trying to contact various pharmaceutical companies to get enough additional doses to meet a surge in demand.

"We ordered [more] doses additionally. We have ordered, and hope that they could arrive by mid-November," Chan said, adding the government would like to purchase more vaccine, but "this wish might not be realized".

Constance Chan says more flu jabs on the way

There is a government program to provide subsidized flu jabs to people in high-risk groups, such as those aged 50 and above, children and pregnant women when they visit participating private clinics.

For those who don't fall into those categories should practice good hygiene (how many times have we heard this over the past 10 months?) and have healthy living conditions.

How reassuring.

University of Hong Kong microbiologist Professor Ho Pak-leung says the number of doses procured by the government is the highest in the past four years, but will still not be enough.

"Referring to the winter flu peak period last year, the demand for primary school students and the elderly reached more than 800,000 doses of vaccine and that will definitely not be enough to meet demand this year," he said.

Leung says Hong Kong needs more flu vaccines

Hopefully those in the aforementioned high-risk groups will get the injections, and as for the rest of us, keep washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds and wear a mask!

HSBC's Lions Back on Display

Peter Wong (left) unveiled the return of Stephen and Stitt

The big news in Hong Kong today?

The HSBC lions are back on display!

Stephen and Stitt, named after two bank managers, were unveiled at HSBC headquarters in Central today, nine months after extensive cleaning when they were painted read and torched during last year's protests. 

Last year the lions were damaged by fire and paint

Protesters were angry the London-based bank had shut down the bank account for SparkAlliance, which was accused of funding the legal and medical costs for the protest movement. Hong Kong police shut down the account which had HK$70 million, and arrested four people on money laundering charges.

"Stephen and Stitt have watched over HSBC's main building for 85 years. Through good times and bad, they have been an enduring part of Hong Kong's story," said Peter Wong Tung-shun, deputy chairman and chief executive of HSBC Asia-Pacific.

"Many customers, employees and the general public told us how much they missed the lions, so we decided to put them back on display following the first phase of restoration. When the work is complete, they will look as impressive as ever.

The two lions have a long history with the bank that dates back to 1923. Stephen, the one growling, was named after Alexander Stephen the chief manager, and Stitt for Gordon Stitt, the Shanghai manager at the time.

The lions were designed by Henry Poole in England in 1921 and cast in bronze. Another pair of lions were designed for the Hong Kong headquarters which was opened in 1935. 

Stephen back to his old self growling again

Since then Stephen and Stitt have only left their posts twice: in World War II when they were consigned to Japan for scrap metal. But luckily an American sailor spotted them in a Japanese shipyard and were returned to Hong Kong in 1946.

Then in 1981 the lions were moved again this time to Statue Square while the new HSBC headquarters was being built. Four years later they were put back in place according to feng shui. 

 

Cathay Pacific's Deep Cuts to Survive

Cathay Pacific is cutting 8,500 jobs, mostly in Hong Kong

The news of Cathay Pacific cutting 8,500 jobs was a huge bombshell today, but to be expected, considering the airline does not expect flying volume to recover until the second half of 2021.

The airline does not see recovery until mid-2021

This means Cathay Dragon (formerly Dragon Air) is immediately shut down, with 2,000 cabin crew and 550 pilots affected. Another 4,000 cabin crew, 600 pilots and 700 ground crew will be made redundant, mostly in Hong Kong.

Cathay Dragon flew 48 aircraft to 51 destinations, 23 of which were on the Chinese mainland, about 370 flights per week to China.

The massive cuts are the airline's HK$2.2 billion (US$284 million) bid to restructure the company despite getting HK$39 billion in a bailout in June and a HK$27.3 billion injection from the Hong Kong government to keep the airline going during the pandemic.

Chairman Patrick Healy made the announcement today, apologizing for the "great distress and anxiety", but that the company had done everything it could to avoid the cuts, and they had to be made to "secure the survival of this incredible 74-year-old company".

Healy said cuts were a bid to keep airline alive

He said Cathay Dragon was being sacrificed so that the company could focus on creating a "world-leading travel brand in Cathay Pacific", and a single "low-cost leisure brand in Hong Kong Express".

The chairman said the decision to part ways with "such a large number of our outstanding colleagues is heart-wrenching... and nothing would give us greater pleasure than to be able to hire back the people we are losing today when we return to growth in the future".

It's a terrible and difficult decision to make, but it had to be done. However, aviation experts say Cathay should have made these cuts much earlier like other airlines to stop bleeding cash and stay as lean as possible. For example back in August, British Airways cut 12,000 jobs and reduced wages.

Nevertheless, many flight attendants have moved on to other jobs. I heard last night from a friend that his Cathay friends have gotten jobs in hotels or restaurants, or are selling insurance.

Some flight crew have already changed careers

All these people have had great training and would be a good asset to any hospitality business, if they can take on any more staff.

Most flight attendants know their job was not forever, but announcement this will be harder for pilots to stomach, who have a specialized skill and were used to being paid well, between HK$3 million to HK$4.5 million.

Of those who are retained, they will have a week to decide if they want to continue working for Cathay, and if they do, will have to accept much lower packages by 40 to 60 percent than they are used to, putting them in line with Singapore Airlines.

It's tough times for everyone, and the airline industry is bearing the brunt of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with Cathay's passenger numbers in September plunging 98.1 percent from the same month last year. 

The pandemic has been especially hard for Cathay and Singapore Airlines, which don't have any domestic routes, which is why last week's announcement of a travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was welcomed.

Cathay Dragon (right) has ceased operations

Cathay's announcement will also have a knock-on affect other industries tied to the airline, such as suppliers for catering, companies that produce in-flight magazines and other printed materials, cleaners, drivers who ferried flight crews, and of course the tourism industry.

It's a massive shakeup but it needed to be done. Other industries need to look at how they can be as lean as possible too. Everyone has to play survival of the fittest, which will surely affect people's mental health and well being.

But remember: we are all in this together. And for some, this change will be good. 

Opening Shop in a Pandemic

Cinnabon's pecan and caramel, chocolate, and peanut butter

 

Today I went to preview a shop opening in City Gate, Tung Chung for Seattle bakery brand Cinnabon. For those who studied in North America, they have warm fuzzy feelings for this product, the gooey frosting covering the cinnamon roll. It's so calorific, but so comforting.

This is the second shop -- the first one opened at Olympian City earlier this year in February just at the start of the pandemic, which was really good for sales because most people were working from home. I heard there were really long lines, but people were patient to get their Cinnabons, with the option of getting at least one fresh out of the oven.

For this second outlet there's a small area for people to sit down and eat, and there's even USB charging stations for people to have a decent coffee break or work a bit at the store. This time around there's some savoury items like panini cheese roll with ham, turkey and pickles, but honestly, people are there for the sweet cinnamon rolls.

Stephen Yang says finding shop space is hard

I asked the owner, Stephen Yang Tsuen-men when he was going to open on Hong Kong island. Olympic City is already a trek, and Tung Chung was even further, but it was a good way to capture the large residential community living there, the close proximity to the airport and those living in the outlying islands like Mui Wo.

Yang said landlords on Hong Kong island were still not lowering their rents. I was flabbergasted to hear this. He seemed to think they were still holding out which seems ridiculous in this climate considering the pandemic is going to be around for another year at least. 

I felt he should open a shop in Wan Chai or Causeway Bay, but he could not find a good space. He said for Causeway Bay there was Hysan (too far upstairs), and Times Square was dead (which is true). World Trade Center would have been good, Yang said, except The Excelsior hotel next door is gone, rendering the area very quiet.

Wan Chai would be good, but again where? So it wasn't that easy, and finding a cooperative landlord is hard too. He believes his product does best in a shopping mall where there is lots of pedestrian traffic.

Yang has to demonstrate to his Citygate landlord that Cinnabon attracted customers to the mall, and come Saturday when it officially opens, it should do the trick, though the location is a bit hard to find, as the mall has many nooks and crannies.

Who can resist trying a Cinnabon or two?

His other big challenge is getting the local market to try Cinnabons. If they have not studied overseas as a student (he says Canadians are the biggest Cinnabon fans here), then they don't know what cinnamon rolls are and assume it's very sweet. When I pointed out that at HK$38 it wasn't a big investment to try, he countered, but having a pineapple bun is much cheaper. While this is comparing apples to oranges, he is probably thinking the way they are.

A big part of his job besides hauling the raw materials of flour, sugar and cinnamon to the two outlets is educating potential customers about the product and the brand. He is enthusiastic and has the energy, but he's wondering if he's banging his head on a brick wall. 

Nevertheless, he hopes with more media exposure and influencers seen trying the product, that will inspire people to try it out. I told him perhaps it will take some time, but he seems anxious for it to take off.

He was also disappointed that the company is also offering "minibons", much smaller cinnabons that would have been perfect for birthday parties and corporate meetings, but large gatherings are not allowed now. 

Cinnabons just rolled up and ready to be baked

Nevertheless I reminded him that right now a lot of restaurants and shops are barely surviving the pandemic and he's opening a second shop. He's doing very well considering the circumstances.

Hopefully he will be able to open on Hong Kong island soon... many people there are customers who are willing to buy Cinnabons, but not trek across the harbour to get them...