Investigation into Upside Down Flag

This morning the Chinese flag was upside down at Legco

This week is not over yet, and so much has happened -- eight former lawmakers were arrested for illegal assembly on July 1, eight Chinese University students were arrested for chanting slogans for independence, activist Agnes Chow Ting denied bail, former Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung's bank account frozen, unfrozen then refrozen again, and on top of that the number of cases of the coronavirus climbed to 112 today.

We can also add from today restaurants cannot serve food inside the premises beyond 6pm, while gyms, beaches, libraries, museums, concert halls, massage parlours are closed too. Basically there is nothing to do in the city.

The blunder wasn't found until two hours later

So there was a bit of respite from the gloom to find out this morning that the Chinese flag was flying upside down at the Legislative Council for almost two hours until someone spotted the mistake.

Every morning at 8am the flag is raised outside the complex in Admiralty, but the Legco secretariat didn't discover the blunder until just before 10am.

By that time pictures of the upside down flag spread on social media.

"After learning that the national flag at Legco Square had been flying upside down, the secretariat immediately raised it properly at 9.54am. The secretariat sincerely apologizes for the mistake," it said.

It added an investigation was underway, and the office would follow up with its human resources policies.

"The secretariat has also immediately reviewed and improved the procedures of flag raising to avoid a recurrence of the mistake in future," it added.

Hong Kong's current flag law states that anyone who desecrates the national flag or national emblem by publicly and wilfully burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling it commits an offence punishable by a fine of up to HK$50,000 and three years in jail.

Last year this happened at the liaison office

However, in October, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislative body, strengthened the national flag law to ban flying it upside down in an amendment to take effect January 1 and will apply in Hong Kong.

So whoever did it this time is very lucky to not be affected by the new amendment that will be in a few weeks' time.

Nevertheless it is quite strange for this to happen, considering at least three people are involved in the flag-raising ceremony... did no one check afterwards to see if it was flying the right way up?

Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Wong Kwok-kin isn't too worried about it, saying last year a staff member at Beijing's liaison office made the same mistake, and if Thursday's incident was an oversight, then warning the staff should be enough.

But another pro-Beijing lawmaker, Edward Lau Kwok-fan of the DAB says further investigation is necessary.

"Flying the flag upside down is a serious matter. We have to see whether it's just a careless mistake or there are other reasons," he said.

Incredible Shrinking Homes

How small a space are you willing to live in? Or rather you can afford?

The housing issue in Hong Kong continues to heat up. In the last day or so, there have been reports that there will be more and more microflats coming into the market in the next few years.

Last year there were 691 units on the market, over eight times more than the 79 in 2015; smaller flats between 215 sq ft and 430 sq ft jumped to 6,200 last year, from 2,056 in 2015. The Hong Kong government forecasts 6,852 private flats smaller than 430 sq ft will be completed this year, accounting for 38 percent of the overall supply of 18,130 private flats this year.

Tiny spaces leave people feeling claustrophobic and depressed

There have been calls to regulate the minimum size -- some of which are smaller than the dimensions of a jail cell here. Our Hong Kong Foundation that's run by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has estimated the average size of private flats completed between 2018 and 2022 would be 681 sq ft, or equivalent to five standard parking space -- an 18 percent decrease from the average of 833 sq ft in the past decade.

Researchers say the trend of building microflats getting smaller will continue. Developers say that's because there is a demand for them, especially from those buyers who want to finally own a home, but at what cost financially and in terms of mental health? How is a tiny cramped space good for one's self esteem? How many years will it take for them to pay off the mortgage?

Pro-government lawmaker Alice Mak Mei-kuen from the Federation of Trade Unions said the government needs to safeguard buyers' rights.

"I know that many buyers now feel regret after purchasing nano flats. Even if the government won't legislate a flat's minimum size, will you consider introducing guidelines about it?" she asked.

How long can someone live in a tiny space like this?

However, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said there was no need to regulate the size of flats because buyers wouldn't be able to afford bigger ones due to rising property prices.

"If we set out some guidelines stipulating the minimum floor area of a flat, it means that aspiring home buyers will face a minimum price for a larger unit. Will they be able to afford this [greater] minimum price? We have big reservations about this," Chan said.

Land supply, he says is the issue. Perhaps that's because the government is constantly pushing its agenda of reclaiming more land on Lantau that has received a lot of opposition because it disrupts the environment and the species that live in the area.

We've been calling for the government to put more effort into re-developing brown sites, but there hasn't been much in the news about it seriously looking into these areas. The sites may seem small, but they add up and it's the more sustainable way to go. And maybe it's time to stop the quota of allowing 150 mainlanders to settle here everyday? Just a thought.

It's time for the government to be more creative; blaming market demand is not the answer.

Food Trucks Prove a Tough Business

Food truck locations focus on tourists than locals for business

Looks like food trucks in Hong Kong aren't working out as well as the government had hoped.

The 12 food trucks -- one dropped out before it even started -- were not allowed to stray from its location, were not allowed to adjust the menu, and had to draw a lottery for where they would next be, which meant they could be back in the same place due to their own bad luck instead of being evenly rotated around eight sites.

But now it seems there is an easing of the food truck restrictions with two more locations, Science Park in Sha Tin and AsiaWorld-Expo near the airport when there are events held there.

Yesterday Greg So sampled some food truck dishes

"Some of these venues, in certain time periods, have very little business. So we want to enrich the program, by giving them [the operators] more choices," says commerce minister Greg So Kam-leung, who was sampling food at the most popular food truck destination just outside Disneyland. It's popular because people don't want to pay the exorbitant prices inside the theme park.

The least popular sites are at Ocean Park, Salisbury Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central Harbourfront and Energizing Kowloon East in Kwun Tong.

So reported that daily revenue from the 12 food trucks ranged from HK$3,000 to HK$25,000. As a result, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau decided to allow operators in locations with slow business to go to other locations for a short period of time. In addition, food trucks at Kowloon East could go to Tsim Sha Tsui in the evenings.

Science Park is expected to have 250,000 visitors next year, while AsiaWorld-Expo is booked for 66 days a year.

"We think these two locations are worth a try," So said.

Is this grilled squid a dish that can be eaten as a street food?

But lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung, of the Federation of Trade Unions, said adding new tourist sites just repeated previous mistakes.

"The scheme should focus on residents and encourage small businesses instead of giving tourists priority," he said.

Last month, Capital Cafe quit the food truck business before it even started, citing concerns over the profitability of the scheme, blaming costs and government requirements.

We tend to agree with Kwok. Having visited many of the food trucks myself for a story and seen the situation, the food trucks are just a gimmick, instead of what they are really meant to be -- a platform for chefs to try new culinary ideas and create snacks or food that are easy to eat while standing on the street.

Some dishes were hard to eat standing up or consume using one hand, or they were just too bizarre like fish maw soup. Who buys such a product from a food truck? Many featured pineapple buns made into hamburgers. It's novel, but does it actually taste good? (not really). And price-wise they were hardly value for money.

It's another government scheme that has no imagination and not well thought-out either, as the restrictions are just ridiculous. The whole point of food trucks is having several together in one spot for consumers to choose what they want to eat. And the food trucks should be able to move around to whatever locations will bring them business.

Why not food trucks in Causeway Bay like Victoria Park or on a pedestrian-only street in Central to catch the office crowd?

But the government doesn't seem to understand that...

Xi Shows who's in Control

Xi Jinping (right) sits at the head of the table, CY Leung to his right

China watchers had a field day today after Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying made his latest pilgrimage to Beijing to ask for advice on how the city could play a role in China's "One Belt One Road" initiative and the 13th five-year plan.

In photographs released afterwards, it was shown that in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was seated at the head of a long boardroom table, and Leung sat at one side next to Wang Guangya, director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

This same arrangement was also evident in Leung's meeting with Premier Li Keqiang.

What did this new seating arrangement mean?

This was a contrast to previous meetings with Xi and Li, where Leung said in two chairs side by side, giving the impression Hong Kong was on equal footing to China.

Previously Leung and Xi sat side by side in meetings

But now it looks like someone wants to send a message to Hong Kong -- you've been demoted.

Leung later said the new seating arrangement "reflects the constitutional position of Hong Kong and the central authorities", but lawmaker Wong Kwok-kin of the pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions put it more bluntly.

"It has highlighted... the subordinate role [of Hong Kong]," he said. "Beijing did not stress its role in the early years after the handover to avoid scaring off Hong Kong people, but the central government has changed its policy in the wake of the Occupy protests and the failed political reform."

Meanwhile Democratic Party leader Emily Lau Wai-hing remarked the new protocol was unnecessary and degrading, only confirming existing fears about the future of "one country, two systems".

"People would only have a stronger impression that Leung has failed to uphold the city's high degree of autonomy," she said.

All these explanations are plausible, but what about what Xi said during his meeting with Hong Kong's leader?

Xi noted "new circumstances" had arisen regarding one country, two systems, both in Hong Kong and in the international community. He promised the central government would be steadfast and unshaken in its commitment to the policy and "make sure its implementation does not get distorted".

If Xi doesn't want things to "get distorted", perhaps he himself could explain the new seating arrangement so that we're all on the same page?

Electoral Reform Push: Strike 2

Dr Ko Wing-man loses his temper when arguing with a senior yesterday

Oh boy. More senior Hong Kong officials with egg on their faces.

It's a tough job having to sell electoral reforms and encountering dissent along the way.

After Chief Secretary Carrie Lam last week, the latest victim was Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man, who visited a public housing estate in Ngau Tau Kok yesterday.

Last weekend's bus tours were not working, so this week officials made unannounced community visits.

Ko spoke to a boy about the electoral reform and said, "I hope you will support us", when a senior came up to Ko and yelled, "Can 1,200 people represent the whole of Hong Kong?" The man then turned away.

He was referring to the nominating committee that would choose the two or three candidates who would run for chief executive in 2017.

Ko went after him and said, "Mister, don't go. I don't like people who come shouting and leave right away."

The man did stop and criticized Ko for "fooling the children". The proposed election system would only produce undesirable candidates like a "white-haired witch", he said.

"I disagree with you. the words you use are a bit of an insult," Ko shot back. "It's fine for you to have your own ideals, but you shouldn't impose them on all other Hong Kong people."

"That's exactly what you're doing!" the senior retorted.

The war of words continued with the old man insisting Ko was cheating and the doctor shouted back, "Objection!"

Ko then went left with his colleagues.

Considered one of the more popular government officials, Ko later addressed the media, saying, "To be frank, I'm just an ordinary person. I only hope there's room for discussion. I was unable to control my emotions. I hope the public will understand I have tried my best."

Our observations so far have seen many seniors who are picking up the mantle to actively protest against the government's push on its (or rather Beijing's) version of "universal suffrage". One directly confronted Chief Secretary Lam last week at a Federation of Trade Unions event, and then yesterday's incident with Ko.

Perhaps we can add here that Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung addressed diners in a restaurant and an old man began to vomit. So didn't hesitate to help by handing him a plate.

For Ko to say he's "an ordinary person" immediately sparks frustration and eye-ball rolling by Hong Kong citizens, much like Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah likening himself to being in the middle class, as they like to drink coffee and watch French movies...

They aren't going to get any sympathy points.

Most telling is Ko's wish, that "I only hope there's room for discussion". What discussion? Has the Hong Kong government really taken into account people's opinions of what they want universal suffrage to look like?

Instead of an earnest attempt to give the appearance of listening to the people, this public relations exercise appears to be a desperate campaign to indoctrinate the public on the government's version of electoral reform.

And unfortunately for Leung Chun-ying's administration, it's not working...

Not Exactly Choreographed

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam encountering views counter to the government...

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is having a tough time to say the least.

Not only did people boo her and her entourage when they tried to do a bus tour through some Hong Kong districts on the weekend, but she even encountered dissent at a pro-Beijing event this evening.

At a community outreach session supposedly choreographed by the Federation of Trade Unions at Lai Kok Estate in Cheung Sha Wan, Lam fielded questions from residents.

The media watched as the first man chosen by FTU lawmaker Chan Yuen-han to raise a question said to Lam, "I want universal suffrage."

Holding a microphone, the middle-aged man added Lam failed to deliver on her promise to get rid of illegal structures in rural New Territories when she was secretary for development.

His microphone was then switched off and taken away by helpers.

The next man to speak was accompanied by an FTU officer, who read into his ear: "Support the chief executive election in 2017."

How original.

Afterwards Lam said to the media: "I've heard such views. I don't hold the view that we are unaware of split views in society."

You don't say, Carrie! But what are you going to do about it?

Having someone demand universal suffrage at an event held by Beijing loyalists is surely very embarrassing to say the least.

Former chief secretary Anson Chan Fong On-sang speculated Lam was "between a rock and a hard place".

"Carrie has no power even though you can see, reading between the lines, she is very unhappy actually with the whole way this consultation and the package of the constitutional proposals has been presented," Chan said.

She even added, "I have the distinct impression that she doesn't believe what's coming out from her own mouth."

Ouch. Guess Lam isn't winning an Academy Award for Best Actress anytime soon -- or is Chan hinting the incumbent isn't very good at her job?