RTHK Becoming State Media

Lam (centre) at launch of CMG's 100th anniversary programs

 

Radio Television Hong Kong has been pretty much gutted into a shell (of its former self) in renovation speak -- ready to be remade into the form of a news outlet that is approved by Beijing. In other words, state-controlled media.

Earlier this week Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that RTHK will build a long-term alliance with state-owned China Media Group and air more television content produced on the mainland in a bid to boost patriotism in the city.

Xi awarded medals to war veterans on July 1

China Media Group includes China Central Television (CCTV),  China National Radio, and China Radio International. CMG is controlled by the Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party.

The local broadcaster on channel TV31 will be running more dramas and documentaries produced by CCTV. 

She said the programs "offer a crucial opportunity to let Hong Kong people have a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the struggle and development of the Communist Party of China and nurture a stronger sense of patriotism".

Lam praised the quality of the programing, even adding: "I am also a fan of CCTV."

Where can people sign up to join the CCTV fan club?

So far TV31 has run programs like Awarding Ceremony of July 1 Medals, when President Xi Jinping bestowed honours on outstanding party members and war veterans. There's another called The Great Journey, documenting major moments in the history of the party. And there are other documentaries, like Masters of the Forbidden City and Asia-Pacific War Crimes Trials.

Masters of the Forbidden City

Riveting viewing.

In the future, Lam said, RTHK will make more programs aimed at promoting national security, Greater Bay Area development, and the country's 14th five-year plan "in order to help Hong Kong citizens understand Chinese culture and the country's latest developments".

In the last several years television has become irrelevant with people streaming shows online and watching them on their laptops and mobile phones.

It'll be interesting to see if it is difficult to find staff to produce this kind of content, and also what audience numbers are like when these state-produced shows are airing full time...

Word of the Day: Tegong

A university canteen with students in the back lining up for food

When I worked at a state media outlet in Beijing, at 12 noon we would get our empty food containers and chopsticks, and gather at the canteen door for some grub. Only when the staff were ready were the doors unlocked and we could see what grub was available.

There were thick noodles with a tomato and scrambled egg sauce, small plates of appetizers like pickled garlic cucumbers, or spicy pickled wood ear fungus, or even steamed or fried small fish.  My favourite on Thursdays was jiaozi, or dumplings. I'd get two catties' worth, or about 20 of them and was very happy eating them with a good dose of vinegar. The food was also very cheap too, only a few yuan.

Tomato and scrambled egg with noodles in soup

After a few days or weeks, I can't remember, a colleague I was eating lunch with said we were lucky to have good food. He explained that because we were working for a company that was state owned, the food was of a good quality. Of course he added, senior officials had access to the best quality food.

I was relieved to hear this, as there were so many stories of fake food in China, but I was also surprised to hear this privilege we had, just from working in state media, my colleagues toiling for 3,000 yuan a month.

Now I know there is a word for it, called 特需供應 te(4) xu (1) gong (1) ying (4) or tegong meaning "special supply", where food comes from organic farms, and quality trusted pork, beef and chicken producers.

This privilege extends to all canteens of local governments, state-owned enterprises, and elite athletes, while everyone else has to guess if the food they are eating is not dodgy.

Dumplings were never served like this in the canteen...

Tegong is an ancient tradition in China, where royal households in past dynasties used to source food from designated suppliers in regions known for their particular produce. One example is that during the Qing dynasty, emperors would only drink spring water from Beijing's western hills, which were carried over daily to the Forbidden City.

The tradition continued after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 for Communist Party leaders. The main reason was for food security to ensure central government officials were not poisoned, the second was for food security during famines and food shortages. The third is reputation, where the government designates certain farms and suppliers for overseas consumption, including Hong Kong, so that the quality and safety is ensured.

During the 1980s, one of the grievances that led to the Tiananmen Square protests was anger against officials' privileges that included tegong. After the bloody crackdown, the government promised to do away with the tegong system, but the measure wasn't implemented.

And so this privilege is still here to this day, while people continue to buy milk powder outside of China, and any other food they can get their hands on.

Until government officials eat the regular food that the laobaixing or ordinary people eat, food scandals will continue to fester, while the privileged can enjoy their tegong food.

Don't Visit Beijing in 2018

Fodors is advising people not to visit the Great Wall of China...

US travel guide Fodors has a list of warnings of where people should not go in 2018.

When it comes to China, don't go to the Great Wall. Fodors says the deterioration of swathes of the structure as the reason to stay away, and the same goes for the Forbidden City because of the horrible pollution levels in Beijing.

... or the Forbidden City because of Beijing's pollution

And unless you're a seasoned climber, don't risk your life (six people died there this year) or money (US$25,000 to US$45,000) going up Mount Everest.

Some of the other places the guide suggests not visiting are:

The Galapagos Islands because of the fragile ecosystem that is impacted by tourists;

The Taj Mahal's dome is being cleaned for the first time in 369 years and probably won't be ready until 2019;

Myanmar should be avoided because of its ethnic cleansing of the ethnic Rohingya;

Don't take unnecessary risks climbing up Mount Everest

And avoid Honduras as it's one of the most deadliest places on earth because of its murder rate.

There are places that don't want tourists -- they are Venice and Amsterdam where there is a backlash against visitors. Fodors suggests staying away from these cities too.

Celebrating 20 Years of What?

Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan putting on the smiles in Hong Kong

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong today and the city has pulled out all the stops -- and security -- to make sure nothing is going to rain on his parade, except maybe some showers according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

The Wan Chai area around the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is a sequestered area, so it's best to completely avoid the district altogether.

And anyway it's a party for the Party, not for Hong Kong people.

Xi may not be pleased that the outrage over the news of dissident Liu Xiaobo's terminal cancer is getting more attention than the 20th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong back to the motherland.

Local activists occupy the Golden Bauhinia sculpture again

But host Hong Kong will do its best to try to keep Xi happy, though local activists groups again stormed the Golden Bauhinia sculpture again yesterday demanding that Liu be released.

And July 1 there are plans for the annual protest march that may gain more marchers because of Liu.

Nevertheless, Xi will be all smiles and check out infrastructure projects in the city, like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and West Kowloon Cultural District, both under construction.

However the bridge is marred by controversy over the quality of the cement used, as it is believed the laboratory conducting tests on the cement may have fudged the results, making Hong Kong people terrified of driving on the bridge.

And then there is the opaque circumstances under which incoming Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor arranged for objects from the Forbidden City in Beijing to be housed in Hong Kong in West Kowloon.

It looks like she did it to garner brownie points and we know the result of the CE elections...

The Umbrella Movement a watershed moment for Hong Kong

Leaders have repeatedly told us that these are all for our benefit, to educate us about China's history so we can be proud of it, that greater economic ties in the "Greater Bay Area" will lead to increased economic development... but will it turn us into people more grateful that we are closer to the motherland?

In the first few years after the handover, people were too busy making money off of mainlanders to worry about political implications. But then resentment grew as locals felt threatened by mainlanders snapping up all kinds of goods, services, and homes, driving prices up and making commodities scarce.

The pent-up frustration exploded in 2014 with the Umbrella Movement that in the end didn't get anywhere with political reforms which resulted in disillusionment on the part of democracy activists.

Meanwhile the Legislative Council is at a stalemate and housing prices continue to rise even higher, creating even more pessimism that there is any hope in ever getting a leg up in society.

The days of dreaming to be like Li Ka-shing evaporated years ago and now it's only focused on trying to eke out a decent living and just hope for the best.

Is this what we're celebrating 20 years later? How is this something to be happy and proud of?

But alas, big milestones must be marked, and both Hong Kong and Chinese governments hope that by throwing money into extensive celebrations that people will have a good time.

However, the real party is in Wan Chai, where the sequestered will celebrate what they perceive as success.

The rest of us will continue to march on.

Fine Western Cuisine in Beijing

Lovely leek, eel and potato soup as a starter at TRB Forbidden City

Last time I was in Beijing I had the opportunity to have lunch at TRB Temple Restaurant.

It's off the beaten track, but once you find it, you feel like you've stumbled upon a culinary secret you only dare to tell a few foodie friends because this kind of quality food is served with precision and perfection.

The eggplant is the skin of the ravioli here with pine nuts

Last night I had the chance to dine at TRB Forbidden City on Donghuamen Street. The east gate of the Forbidden City is next to the restaurant, but now there is scaffolding up in the area.

Last night we even saw three guys out there with their fishing rods trying to catch something from the moat...

In any event, restauranteur Ignace LeCleir was there serving most of the tables. Watching him and his team swiftly "dance" around the room is amazing.

A few days ago the restaurant changed to TRB Forbidden City from TRB Bites. LeCleir explained that his customers want this location to offer the fine dining experience too and so he obliged.

A pretty salmon dish, but was just a tad overcooked

There are five-course tasting menus, but we chose to pick three dishes from the a la carte menu for 398 yuan.

I enjoyed the eggplant ravioli that featured a slice of eggplant wrapped as if it was the ravioli skin.

Another nice starter is the potato and smoked eel soup that had a range of textures and the taste was sublime, flavourful and hearty.

My main of slow-cooked salmon looked pretty with lots of garnish on top, but it was overcooked and I lost interest in it.

However, the dessert called milk and Mandarin saves the evening. There's a yogurt sorbet on top decorated with meringue sheets, while mandarin marmalade is at the bottom. So light and refreshing!

Delicious finish of yogurt and mandarin marmalade below

The hospitality displayed by LeCleir and his team is genuine and warm. A young Chinese waiter enjoyed chatting with us and even took a picture of us for a thoughtful souvenir.

We're so glad to be able to try it and have fond memories of the restaurant and of course, Beijing.

If and when Michelin decides Beijing restaurants should be awarded stars, TRB Forbidden City should be high on the list...

TRB Forbidden City
95 Donghuamen
Beijing

Carrie on the Hustings

Carrie Lam announced her intention to run for the next chief executive today

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has officially thrown her hat into the ring for the next chief executive of Hong Kong.

Her resignation was approved by Beijing (along with John Tsang Chun-wah's), and she wasted no time in announcing her intentions.

At a press conference in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Lam stepped out for the first time as a political candidate, and perhaps being herself for once, because as a civil servant, she had to follow the lead of her bosses.

"Like many of you, I am worried about the discontent that has emerged in our society," she said in English. "I know our younger generation is concerned about the lack of upward mobility and the cost of housing. I share the desires of many -- that we must reignite Hong Kong's can-do spirit.

"I am ready and willing to take up the challenge... I fully realize it's a tall order, but with the passion to serve, and faith in the people of Hong Kong, I am confident that together we will succeed," she continued.

"At this junction, it is incumbent upon the government to restore faith, propel the economy, reduce inequality, and build greater consensus."

She also hinted changes would be made if she was the city's next leader. "My view today is that the governing team of the next administration should be injected with new blood."

Wonder if she is referring to the shuffle of officials since she and Tsang quit. Secretary for Labour, Housing and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung is now Chief Secretary, while Paul Chan Mo-po is now Financial Secretary, a promotion that raised eyebrows considering the latter's involvement in several scandals.

"I'm afraid good governance requires higher standards -- public participation, the rule of law, societal consensus, timely response, accountability. A higher level of transparency is also required," Lam said.

The fiasco over the Palace Museum project seems to have died down, though more could have been done to promote it in a better way. Some arts experts claim the collection in Beijing is far better than what Chiang Kai-shek took with him to Taiwan.

So why wasn't this point made earlier on -- in fact why haven't we even seen these treasures before in the Forbidden City?

It's all very mysterious.

In any event it'll be interesting watching Lam campaign for her job despite apparently being Beijing's favourite. She'll still need to prove her worth to a skeptical audience, particularly the younger crowd who already believe she's been co-opted by Beijing.

How can she -- and frankly all the other candidates -- prove they are making Hong Kong's interests a priority?

Oh and can someone tell Lam next time not to wear a pale coloured outfit when standing in front of a white background? On television she looked like a floating head...

Trying to Appease Critics

Carrie Lam is still intent on having a Palace Museum replica in Hong Kong

After the intense public uproar about Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announcing a HK$3.5 billion replica of the Palace Museum in Beijing in West Kowloon, the government will now have a six-week public consultation about it.

According to a paper jointly issued by Lam's office and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the exercise will "collect public and stakeholders' views on the design and operation" of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, as well as the "focuses of its exhibition and educational programs."

An exhibition about the museum will be at City Gallery

So not exactly on why Hong Kong is getting the museum, but what will be happening in the space.

On Tuesday Lam will attend a special legislative meeting to explain the project. But surely she will get a lot of heat for how the deal came about with no public consultation and lawmakers had no idea it was going to happen.

The WKCDA will present an exhibition at City Gallery, a building next to City Hall, to provide information about the project, while views of stakeholders from professionals and individuals in the art, cultural and architectural sectors will be consulted, and opinions from the public will be collected as well.

But what more can people say when it's already a done deal?

Does Hong Kong need a replica of the Forbidden City?

It's window dressing to placate critics, as it doesn't allow people to discuss the fundamental question of why Hong Kong needs a replica of the Forbidden City... or is it because the smog is so bad in Beijing now that they would rather keep whatever treasures they have left in Hong Kong?

Getting Something We Didn't Ask For

We may see a replica of this in Hong Kong in West Kowloon in a few years

There are a lot of questions as to why a HK$3.5 billion dollar replica of the Palace Museum is being added at the West Kowloon Cultural District.

The biggest question is why there isn't any public consultation over it -- do we really need a replica of the Forbidden City that's worth that much money? Or is this meant to be a subtle hint that Beijing isn't as far away as we think?

According to legislation on the arts hub it says: "the Authority shall, in relation to matters concerning the development or operation of arts and cultural facilities, related facilities, ancillary facilities and any other matters as the Authority considers fit, consult the public at such time and in such manner as it considers appropriate".

Carrie Lam says the project doesn't need public consultation

However, Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who is also chairwoman of the authority's board, said the project didn't need public consultation because it was run by the authority and not the government, and also it was being funded by the Jockey Club and didn't need Legislative Council approval.

Lam also lobbied every member of the board personally to get them on board the project -- which they only heard about last month.

One board member reported the project was already underway with architect Rocco Yim Sen-kee leading the project. You may remember him as the one who designed the relatively new government complex at Tamar.

Lam insinuates this project is not one that would go down well in a public consultation.

"It is very difficult to conduct a public consultation because it involves the central government and the related ministries," she said. "You can imagine that, if we were to ask the public if they wanted to have more exhibits from the Palace Museum more than half a year earlier, everyone should respond positively. But if more than half a year later, someone disagreed with it, it would be very embarrassing."

Civic Party's Tanya Chan Suk-chong and deputy chairwoman of the Legco panel monitoring the West Kowloon development, was unconvinced.

"Did she mean that public consultations must be avoided if opposition is expected?" Chan said.

The airport's air traffic control system hasn't been working well

But it sounds like this is the way things are being done in Hong Kong now -- tough, accountable questions are not being asked, let alone answered these days, which is why we have things like a newly installed air traffic control system worth HK$1.56 billion at Hong Kong International Airport not working properly, where planes disappear off radar screens for several seconds, and yet aviation officials insist this is not a risk to air safety.

So if air traffic control lose sight of a plane on their radar screens for 12 seconds, there isn't a problem?

And now we seem to be getting a replica of Beijing's Palace Museum whether we like it or not.

Welcome to the ongoing mainlandization of Hong Kong, or China's version of soft power.

Either way it's not very reassuring.

Imposing Limits on the Forbidden City

A pilot plan next month will limit the number of visitors to the Forbidden City

The next time you visit Beijing and want to go to the Forbidden City, make sure you're one of the lucky ones who get to go in.

Management is trying out a pilot scheme to limit the number of visitors to 80,000 per day from June 13. Shan Jixiang, director of the museum says visitor number control is a must to protect the security of both the cultural relics and tourists.

The Palace Museum has had more than 10 million visitors annually in recent years; in the last three years, numbers exceeded 15 million, more than the Louvre and the British Museum, Shan said.

This has resulted in great pressure on the museum's service standard and safety control, Shan said.

What service standard and safety control?

Each time I went there, security guards looked bored, or several times would shout at visitors not to use flash, but were ignored and gave up, or the grounds were not kept clean thanks to lots of littering, and spitting... I don't even want to know if there was urinating in the former imperial palace!

Limiting the number of visitors would be a good start, but guides must advise their tourists of the rules, and if any are violated, the guide should be held responsible. And those visiting on their own and violate the rules should be accountable.

There will also be a real-name registration system for buying tickets, while group tickets must be booked online.

That's the end of our public service announcement for today.