Pro-Independence Has Younger Activists

Students who gathered at an earlier event advocating independence

Talk of separatism isn't only on university and college campuses in Hong Kong -- it's spread to secondary schools too.

There were reports earlier this week that said students from at least 14 schools had set up "localist" concern groups, which led to the Education Bureau declaring such groups were banned on campuses.

One group called "Studentlocalism" has at least 60 members, and its mission is to get the city prepared for when the time came for self-determination -- 2047 perhaps?

"In the coming days, Studentlocalism will continue to increase [the number of] its street booths to promote independence," the group wrote on its Facebook page.

"We have also started contacting different secondary student unions which support independence to foster more cooperation."

Students who had protested for democracy back in 2014

It seems the group is intent on getting things moving in earnest when the school year begins next month, and some unions from such schools as Wah Yan College on Hong Kong Island and Ying Wa College are taking part.

A spokesman for the Education Bureau has said there shouldn't be any pro-independence activities in schools and that any organization that promotes pro-independence must be banned.

Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said to counter the rise of pro-independence sentiment, opinion leaders, teachers and respected educators, such as university presidents, should express their views.

"The government should also try to improve the social atmosphere by being more inclusive and creating more dialogue," he said.

But the latest is that the Academy of School Managers sent a stern warning to teachers today, saying that their registered teachers' professional qualifications could be cancelled or be rejected for qualification if they advocate independence in schools.

"Some people, including those who work in education or are key persons at educational bodies, have openly advocated or even begun to organize groups on campus... encouraging Hong Kong's separation from mainland China," the statement read, without naming anyone in particular.

The group said it was "firmly opposed" to such "violation of educational ethics", which it described as a breach of the Education Ordinance and the Basic Law.

While it is understandable teachers should not impose their political views on students, what is wrong with a discussion in the classroom to clear up misconceptions or to explain that independence goes against the Basic Law?

It sounds like this could be the beginning of a Cultural Revolution-esque atmosphere in terms of fellow teachers and students ratting out other teachers.

And if students want to discuss these issues on their own, who can stop them? The more restrictions that are put on them, the more determined they will be to make their gatherings and activities a priority.

This knee-jerk reaction by the education authorities is not the best way forward on this polarizing issue, but probably came from above to nip the problem in the bud so to speak.

So they hope...

Not Too Sentimental

Li Ka-shing is Hong Kong's wealthiest man with a global outlook

As a skillful tycoon, worth US$31.3 billion this year according to Forbes, Li Ka-shing has learned not to be sentimental about his investments.

Up until a few years ago Hong Kong people were enamoured with the richest man in town, whose rags-to-riches story has been well documented, making plastic flowers and eventually investing in real estate. His empire now includes property development, telecommunications, ports, supermarkets, utilities, retail, oil and even venture capitalist investments in vegetarian meat.

But in the last few years he became the token tycoon we all love to hate. He -- oh sorry his companies -- have made people feel cheated with unscrupulous practices particularly when it comes to selling flats, and with only two main supermarket chains in Hong Kong, one of which is his, prices aren't very competitive, leaving the consumer not much choice but to shell out.

Victor Li says the company is keen to look at deals

His control over the city's economy is a testament to his ability to beat the system, and also the government's inability or unwillingness to rein in his and other tycoons' power. This wealth inequality was one of the sparks of the Umbrella Movement in 2014, though nothing was resolved on that front, and we were resigned to continuing to give a good chunk of our paychecks to Li everyday.

He has decided to focus more on global property investments, which seems prudent from a global, tycoon point of view to spread risk. But that also means he is unsentimental about the city where he started his fortunes.

Cheung Kong Property Holdings made its latest statement to the stock exchange on Wednesday and Li said:

As it is presently challenging to identify property investments with reasonable returns in the current cyclical stage of the property market, the Group will also pursue global investments to extend our reach to new business areas.

Li invests in vegetarian meats, and here fries an alternative egg

The following day, Li's son Victor who is deputy chairman, was asked by financial analysts if the company was considering selling commercial properties.

"I always look at deals, it's my job to look at deals, both purchases and sales. "There is no deal that we must have, there is no property we must own, other than this building -- we do need an office ourselves," he said, referring to the Cheung Kong Centre where CK Property has its headquarters.

Well OK. Maybe Li has a soft spot for his headquarters, but other than that, let's make a deal...

Xi Jinping, The Model Worker

Apparently Xi Jinping works so hard that he doesn't have lunch...

The former personal secretary to then President Hu Jintao and chief of the Party's General Office, Ling Jihua, was jailed for life last month for bribery and other crimes. And it seems the current president isn't content to let the matter rest, but continue the negative campaign against Ling and his boss.

The chief of staff to Xi Jinping Li Zhanshu revealed details about conflicts within the communist party's general secretariat in a transcript that was published on the website of People's Daily today.

"During the investigation [into Ling]... some had hidden facts and some had resisted the investigation. Those are not honest people," Li said in a speech delivered in June to the General Office.

Xi's staff reveals more allegations against Ling Jihua (centre)

"During Ling's stint in office, some people courted, pandered to, and flattered him without principles," he said.

Ling had worked for 17 years in the General Office, which handles security, health care, paperwork and logistics for senior leaders, and his last five years were as chief of this office.

This prime job came to a crashing end in March 2012 when his son was killed in a car accident involving a Ferrari and two women.

The incident not only left Ling completely exposed, but at least eight other colleagues too.

One was Huo Ke, who was the director of the office's secretary bureau. He was expelled from the party for taking bribes and leaking state secrets to Ling, according to state media reports.

Another was Xia Yong, the former director of the office's research branch, who was expelled from the country's top advisory body, which indirectly confirmed a reported investigation into his activities.

Does President Xi exercise? Inquiring minds want to know

"When Ling told you to tell a lie, if you really didn't care to tell the truth, you could at least remain silent; when Ling did wrong, if you didn't have the courage to expose it, you could at least refrain from being an accomplice," Li said.

He added all office employees, from drivers to chefs to guards and clerks -- must remain absolutely loyal to the party, echoing an instruction from Xi in 2014.

Li also explained Xi and other senior leaders worked long hours, explaining that documents could be sent to them as late as 11pm or midnight, and that during overseas state visits, Xi attended numerous meetings with heads of state and events each day.

And back at home, Xi wakes up early and returns home around 9pm or 10pm without having eaten lunch and still reads documents and handles daily administrative affairs, according to Li.

Sounds like Xi wants to prove that he and his colleagues are working hard to solve the country's problems and make the best decisions.

But does Xi really not eat lunch? His portly figure seems to deny Li's supposed observation.

Or does he have a really late dinner or snacks after hours?

That's what we really want to know...

Olympic Pride of Crisis Management?

 Wu Minxia may show off her gold medal and diving skills in Hong Kong

After every Olympics, the Chinese gold medallists get to visit Hong Kong to boost the national pride, but this time they will come a week before the upcoming Legislative Council elections.

There are concerns the athletes competing in Rio could face backlash due to rising "pro-independence sentiment".

Swimmer Sun Yang will probably come too

Typically the gold medallists give sports demonstrations and meet fans during their three-day stay. Athletes that will likely come are Zhang Mengxue, winner of the women's 10-metre air pistol event; (controversial) swimming star Sun Yang, and Wu Minxia, the five-time diving gold medallist.

Hong Kong chef de mission Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said he would try to invite bronze medallist and social media sensation Fu Yuanhui to come, after the swimmer's post race interviews made her endearing all over the world. She expressed complete delight at finding out from a reporter that she had won bronze, and made funny faces on the podium.

However, Fok says it is up to the Chinese national team who will come to Hong Kong August 26-28.

While he is not worried about backlash during the athletes' visit, Fok was concerned about the event being politicized and that it's about the medallists and sports.

There are hopes to get bronze medallist Fu Yuanhui to come

However, political analyst Dr Chung Kim-wah of Polytechnic University warned the upcoming visit could backfire in the wake of the rise of pro-independence sentiment in Hong Kong.

"The visit, like those in the past, is supposed to promote social harmony and drum up social support for Beijing and the Hong Kong government. But the government should be prepared for some embarrassing moments when the medallists are confronted with anti-China protests," Chung said.

This Friday night could be the start with localists planning to broadcast a badminton match between Hong Kong and China on the street.

Don't say you weren't warned...