At 4:40am this morning there was a fire on Fa Yuen Street in the Mongkok area that left at least nine dead and 30 injured including a one-year-old baby.
Witnesses said they smelled smoke, something burning before flames erupted. It was first labelled a No 3 fire and then upgraded to No 4 -- the second highest category.
It took firefighters several hours to control the fire using 12 water jets and then it was completely extinguished by 1:28pm.
Four charred bodies were found at the staircase of two tenement buildings nearby.
Police are investigating and not ruling out arson.
The eerie thing is, a similar fire happened in the same area almost a year ago in December. It was a category 3 fire and that time no one died, but six were injured. A 33-year-old man was arrested for arson and setting several fires in the vicinity.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang went to Kwong Wah Hospital to console the victims.
"This is not the first time," he said. "Last year there was also a fire in Fa Yuen Street. It was discussed in the District Council. We have taken measures to separate the [hawkers'] booths from the residential blocks.
"We have also restricted the amount of stock stored [in the stalls] and the expansion [of the stalls]. We have done all these things, but apparently this is not enough. We need to review these measures to prevent similar accidents happening again," he said.
However there are concerns that putting restrictions on these stalls is not enough.
According to a BBC report, the building where many of the victims lived had been subdivided into small spaces called "cubicle apartments".
That's because rising property prices have made it difficult for young people and families to rent a decent-sized flat and must resort to these tiny places that have improper wiring and no proper exits for people to escape in a timely manner.
In June this year four people died in a suspicious fire in a subdivided flat on Ma Tau Wai Road in Hung Hom. One of the victims included a young teenager who was trying to shield her younger sister from the flames. She was an intern in our office. We donated some HK$20,000 to her family, but it will never bring their daughter back.
The government needs to act now on these subdivided flats. Why are they not inspected and then shut down? People's lives are at stake here and two fires in one year is two too many.
But even more so the Tsang administration has not done enough to help the poor when it comes to housing. They have resorted to living in these squalid places and landlords have no qualms taking advantage of their financially-strapped situation.
More subsidized housing should have been built years ago but instead the government was easily seduced by mainlanders invading the real estate market and jacking up property prices, making flats out of reach of lower middle-class families and working poor.
When is the government going to look after its own people first?
We are the flesh and blood of this city. We are the ones who make it run everyday.
Do we not deserve secure and reasonable housing to live in?
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
The Race for Top Dog
It's now officially a two-man race for the Hong Kong Chief Executive position.
Both Henry Tang Ying-yen and Leung Chun-ying have formally declared their intentions and it's shaping up into an interesting race.
Tang is already out in the hustings, shaking people's hands and even allowing dogs to lick his face.
Meanwhile Leung gave an impassioned speech to appeal to the masses. "My mother had her feet bound when she was a child. The image of my mother walking with bound feet, carrying a load that weighed over 30 pounds, to and from the rundown plastic flowers factory for over 20 minutes on each trip, left an indelible print in my mind," he said.
He added each step he has taken up to this point "is like the step that my bound-foot mother has taken. It symbolizes my determination in pursuing my goals."
Leung is mulling taking his campaign out on the streets even though in the end it's a small group of elites who will be casting the actual vote. He wants to be seen as a man of the people while Tang will try to play down his wealthy upbringing as the grandson of a Shanghainese textile industrialist.
"I had no choice regarding my origin, but I can choose how I want to serve," Tang said.
It's also interesting to see prominent people already taking sides in the race.
In Leung's corner there's Shui On Group chairman Vincent Lo Hong-sui, Housing Society chairman Yeung Ka-sing, Dr Lo Chung-mau, head of surgery at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong polar researcher Rebecca Lee Lok-sze and former chief secretary David Akers-Jones.
Leung has also declared he is not a member of the Chinese Communist Party and has not applied nor has he been invited to join.
In Tang's court, there's HSBC Asia-Pacific chief executive Peter Wong Tung-shun, former Monetary Authority chief Joseph Yam Chi-kwong and Bank of East Asia chairman David Li Kwok-po.
When Leung was questioned why he didn't have heavyweights among his backers, he replied he had no intention of showing off any "stars". "I need talented people who can perform -- rather than just those who voice support and then disappear right afterwards -- to join my governing team," he said.
And then there are animal metaphors abound.
Some are describing the race as being "between a wolf and a pig", referring to Leung's cunning and Tang's perceived stupidity. Both men diplomatically said the analogies were incorrect.
Leung said people would appreciate his honesty, while Tang declared that he was born in the year of the Dragon.
And now long-time Hong Kong resident Allan Zeman has weighed in in Tang's favour, calling it a "big panda versus baby panda" race.
"I would say Henry is a panda, because a panda is loveable. You want to hug him," Zeman said, while describing Leung as a baby panda who was "learning on the job, just about to mature".
Why are people giving them animal attributes?
The race will just degenerate into a zoo.
Both Henry Tang Ying-yen and Leung Chun-ying have formally declared their intentions and it's shaping up into an interesting race.
Tang is already out in the hustings, shaking people's hands and even allowing dogs to lick his face.
Meanwhile Leung gave an impassioned speech to appeal to the masses. "My mother had her feet bound when she was a child. The image of my mother walking with bound feet, carrying a load that weighed over 30 pounds, to and from the rundown plastic flowers factory for over 20 minutes on each trip, left an indelible print in my mind," he said.
He added each step he has taken up to this point "is like the step that my bound-foot mother has taken. It symbolizes my determination in pursuing my goals."
Leung is mulling taking his campaign out on the streets even though in the end it's a small group of elites who will be casting the actual vote. He wants to be seen as a man of the people while Tang will try to play down his wealthy upbringing as the grandson of a Shanghainese textile industrialist.
"I had no choice regarding my origin, but I can choose how I want to serve," Tang said.
It's also interesting to see prominent people already taking sides in the race.
In Leung's corner there's Shui On Group chairman Vincent Lo Hong-sui, Housing Society chairman Yeung Ka-sing, Dr Lo Chung-mau, head of surgery at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong polar researcher Rebecca Lee Lok-sze and former chief secretary David Akers-Jones.
Leung has also declared he is not a member of the Chinese Communist Party and has not applied nor has he been invited to join.
In Tang's court, there's HSBC Asia-Pacific chief executive Peter Wong Tung-shun, former Monetary Authority chief Joseph Yam Chi-kwong and Bank of East Asia chairman David Li Kwok-po.
When Leung was questioned why he didn't have heavyweights among his backers, he replied he had no intention of showing off any "stars". "I need talented people who can perform -- rather than just those who voice support and then disappear right afterwards -- to join my governing team," he said.
And then there are animal metaphors abound.
Some are describing the race as being "between a wolf and a pig", referring to Leung's cunning and Tang's perceived stupidity. Both men diplomatically said the analogies were incorrect.
Leung said people would appreciate his honesty, while Tang declared that he was born in the year of the Dragon.
And now long-time Hong Kong resident Allan Zeman has weighed in in Tang's favour, calling it a "big panda versus baby panda" race.
"I would say Henry is a panda, because a panda is loveable. You want to hug him," Zeman said, while describing Leung as a baby panda who was "learning on the job, just about to mature".
Why are people giving them animal attributes?
The race will just degenerate into a zoo.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Retail Competition Heats Up
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| Gap's first flagship store in Hong Kong has just opened in Central |
Yesterday Gap's first flagship store here opened in a new building that has been under construction for years in the former Queens Theatre on Queen's Road Central.
My friend and I wandered over there after lunch and popped inside to check it out.
It was packed with curious shoppers like us and eager ones wanting to buy up some American basics.
The store is 15,000 square feet covering four floors, but since the space is quite tight, there is an elevator to go up and down and an escalator that goes down to the basement. It features men's women's children's and baby Gap clothes.
 |
| The shop's opening yesterday attracted a lot of attention |
Very thin (read practically transparent) T-shirts were around the HK$120 ($15.40) range and I'd rather go elsewhere for better quality T-shirts.
It'll be interesting to see how Gap does in the Hong Kong market, with Esprit across the street, H&M further down and Abercrombie & Fitch just around the corner. Gap will also be competing with Japanese retailer Uniqlo that offers good quality and value for basics such as jeans and casual tops that are designed with the petite body in mind.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Hardly a Class Act
There's a curious story that flared up late last week -- a 19-year-old kung fu starlet by the name of Rose Chan Ka-woon claimed two older actors, one married, had sexually assaulted her after a magazine published photos of them men touching and kissing her in a restaurant in Hengdian, Zhejiang province.
Benny Chan Ho-man and Joe Ma Tak-chung were there with Rose Chan for the filming of Princess and Seven Kung Fu Masters directed by Wong Jing. She filed a complaint with Hong Kong police and publicly complained.
The reactions of the two men in question was interesting. Ma issued a statement saying he had not molested her and might take legal action against the magazine for its "untruthful reporting". But he said he was sorry for "the unhappy event that happened in Hengdian".
However, Benny Chan, 42, was remorseful and held a press conference with his heavily pregnant wife Jiang Lisha on Thursday.
He was tearful and said, "I feel remorseful because I have disappointed those who supported me, especially my wife, who is sitting beside me, and the baby who is coming into the world soon," he said in a speech in Kwun Tong restaurant.
Jiang added she had forgiven her husband and hoped the public would give him a chance as well as "Rose, the little girl".
Chan held his wife's hand and said he had "too much alcohol and did something rude to Rose".
"I admit it was really wrong. I had no intention to hurt Rose but I understand it really embarrassed and upset her."
He apologized to the starlet, her family and friends, saying his "unintentional mistake" had hurt their feelings.
The tears continued when Chan apologized to Jiang.
He added he would learn to become a responsible husband and would quit drinking. "I will see a doctor. If he thinks I need therapy, I will accept it because I really want to get rid of alcohol."
While Chan and Jiang's public pronouncements seemed earnest, he made the fatal mistake of leaving a piece of paper behind revealing that his statements were carefully scripted, even instructing him at three points when to "stand up and bow".
So was Chan really remorseful or he was acting?
It'll be interesting to see if more actresses come out and speak about instances where they have had to deal with unwanted sexual advances and if this is pervasive in the entertainment industry in Hong Kong. If Rose Chan's allegations are true, this 19 year old is courageous in standing up to say no.
Benny Chan Ho-man and Joe Ma Tak-chung were there with Rose Chan for the filming of Princess and Seven Kung Fu Masters directed by Wong Jing. She filed a complaint with Hong Kong police and publicly complained.
The reactions of the two men in question was interesting. Ma issued a statement saying he had not molested her and might take legal action against the magazine for its "untruthful reporting". But he said he was sorry for "the unhappy event that happened in Hengdian".
However, Benny Chan, 42, was remorseful and held a press conference with his heavily pregnant wife Jiang Lisha on Thursday.
He was tearful and said, "I feel remorseful because I have disappointed those who supported me, especially my wife, who is sitting beside me, and the baby who is coming into the world soon," he said in a speech in Kwun Tong restaurant.
Jiang added she had forgiven her husband and hoped the public would give him a chance as well as "Rose, the little girl".
Chan held his wife's hand and said he had "too much alcohol and did something rude to Rose".
"I admit it was really wrong. I had no intention to hurt Rose but I understand it really embarrassed and upset her."
He apologized to the starlet, her family and friends, saying his "unintentional mistake" had hurt their feelings.
The tears continued when Chan apologized to Jiang.
He added he would learn to become a responsible husband and would quit drinking. "I will see a doctor. If he thinks I need therapy, I will accept it because I really want to get rid of alcohol."
While Chan and Jiang's public pronouncements seemed earnest, he made the fatal mistake of leaving a piece of paper behind revealing that his statements were carefully scripted, even instructing him at three points when to "stand up and bow".
So was Chan really remorseful or he was acting?
It'll be interesting to see if more actresses come out and speak about instances where they have had to deal with unwanted sexual advances and if this is pervasive in the entertainment industry in Hong Kong. If Rose Chan's allegations are true, this 19 year old is courageous in standing up to say no.
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