Politics
US Election 2024: Star-studded campaigns lack real impact on voter decisions
- 2024-11-19
- Politics
- By: Yau To LUM、Wai Sum CHEUNGEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG、Yau To LUM
- 2024-11-19
Just after the US presidential debate on Sept 11, Taylor Swift wrote to her 280 million Instagram followers to declare her support for Vice President Kamala Harris saying she “fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) The next month, superstar Beyoncé made a surprise appearance at Harris’s Houston rally in the closing days of the campaign. In addition to tech billionaire Elon Musk, popular podcast host Joe Rogan and Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson endorsed former President Donald Trump. Controversial influencer Logan Paul even interviewed Trump on his podcast “Impaulsive” in June. During the presidential election campaign, a constellation of A-list celebrities leapt from the stage to the political arena, rallying behind both presidential candidates. However, despite the star-studded spectacle, Harris’s disappointing election results suggested that such an approach may be less effective than anticipated. The trend of celebrity endorsements is not new in American politics. In the 2016 and 2020 elections, notable figures such as Lady Gaga and Jay-Z campaigned for Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden respectively. John Affleck, Department Head for Journalism at Pennsylvania State University, said that many seek to portray themselves as socially responsible. “There’s a public service aspect. I’m a good person, putting out these democratic values, asking people to vote,” he said. Affleck added that some celebrities hope to connect with fans who share their beliefs, enhancing their visibility. “Someone may not know you that well but then you espouse this political viewpoint. And I might also have that political viewpoint, so I might be more likely to listen to your record,” he said. Matt McAllister, a professor at Pennsylvania State University, said that the surge in social media has transformed how celebrities communicate …
2024 US election: Harris supporters cry during concession speech, say still have hope for nation
- 2024-11-12
- Politics
- By: Man Hei ChanEdited by: Man Hei Chan
- 2024-11-12
Washington, DC – Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to Donald Trump in a speech on Wednesday afternoon at Howard University, telling her tearful supporters not to give up. "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," she said in her speech. "The light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting." The future of the country is still bright, said Daniel Tellez, 22, an intern in the U.S. Congress from Ohio State University who was at Harris’s speech, adding that the Democrats need to understand the root of the defeat. Donald Trump won the six major battleground states in the U.S., obtaining 312 electoral votes, well over the 270 needed to win, according to the Associated Press, which historically calls the presidential election. “The Democrats should think deeply about why Trump won all the swing states, and Harris could not even get one,” Tellez said. Many experts have pointed to the economy as the key issue for voters. The inflation rate in 2021 was the highest since the 1980s despite significant increases in employment and average pay. “The main thing that differentiates Harris and Trump is the economy,” Tellez said, adding that he thought Trump’s message about the economy was clearer than Harris’s. Harris will be president in the future and bring the nation together, said Merry, 69, who attended the concession speech and asked not to use her full name. "We all should be optimistic, and it is unnecessary to be anxious about everything,” Merry said. “At this point, we have nothing to do but to accept it,” Tellez said.
2024 US Election: American voters’ concerns soar over inflation impact
- 2024-11-06
- Politics
- By: Junzhe JIANGEdited by: Robin Ewing
- 2024-11-06
Washington, DC – The economy is a driving issue in today’s presidential election in the United States, voters at the polls said. This is tracked by a September report that said around 81% of U.S. voters cited the economy and high inflation as their top concern, followed by healthcare and Supreme Court appointments, according to a survey from Pew Research Centre. Ben Frank, 34, a resident of Pennsylvania, said he has to pay more to raise a family of seven: “The food prices went incredibly high after the pandemic,” Frank said. “I used to pay US$150 (HK$1166.2) for one week, and it cost me US$200 (HK$1554.92) now.” James Wright, who works at mega retail outlet Target in Pennsylvania, said, “Food and gas are so much more expensive than before.” In the last month, he spent around US$1,000 (HK$7774.76) on food, gas and other bills, over half his salary. Trump inaccurately blamed Biden’s government in the debate with Kamala Harris: “We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before. Probably the worst in our nation's history.” The inflation rate in the world’s biggest economy reached a three-year-low of 2.4% in September from a peak of 8% in 2022, according to the CoinNews Media Group. The inflation averaged 1.9% from 2017 to 2021 when Donald Trump was president, while the average rate has been on track at 5.6% in the past three years. Frank said that Donald Trump could solve the issue, although no further policies were given by the former president except to levy more tax on Chinese and other imported goods. People love Trump because he can bring something special, Frank said, and he thinks Trump’s policy may work if Americans consume more from nearby countries with lower transportation fees. Harris proposed tackling high prices by fighting against …
Hong Kong Policy Address 2024: government to fuel fencing fad after Paris Olympics
- 2024-10-16
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG Haicen、WANG LudanEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-10-16
Hong Kong will build a sports arena with fencing training and competition facilities after two Hong Kong fencing athletes won in the Paris Olympics, said John Lee Ka-chiu in his third policy address. Hong Kong's Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai each won gold medals in the men's foil and women's epee events in Paris, sparking an increase in Hongkongers taking local fencing classes. This is part of the government’s broader plan to increase Hong Kong’s international competitiveness. “We will make full use of the Kai Tak Sports Park and other existing venues to host large-scale international competitions so that Hong Kong teams can compete on home soil, building their own audience,” said Lee. “These will be conducive to the long-term development of the sports industry.” Hong Kong is set to host the World Foil Championships in 2026 and co-host the 15th National Games with Guangdong and Macou, during which Hong Kong will be responsible for organising eight events, including fencing. "After the Paris Olympics, the number of people inquiring about fencing increased by approximately 50% to 80%. In the past, most were children below secondary school age, but now there is a noticeable rise in interest from university students and adults as well," said Rever You, Administrative Director of the Hong Kong Fencing School, where this year's Olympic fencing champion Cheung spent six years learning the basics of fencing. There are 46 fencing training institutions in Hong Kong, including the Asian Fencing Academy, Hong Kong Fencing School, and Fencing Formula, that offer a range of fencing courses, according to the Hong Kong Fencing Association. "After seeing Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung win championships this year, my child has raised a strong interest in fencing," said Liu, who preferred not to disclose his full name. You said that after …
Engaging the Diaspora: Examining the Significance of Overseas Voting in Hong Kong for Korea's 22nd National Assembly Elections
- 2024-04-16
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: KIM SeojoonEdited by: Kin Hou POON、Elif Lale AYHAN
- 2024-04-16
Ban Kyungmin, an exchange student at Hong Kong Baptist University, came to the Korean consulate with a friend on the first day of the election to vote. "I've always participated since I had the right to vote. I knew that I could vote overseas, so I applied in advance to participate in the overseas elections,” she said. South Korea is holding parliamentary elections on April 10th. Under the overseas election system, which was introduced after the amendment of the Public Offices Election Act in 2009, the Korean Central Election Commission announced that it would set up overseas voting stations in 178 diplomatic missions around the world, so Koreans living in Hong Kong will be able to vote at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong from March 27 to April 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. The Hong Kong Korean Association and other Korean student organizations in all Hong Kong universities and colleges have been eagerly anticipating the event and have been promoting it through their respective online communities and social media. Election officials are at the entrance to guide the election. “I think it's an opportunity for Koreans abroad to feel a sense of belonging to Korea and to unite with other Koreans living abroad," Ban Kyung-min added. Kyungmin Ban and her friend make a "vote-proof pose". The Korean Central Election Commission is responsible for preventing and cracking down on election crimes and supervising election administration. The Overseas Election Commission comprises two members nominated by the NEC, one nominated by each of the political parties that form a bargaining group in the National Assembly, and one nominated by the head of the diplomatic mission. Overseas missions and the Election Commission have recruited various personnel, including poll guides and election officials. …
Hong Kong bus companies roll out electric and hydrogen powered buses to meet carbon neutrality goal
- 2024-03-29
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: WANG Ludan、YANG Shuyi、WANG JingEdited by: Sze Kei WONG
- 2024-03-29
The first hydrogen double-decker buses in Hong Kong set sail in February for the Vodafone Road route. Starting from 2022, the electric buses are appearing on the Hong Kong’s street to reduce emissions more than diesel buses as part of the public transportation sector’s efforts to help Hong Kong achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Budget 2024 Key Takeaways: Careful balance of revenue and deficit to continue
- 2024-02-28
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: AU YEUNG Jim、AO Wei Ying VinciEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-02-28
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po delivered the 2024-2025 Budget speech on Wednesday, announcing policies to strive for high-quality development while sustaining a solid economy. Top the list is the cancellations of property cooling measures, with Special Stamp Duty, Buyers’ Stamp Duty and New Residential Stamp Duty scrapped with immediate effect. For the coming fiscal year, the total government expenditure will increase by about 6.7% to HK$776.9 billion, while the total government revenue is estimated to be HK$633 billion. Chan expects that there will be a deficit of HK$48.1 billion for the year, and fiscal reserves will decrease to HK$685.1 billion. Here are the key takeaways of this year’s budget plan.
Budget 2024: Hong Kong government extends subsidy for people waiting for public housing
- 2024-02-28
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHAN Wing Yiu、KIM SeojoonEdited by: Aruzhan ZEINULLA
- 2024-02-28
People waiting for public housing will continue to receive monthly government subsidies while the government continues to build new public housing units, Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po said in the budget address today. The cash allowance trial scheme is available to applicants who have been on the waiting list for public rental housing for more than three years. The subsidy amount for individuals is HK$1,300 per month. The average waiting time for public housing in Hong Kong is 5.6 years, according to the Hong Kong Housing Authority. Transitional housing remains insufficient despite 21,000 new units built last year. Many waiting for public housing are forced to live in cramped subdivided flats, the Society for Community Organization reported in a recent survey. Transitional housing is difficult to get, some public housing applicants said. Chan, 67, who declined to use his full name, said he has been rejected for transitional housing twice. “I hope the government can pay more attention to the elderly living in subdivided flats. They are having a hard time,” Chan said. Tse, 59, who declined to use his full name, said he currently resides in a hotel in Yau Ma Tei and pays HK$3,000 a month for rent. Despite being unemployed and receiving government assistance, he cannot get transitional housing due to a shortage of units for single individuals, he said. SOCO has implemented various projects to provide temporary housing to low income people, in areas such as Chai Wan, Tin Hau and Tai Po. “The greatest housing problem is that everything is expensive, including rent, water, and electricity,” said Sze Lai-shan, the deputy director of SOCO. Sze said that extending the monthly subsidies for public housing applicants is positive. Sze said that cash subsidies can be specifically directed toward residents living in subdivided units.
Budget 2024: Hong Kong to Assess Talent Visas while Nurturing Local Talents
- 2024-02-28
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG Haicen、ZHANG YipingEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-02-28
The Hong Kong government will put more effort into nurturing local talents while also reviewing existing talent schemes to ensure their effectiveness. The government will organise a summit and a conference in May, aiming at promoting the flow of talent in the Greater Bay Area. More than 140,000 applications have been received under the various talent admission schemes, of which more than 100,000 have been approved in the past year, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po in his budget address today. The Top Talent Scheme, launched in 2022, allows people with incomes higher than HK$2.5 million or degrees from eligible universities to apply for residency without employment. This added an estimated HK$34 billion to the economy, equivalent to 1.2% of Hong Kong's GDP, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in a public address in February. Chan said that 60% of immigrant talents were married, and most of them have brought their families to Hong Kong. Lilian Bao, 42, a former executive of a Beijing-based internet company who emigrated to Hong Kong under the talent scheme, now lives with her daughter in Hung Hom. “I immigrated to Hong Kong for my daughter's future education,” she said. “I want her to enjoy a more international, diverse and independent learning and living experience here.” Some doubt the long-term effectiveness of the talent schemes. Some applicants have not complied with the time frame for coming to Hong Kong and securing employment after receiving approval, said legislator Adrian Ho in a Legco meeting in January. Ho also said that some say the scheme is relatively lenient in the work experience requirement and the vetting and approval criteria, making it possible for some people to exploit the scheme to immigrate to Hong Kong. “There are rumours that individual applicants have only come to Hong Kong for …
Technology for Change Asia : new initiatives to make Hong Kong a “smarter city”
- 2024-02-28
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: ZHAO Runtong、LIU YutongEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-02-28
An artificial intelligence Supercomputing Centre and a Digital Policy Office will be established in Hong Kong in phases starting this year, along with more than 100 digital government initiatives to be launched. These initiatives were highlighted by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Dong Sun, in his opening speech of the 4th annual Technology for Change Asia event held yesterday, which hosted 300 solution-oriented leaders from across the world. According to Sun, AI technology is “ charting the way” in the process of technological revolution and industry transformation in a new era for Hong Kong. “The AI Supercomputing Centre will help build a resilient digital economy and a Hong Kong that is more welcoming to international investors, which will bring huge economic benefits and allow us to have a ‘Smart City’,” Sun said. “The future is all about AI” “‘Smart City’ means that it can decide which specific problems can be solved by specific technologies,” said Atsuko Okuda, regional director of International Telecommunication Union. “The use of AI technology could contribute to productivity and help improve market efficiency,”said Tom Standage, deputy editor for The Economist. One of the examples is KUDO, the international sponsor for the event, which provides real-time translation. “What we do is enable attendees to watch full text of speeches and panel discussions content in their mother language,” said Nick Blake, head of sales at KUDO Asia-Pacific district. “Thanks to AI, we can translate more than 200 languages for meetings, training and many other situations in Hong Kong from now on.” However, using AI as an ancillary tool for “Smart City” faces potential risks, according to Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia . “AI can convey biased or deceptive information," said Wales. "If Hong Kong wants to build a ‘Smart City’ with the help of AI, it …