News
Policy Address 2022: Elderly Health Care Voucher enhanced but still lacking
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Yuchen LI、Man TSEEdited by: Kylie Wong
- 2022-10-19
To improve the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme, John Lee promised to expand its coverage and amount, while increasing the quota for the Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) next year. The voucher amount would be raised to HK$ 2,500 per year from the previous year’s HK$2,000. The voucher amount in 2018 and 2019 was HK$ 3,000. The enhanced Scheme allows holders of such vouchers’ spouses to enjoy its services. New services include medical procedures by audiologists, dietitians, clinical psychologists and speech therapists. This could potentially help grassroot elderly, according to Yuen Wai-kee, assistant professor of the Department of Economics and Finance at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Elderly aged 65 or above with a Hong Kong Identity Card or equivalent identification by the Immigration Department are eligible to use the Voucher for primary healthcare services. “Some elderly people need long-term medication, such as Cholesterol medicines. This would cost them around HK$ 200 per month. This could be a substantial amount, burdening the more grassroot elderly,” said Yuen. However, this is only adequate for elderly who require basic medical care or occasional clinical visits, Yuen added. For more advanced or private healthcare, they should seek other governmental subsidies, Yuen explained. “The HK$ 2,000 Elderly Health Care Voucher is insufficient, because we often feel unwell and need diagnosis and medications. The voucher will soon be used up after going to the clinic about 4 times,” said Lam Bing, a 82-year-old lady. Lam lives in a public housing estate in Mei Foo. On 13 Oct under typhoon signal number three, she went to Pei Ho, a charity restaurant in Sham Shui Po for a free meal. Chan Cheuk-Ming, founder of Pei Ho revealed most elderly use the voucher for healthcare purposes, making the budget for daily expenses tight. Oxfam suggests that …
Policy Address 2022: Govt’s proposed additional public housing not enough, said experts
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Yuhe WANG、Yongyi CAO、Jiaxing LiEdited by: REN Ziyi David、YANG Zhenfei
- 2022-10-19
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee announced plans on Wednesday during his policy address to provide 72,000 additional private housing units and 30,000 temporary public flats within the next five years, but experts say that will not be enough to meet the demand. In his first policy address, Lee said the government’s plan to boost land supply will result in an additional 72,000 private housing units to be ready by 2027. He said the government was also planning to build 30,000 temporary, easily constructed public housing units called “Light Public Housing (LPH)” by 2027. That will increase the Public Rental Housing (PRH) units by 25%. “Those on the waiting list for traditional PRH for three years or more may apply for LPH for earlier allocation of units, and priority will be given to family applicants,” he added. About 144,200 general applicants are waiting for a PRH unit as of June 2022, and there are an additional 98,400 non-elderly one-person applicants under the Quota and Points System. The average waiting time for general applicants in the past 12 months was six years, according to the Hong Kong Housing Authority. Lee said that the demand for private housing in the next 10 years would be 129,000 units. He anticipated the overall supply will exceed projected demand, as the number of new PRH and the LPH units will add up to 102,000. However, some experts disagree. “The new policy will make a difference and have a positive effect on Hong Kong's housing problem, but it remains to be seen whether it will be able to meet the actual market demand,” said Sze Ming-yu, chairperson of the Land Registry Joint Standing Committee. KK Chiu, the Chief Executive of Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield, said housing issues have always been a major concern for …
Policy Address 2022: Hong Kong needs new talents, John Lee said
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Kei Tung LAM、Tsz Yin HOEdited by: Tiffany Ma
- 2022-10-19
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wants to attract new foreign talents to Hong Kong with a two-year working visa for eligible university graduates and high-earning professionals. The Hong Kong government will launch the Top Talent Pass Scheme, said Lee in his inaugural policy address this morning. Graduates from the world’s top 100 universities with at least three years of work experience over the past five years are eligible. Graduates with no work experience are also eligible with a cap of 10,000 a year. Applicants with an annual salary of HK$ 2.5 million or above can also apply for the visa. “The government will proactively trawl the world for talents,” Lee said. According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong has lost around 140,000 workers in the past two years. The scheme may not have an impact on attracting talents whose salary is below the requirements, Tang Hei-hang, an assistant professor of education policy from the Education University of Hong Kong said. In Hong Kong, job titles that earn HK$2.5 million or higher include chief information officer and chief financial officer, according to an article by recruiting company, Michael Page. “Although not many professionals are able to meet the requirements, the policy would be effective in its own way,”Tang added. Tang said that the quota of 10,000 for fresh graduates is reasonable. Ibitit Hashmi, who just got her mechanical engineering degree at the University of Glasgow and is eligible for the visa, said that she will not come to Hong Kong as a high salary may not be guaranteed. The average annual salary of a mechanical engineer in Scotland is £40,413 (HK$357,158) while only HK$317,055 in Hong Kong, according to job search engine Adzuna. “With the low tax rate and high quality of education, Hong Kong still has its attractiveness …
Policy Address 2022: Hong Kong’s CE proposes building artificial islands
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Nola YipEdited by: Editor
- 2022-10-19
Chief Executive John Lee said on Wednesday that he and his team will put forth detailed proposals on the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands in two months to expand Hong Kong’s development opportunities. “We will put forth proposals on the scope of reclamation, land use, transport infrastructure network and financing options regarding the Artificial Islands within this year,” said Lee in his first Policy Address. Chief Executive John Lee said on Wednesday that he and his team will put forth detailed proposals on the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands in two months to expand Hong Kong’s development opportunities. “We will put forth proposals on the scope of reclamation, land use, transport infrastructure network and financing options regarding the Artificial Islands within this year,” said Lee in his first Policy Address. The proposed 1,000 hectare Artificial Islands are within reach of Lantau Island, providing close connections to the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. A fourth cross-harbour tunnel is under proposal as the development of the Artificial Islands will require the construction of new rails and road transport network to link Hong Kong Island West, Lantau Island and Northwest New Territories. Previously under the “Lantau Tomorrow Vision” project, the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands have three major aims: 1) to develop into Hong Kong’s third CBD, 2) to build a green-living space, and 3) to become an innovative smart area. The target is to start the Environmental Impact Assessment process in 2023 and start reclamation in 2025, Lee said. The EIA is required by law before starting the project to avoid, minimise and control negative impact on the environment. “The Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands will expand the scope and capacity of Hong Kong’s development and greatly enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as …
Policy address 2022: Hong Kong to speed up the development of Northern Metropolis
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Zimo ZHONG、Chengqi MOEdited by: Kate Zhang
- 2022-10-19
Hong Kong is planning to push ahead with developing the Northern Metropolis area bordering mainland China, including by buying up all the land needed to develop the project within five years and moving 40% of the Queensway Government Offices that are currently in Admiralty to that location, according to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. “The Northern Metropolis is the foothold for Hong Kong's strategic development as well as the new engine for Hong Kong to scale new heights,” Lee said in his first policy address. “The current-term Government will take forward the development of the Northern Metropolis in full steam.” Former Chief Executive Carrie Lam first proposed the Northern Metropolis plan in last year’s policy address. This 20-year plan aims to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the mainland by developing a 30,000-hectare area covering Hong Kong's North District and the northern part of Yuen Long district. Lee said he would personally lead a steering committee, which will be advised by a group of experts and stakeholders headed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, to oversee the development of the region. The government plans to start land resumption procedures for all development projects within five years. The speed of each resumption session has been improved, and will cut the time it will take for the government to purchase the land in half. The goal is to acquire 40% of the new development land and build the new flats within 10 years. To drive the development of various landmark facilities in culture, education, sports and hygiene, certain government offices will move to the Northern Metropolis. Almost 40% of government offices in Queensway will be relocated. “Moving some government functions to a particular district can largely support the development of this area, attracting more people and promoting …
Policy address 2022: 30,000 public housing units to be provided under new housing policy
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Rex Cheuk、Mei Ching LEE、Nga Ying LAUEdited by: Kiki Lo、Kelly Pang
- 2022-10-19
Solving the housing problem is the government’s top priority, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his first policy address today, announcing a new policy to provide 30,000 light public housing units in five years. “To deal with the problem of inadequate accommodation including subdivided flats, we need breakthroughs in housing supply and solutions to address the long-term problem of housing shortage,” Lee said. The “Light Public Housing” scheme allows Hongkongers who have been waiting for public housing units for three years or more to apply for an earlier allocation of the new units featuring basic facilities with lower rent. Lee said priority will be given to family applicants. The new scheme is expected to increase the city’s total public housing supply by 25% and shorten the waiting time by one and a half years by taking into account the total supply of light and traditional public housing. “The target is to cap the waiting time at the existing level of about six years and shorten it to about four and a half years in four years’ time,” Lee said. He added that the authorities will work closely with different government departments in enhancing the quantity, speed, efficiency and quality to shorten the waiting time for public housing. However, the deputy director of the Society of Community Organisation, Sze Lai-shan, said she would like to see a further reduction in waiting time for public housing. “Although reducing the waiting time to four and a half years should already be a challenging task, we hope the waiting time for public housing can be reduced to three years,” said Sze. Wong Kin-yip, 36, a construction worker living in a subdivided unit, is not satisfied with the introduction of light public housing. “The light public housing …
Policy Address 2022: Hong Kong’s new leader announces no new measures to boost international tourism; support for local tourism instead
- 2022-10-19
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Aruzhan ZEINULLA、Le Ha NGUYEN、Angela HuangEdited by: Malick Gai
- 2022-10-19
Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu announced support for existing measures to boost local tourism in his maiden policy address, with no timeline as to when the city will fully reopen to international tourists. The government will allocate HK$600 million (US$76 million) towards the three-year “Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme” to boost local tourism with an emphasis on cultural and heritage elements, a policy that was also mentioned in this year’s Budget Address. “To re-establish Hong Kong's position as the region's premier travel destination, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will enhance its support for tourism in light of the epidemic development so as to attract more high value-added overnight visitors to Hong Kong,” said Lee. A new round of “Spend-to-Redeem Local Tours” and “Staycation Delights,” campaigns providing the public with guided local tours and hotel staycation discounts, will be launched with an increased quota to enhance local consumption, the chief executive said in his policy address. “I would prefer tourists over government subsidies. There's very little opportunity for sustainable business with just local tourism,” said Amy Overy, the owner of Hong Kong Greeters, a travel agency that provides private tours for tourists. The city is still longing for further relaxation on quarantine requirements to attract mainland and overseas tourists. “HKTB is yet to find any unique elements to promote the city,” said Dave Chan, an instructor from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Chan said the government has been promoting cultural and historical elements but it failed to draw foreign tourists’ interest. Chan added that around half of the travellers arriving in Hong Kong every year come from mainland China but because the border is yet to open, the recovery of the …
Live performances to resume in bars, restaurants
- 2022-10-14
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Noah TsangEdited by: Lokman Yuen
- 2022-10-14
The government announced live performances will resume in premises from Oct. 20, as social distancing measures are further relaxed. Live performances and dance shows will be allowed to resume in bars, nightclubs, movie theatres, museums and other indoor areas next Thursday, said Under Secretary for Health, Libby Lee Ha-yun, at a press conference yesterday. Performers must conduct PCR tests twice a week, Lee said. Negative rapid antigen test results remain required before entering the performance venue. Performers should wear masks when performing on stage. Babita Rai, 47, manager of Ned Kelly's Last Stand, a live music venue in Tsim Sha Tsui, said she welcomes the policy. The bar, which has been in operation since 1972, has faced a huge financial loss since 2020, she said. "After Oct 20, we will do everything to recover our loss," Rai said. The maximum number of people per table increased from eight to 12 for food premises and 4 to 6 for bars and nightclubs on Sept 30, 2022.
National Security Law and Covid-19 behind exodus of Hong Kong journalists
- 2022-10-14
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Aruzhan ZEINULLA、Le Ha NGUYENEdited by: Malick Gai
- 2022-10-14
Cliff Buddle, 58, editor and columnist at the South China Morning Post, said farewell to Hong Kong after 28 years and returned to the UK in August. “Leaving the city that means so much to me, it was a very tough decision,” said Buddle. “I recognize that the situation in Hong Kong has changed, and that undeniably had an impact on my decision to leave.” Journalists are reportedly leaving Hong Kong amid an emigration wave blamed on restrictive Covid-19 policies and changes in the political environment following the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020. Mandatory hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals was lifted on Sept 26, but the loosening of Covid policies has come too late for some. “The vast majority of journalists left Hong Kong due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions,” said Keith Richburg, director of journalism at the University of Hong Kong and president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, a group of journalists and non-media professionals whose mission is to promote journalism and defend press freedom. He said correspondents based in Hong Kong and responsible for covering stories in Asia relocated because travel was too restrictive. “It was a bit of a double whammy for Hong Kong to get both the Covid restrictions and the National Security Law coming at the same time,” said Richburg. A survey conducted by Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute found that 97% of 169 professional journalists said the reporting environment has become much worse during 2021. Almost half of the journalists polled said that they were considering leaving the city due to a decline in press freedom, according to a survey conducted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in 2021. The city’s press freedom rankings since the 1997 handover to China have also been steadily dropping. …
New LeaveHomeSafe arrangement disturb residential students
- 2022-10-11
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Bella DingEdited by: Jayde Cheung
- 2022-10-11
More than 20 students queue up at the residential halls after Hong Kong Baptist University requires the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app, while lifting all other registration requirements and to set foot in the school. Starting from Oct 8, students and staff need to scan the LeaveHomeSafe QR code before entering the university, according to the school's internal email delivered last Monday. The new arrangement replaced the identity verification and health declaration that was used since the start of the pandemic. Vaccination requirement is lifted to attend face-to-face lessons, despite special premises including sport facilities and restaurants. The undergraduate housings firstly started the LeaveHomeSafe system last Friday, together with the existing identity verification system. Only blue code holders are permitted to the hall. “Last time I spent around 15 minutes to get in and then waiting for the elevator for an even longer time,” said Yernar Baltabay, a hall resident. “ People are forced to huddle together.” The undergraduate halls offer 1,770 residences for full-time students. Residents have to record their entrance to the hall by scanning the LeaveHomeSafe QR code, and scan the vaccine pass by a mobile phone app at an appropriate distance and angle. The mobile phone cannot detect vaccine passes sometimes, according to Freya Chan, a hall resident. “Usually you will spend a long time getting the machine to read your QR code. If you move slowly, the queue will start behind you. That is extremely embarrassing,” she said. If the scanning does not work, students need to show their vaccine records to security guards in the hall for confirmation. “We are willing to better serve students using this system, but we now spend more time and energy checking the Vaccine Pass in person, because the machine is not working well,” said the security guard Chan Chung, who …