News
Security zone in Wan Chai during President Xi Jinping’s visit on 25th Anniversary
- 2022-06-28
- Society
- By: Lokman YuenEdited by: Jenny Lam
- 2022-06-28
Police said today that there will be strict security measures and control of the press around Wan Chai north from June 29 to July 1 in anticipation of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of handover. There will be an inaugural ceremony for the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Carparks and parking meters within the area will be shut down from 10 p.m. on June 28. There will be road closures and traffic diversions in the area near Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre from June 29 to July 1. All guests and vehicles entering the area will be subjected to security screening. The MTR Corporation said Exhibition Centre Station will be closed from June 30 to July 1. Eighteen bus routes will be affected. Lui Kam-ho, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, advised motorists not to drive in the area. He said the force will adjust the security plan accordingly if President’s Xi doesn’t visit Hong Kong in the end. Different levels of security zones will be set up according to the itinerary and activities of President Xi. A designated interview zone will be allocated for the press inside the security zone. Video clips inside the venue and information will be provided by the Information Services Department. Chan Po-ying, Chairwoman of League of Social Democrats, published a statement today, stating the organization will not hold any protest on July 1 after the national security police invited them to a talk. When asked if the police are discouraging protest and the freedom of expression, Lui replied that the police will fully respect the rights of the people, and there is a designated public activities area outside the security zone. “The measures are a balance of the people’s …
Flowers Bloom in Sha Tin Park for 25th Anniversary of HKSAR
- 2022-06-23
- Photo Essay
- By: Lokman YuenEdited by: C.K. Lau
- 2022-06-23
A festive atmosphere pervades the city as it gears up for the 25th anniversary of its establishment as a Special Administrative Region of China. Sha Tin Park is one of 51 prominent parks and locations where the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has carried out beautification works. TYR takes you on a photographic tour of the park.
Power cut in Tin Shui Wai forced business closure
- 2022-06-23
- By: Lokman YuenEdited by: Jenny Lam
- 2022-06-23
Some 160,000 households in the New Territories West were plunged into darkness on Tuesday evening, “It was a complete blackout. We had no idea what happened, we can’t contact each other,” said Miffy Tang who lives in Tin Shui Wai with her husband and child. The power supply to all affected areas had been restored by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, However, CLP warned that electricity in the area might remain unstable for a few days. Tang, a resident of Tin Fu Court, told TYR that the housing estate was not only affected by the blackout, but also they have no internet to contact others. Tin Fu Court is one of four housing estates which had an extensive electricity shortage, along with Tin Ching Village, Tin Ze Village and Tin Yuet Village. Tang had just started dinner with her family at their grandfather’s house at 7:15 p.m The sudden blackout forced them to have a candlelit dinner. She said she was lucky she was able to finish cooking before the blackout.., Then, she had to climb more than 11 storeys in order to get home to take a bath in cold water and had a night with no air-conditioning or a fan. After putting her son to bed with a USB-charged fan, Tang and her husband stayed awake the whole night. They could see there was no light around the housing estate until 2 am. Then the electricity came back at 4:30 a.m. They were hopeful, but only to be disappointed soon after. Power was not restored until 9 a.m. CLP Power expected it will take two days to restore power supply to the area, but some fans and air-conditioners came back on this morning. CLP warned that power supply in the area might remain unstable for a few days …
Rise in Chinese identity recognition, but Hong Kong still comes first, survey shows
- 2022-06-22
- By: Lokman YuenEdited by: C.K. Lau
- 2022-06-22
More Hong Kong people regard themselves as Chinese or citizens of the People’s Republic of China, although their sense of identity as Hongkongers continues to rank first, a survey has found. Conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI), the survey found that the number of people who identify themselves as “members of the Chinese race” and “Chinese” has reached new highs since 2018, while those who regard themselves as “citizens of the PRC” have also reached their highest levels since 2016. Meanwhile, the number of people who feel they are “Hongkongers” and “global citizens” have registered record lows since June 2017 and December 2008 respectively. However, an overwhelming 70% of the respondents still identify themselves as “Hongkongers” in a broad sense (i.e., either as “Hongkongers” or “Hongkongers in China”), and only 29% regard themselves as “Chinese” in a broad sense (i.e., either as “Chinese” or “Chinese in Hong Kong”). About 42% have opted for a mixed identity of “Hongkongers” and “Chinese” (i.e., either as “Chinese in Hong Kong” or “Hongkongers in China”). One thousand Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above were interviewed by telephone between May 31 and June 4. PORI, formerly known as the Public Opinion Programme at the University of Hong Kong, has been conducting regular surveys to track the changing sense of identity of Hong Kong people before 1997 when the city was reunited with China. Yuen Mi-chang, the current affairs commentator, said the results of the latest survey showed that many people with strong sentiments against the mainland authorities had left Hong Kong after the 2019 anti-extradition bill movement and as the local democratic movement weakened. Those who had opted to stay behind had to adjust their mentality and sense of recognition even though they remained dissatisfied with the political condition, …
One-third of Hong Kong adults gain weight amid 5th wave of Covid-19 pandemic, survey finds
- 2022-06-21
- By: Lokman YuenEdited by: C.K. Lau
- 2022-06-21
One in three Hongkongers have put on about 10% of their body weight because of a lack of outdoor activities since the outbreak of the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by the Hong Kong Obesity Society has found. The online questionnaire survey of 559 adults was conducted from May 27 to June 6. It found that 53% of the respondents with BMI 25 or above (considered as obese for an Asian adult) and about one-fourth of those with BMI 18.5 - 22.9 have gained weight. Among those who have put on weight, 66% have seen their body weight increased by 5-10%, 16% by 10-15% and 13% by more than 15%. The researchers said the weight gain was driven by two reasons: the resumption of dining in services at restaurants and reduced physical exercise. They survey found that 44% of the respondents wanted to dine out following the relaxation of dining-in restrictions last month as they feared the restrictions may be restored should the pandemic worsen again. Another 38% said they had avoided outdoor activities to stay safe and refrained from exercising with their masks on because it was uncomfortable. The study also found that obesity discrimination still exists in Hong Kong, with over 60% of the respondents believing that people who are overweight are more likely to be too lazy to exercise and to indulge in binging. In fact, the researchers said many obesity patients have difficulties losing weight for medical reasons and discrimination discourages them from seeking medical help. Tsui Tsum-miu, president of the Hong Kong Obesity Society, said the medical sector and many members of the public solely focused on serious cases of obesity and ignored the less severe ones. More community efforts should be directed towards supporting obesity patients, he said.
Increased use of telemedicine during the Covid-19
- 2022-06-13
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: Karmen LiEdited by: Leona Liu
- 2022-06-13
The fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Hong Kong gives telemedicine a boost as many clinics are closed to prevent cross-infection and patients may be reluctant to attend the in-person appointments during the pandemic. Despite the constraints in video consultation such as being unable to physically examine the patients, it can provide the right medication and immediate medical suggestions for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms.
Pandemic gives rise to depression and anxiety
- 2022-05-31
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Hamish CHANEdited by: Nicholas Shu
- 2022-05-31
Rachel Li Liang-yu, 24, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 12 years ago. It is a mental disorder associated with extreme mood swings, ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. She said her emotions are more unpredictable than before due to COVID-19, and her mood swings are the worst during lockdowns. “It is because the clinic where I used to meet my psychiatrist has been closed for a while due to the lockdown in Hebei, China,” Li said. Dr. Adrian Low, the president of the Hong Kong Association of Psychology, said it is common for people to feel stressed due to the massive amount of information during the pandemic. “For those who suffered from mental health issues before, they are more easily triggered,” Low said. “For the ordinary public, they may face depression easier than before as well.” According to the World Health Organisation’s research in 2022, the pandemic has triggered an increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide by 25%. Parents’ anxiety levels have also been elevated. Cheng Lihua, a mother of two primary school children in Hong Kong, said she feels anxious and depressed due to the pandemic. “As a parent, it is normal to be worried,” said Cheng, “especially when there is so much negative information on television, WeChat groups and other social media.” The depression rate of mothers increased from 19% before the pandemic to 35% in July 2020, while the anxiety rate increased from 18% to 31%, according to research by the Department of Psychology, University of Calgary. This research suggested that the mental states of parents taking responsibility for their children’s academics and daily lives at the same time are severely compromised. Cheng said when her children leave home for school, she often worries about the campus hygiene and is scared that her …
Multimedia: Hong Kong's sixth chief executive election
- 2022-05-16
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Jayde CheungEdited by: Nick Yang
- 2022-05-16
The sixth chief executive election was held last Sunday. John Lee Ka-chiu, becomes the chief executive-elect with over 99% support from the Election Committee. The Young Reporter documented this first uncontested election in the city.
Trouble in mainland quarantine after escaping pandemic in Hong Kong
- 2022-05-11
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Ziyu Bruce ZhaoEdited by: Summer Li
- 2022-05-11
As the pandemic hit Hong Kong with unprecedented Omicron variants, many people working and studying in the city have started their journey to escape to mainland since mid February to avoid the health crisis. However, the poor living condition, extraordinary high prices and awful food during the 21-day quarantine caused a lot of inconvenience to the people longing to return home.
John Lee Ka-chiu confirmed to be the new leader in Hong Kong
- 2022-05-08
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Jayde CheungEdited by: Nick Yang
- 2022-05-08
John Lee Ka-chiu, 64, the sole candidate, secured his seat as the sixth chief executive in Hong Kong today with only eight votes against him. Lee won 1,416 votes out of 1,428, including four blank votes, gaining trust from over 99% from the election committee, a record high of support. Thirty-three members did not vote. “With loyalty and perseverance, I shall undertake this historic mission and shoulder this responsibility to unite and lead the 7.4 million Hong Kong people to start a new chapter together,” Lee said at the press conference after being elected. This is the first chief executive election since Beijing’s election reform ensuring governance by “patriots only”. It is also the first uncontested chief executive election in Hong Kong since its handover. “I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election and later today,” said Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the current chief executive, in a statement today. “We will render all the support needed for the assumption of office by the new term of government.” Lee will take over as chief executive on July 1. The chief executive is chosen by the election committee, a body that has been expanded from 1,200 to 1,500 members after the electoral system reform and includes representatives from different sectors. “The election committee members are very responsive and completed their responsibility,” said Tam Yiu-chung, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also the Lee’s campaign manager. “This is an important event in Hong Kong. The sixth chief executive will be elected under the new election system. We wish Hong Kong to begin a new chapter and a good development.” Lee, a former police officer, handled the anti-extradition bill protests in 2019 as Secretary for Security. Lee’s latest ratings plunged to a new low of 34.8 between March 7 …