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Low Rent at Lunar New Year Fair Helps Small Businesses
- 2025-01-25
- Culture & Leisure
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHENG Tsz Sen Sean、QIN ZiyangEdited by: MAO Anqi
- 2025-01-25
Stall owners at Hong Kong’s largest fair in Victoria Park are paying lower rent than last year. Successful bids for wet stalls ranged from HK$6,530 to HK$75,000, with the aggregate bidding price declining nearly 30% compared to last year, while rent for fast food stalls was reduced by around 20%, according to the government data. Cheung Hon-fung, 22, a university student, partnered with two friends to sell drinking board games and wooden decorations which they designed. “The rent was fortunately cheaper than last year which was good news to us. But I don’t think there will be a great growth in sales, due to the bad weather and people going to mainland China to spend their holidays,” he said. Adrian Choy, 22, is another business owner at Victoria Park. “I ran a store seven years ago selling New Year’s favourites, but I didn't keep it going because of the high rent. This year's rent in the market is HK$8,000 cheaper than what it was then,” he said. To usher in the Year of Snake, many dry stalls sell snake themed items such as cushions and accessories, attracting locals and foreign visitors to stop in the tracks. “It was a collective effort to come up with different products. Some came up with neck cushions and some promoted Fai Chun with snake puns,” Choy said. Visitors at the fair include locals and people from overseas. Sherry Stephany, 58, a former Hong Kong resident, came back from New Jersey in the US during the holiday to visit family members. “We find the fair very festive and hope to buy some souvenirs and clothings with snake patterns,” she said. The Victoria Park fair opens on Jan.23 and lasts for six days with free admission. On Jan.29, it will remain open to the public until …
Increasing use of social media for news risks overloading users’ mental well-being
- 2024-12-21
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: AU YEUNG Jim、AO Wei Ying VinciEdited by: KONG Tsz Yuen
- 2024-12-21
Conor James Walker, 22, a university student majoring in history and politics, gets his daily news from websites such as the BBC and Al Jazeera. He said the current amount of information online is detrimental to his mental health. “A lot of information online, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not, is mostly quite depressing subjects,” said Walker. “Fear of war, disease, disasters, and how politics rarely has a good story that comes out of it, no matter what country you look at,” he said. “It can take quite a mental toll on any individual,” said Walker. Walker added that he is less likely to read social media news unless it appears on his social media feed. “There’s the thing with social media,” said Walker, “which is anything can be said by anyone, and it turns out there’s a good chance it may not be true.” According to a report from the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom), the country’s telecommunications watchdog, 82% of those aged 16-24 years relied on social media for news, while only 28% of those aged 55 years do so. The report added that of all Britons aged 16 or above, 52% now consider social media their primary news source, whereas 51% still watch news on television via main broadcasters. This means online media has overtaken television as the biggest source of news. The American Psychological Association describes that constant feed of negative news as “media saturation overload.” Online platforms, especially social media, have algorithms that feed users more of the same to drive views and engagement. Bryan Mclaughlin, an associate professor in the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University, said that social media access leads to people being constantly caught up on the news. “If you don't have social media, even …
The Suicide Rate among Hong Kong Students Under Academic Pressure Hit an Eight-year High
- 2024-12-15
- Society
- By: CHEN Yik Nam、WONG Hong NiEdited by: Tsz Yau CHAN
- 2024-12-15
Heather Yeung, 20, is one of the seven founding members of the Hong Kong Student Alliance on Student Suicide, which was formed one year ago. Their goal is to give students a voice in the conversation about suicide prevention in Hong Kong. Last year, 1092 people took their own lives in Hong Kong. That’s a ten-year high according to Samaritans Hong Kong. Of those, 7.2 percent were aged between 10 and 19, which has reached the highest in eight years. The Hong Kong Student Alliance on Student Suicide set up a booth with the theme “How far are we from suicide?” on World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 in front of Mong Kok MTR station Exit D1.“The idea of holding a street information booth is to plant a seed in the hearts of passersby,” Heather said. Passersby added their views on the topic by posting sticky notes. There are 339 participants polled in the special interactive ballot box named “Your distance from suicide”, 72.6 percent said they had been exposed to suicide. She expressed her hopes that this initiative could raise awareness of the taboo topic in Hong Kong. “There is only so much we can do at this stage,” she added. Din Wai-bun, 53, is a lecturer at the Department of Social Work at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “The deep-rooted traditional concept of ‘winning at the starting line’ is repeating a vicious circle over and over again, which has also brought about the emergence of the suicide epidemic,” he said. “Parents, schools, society, and students have been instilled with the concept that being elite and successful is the only way to survive,” Din said. “But the few always win at the starting line.” According to the 2023 Hong Kong School Children Happiness Annual Survey conducted by …
Breaking the Silence: Addressing Female Workplace Anxiety in Hong Kong
- 2024-12-14
- By: CAO JiawenEdited by: Lisheng CHENG
- 2024-12-14
After graduating with a degree in accounting, Rain Jiang, 23, got her first job as a tax clerk in a financial firm in Hong Kong. But as the only woman in her department, she said she's often made to feel inferior. Jiang said as a new female employee, the biggest pressure comes from the female discrimination of her leadership and colleagues. “The audit and tax work is complicated and cumbersome, and there are few women in this position before me,” she said, “and they don’t think I’m qualified for this job Gender discrimination remains a pervasive problem in Hong Kong's workplace culture, contributing to heightened stress and mental health challenges among women. According to the Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centers, the proportion of women in middle and senior management is about 22%, while the number of employed men earning more than HK$20,000 per month is as high as 60% compared to that of women. The Census and Statistics Department shows that in occupations of the same rank, the median income of males was $50,000, and that of females was $45,000, a difference of $5,000. “Addressing these disparities is crucial not only for achieving gender equity but also for fostering a healthier, more productive workforce,” said Chan Man Ki, a solicitor and politician in Hong Kong. “Society often focuses on the value of women as a workforce, but neglects a society that allows women to be well-rounded.” “The core of respect for women is to respect the individual's will. Society should eliminate all discrimination and shackles, and should not attach all kinds of stereotypes to women.” Chan added. Mental health is also a challenge for working women. Local research estimates that more than 55,000 residents will suffer from depression annually costing the city HK$2.51 billion a year. Most of these …
The Mental Health Struggles of Young Athletes in Hong Kong: Insights from the Field
- 2024-11-27
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: Ben Rong LiEdited by: Ka Man Wong
- 2024-11-27
The mental health crisis among young athletes in Hong Kong has become a pressing concern, with many facing significant psychological pressures as they strive for success in sports while managing academic commitments. A recent survey by the Hong Kong Sports Institute reveals that approximately 40% of young athletes aged 18-25 experience symptoms of anxiety, while 35% show signs of depression. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address mental health issues within the sports community. Young athletes are navigating a complex landscape where the demands of competitive sports often clash with their educational pursuits. Or Siu-yuen, a 20-year-old football player in the Wing Yee Football Team in the Hong Kong First Division League, shared his personal experiences with these pressures. “After graduating from secondary school, the pressure increased significantly because my academic performance was not ideal. This led me to enrol in a higher diploma program related to fitness and exercise nutrition. The challenge of balancing my studies and my football career leaves me feeling increasingly lost about my future,” he said. Or elaborated on the difficulty of pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer while managing his education. “The conditions for advancing to the Hong Kong Super League are tough, and to pursue my dream of becoming a professional footballer, I might have to sacrifice my studies. But currently, I feel stuck at a crossroads, unable to fully commit to either path,” he said. Or also expressed the familial pressures he faces, “My family expects me to finish my studies and start working soon, but my progress in football hasn’t reached a level where I can support myself. This creates immense pressure every time I engage with football, making me feel that if I don’t succeed, I might have to give up …
Heavy Rainfall Floods Southeast Queensland, More Wet Weather Ahead.
- 2024-11-22
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: KURNIAWAN Trista VaniaEdited by: Ji Youn Lee
- 2024-11-22
Several parts of Queensland are bracing for more flooding after days of extreme rainfall in the area. Brisbane and greater southeast Queensland were drenched after days of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Though the rain is expected to end on Thursday, more flooding is possible near the Warrego River, which flows through Queensland and New South Wales. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the river saw heavy rainfall of over 150 millimetres in the last 8 hours to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, leaving rising water levels and major flooding in southeast Queensland. More showers are expected on Thursday and Friday, with flooded areas under close monitoring and warnings to be issued. On Wednesday, BOM released a severe weather warning for central Queensland, stating that total rainfall could reach 160 to 180 millimetres in six hours and up to 250 to 300 millimetres over 24 hours. The department warned residents in the area to brace for heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding, floods caused by rain in less than six hours. Last Saturday, the police rescued a woman who was trapped in her car in Rochedale, South Brisbane, after nearly 100 millimetres of rain fell within three hours in the region. In 2022, the state saw a record average rainfall of 778 millimetres which was 25% above the average of over 20 years. As of Tuesday, the BOM recorded heavy downpours for several Brisbane suburbs, including Rosalie with 46mm, Toowong with 45 mm, Green Hill with 43mm and Youngs Crossing with 33mm. Samuel Karjadi, a resident of northern Brisbane, said that he almost experienced a car accident on his way home last Thursday because of the storm. “It was quite dark and the road was slippery as well. I nearly hit someone’s car in an intersection near my house,” …
Wine and spirits merchants wish for more attention in Hong Kong
- 2024-11-15
- Culture & Leisure
- By: Ka Man Wong、MAO AnqiEdited by: Xiya RUI、Ka Man Wong
- 2024-11-15
The 16th year’s fair invites some new-coming wine and spirits merchants who are proud of their unique flavours and are confident to take a seat in the Hong Kong wine and spirits market.
Pasta Run unites community to support mental health awareness
- 2024-10-21
- Society
- By: Chun Hei LUK、Wing Chi HOEdited by: Yau To LUM
- 2024-10-21
Ten runners dressed up as chefs, bacon, ketchup, and mustard ran together from Harbour Fun Restaurant & Bar in Causeway Bay to Pici Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay along with more than 500 runners on Sunday morning. Among them, Lee Ka-wing, 34, who dressed up as a chef, said he wanted to bring joy to the community. "I want to bring a smile to everyone's face and the costumes add an extra layer of fun to the race, and it’s all for charity,” Lee said. "Every costume tells a story, and I hope mine inspires others to join in the spirit of the run and support a great cause." The Pici Pasta Run, returned on Sunday for the fourth consecutive year to gather runners, families, and food enthusiasts dressed up in whimsical costumes, including giant spaghetti strands and colorful pasta shapes. The charity Mind HK said they held the Pici Pasta Run with the local Italian restaurant Pici aimed to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives while promoting community spirit through a fun and engaging run. The charity run also aimed to uplift community well-being during the unprecedented global pandemic. Last year, it successfully raised over HK$100,000. Chan Wing-man, 25, a first-time participant said he enjoyed the event where community, charity, and celebration came together. "I’ve heard so much about the atmosphere at the Pici Pasta Run, I am excited to be part of such a fun event that combines running and enjoying delicious pasta,” Chan said. "The energy was just incredible and it was not a typical race – it was more about enjoying the experience and the community spirit.” Kevin Tsia, 43, brought him closer to his 11-year-old son. "We’ve seen people in different costumes. That makes the event more enjoyable for our kids and brings …
Policy address 2024: Community pharmacy takes an important role in primary care
- 2024-10-18
- By: HWANG Saewon、YANG ShuyiEdited by: Jenny Lam
- 2024-10-18
In July this year, the Hong Kong government also set up the Primary Care Department to promote the development of community pharmacies. At present, there are eight community pharmacies operated by non-profit organizations in Hong Kong. Community pharmacies can help the public, establish the habit of ‘seeking treatment when they are sick’, and fundamentally change the mode of prescribing medicine in public hospitals.
Gen Z preserves Hong Kong's Nostalgic charm
- 2024-10-16
- By: WONG Hong Ni、LAI Uen LingEdited by: Ka Man Wong、Ngai Fung NG
- 2024-10-16
In a rapidly changing world, many Gen Zers are dedicated to showcasing the fading beauty of Hong Kong. Some collect cherished nostalgia, while others pick up their cameras to document the city's vanishing landscapes.