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Letters

Letters

Letters | Asia is waking up to storms that are stronger – and more polluted

A man crosses a muddy street where cars piled up after being swept away in floods brought on by Typhoon Kalmaegi, in Bacayan, Cebu City, the Philippines, on November 5. Photo: Reuters

Readers discuss new research that shows how typhoons spread microplastic pollution, encouraging the use of an anti-scam app, and the migrant domestic workers who fell victim to the Tai Po fire.

Letters | Rather than point fingers, Hongkongers should join hands to rebuild

Mourners fold paper cranes during a memorial event held outside the Wang Fuk Court apartment blocks on December 3, in the aftermath of the deadly November 26 fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Photo: AFP

Readers discuss the need to focus on recovery amid an official investigation of the Tai Po fire, the multiple causes of the tragedy, and Hong Kong’s retail downturn.

Letters | Commercialisation of Hong Kong’s public venues must come with a caveat

Dancers perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre piazza on November 16, as part of the Asia+ Festival programme this year. Photo: Sam Tsang

Readers discuss the government’s bid to open up underused public venues, call for a Firefighters’ Day, and take issue with the sensationalisation of news.

Letters | Safety lapses in Hong Kong’s construction industry must be fixed

People hug at a makeshift memorial outside the Wang Fuk Court apartment blocks in the aftermath of the deadly fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, on December 1. Photo: AFP

Readers discuss an overhaul of the project tendering process, more raids at renovation sites, high-rise building design, and deploying the emergency alert system.

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Letters | Investigate real causes of Tai Po fire before blaming bamboo scaffolding

Bamboo scaffolding and mesh covering cling to the burnt-out structure in the aftermath of the Tai Po apartment fire in Hong Kong, on November 28. Photo: Photo: EPA

Readers discuss why bamboo scaffolding is a cultural asset that should be preserved, respecting the contributions of all in community, watching the tragedy from afar, and the appropriate distance between buildings in a housing estate.

Letters | A kinder, gentler Hong Kong forged in shared pain

Volunteers organise aid distribution for residents affected by the Tai Po apartment fire in Hong Kong on November 28. Photo: EPA

Readers praise Hongkongers’ empathetic response to the Tai Po fire tragedy, clarify the workings of the Observatory’s chatbot, and call on Hong Kong to consider a social media ban for adolescents.

Letters | In the National Games, Hong Kong has a model of a green mega event

Installations of the National Games mascot Lerongrong are displayed at Kai Tak Station Square in Hong Kong on October 30. Some of the installations, put up across the Greater Bay Area cities, were made of marine plastic collected from beach clean-ups. Photo: Dickson Lee

Readers discuss the features of the games that safeguard sustainability and the passing of an Indian cinema legend.

Letters | Hong Kong will emerge stronger from Tai Po fire tragedy

A firefighter searches through a building in the aftermath of the fire at Wang Fuk Court. The heroic efforts of Hong Kong’s firefighters and emergency services must be acknowledged. Photo: AP

Readers offer condolences to the bereaved, call for prompt action to improve fire safety measures and pay tribute to the inspiring outpouring of help from all quarters of the community.

Letters | Hong Kong fire must force rethink on use of bamboo scaffolding

Fire burns the bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, on November 26. Photo: Reuters

Readers discuss the massive fire at a housing estate in Tai Po, and how a clumsy response to sexual abuse can result in re-traumatisation.

Letters | To prevent an AI job apocalypse, take a leaf from immigration policy

Immigration officers escort suspected illegal workers from a renovation site in Tuen Mun on January 7. Photo: Jelly Tse

Readers discuss managing AI like foreign hires, rewilding open spaces in Hong Kong, and economic rebalancing.

Letters | Academic theories deserve rigorous scrutiny, not public shaming

Dr Solehah’s theory – that Romans may have learned shipbuilding techniques from Malay seafarers – deserved rigorous academic scrutiny. Photo: YouTube/Prof Dr Solehah

Readers discuss the controversy over a Malaysian academic’s hypothesis about Roman shipbuilding, the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, and cutting back Hong Kong children’s screen time.

Letters | Hong Kong should consider easing visa rules for belt and road partners

Commuters in Hong Kong’s Central district on November 19. The Hong Kong government should consider revising current visa policies to strengthen its role as a regional hub for talent. Photo: Jelly Tse

Readers discuss the difficulties of securing entry to Hong Kong, investing in people’s well-being as an economic strategy, and child protection measures in Singapore.

Letters | US lawmakers are finally putting a check on the executive branch

Epstein abuse survivors and Congressional lawmakers attend a bipartisan vigil hosted by the Democratic Women’s Caucus on November 18 in Washington, DC. The US Senate unanimously approved passage of the House’s Epstein Files Transparency Act. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Readers discuss the signs of recovery in the US system of checks and balances, how to better leverage Hong Kong Observatory’s resources, and appreciation for the city’s emergency response.

Letters | Jackson Yee sets benchmark for young actors with Best Actor win

Jackson Yee, 24, has become the youngest Golden Rooster Best Actor winner. Photo: Handout

Readers laud the Chinese actor’s dedication to his craft and warn of a crisis of the mind in the age of AI.

Letters | Hong Kong’s AI education quest needs human connection to succeed

A student from a primary school in Tai Po gets a warm send-off to school, on the first day of the school year on September 1. Children learn best when their emotional needs are met. Photo: Jelly Tse

Readers discuss the importance of emotional and social learning, a suggestion to internationalise Hong Kong’s university entrance exam, and a way to encourage more Chinese to get married.

Letters | Hong Kong’s laws targeting false credentials must apply equally

A statue of Lady Justice at Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal. The Department of Justice should review its prosecution policies to ensure that deterrence, fairness and consistency remain the guiding principles in every case. Photo: Reuters

Readers discuss a recent case involving an applicant to the city’s talent scheme, a diplomatic row over the Japanese prime minister’s remarks, and Trump calling a journalist ‘piggy’.

Letters | Rare stingray in Victoria Harbour a welcome sign of nature’s restoration

The eagle ray fished from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour earlier this month is an endangered species. Photo: Handout

Readers discuss how Hong Kong’s marine conservation efforts are paying off, plans for a residential development in a Tai Po site, and geopolitical contests in Central Asia.

Letters | Why boycott art when it connects us in common humanity?

A woman looks through a gate as Palestinians wait to buy bread from a distribution point in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on November 17. Photo: Reuters

Readers discuss the protest on the opening night of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival, making our electoral process more accessible, and the practical use of the word ‘cum’.

Letters | As edtech tools grow, schools need to know which ones really work

While the digital revolution in classrooms holds incredible promise to transform learning, if adopted without evidence it may do more harm than good. Photo: Shutterstock

Reader discuss the drive for quality assurance in educational technology, scholars’ responsibility to uphold transparency over AI use, and treating The Cenotaph with respect.

Letters | Hong Kong’s AI push must include safeguards against AI hallucination

HKU has launched an investigation into a published doctoral thesis, after it was found to contain fictitious AI-generated references. Photo: Shutterstock

Readers discuss a lesson learned from a recent academic scandal, easing the rules of tax residency in Hong Kong, and dire predictions about the Chinese economy.

Letters | Let the elderly enjoy mahjong as a sport – with all its benefits

A staff member of a mahjong parlour in Hong Kong cleans the tiles. More mahjong parlours could be established, not as gambling dens but as health facilities for the elderly. Photo: May Tse

Readers discuss promoting the game as a way to improve health, and Hong Kong’s advantages as an education hub.

Letters | Help our children step out of virtual playgrounds into real ones

Since the proliferation of mobile phone usage and the rise of social media, there has been no lack of research into their adverse impact on young minds. Photo: Shutterstock

Readers discuss the need to limit phone and social media use, Hong Kong’s role in easing US-China tensions, and the Australian government’s move to provide free solar power.

Letters | Europe must separate legitimate security concerns from politics

An employee holds a box with wafers in a production line of Dutch semiconductor company Nexperia in Hamburg, Germany, on June 27, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Readers discuss the Nexperia dispute between China and the Netherlands, a suit against the Malaysian government, and Hong Kong patient records.

Letters | Leaders at Cop30 must act with conscience to prevent climate hell

Security personnel clash with indigenous people and students as they storm the venue during the Cop30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Para State, Brazil, on November 11. The clash underscored frustration among indigenous groups who demand forest protection. Photo: AFP

Readers discuss our slow progress towards limiting global warming, China’s priorities in scientific research, and diversity in the Legislative Council.

Letters | Regulation of Hong Kong’s beauty industry cannot be skin deep

While stricter rules are being introduced for clinic-based intrusive treatments, non-intrusive services such as body slimming and skin firming continue to thrive, often backed by celebrity endorsements. Photo: Shutterstock

Readers discuss the need for stricter oversight of a fast-growing sector, the proper usage of the archaic ‘cum’, and Trump’s plan to cut the budget deficit.

Letters | Hong Kong must overhaul its Medical Council to shore up public trust

The Medical Council of Hong Kong held a regular meeting on November 5. Photo: Karma Lo

Readers discuss criticism over the council’s handling of medical complaints, the significance of a functioning legislature, and putting the emergency alert system to better use.

Letters | Donkeys slaughtered for their skin is a tragedy on multiple levels

Donkey skins, dried shark fins and other smuggled goods are displayed at a Hong Kong customs press conference on October 27. Photo: Jelly Tse

Readers discuss the illicit trade’s damage to animal, human and environmental well-being, and how the city can have both halal and pet-friendly restaurants.

Letters | Fintech is moving fast. Gen Z’s financial literacy must keep pace

Hong Kong’s night view as seen from The Peak on August 25. Gen Z youth grew up with digital tools that previous generations didn’t access until much later in their careers. Photo: Sam Tsang

Readers discuss the need to get the basics right in financial education, introducing means testing for electricity subsidy, and an unexpected encounter with American spelling in Hong Kong.

Letters | Southeast Asia must find its own path to sustainability, as China has

A technician checks and cleans solar panels at Jatijajar bus station in Depok, Indonesia, on April 16. Photo: EPA-EFE

Readers discuss the different pathways to building energy resilience, the worth of investing in youth basketball, and the media hype over Trudeau and Perry dating.

Letters | Vietnam should expect sterner tests of its diplomatic skills

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) shakes hands with visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam in Downing Street, London, on October 29. Photo: Pool via AP

Readers discuss Hanoi’s feat of securing strong partnerships with major powers, the task awaiting Taiwan’s new KMT chair, and the impact of strict rules on Hong Kong’s street life.

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EnergyClimate changeJobsCrimeEducation in Hong KongMalaysiaUnited StatesHong Kong environmental issuesExtreme weatherHong Kong economy