appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Letters

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words
I refer to the letter, “Let 2026 be the year we are kinder to animals” (December 25).
Animal conservation and protection is a complex issue. It is true that Ocean Park promotes conservation while also making a profit from shows involving captive animals. This may seem ironic, but we should acknowledge the challenges conservation organisations face.
For these organisations to continue to operate, they must rely on donations or their own income. It is understandable that they would seek to maximise ways to increase their income source.
As for horse racing, it should be noted that it is a Hong Kong tradition. While I agree that forcing horses to race is cruel to them, it is not realistic to expect the sport to end in the short term. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s economy and a major donor in the charity sector. Horse racing is a major revenue source for the organisation. Putting a halt to it may cause unexpected social impact that may do more harm than good. Any end to the sport must be a long-term goal requiring discussions involving all relevant parties.
With careful and pragmatic planning, I hope Hong Kong can improve its animal conservation efforts in the year ahead.
Zeng Kam Yuk, Sha Tin
Why not promote esports to the elderly?
A recent letter argued that we should promote mahjong games as a healthy pastime for the elderly. I have another suggestion. A few days ago, I happened to watch a video on an esports tournament featuring elderly players. It struck me that this could be an excellent and engaging activity for Hong Kong seniors.
Elderly people playing computer games can do more good than harm. There are a variety of games, many of which can help improve their memory and reduce their loneliness. For instance, they can play tactical games like Clash Royale to train their memorisation skills. From a social perspective, MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games are trendy and popular. These games are designed for multiplayer interaction and often include voice chat, enabling real-time communication.
Some people may worry that the increase in screen time as a result of playing games will lead to more vision-related diseases. However, esports has such benefits in terms of mental acuity and social engagement that the pros outweigh the cons.
Frank Lam Wai Hin, Tuen Mun
Christmas Eve on Chater Road would be great without traffic
A visit to Chater Road at about 7.30pm on Christmas Eve was indeed an experience. There were lights, music and decorations of all sorts. No doubt whoever planned this project had crowds in mind and crowds there were! The pavements along Chater Road, from Chater House as far as the Hong Kong Club Building, were packed shoulder to shoulder.
The atmosphere was good but a drawback was that the road remained open for traffic, thus denying visitors space to enjoy the ambiance and to move about in a relaxed setting.
Since Chater Road is usually closed to traffic on Sundays and public holidays to allow pedestrians to use it in comfort, it was strange that this was not done in anticipation of the crowds expected on Christmas Eve, especially since Lan Kwai Fong and its environs have special traffic management schemes.
The relevant authorities should review the traffic management system at Chater Road for future organised attractions on festive eves as well as festive days. The proper segregation of pedestrians and traffic will enhance everyone’s enjoyment.
James A. Elms, Wan Chai


Foreign carers for elderly to get 10 to 20% more pay than current helpers

CUHK instructor triggers backlash over WeChat attendance registration policy

Why mainland Chinese despise the British – but Hongkongers don’t

Hongkongers pay tribute to late leader Tung Chee-hwa at community halls

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong must take pragmatic approach to improving animal welfare

Horse racing is a Hong Kong tradition. Photo: Kenneth Chan.

Let 2026 be the year we are kinder to animals

Peta members wearing dolphin masks protest against the Ocean Park’s dolphin shows on August 20. Photo: Nora Tam

Tai Po pet rescues put Hong Kong’s compassion on show

Pets are rescued by firefighters as four buildings are still engulfed in flames at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 27, a day after the fire broke out. Photo: Eugene Lee


Opinion

Readers discuss the complexities of balancing animal protection with economic imperatives, the benefits of engaging the elderly in esports, and traffic arrangements on Christmas Eve


Readers discuss the complexities of balancing animal protection with economic imperatives, the benefits of engaging the elderly in esports, and traffic arrangements on Christmas Eve.


Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Ocean Park

Hong Kong