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Poverty

Poverty
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Poverty. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Members of the EM Ensemble Band, a choir started to help non-Chinese speaking children learn Chinese and music, put up a performance in Hong Kong on September 14. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong

Letters | ‘Ethnic minority problems’ are really education and poverty problems

Readers discuss the negative stereotypes associated with Hongkongers of South Asian origin, a stumbling block in a controversial housing plan, and China’s automation.

China society

Opinion | Spate of random killings rooted in China’s social and economic despair

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China food security

China announces plan to cut food waste at production, transport and storage end

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Hong Kong housing

Cheaper homes at risk in Hong Kong plan to wipe out substandard flats: operator

Concern group also says tenants affected by plan will need help relocating as they may be left with few affordable options.

A subdivided tenant lays in his bunk bed space in Sham Shui Po. Photo: Elson Li
Diplomacy

Opinion | Can Global South and G20 lead new era of poverty reduction?

The credibility of developing countries in the fight against poverty stems from lived experience rather than theoretical discourse.

Diplomacy

Opinion | China offers world an optimistic problem-solving framework

China’s collectivist world view isn’t about undermining individuality but about emphasising interdependence. The idea could reshape global governance.

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Malaysia

‘Don’t have a choice’: Rohingya child brides trapped in Malaysia’s refugee crisis

Rohingya girls as young as 12 are being forced into marriage in Malaysia, escaping dire conditions in Bangladesh refugee camp.

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Nor Anis Syazwani collects preliminary health data upon patients’ arrival at an MSF mobile clinic in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Steven Ooi/MSF
United States

Opinion | World must forge ahead with globalisation, with or without the US

Washington has long resisted efforts to reform the Western-centric international order. Now Trump appears poised to withdraw from it altogether.

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Education

Ex-Microsoft director’s mission to get disadvantaged girls to university

John Wood’s charity U-Go gives scholarships to help young women in low-income countries in Asia and Africa get a university education.

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G20

G20 summit begins with Brazilian host laying out ambitious global priorities

Anti-poverty agenda set by Brazil’s leader gains some initial support, but progress is threatened by instability and conflict around the world.

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The G20 Summit opens on Monday at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong society

Letters | Nothing wrong with asking Hong Kong tycoons to act for greater good

Readers discuss Xia Baolong’s call for business leaders to support the city’s growth, potential new Hong Kong attractions and facing up to depression.

The sun sets behind Hong Kong’s skyline on November 1. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong housing

93% of children in Hong Kong subdivided flats have spinal issues: survey

Children not having proper desks to do homework is the main reason for problems, Society for Community Organisation says.

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Sri Lanka

Women candidates signal potential shift in Sri Lanka’s male-dominated politics

While analysts welcome the increase, they caution that more women in politics alone won’t challenge patriarchal norms and achieve true gender equality.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong’s working class deserve world-class medical care

Readers discuss proposed reforms to Hong Kong’s outpatient services, the city’s aspirations to be an education hub, Trump’s MAGA movement and North Korea’s continuing missile tests.

Patients visit the general outpatient clinic in Hong Kong’s Sai Wan Ho district in September last year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Wellness

The ‘superfriends’ helping Hong Kong’s homeless

Counsellors at Hong Kong non-profit ImpactHK, which recently opened a new recovery centre, help street sleepers through tough times.

Grace Lau Chieh, ImpactHK’s assistant programme manager for casework services and a certified couples and family therapist, has regular sessions with homeless people in Hong Kong to help with their mental health recovery, employment and finding stable housing. Photo: Kylie Knott
European Union

Croatia arrests 4 over attack on foreign workers

Labourers from Nepal, India, the Philippines and elsewhere have filled tens of thousands of jobs in construction and tourism.

Africa

US writes off over US$1 billion of Somalia debt

The announcement is the result of a deal between the two countries signed by Somalia’s finance minister and the US ambassador to Mogadishu.

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Hong Kong tourism

Letters | Halal tourism a golden opportunity to spur Hong Kong’s recovery

Readers discuss the benefits of tapping the Muslim travel market, a Swiftie’s failed attempts to secure an Eras Tour ticket, and poverty alleviation in Hong Kong.

People dine at a certified halal restaurant in Wan Chai in March this year. Photo: Brian Rhoads
Australia

Australia to slash billions off student debt amid cost of living pressures

Australia’s prime minister also announced plans to make medicines cheaper and help make rent more affordable.

Indonesia

6 dead as dozens of Rohingya refugees ‘stranded’ in Indonesia by traffickers

The Incident underscores the ongoing crisis faced by the Rohingya, who are fleeing persecution in Myanmar.

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Scams and swindles

Letters | Can Hong Kong really get ahead of scammers?

Readers discuss how ubiquitous scams and fraud have become, why rule of law matters in discussions on marriage equality and help for our struggling elderly.

Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu attends the launch of five minibuses carrying adverts that promote scam prevention, on September 19. Photo: May Tse
South Korea

Moneyed residents gang up to evict Seoul free food centre denting home prices

Choi Il-do denied claims the venue led to crime and drop in property prices, saying the city needs to look out for its elderly.

Volunteers serve free hot meals at the “Babfor” service centre in Seoul. Photo: AFP
Food and Drinks

She’s mixing a love of baking and grandparents to help Hong Kong’s elderly

Inspired by her grandparents’ love, Karen Chu founded The Good Cake, where proceeds from baked goods buy rice for vulnerable Hongkongers.

John Lee policy address 2024

Getting Hongkongers to retire on the mainland isn’t the answer to poverty: experts

Measures unveiled in policy address do not tackle widening wealth gap and suggest government is shirking responsibilities, they say.

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Hong Kong housing

Opinion | How inaction sustains Hong Kong’s plague of subdivided flats

There is no reason ending the shame of subdivided flats and cage homes should be on the same timeline as humans colonising Mars.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong economy

Outside In | It’s been grim for Hongkongers. Lee’s policy address must address that

After almost four years of adversity, the fragile economy needs support and many remain stressed and sceptical about prospects.

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A homeless man in Yau Ma Tei on October 5. Chief Executive John Lee should take careful note of Oxfam’s latest report on poverty and inequality in Hong Kong. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong must ditch ‘work hard now, pay with health later’ culture

The pressure to succeed at any cost to health and relationships can lead to a hollow victory. Mental wellness must be part of our lifestyle.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s rising poverty no longer confined to older districts: population expert

HKU’s Paul Yip calls for reintroducing poverty line for transparency, but authorities maintain they will stick to new targeted approach.

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