by Alex Fok
HarbourTimes.com| Hong Kong - Politics, Policy, Government ...Dec 29, 2015
2015 has been a year full of action in the political and diplomatic fronts. HT reviews some of our favourite articles ranging from political reform to education governance turmoil and even a mysterious death where the facts remain murky.
Politics
It will be difficult to top 2014 for political drama, the most eventful since 2003. But 2015 still feels the heat coming off the embers left behind by Occupy Central and the birth of the Umbrella Movement in the form of ascendant localism. The dramatic end of the political reform saga as well as the first District Council elections that followed also stimulated a level of public participation not seen since 2003.
Here we present some of the best of Harbour Times in 2015 – vital stories not to be missed and worth a re-read for generations to come. Share with your friends and colleagues.
Ripples of Occupy One Year On: Occupation, Umbrellas, and our Protest Future
Not so long ago in a place not so far away, an unprecedented tide of passionate protests captured the attention of both international observers and citizens at home. Christened the Umbrella Movement (the Movement), the 79 days of civil disobedience in the heart of Hong Kong last year forever changed the political landscape of this city. Disillusioned with the old establishment, many have sought fresh outlets to express their views, and in cases where no such outlets existed, they have fashioned new organisations with audacious messages and aggressive tactics.
Localism explained: The politicians, the philosophers, and the idealistic youth
For the first time, representatives from three prominent localist groups joined together, not on the street but instead at a Harbour Times Happy Hour, explaining the idea of localism to those who don’t have the word in their dictionaries.
DC Elections Explained: The Aftermath
The first post-Occupy District Council elections saw some huge names in politics slip up. It also saw the rise of young faces from all sides. Make no mistake, the pro-establishment still control the district councils, but their reign in the coming four years will likely be harder than the last. Harbour Times breaks it down.
Hong Kong Reform Voted Down as Pro-Est make historical blunder
After 20 months of debate, two public consultations, a controversial decision from Beijing, 79 days of occupying the streets— not to mention an alleged bomb plot— the Hong Kong Government’s reform package for electing the Chief Executive in 2017 was finally voted down in the Legislative Council on Thursday (June 18).
HK’s Wartime past still matters: Alternate histories
Not content with a China v Japan narrative for September 3, some have taken matters into their own hands. Their focus is on the Hong Kong liberation – not China’s resistance.
The plan is: No plan – The collapse of consensus-seeking politics
The pro-est lawmakers are striking back to take all key posts in LegCo committees/panels. There is not much the pan-dems can do other than look back to the ‘good old’ days and cry foul – or search for new allies.
Tectonic shift in Hong Kong’s power structure
There is a fundamental shift in power relations happening and the woes of Sir Donald Tsang and Mr Li Ka Shing tell the story.
Related
Business & Economy
Not the best year for business, but certainly no lack of excitement through the debates on innovations such as Bitcoin, vaping and, in particular, Uber. Will Hong Kong be a centre for innovation or put its regulatory finger in the dike against the future?
Uber and the Sharing Economy: The policy, the law and the perception
The Truth on Uber: Is the government trying to kill Uber? Are you insured when taking an Uber car? Are the people of Hong Kong behind or against Uber? HT answer your questions.
Hong Kong missing the Bitcoin boat to riches
Blockchain and Bitcoin: Hong Kong can win, but must get religion, says acolyte James Bang.
E-smoke and mirrors: The debate on e-cigarettes’ HK future
Hong Kong may move to ban e-cigarettes. Advocates claim it is the best alternative to reduce harm from smoking. Opponents claim the unknown makes it worth banning outright.
Harbour View: FATCA Me? No, FATCA you!
After years of commentary on FATCA from a distance, this writer got a little taste of it up close. It left a very unpleasant aftertaste and is taking a long time to go down. FATCA is bad for America.
Renewable Energy in Hong Kong: Worth it or not?
Cheap, clean, politically palatable and rock-solid stable. We want it all when it comes to energy. Hong Kong faces hard choices.
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Society & Education
The fight for institutional autonomy in Hong Kong’s universities continues, as does the fight for justice in CDNIS. And a crucial video that could reveal the cause of death of a rising young football remains hidden behind bureaucratic obstruction.
It’s time the HKU Council took responsibility for poor reputation management.
Mortal Blow: HKU’s reputation takes a hit with UK students, profs
Disputes, political interference, civil disobedience, academic freedom. The academic reputation of HKU abroad matters both to students and professors. In Britain, source of students and academics, the question is if the reputational hit is a mortal blow or just a flesh wound.
Arc of Tragedy: A young blind football star’s life ends in mystery
The tragic death of Hong Kong’s first blind goal scorer in international play after a football tournament was followed by a series of bizarre behaviour from the organisers. Justice seems remote.
New chairman launches reign of terror at CDNIS
Days after new Chairman Godwin Hwa was installed, Canadian International School fires 10 teachers—9 go—as the school moves to purge teachers as they remake school. Some say not for the better.
Disenfranchised: Education for non-Chinese-speaking children in Hong Kong
A real ‘World City’ values cultural diversity. Xaviera Artaza asks if Hong Kong fits the bill.
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Interviews
For the past year, HT has been introducing Hong Kong’s social media opinion leaders and newcomers in the district council elections to our readers through interviews and profiles. In particular, the political stance of Joe Lam and Keyboard Frontline’s actions will headline debates in 2016 in face of the LegCo elections and Copyright Amendment Bill.
Joseph Lam Chok (林作) will take on pro-democracy heavyweight Mandy Tam (譚香文) in a bid to win a seat in the Wong Tai Sin DC. Speaking to Harbour Times, he defends his position as a moderate democrat who despises an increasingly polarised political atmosphere.
Marching on beyond QWERTY – Interview with Keyboard Frontline
Don’t let the name fool you, our fifth social media influencer, Keyboard Frontline, is a group that will not simply hide behind the keyboard.
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Diplomat
A now settled drama, the short-lived blacklisting of Hong Kong by the EU will surely force the government to step up CDTA negotiations with foreign jurisdictions. And with the FTA with ASEAN now taking shape, Malaysia’s first man in Hong Kong shares his view on the HK-Malaysian relationship. Not to mention Graf Lambsdorff’s candid words at the German 25th reunification reception.
Harbour View: PIGS and Minnows
Hong Kong’s prudent governance may be what got it on a EU blacklist. The countries accusing Hong Kong may be unfamiliar with smart governance and the low taxes it enables – they may never have seen it before at home.
Diplomat Royale: Tengku Sirajuzzaman of Malaysia
Tengku Sirajuzzaman is Malaysia’s main man in Hong Kong. His perspective on protests and ASEAN.
Reportage:Graf Lambsdorff and Carrie Lam break roles at German 25th Reunification
This was no normal National Day celebration. Both Graf Lambsdorff and Carrie Lam surprised everyone at the 25th anniversary of German reunification.
http://harbourtimes.com/2015/12/29/politics-2015-localism-hku-and-cdnis-a-mysterious-death-unresolved/
