So – after that challenging, protracted two- or maybe three-day week of not-too-much-to-do, we have another long weekend, to be followed by… 2018.
Some (mostly Taiwanese-linked) links to distract from the New Year arrival-hype-mayhem-tedium.
The FT looks at how Hong Kong and Taiwan are diverging as the former criminalizes disrespect for national symbols and the latter accommodates it. (For an amusing example of carelessness in these matters, Taiwan has just printed a load of passports accidentally featuring a picture of another place I know well – Washington Dulles Airport.)
Some media outlets seem to have a problem with Taiwan coverage – an editorial bias that comes from embracing Beijing’s portrayal of the country as a ‘trouble-making renegade province’. Here’s an interesting discussion on Reuters’ sins in this respect. (Reuters does not swallow Communist Party fictions on Mainland issues, hence this worthy report on China’s shadow-banking proto-potential-alleged quagmire.)
On the subject of quagmires, and bearing in mind the new centralizing of control over the People’s Armed Police, here’s a plot-theory (like a conspiracy theory but more classy) about a coup.
Lastly – nothing to with Taiwan or the thuggish predator across the Strait – a lengthy treatise on North Korea’s non-stop fun soaps and sitcoms.
I declare the weekend open with the comforting assurance that 2018 will last only one year.
A Thankyou Poem
Blogs often start
Then soon disappear;
Big Lychee goes on
Year after year.
Posted by lunchtime,
Reliable and quick,
Almost every weekday,
Almost every week.
Gratis he gives it
To the readers of it:
Something in Hong Kong
Not done for profit.
Such a small place,
This SAR;
What a lot of
Strange things there are!
So many Mainland
Tourists and traders
Buying up nappies,
Blocking escalators.
An uncultured centre
In West Kowloon.
An unneeded railway
Opening soon.
A mysterious bridge
Disappearing in the distance
While the government tries
To explain its existence.
There are country parks
It plans to reduce
For necessary
Building use,
But will not harm
The rural heritage:
Metal scrap-yards
And container storage.
A great street protest
Suddenly arisen,
Nice young students
Sent to prison.
Elections nullified
By an oath.
Hong Kong independence
A poisonous growth.
Property soaring,
Flats subdivided.
Through such strange things
We need to be guided,
And so we seek
Big Lychee’s views
On each day’s nonsense,
Each day’s news.
His scathing words
On politics
(His secret love
For Korean chicks);
The fears and doubts
That everyone gets
Watching, waiting,
While the sun sets;
Such strange affairs
Where we need guiding,
So —
Thank you very much,
And please keep writing.
@Knownot
Exactly, this blog is an oasis of sanity amidst the nonsense. However, this being the season of good cheer, we should spare a thought for all those, without whom, this blog would not be possible. In no particular order I would like to thank the following for maintaining a high standard of toadiness, oozing unctuousness, brown nosing, incompetence, indifference, greed, stupidity, and corruption: Elsie, the Two Ronnies, Uncle Lau Nai Kung, your friends at the Heung Yee Kuk, BFF Charles Xiaojia down at HKEx and his tycoon pals, the ever dependable Lands Department, Jack “all the news that’s fit to print” Ma, and Rimsky. Sadly, Donald and Rafael cannot be here this year to collect their award, but we wish them all the best. “HAPPY NEW YEAR” !!!
And also thank you Knownot.
@reductio – don’t forget the groaning grannies Rita and Maria, all our pals at the Liaison Office, and of course Saint Carrie Lam.
@reductio & old newcomer
Wot no Vagina？Truly the Stones and Dr Thompson had it right: “No sympathy for the Devil — keep that in mind.”
A happy new year to mein host and all the commenters and readers: it probably won’t be much worse than this one, but you never know!
The Professor of Law
Professor, does this law comply
With the Basic Law;
Or does it, clear enough, imply
Things unheard before?
Nervously, he looks around,
Preparing his reply.
“The Basic Law is firmly bound
To the Chinese State.
Any new law now applied
May be justified
By legal scholars, who create
A new judicial guide
Through modern Chinese legal science.
“The Committee may decide
It complies with their compliance.
The Law is satisfied.”
Adding, as he darts away,
“I’ve nothing more to say.”
Happy Gweilo New Year to All.
But, what kind of Dog Year shall we get next month?
A Demented Dog like myself?
Not a Brexit Bulldog or a Corgi, for sure.
Nor a Poodle or a Dachsund or other Evil Westerrn Influenced canine.
Presumably a Snot-nosed Pekingese…