Those so-called press releases

HKFP op-ed on the so-called smears wantonly slandering despicable shameless and malicious hypocrisy that’s doomed to fail in government press releases responding to overseas criticism of NatSec laws…

The new language began creeping into Hong Kong official communications in July 2019…

The change in the government’s official language requires an explanation. I speculate that the central authorities now require it of official Hong Kong communication on some topics in some situations.

Either that or Ronald the Deputy Sub-Assistant Government Information Services Officer scratched his head one day and thought ‘hmm – let’s try this’. 

Either way, the startlingly excessive language does not exactly convey cool confidence. The article quotes Regina Ip as having misgivings about the enraged warrior-like wording, which is especially frequent in English-language press statements. (Reg studied Elizabethan literature for her Master’s degree, so is better qualified than most in this field.) She speculates that foreign criticism might die down after the Jimmy Lai trial comes to end. This sounds almost like an implicit admission of unease about that prosecution. In the original Ming Pao interview (here), she also says… 

“…It is important for you [the media] to report whether we (legislative council members) spoke or raised our hands,” stressing that the council should not be lazy because there is no opposition.

Another – explicit – admission of the current state of things.

Sean Tierny in the Hongkonger looks back at the 1990 Mainland-cop-in-Hong-Kong comedy film Her Fatal Ways, starring Do Do Cheng. It was a different time…

…members of a Chinese delegation to Hong Kong complained that the film, “a comedy mocking characters of the PRC public security bureau”, was “allowed to be shown”.

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10 Responses to Those so-called press releases

  1. Chinese Netizen says:

    Careful Vag…all those admissions might lead one to think you’re resistance minded with your polluted western higher degrees and all that. Goes against the harmonious state of things as they stand now, dictated by the shoe polish haired lot.

    Now I’ll be looking to find a complete version of “Her Fatal Ways”!

  2. Chris Maden says:

    New banner with an Article 23 disclaimer, I notice. I am sure that will change everything when you come to trial. Keep up the constructive criticism, Hemlock!

  3. asiaseen says:

    OT but could this be the answer to HK’s restaurant woes if made by local girls?

    Japan’s latest bizarre delicacy: armpit rice balls made with cute girls’ sweat SCMP

  4. Lo Wu Vuitton says:

    @asiaseen: all the “cute” Hong Kong girls (aka MK girls) are already fully occupied with “compensated dating”.

  5. reductio says:

    @asiaseen

    “customers are assured…all body parts…are disinfected prior to preparation.” Surely this obviates the point as it will kill off the subtle notes and overtones that the true armpit connoisseur relishes. I’m afraid armpit appreciation is going the way of wine tasting and classical music, pandering to the lowest common denominator.

  6. Mary Melville says:

    I saw ‘Her Fatal Ways’ when it was released. A hoot. Do Do nailed the quandaries facing the new immigrant.
    I have never understood why our TV cannels show endless re runs of Hollywood crap when we have an extensive archive of excellent local fare like the Chow Sing Chi, ‘Fight Back to School”, “Young and Dangerous”, the annual CNY “All’ Well, Ends Well’ and the many triad series. ‘PTU’ has always been my No.1. As that was based on a policeman losing his gun, it will no doubt be on any ban list.
    The common thread is the penchant of this community for piss taking
    The culling of the VCD drawer of any production that could be perceived as promoting negative views of the authorities will probably be ‘encouraged’ going forward.

  7. Low Profile says:

    Mary Melville is right, there is a lot of good local stuff in the archives. However, while these movies have English subtitles when shown in the cinema, for some reason I’ve never understood, the local TV stations invariably show local movies without them, thus reducing their potential audience. Furthermore, it seems they are cutting their budget for “Hollywood crap” as well. In the last year or two, the same few English-language movies have been shown over and over. Right now, we are getting another run of all 4 “Jaws” movies, even though only the first one is worth watching. Harry Potter and the Terminator series have also appeared multiple times. I would trade all these repeats for the latest series of Doctor Who.

  8. HK-Cynic says:

    Coming soon to HK schools?

    https://twitter.com/bxieus/status/1784059474476470555?t=XTkebntOYJ_v4z3dbO12IA&s=09

    Maybe some are worried, which is why we see this:

    Number of Hong Kong pupils in international schools tripled in 11 years amid decline in non-local enrolment

    https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3260662/number-hong-kong-pupils-international-schools-tripled-10-years-amid-decline-non-local-enrolment

  9. Exiled Engineer says:

    Low Profile, when I had a free view digital box when I lived in Kennedy Town many years ago, although subtitles defaulted to Chinese or off on most programmes, you could change to English for many of them with one of the buttons. Not sure if this is still the case.

  10. the real dr adams says:

    I’m sorry guys I know Hemmers readership skews towards the geriatric but, seriously, who the hell still watches local TV? Even most locals under the age of 50 tuned out years ago.

    What could you possible find enjoyable to watch on Pearl? Replays of the same handful of episodes of MasterChef Australia or some boring British baking or travel shows. All the ancient movies they show you can either watch for free on Youtube or are probably on netflix with much better picture quality and no ads.

    Just get a Netflix/HBO/Disney sub or watch YouTube.

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