I remember a Sino-Japanese spat several decades ago, when then-Chief Secretary Anson Chan shrugged the whole thing off as nothing to do with Hong Kong, and referred to the focus of the dispute as the ‘Senkaku Islands’ – the Japanese name. Things have changed.
Invest HK and government economic officials cancel planned events and meetings with Japanese consular personnel. The Education Bureau pulls Hong Kong students from a Japan-East Asia youth exchange visit to Japan. The Security Bureau issues a travel advisory suggesting Japan is dangerous to visit. And RTHK scraps a Japanese manga TV adaptation series.
All, of course, to ‘align’ Hong Kong with Beijing’s major gnashing-of-teeth over the Japanese prime minister’s remarks suggesting that Japan could be involved militarily should China attack Taiwan. More of the CE’s comments here.
Is this compatible with the city’s much-claimed role as an open international business hub? How does this square with Hong Kong’s usual welcoming of Japanese companies, investment and tourists here?
(Trailer for Cells at Work! here. There was a fully animated TV version made about 10-15 years ago, which was both funny and educational.)
Doesn’t the Basic Law state specifically that foreign policy is outside the purview of the Hong Kong government?
The Cells at Work animated TV version dates from 2018 to 2021, so not exactly 10-15 years ago. 🙂
No one cares but themselves. Even the Japanese don’t care.
It reminds one of Pavarotti’s remark after being asked how he liked his first visit to Chinese opera in Beijing, “I didn’t like it. And I don’t think they like it, either.”
They’re just howling into the wind. Either invade or shut up.
Legco candidates should be asked if it we should all be patriotic and boycott Japanese products and restaurants. It would be interesting to see how they would answer that.
Title of an SCMP video: From reviled to beloved: Regina Ip’s 50 years in public service
Has the paper found a sense of humour?
Are the anti-Japanese measures ordered by Beijing or is this yet another example of our brown nose patriots second guessing their masters and jumping the gun?
Territorial and defense issues are not the remit of the local government. The overreaction undermines Hong Kong’s traditional role as a bridge and a facilitator and sends a negative message to prospective investors re unpredictable red lines.
That there will be considerable disruption to trade, particularly in the already vulnerable retail and hospitality sectors, is inevitable. And if the episode blows over in a few weeks there will be the usual disruptions as timetables and services have to be restored.
No wonder our economy is faltering.
“Has the paper found a sense of humour?”
No. Morons like Tammy Tam unironically respect Regina Ip
Overheard in an SCMP news conference (genuinely)
Tammy Tam: we’ve got an interview with Regina Ip!
Gweilo senior editor: oh! What will you ask her?
Tam: (laughs) oh we’ll just let her talk about whatever she wants to talk about
(Ip was also a columnist for SCMP Sunday at the time)
No wonder she’s ‘beloved’
I’m looking forward to a holiday in Japan on December – with a few less tourists.