This is the place where random thoughts and observations are posted. Usually I don't have enough material to expand what are written here into articles. (In most cases, it is probably a good thing that I don't). Usually I make a post whenever some interesting notions hit my head.
Be warned! This may (and probably does) look like an on-line confessional and the things I post here may be even more confusing than my articles and can be quite depressing. So for the sake of your mental health, please set aside your faith in others and optimism before reading these posts.
Enjoy these "short" musings. Hopefully they won't make your head spin or drive you sleepless or confused.
March 29, 2026
Hong Kong's government has implemented a new rule that gives police the power to demand anyone to reveal passwords to their electronic devices — phones, tablets, laptops, among others. (The rule was implemented without going through the legislative process, but legislators would probably pass it in a single day, perhaps amending it to give the police even more power.) Anyone who refuses to comply may be subject to up to $100K in fines and a 1-year jail term. If one makes a false claim (such as "forgetting" the password), the maximum punishment becomes $500K and 3-year imprisonment. In response the US consulate issued an alert warning that the police has the power to demand passwords even from those stopping for a layover (such as transiting at the airport). Since one can access sensitive data such as bank records, personal and work email (which may contain confidential information), conversation records, the police essential can gain access to everything by looking at one's phone. Officials tried to calm the public by stating that such searches has to be approved by someone ranked assistant police commissioner or higher, but they would probably rubberstamp the request. One may wonder if sales of "dumb phones" would skyrocket.
March 24, 2026
It was revealed in a previous session of the independent committee session investigating the deadly fire which killed 168 people at a housing estate that government inspectors provided advance notice of safety checks to consultants overseeing the renovation at the estate. In response, the government's representative stated that the claim would give the public the impression that the inspectors were "tipping off or colluding" with the contractors. He added that inspectors give contractors one-day notice to faciltate sampling and communication. Did the inspectors notice the contractors the buildings they plan to visit as well? If sampling and testing have to be done on-site, why can't the inspectors bring along someone from the government lab to do the job? Owners of business receiving frequent unannounced "inspections" (by multiple government departments) must be wondering how inspectors can be so accomodating to others but not them? (Surely it has nothing to do with their political leanings.)
March 18, 2025
15 primary schools failed to admit sufficient number of students to operate Primary One classes. They face permanent closure if they fail to draw more students to enrol in future years. While there are schools which have faced similar situation in the past, it appears that more schools are facing this existential crisis. This year's list includes the Mayor's "mother primary school" (alma mater). The school is located in the district with the city's oldest population, meaning that there aren't enough students to fill the spots for all schools. Even so, the school prominent displayed a banner congratulating the Mayor's "election victory" as recently as summer 2024 (haven't visited the area since then, so not sure if it is still on display), one would expect more parents to enrol — that's where he developed his "excellence". Perhaps the school should ask for the Mayor's help (by visting the school, for example) to attract more students and thus save the school. (Perhaps it had, but received no response.)
March 10, 2025
Iran's Supreme Leader, along with a large number of the country's senior leadership, were killed in a recent Israeli-US airstrike. His son was chosen as his successor. That means there would be no change to country's stance. While the new Supreme Leader is likely part of his father's inner circle, some members of the leadership, whether they were alive at the time of the revolution that toppled the previous regime, may wonder "if the Supreme Leader's son can take over, what's the point of overthrowing the shah?" This would raise the exiled Crown Prince's legitimacy to claim back power. In response, the Supreme Leader can copy from the North Koreans — just because we are called a Democratic People's Repulic/Islamic Republic doesn't mean power cannot stay within my family.
March 6, 2025
3 workers were arrested for taking jewelry from a flat at a housing estate ravaged by a massive fire that killed 168. One may wonder if there have been similar burglaries in the past (and that this is the first time someone was caught in the act). With a large number of affected flats unlocked — one can be forgiven for forgetting to lock the door when fleeeing a deadly fire — the chance of burglary is high. While the police has cordoned off the site and set up a guard post, it appears that the officers only marked the entry and exit time of the workers (without checking on their belongings). Why didn't police officers monitor the workers when they entered the flats? (Similar to what building management would do when maintenance workers need to enter a flat.) The desire of those displaced by the fire to return to their homes and access the damage would only grow stronger. Though it is doubtful the government would listen to them, since so far it has done more to muzzle their dissatisfaction and grievances than to address them.
February 21, 2026
Hong Kong's participation in the Winter Olympics is little more than that (and there is little expection of the athletes representing the city). So when a Hong Konger reached the final in a short-track speedskating event, one is inclined to ask "what happened to the other athletes?" It turned out that, in her quarter-final and semi-final, she managed to advance after most of her competitors slipped or crashed. Expectedly, she finished last in the final, about 2 seconds behind the other finalists (while the racer in front of her was within one second of the gold medalist). This is probably the first time Hong Kong has reached the final of a multi-round elimination event in the Winter Olympics, but the only coverage I can find are still photos from the Olympic Committee because no local television network (public or private) bought broadcast rights to the Games. Not sure if it is due to the lack of expectation (of the athletes' performance), interest (from the public) or resources (in terms of money and professional commentators), but we may never see another Hong Konger reach the final of a Winter Olympic event again. One may say the TV stations slipped and crashed into the wall (padded or not).
February 13, 2026
The student who launched an online petition demanding a thorough investigation into a deadly fire which killed 168 at a housing estate was expelled from the university he was attending for "committing multiple acts of misconduct". The decision was made after a disciplinary hearing, after which he was imposed two demerits for showing "impolite and disrespectful attitude towards" the panel. While he was arrested by "national security" police for questioning after he launched the petition, he is yet to be charged, let alone convicted. Sure, he made a online post in which he referred the panel as "kangaroo panel", "disgrace," and "circus", but is this an expellable act? (Perhaps the panel concluded that he has to be punished severely, but suspension would be meaningless as he has earned enough credits to graduate.) One can say the administration is acting as if they are running a high school and this incident would bring disrepute towards the university rather than the student.
February 9, 2026
Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-shutdown Apple Daily received a 20-year sentence for colluding with foreign foraces and sedition. Given that he is 78, it is likely he will spend the rest of life in prison. As expected, officials in Hong Kong and Beijing praised the sentence. (After all, they handpicked the judges presiding in the trial.) Their statements contain a series of four-word idioms painting Mr. Lai as unrepentant, just short of being treasonist, and got what he deserved. If one can sit through such statements (or those condemning foreign media/politicians' criticism of the "national security law" and how it is applied), one can play bingo by replacing the numbers on the cards with such idioms and similar phrases. (I can think of at least 25 such terms without much trouble.) The only trouble is that players would have trouble keeping up with the annoucer if the annoucer reads an official statement (in which the phrases may appear in quick sequence) instead of drawing phrases one by one.
January 30, 2026
The government suspended the law requiring bus passengers to wear seat belts, after numerous complaints from riders and a few incidents where the seat belts were involved — cutting a seat belt, passengers getting into a fight and, most dramatically, deploying ~20 firefighters to rescue a man unable to release the seat belt on his bus seat (so that the seat belt would not be damaged, the bus operator claimed). The reversal was made after a former legislator "discovered" that the law only applies to buses first registered after the law came into effect — January 25, 2026. Why didn't she, who voted for the law, and any officials/legislators realize this while the law went through the legislative process? Did the legislators fear obstructing the government and risk labelled part of "the soft resistance"? (Or they just simply wanted to end the meeting early.) It is too much to ask to fire the officials involved in drafting the law (including two cabinet ministers who served as the Director of the Transport Department at the time) or fine the legislators/officials for missing such a key article. Good thing sedition laws do not apply to government officials and (patriotic) legislators, since this law may have incited many Hong Kongers' hatred towards the city's government.
January 24, 2026
Starting tomorrow, all passengers riding on-road vehicles (including buses, minibuses) have to wear seat belts while sitting if one is available. Anyone who are found not wearing seat belts would be subject to fines and imprisonment (up to $5000 and three months respectively). The law is not applicable to trams and MTR. Would passengers stand instead of sit on buses, further crowding them, to avoid wearing them? Does a driver have the right to refuse driving if any passenger sits on a seat without buckling up? With parking fines increasing soon and larger enforcement of traffic violations (such as jaywalking), Hong Kong should consider selling its own version of Singapore's "The Fine City" products. (Officials in Hong Kong desires to be ahead of Singapore in any ranking. So why not take the title often associated with Singapore away from the city's main rival?)
January 16, 2026
The Lunar New Year is about one month away. So stores are starting to sell new year pastries such as sticky rice cake and white turnip cake. Recently food inspectors visited a store owned by a former (pro-democracy) district councillor after receiving complaint from someone who had upset stomach after eating new year pastries bought from the store. The store told the inspectors that the store is currently only selling coupons that can be exhanged for pastries later on and the pastries would not be available for pickup until the end of January. So did the complainer fall sick after eating the coupon or seeing the pictures of the pastries on the coupon? Was the complainer someone who works at the plant that manufactures the pastries and tasted the product (while no one was watching)? If it was the latter, shouldn't he file a compliant against the plant instead of the store? Sometimes one has to pity the inspectors responding to such complaints. (Just the little though.)
January 7, 2026
The government minister in charge of innovation's trip to the US (which includes attending Consumer Electronics Show, meetings in Silicon Valley and events organized by the External Trade Office) was cancelled, 4 hours after the trip was annouced. Had the reversal happened later, would the plane he would have travelled in be forced to return. A government statment claimed that the trip was cancelled "following an active assessment". A veteran commentator claimed that the trip was cancelled due to the capture of Nicolas Maduro, a major Chinese ally, by the US. (While the operation was highly questionable, I am glad it happened.) Visiting the US by a major official at this moment, he claimed, would be highly inappropriate. Was the trip cancelled because the government fear that the minister might be captured by the US had the trip went on as planned? Anyone who doesn't dismiss the idea right away would be massively overestimating the minister's importance. (What? You expect he knows a lot about the Chinese techological masterplan, or officials in Hong Kong/China would accept his return conditional on the release of major figures imprisoned on "national security" charges？)
January 2, 2026
Hundreds welcomed the new year by pitcing tents at a scenic beach within a country park. Those who visited the beach later in the day may wonder if they were visiting a place where a refuse truck flipped over. The beach was filled with all kinds of litter (including, ironically, right below a banner asking visitors not to leave their waste in the country park) and the toilets were in such a state that photos showing them had to be blurred. (Let's just say that they were covered with a mixture of human food and waste.) Officials stated that they would consider sending extra staff to clean the beach during peak periods, but that would not deter visitors from trashing the place. Perhaps the police should deploy officers at popular camp sites and issue fines to anyone (and I mean anyone, regardless of where they come from) who desecrate the site the same way they catch jaywalkers, minibus riders who don't wear seat belts and visitors to "yellow stores". (Whether they will do that is, of course, another matter.)