The Standard, Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Just two weeks ago, Hong Kong journalists were clubbed by police in Xinjiang. Officials said later the three had made gestures, which incited demonstrators.

Such actions do not only put China's relatively open policy toward foreign media coverage of unrest in Urumqi to the test but also Hong Kong people's dignity.

Fortunately, such behavior would not happen in Hong Kong thanks to the freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

Unfortunately, it is no secret that those freedoms are deteriorating. That's why we Hong Kong people are standing up to defend what is left of freedom and democracy, which are guaranteed by the Basic Law.

Amazingly though, Erich Beck ("Just get the message," The Standard, September 15) considers that "the need to work in close harmony and trust, the need to work within a controlled patronage system, is essential to growth in this region" since "Hong Kong is now simply a relatively minor part of the overall jigsaw puzzle that is China."

Does that mean we Hongkongers had better shut up and stop asking for democracy as Beijing would not be happy and would stop supporting Hong Kong financially?

How about asking the clubbed reporters to take Tsang Hin-chi's advice to let sleeping dogs lie so as to achieve "close harmony and trust"? And if the reporters fail to comply, they might be unable to go on any job in the mainland, right?

So thanks for your reminder, Beck, though you should know that we Hongkongers have our own integrity.

Additionally, should Beck care to pay more attention to news in the mainland he would know that our fellow nationals are starting to fight for democracy as well.

His letter also rings a bell. The late National People's Congress member Raymond Wu Wai-yung said we Hongkongers have been fed too many dog biscuits. Now, who really wants the biscuits, Beck?

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=9&art_id=87845&sid=25379602&con_type=1&d_str=20090916&fc=7

The Standard, Monday, September 07, 2009

I am writing to echo Abid Khan's comments regarding HSBC charging HK$20 per year for printed material ("Ditch junk mail first," The Standard, September 1).

I have been sending queries to HSBC about the feasibility of electronic statements for more than three years. After long development and research, it said, HSBC launched an electronic credit card statement, but could not provide electronic bank statements until October. Amusingly, many banks smaller than HSBC, including its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank, launched electronic statements years ago.

So, at last, HSBC has launched electronic bank statements as well. Better late than never. But the policy of charging for printed statements sounds like a case of robbing those who can't afford a computer instead of caring for the environment.

As Khan says, HSBC should focus on its promotional leaflets for loan products. Sadly, the paper used is high quality. At the least, it could consider using recycled paper for leaflets that will likely end in the rubbish or recycle bin anyway.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=9&art_id=87418&sid=25277017&con_type=1&d_str=20090907&fc=1