Vol 42, Issue 6, March 2010

VOL 42, ISSUE 6, MARCH 2010

Subscribe to our emailil alertlt now attt tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hkj li hkb d hk INDEX News 3-6 Features 7-11 Cover Story 12-15 Interviews 16-17 Review 18

Fred Ma Read our exclusive interview with the former gov’t ofﬁ cial Page 12-15 TYR’s Selection 19 Opinion 20 Editorial 21 Gallery 22-23

Printed By Department of Journalism, School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University Chocolate City Follow TYR to the British old city York Page 11 Publisher Huang Yu Editorʼs Note Advisors In early March, I have tasted the life as a professional journalist when I took part Robin Ewing, Andrew Wood in a week-long reporting trip on National Peopleʼs Congress and Chinese Peopleʼs Political Consultative Conference organised by The Hong Kong Journalism Educa- Chief Editor tion Foundation. It is really a tough task for a fresh journalist to report on such a Simpson Cheung Wai-ming vast national meeting. Standing in front of The Great Hall of the People and braving the cold, I tried to Deputy Editors recognise faces familiar to me amid fi ve thousand members of NPC and CPPCC – a Jojo Choi Tsz-tsun, sea of people that I have never encountered. Natalie Wong Hiu-ying Since I have not done enough preparation, all I could do was to follow other journalists to conduct interview, and asked them about intervieweesʼ identity af- Web Editor terwards. But for most of the time, local journalists responded, “I donʼt know”. Kelvin Chan Mankey Journalists in the Mainland show profound knowledge in political issues, and they can recognise political fi gures well. They often spend much time discussing Art Director over Premier Wenʼs work report with NPC and CPPCC members after the meeting. Edith Tsang Hok-yee For Hong Kong journalists, they seem not to be interested in reporting on mainland policies - but more on celebritiesʼ updates, including Olympic Champion Distributing Directors Liu Xiang, who is also a member of the CPPCC. Phila Siu Chi-yui, Connie Wan Pui-lam One of them complained to me that he was sick of fi nding out the shopping habit of Hong Kong NPC and CPPCC representatives, including how much they Public Relations Directors spent on barber and clothings in Beijing. But his boss told him to continue. Isa Kwok Ling, Luna Lau Wan-lun I was told by my boss to wait for Mr Donald Tsang and Mr Tung Chee-wah to go to visit a hospitalised CPPCC member. Some media allocated two journalists and Email two cameramen each to wait for the two leaders, which means half of their repor- [email protected] ting teams in Beijing. We have waited for the whole afternoon and ended up being banished by security guards. No one was able to interview the duo, but their visit Address was on the main cast of news report. But in fact there were many national meetings FSC 1015, in the afternoon - under this circumstance, most of them were absent from local Fong Shu Chuen Library Building, audience and readers. HKBU, Kowloon Tong Of course, “proximity” dominates when we judge the news value of the above events. But if local journalists know more about China policies, more in-depth Tel reportings are expected. . 3411-5074

Fax Click on 3411-5079 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk Simpson Cheung Wai-ming for reportings on NPC & CPPCC. Website Chief Editor http://tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk

2 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 NEWS ENVIRONMENT Nuisance-causing urban exhaust hit 40C

BY ALAN KWOK

he hot exhaust fume emitted from The Westwood shopping mall in Shek TTong Tsui hit 40.3 degree Celsius - 13.3 degrees higher than normal air temperature, creating unhealthy impact to the escalator users nearby. An escalator linking Shek Tong Tsui to Pok Fu Lam is just opposite to the back of the shopping mall. People travelling on the escalator feel a head-on blow of hot exhaust air from the heat exchanger of the shopping mall. “Everytime I use the escalator, I can feel the hot air. It is very uncomfortable, especial- ly during summer, and I don’t like it. Even they have installed a glass to block the hot air, the situation is still the same,” said Ms Chan Ka-man, a graduate from The University of Hong Kong who used to travel to her residential hall by the escalator. Shun Tak Holdings Limited, which man- ages The Westwood, did not make any res- ponse before The Young Reporter went to the press. The Young Reporter also measured the temperature difference of exhaust fumes in various districts. It ranged from 1.9 to 3.8 de- The temperature of the exhaust fumes emitted from heat exchanger of The gree Celsius (see the table). Westwood shopping mall hits 40.3 degree Celsius on March 1, 2010. “Businessmen may not have a sense of social responsibility,” Ms Gabrielle Ho Ka-po, valley formed in a street between two rows exhaust systems. Among all, only 15 nui- project manager of Green Sense, said. of tall buildings, causing exhaust fumes not sance orders were issued. “They only care about their own indoor to be dispersed easily. The FEHD advised people to dial 1823 to ventilation without being aware of the effects The gas trapped in the air may also threa- fi le their complaints about heat nuisance. of the exhaust on nearby residents,” she said. ten the environment and people’s health. Ms Ho said these problems usually occur Dr Kot said the gas may contain sulphur in old districts with poor urban planning by dioxide, nitrogen oxides and toxic particu- CITY’S HOT SPOTS the government in the past - that has impro- lates. perly mixed commercial and residential land Aerosols with fi ne oil droplets from soot Hot fumes in our city usually use within the district. and oil mist emitted by kitchen exhausts are come from three sources: chimneys “As some residents have lived there for a proved carcinogenic. of power stations, factories or hos- long time, they may have been used to it and Legionella, bacteria causing Legionnaires’ pitals, kitchen exhausts from restau- tolerating the problems” Ms Ho said. disease, may even be found in emissions of rants and heat exchangers of air con- “But some do not realise that it’s their water-cooled air conditioning systems. ditioners. right to voice out,” she said. According to Article 12(1)(g) of Chapter TYR measures the temperature The high density of the city development 132 of the Public Health and Municipal Ser- difference between exhaust air and is also accountable for the heat trapping vices Ordinance, the emission of air either the surrounding air. among high-rise buildings. above or below the temperature of the ex- “Hong Kong is a special case. With nar- ternal air from the ventilating system in any Kitchen exhausts at Bute Street in row gaps between tall buildings, exhaust premises is a nuisance. Mong Kok: 3.8C fumes cannot be emitted from the roof into The Food and Environmental Hygiene Ngau Tau Kok Road in Kwun Tong: open space for adequate dilution.” said Dr Department (FEHD) may issue a nuisance 2.9C Kot See-chun, senior consultant of depart- order in accordance with Article 127 requir- ment of mechanical engineering at The Hong ing a person to abate the nuisance or to do The hanging garden on the 2nd Kong University of Science and Technology. what may be necessary to prevent the recur- fl oor of Kwun Tong shopping mall He added that high proximity of buildings rence of the nuisance within the period speci- APM: 1.9C creates street canyon effect. fi ed in the order. According to a study of Friends of the In the past two years, the FEHD received Earth (HK), a street canyon is a deep narrow a total of 1,600 complaints about ventilation EDITED BY CONNIE WAN MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 3 NEWS

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Wet markets opt to drop pennies

BY MINERVA CHENG

oices from wet markets urge the government to remove cents from Vcirculation, as the bank surcharge for exchanging cent coins is affecting their business in the long run. The government stopped minting 10-cent and 20-cent coins since 1997, as it has been phasing out in Hong Kong. Octopus cards are commonly used to make small-value purchases in places including fast food outlets, supermarkets, department stores, car parks and cinemas. But the store-value cards are not used in most wet markets. Ms Chu, who sells soy products in Fa Yuen Street Market, refuses to accept cents because she said shoppers did not want to get them as change. She posted a notice which said “No 10- cents or 20-cents” outside her stall. As for 50- cents, she would still take them if customers gave her. “I would earn $10 less for every hundred if I take those cents and exchange them with banks,” she said. The Hang Seng Bank charges $2 per sa- chet for exchanging coins. Customers have to pay a minimum of $50 service charge or 2 per cent on deposit amount for every 500 coins or above deposit per day. The Bank of East Asia exchanges cents with customers at $1 per bag. They also charge each customer at least $50 or 2 per cent on deposit amount for 300 coins or above deposit per day. Some stores in wet markets do not accept 10- or 20-cent coins. Ms Chow, who owns a grocery store in the same market, does not take 10-cents and However, some customers found this She said, “I hope shoppers would give 20-cents from customers for similar reasons. statement inconvenient to them. fewer cent coins for the sake of our business “What’s the point of taking cents? No one “The government should either have le- - the surcharge for coin exchange is hurting likes them. Shoppers don’t want them while gislation to compel shopkeepers to take cents our business in a long run.” banks have imposed service charges. Cents or simply remove the cents from circulation,” She, therefore, tries to use up the coin should be abolished,” she said. Ms Lee, a frequent shopper at Sai Wan Ho cents in public transport or stalls in the wet When settling the $2 change, she once Market, said. markets that accept cents. tried doing it with four 50-cent coins, but her She was annoyed with stacks of cents she However, she felt that there are not many customer was discontented with it. had at home. In her daily practice, she would shops willing to take coins as Octopus cards According to the Coinage Ordinance, cus- save the coins for transportation. She sug- are common nowadays. tomers shall not use merely 10-cent, 20-cent, gested the government to get rid of 10-cents “I just hope the government could do and 50-cent for payments less than $2. and 20-cents in no time. something with these unpopular coins,” she It is a commercial decision for sellers on Ms Wong, an owner of a fruit juice shop, said. whether to accept cents as payment, accor- receives large amount of loose changes from ding to a government statement. her business every day. EDITED BY EDITH TSANG 4 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 NEWS HEALTH Massage regulations in China face obstacles

Photo: Connie Wan Cupping therapy in the mainland is popular among Hong Kong people, despite injuries being frequently reported. 40, serves about 50 customers a month in a said some massage practitioners were not massage parlour in Shenzhen. willing to receive any kind of training because BY VERA CHEN She said she has not taken any tests for they think the fundamental principles of tra- certifi cation but only learned the basic skills ditional Chinese treatments like massage and ational regulations on massage stan- in a massage college. cupping are relatively easy to acquire. dards are diffi cult to apply in the She was then employed as a masseur by He said now the crux of the problem was Nmainland, said the National Techni- just answering a few simple questions on that it was diffi cult to standardise the training cal Committee of China, despite injuries have acupuncture point positions without any tests format for a certifi ed massage therapist. been frequently reported. on massage techniques. Also, her boss never “It’s a complicated process to regulate the Some Hong Kong residents, fi led with the asked her for relevent certifi cates. industry as the sanitation, environment, and Consumer Council of Hong Kong in 2009, Ms Yu explained that masseurs were not workers’ qualifi cations are now all in mess.” alleged that they suffered from burn inju- like doctors - they just had to know the posi- He added that hair salons often hired un- ries when receiving cupping therapies in the tions of acupuncture points to practise mas- qualifi ed people to offer massage therapies, mainland. sage. which may easily lead to injuries. A customer got burnt and blistered on his “I’ve never got complaints from my cus- Shifting the therapies to hospitals is con- back after received cupping. The wound was tomers,” she said. sidered a way out to guarantee the service infected after pricked with a needle by the To some customers, an offi cial certifi cate standard. massagist, according to the Council. proving the standard is pointless on evalua- However, Mr Wong said that if they did National Technical Committee 483 on ting the quality of service. so, the whole clinical service would be under Health Care Service of Standardisation Ad- Mr Lee Chun-chung, who receives mas- great pressure as there have been currently ministraion of China announced in July sage in the mainland twice a month, said, not enough experienced and qualifi ed mas- last year to set up national standards on the “Even though some of the masseus are not sagists in hospitals. healthcare service in this year the earliest. qualifi ed, they can still get the certifi cate ea- Now, there is no offi cial statistics on the It would require massage parlour owners sily in the mainland by spending some dirty number of qualifi ed practitioners in the main- in the mainland to meet national standards money.” land. on qualifi cation of masseurs in order to get a He also said he seldom requests for neck “It’s like a blank sheet of paper,” Mr Wang massage license to run the business. or waist massage because he is worried about said. “It’s hard to put forward the regulation Now not many massage therapists or getting injuried due to their unprofessional if we even don’t know how many of them are practitioners in mainland China are qualifi ed practices. regularly practising massage.” like Ms Yu Qiu-ping. Mr Wang Wei-qing, Secretary General of Practising massage for 15 years, Ms Yu, the National Technical Committee of China, EDITED BY SAMSON LEE

MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 5 NEWS HEALTH Centralised system promotes organ transplant

BY YOYO SUN

he number of organ transplants hit a record high last year following the Tset up of a centralised organ donation register. A total of 141 patients received new organs and restarted their lives last year. The donation rate also increased from four donors per million inhabitants in 2008 to six donors per million inhabitants in 2009, according to statistics from the Hospital Authority. Dr Chan See-ching, secretary of Hong Kong Society of Transplantation ascribed the success to the government’s effort to popu- larise the understanding of organ donation and the gradual change of people’s attitude towards organ donation. In November 2008, the Department of Health has set up Centralised Organ Dona- tion Register system for prospective donors Over 40,000 prospective donars registered through the online system. to register voluntarily. People who wish to donate organs after tion. And the problem of shortage of organs fi rmed brain stem death he is already medi- death can go online and fi ll out the register for transplantation is still pressing with more cally dead. But many Chinese families still form. than 2,000 patients waiting for donated or- hold the hope that the patient will wake up The completed forms will be stored in a gans. one day, but organ donation should be ac- central database which facilitates authorised According to the Hospital Authority, there tively considered once a patient is considered persons from the transplant team to go and were 95 donated kidneys, the most needed dead. match a potential donor anytime. organ in Hong Kong, when 1,602 patients Other hindrances include the lack of con- Ms Doreen Cheung Siu-kam, a senior were on the list waiting for kidneys, while sensus within the family, indifference of peo- nursing offi cer at the Center for Health Pro- 500 were for corneas, 100 for livers and 10 ple, and doctors’ approach to the bereaved tection under the Department of Health, said for hearts in 2009. family. some 40,000 people had registered through “Many patients have suffered and died The support from society is equally im- the Centralised Organ Donation Register at while still on a waiting list. For those patients portant. The Department of Health, in col- the moment. with failure of vital organs such as hearts and laboration with Hong Kong Medical Associa- She said the register allowed easy and ef- lungs who cannot wait long and get support tion and Hong Kong Transplantation Society fi cient management of donors’ information by other means, an urgent transplantation is organised several organ donation campaigns and make it a convenient process for the pro- their only chance of survival,” Dr Chan from in the past to increase the awareness of organ spective donors to register. the Hong Kong Society of Transplantation donations. There is no age limit for organ donation said. In 2008, the “World’s Biggest Walk” at- and people can donate seven organs and tis- Dr Chan said the barriers to organ dona- tracted more than 1000 people in Hong Kong sues at most when they register. tion still exist. Many families refused the and started in tandem with 109 places all over Doctors will evaluate the condition of request of organ donation after their beloved the world. the organs when a prospective donor passes ones passed away because they want to re- Dr Gung said the Department of Health away and determine the feasibility of organ main their intact bodies. would arrange a series of activities in primary donation. Dr Gung Kin-hang, a doctor who works and secondary schools, including e-card and The performance of organ transplantation with the Central Health Education Unit in the poster design, composition contests and talks. will be based on a combination of factors, Department of Health said doctors would pay Mobile visits take place in various housing such as the types of organs and tissues that full respect to the donor’s body and observe estates, shopping centres and public areas to would be donated and the donor’s physical every detail to maintain its physical appea- provide educational resources. condition at the time of death. rance. “I hope through these promotions Hong Even with the recent success, there is still “People shall consider it this way - organ Kong people can understand the importance a big gap between Hong Kong and many donation is offering the opportunity to turn a of organ donation,” said Dr Gung, “you have western countries. family’s tragedy into a gift of life to others,” the power to change someone’s world by While Hong Kong had six donors per mil- he said. being a donor and to rekindle lives of other lion inhabitants in 2009, countries like Spain The second obstacle is that people are un- people.” had 34 donors per million population and familiar with brain stem death. Austria had 24 donors per million popula- Dr Chan said once patient have been con- EDITED BY EDITORIAL BOARD 6 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 FEATURES Zas. K A pen is more than just a pen How to make a spinning pen:

competition has attracted many people to come and buy pens for spinning,” she said. BY SARAH LAI “Some people from mainland China spent thousands of dollars to buy the pens because I like to spin my pen when I’m writing. they can hardly fi nd them in their home- I didn’t know before that pen spinning towns. “could have professional competitions,” “I also met a customer from America who sWing Mr Chan Wan-zung, a university student, spent more than $10,000 to buy the pens,” Materials: said. “I can hardly believe there’re shops sel- she said. - Muji sign pen (with core removed) x 1 ling special pens for pen spinning now.” Mr Lee Zung-yu is a form one student that - Pilot G-2X pens x 2 Started in Japan last century, pen spinning has started the hobby for a year. He usually - Wire cutter x 1 is known all over the world. buys the pens every one or two months. Participants from more than ten countries “The pens I buy cannot be directly used have taken part in the Pen Spinning World for spinning. I always combine two pens to- Cup in 2007. gether to make a desirable one,” he said. Since pen spinning has become profes- Over the Internet there are people selling sional both in skills and instruments, selling self-made pens that can be spinned directly special pens for this has become a lucrative without making any modifi cations. business. Mr Dickson Hsu, a form fi ve student, has One of the few professional spinning been playing pen spinning for two years. sWing pens is Pen’z Gear (above HK$100) with the He said when he started pen spinning, 1. Unscrew the caps and remove the grips centre of gravity in the middle, produced by there were very few spinning pens sold in and from the Pilot G-2X pens. Cut each Japanese toy maker Tomy Co. in 2008. Hong Kong. grip into halves. But as it is too expensive for many local Some people ordered pens from countries pen spinners, some choose to buy ordinary like Korea through the Internet and sold them pens and then modify them into suitable pens in Hong Kong at a very high price, so he tried for spinning. to order those pens by himself. A type of pens Chan Sheung Kee Book Since the postage is hundreds of dollars Store sells is perfect for transforming into a every time, he found that gathering people spinning pen, with its suitable centre of grav- together to share the cost would be much ity and weight. cheaper. Therefore, he started selling spin- The pens directly imported from Japan ning pens about a year ago. once a month have attracted mostly secon- Now he is selling both the imported pens sWing dary school students at the age of 13 and 14. and his self-made pens on the Pens Trading 2. Fix a cap from Pilot G-2X on each tip of Many of them spend about $100 in total ev- Board, a forum for pen spinners. the Muji pen with one of the cut grips. ery time on the pens. He said the selling price of his pens range Ms Li Wai-kuen, a staff member of the from $10 to more than $100 - that he can earn Book Store, said that the shop started to sell $400 to $500 every month. this type of pens three years ago, with many For many people, pen spinning may only of their customers asking for it in the shop. be a habit. But in a pen spinner’s hand, a pen Hong Kong’s tryout for this year’s Pen is an indispensable tool to play a series of Spinning World Cup on January 16 attracted complex spinning tricks. A pen is not only an around 100 participants all over the world. instrument for writing anymore.

“Pen spinning became popular in Hong sWing Kong two years ago. The recent international EDITED BY JOYCE KOON 3. Done! MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 7 FEATURES

Yau Ma Tei fruit market - living heritage at night ternational city we’re still doing our business “Hey, I saw Chow Kee only sold those BY THOMAS YAU by our own hands.” Sunkist at 20,” After midnight, most workers fi nish “But somewhere else sold them at 15!” Hey look, this kid can’t even tell which offl oading most of the fruits to different The entire market is fi lled with conversa- is a lime!” Laughter breaks out among “Lan”s. Then shop owners and their crew tions like these and clicking sounds of the “a group of fruit venders when I fail to start to work. abacus. I am nearly hit by trolleys that are in distinguish this fruit from lemon. This is one “I’m a student reporter from The Young a hurry to carry fruits to retailers. of the many little things I have encountered Reporter, do you mind if I...” “No! No! We I end up in pumping into Mr Yang Dung, in the Yau Ma Tei fruit market. just started to work, don’t bother us, get a 76-year-old man who has been in his busi- Before I go there, my mum warned me: lost!” A man turns me down while he is mo- ness for over 50 years. “Don’t take photos there, people there are ving several boxes of Sunkist oranges. He remarks in his clear voice cheerfully, um, rough…” Her worries are grounded. From midnight to 3 am, that is the quietest “When will I retire? I never think about it. I ICAC stormed a drug traffi cking gang based moment in the fruit market. Some people are will keep working until... I don’t know...” in the market back in 1977, who bribed the taking a nap while some are just anticipating Every day he always wake up at the mid- police in exchange for protection. the rush hour to come. night, work until dawn, and then yum cha… But in my two visits to the market, there Following what they do in front of their (go to the teahouse). are security guards stationed, CCTV installed “Lan”s, I am also napping - on a footbridge The place is becoming quiet again while and people here are quite talkative. The most nearby. the sun is rising - most buyers and sellers fi - dangerous thing here is rushing trucks in It is half past three in the morning, ven- nish their dealings. Reclamation Street next to the market and dors are shaking the abacuses to attract bar- Like many other old places in Hong Kong, forklifts in the offl oading zone. gain hunters. the future of the fruit market is fl uid. Started in 1913, the Yau Ma Tei fruit mar- “Nothing here has a fi xed price. Thirty “The competitions from the mainland ket is the oldest fruit market in the city. years ago we didn’t even utter a word, we and supermarkets greatly affect our business. A typical day starts at 9 pm when nume- just make deals using our abacuses”, says Mr We’re still here because our products are rous trucks start to offl oad different fruits Chan, owner of Chan Kan Kee. originated from many places - not just from from different countries in an offl oading zone “The back of the abacus is sealed and we Mainland,” says Mr Cheung Chi-cheung, next to the market. Workers start to move the never shout the price out, therefore our com- vice president of the Kowloon Fruit and Ve- fruits - often in two to three feet high - by petitors will not know our offers,” he adds. getable Merchants Association. trolleys to different “Lan”s (fruit shops). Mr Chans shares his lives with me, “I’ve “The government talked about relocation, In a sense my mum is right, people here been running this business for more than 30 but they don’t agree on moving all shops al- only wear pants and topless with tattoos on years. At fi rst I just helped to move stocks, together. That’s not fair,” he adds. their backs. Sometimes they yell at me when later I began to sell fruits on my own...” I leave the fruit market at 6 am. Trucks in I block their ways with my camera and tri- He has taught me many things, from how Reclamation Street are replaced by taxis and pod. to use abacus to the history of fruit market. minibuses that carry people to workplaces. “Are you taking photos and put’em on After chatting with Mr Chan, I wander For people in the market, that is the end Internet, kid? I bet those foreigners must be around the market. of a day. amazed by how we work here,” says one of “Twenty four dollars per box for these pa- the workers in the offl oading zone, “In an in- paya. C’mon, I only sell the top ones.” EDITED BY MAVERICK LI 8 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 Click on tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk for the complete gallery

(Top left) 02:16 am - An abacus is a traditional Asian calulating tool commonly used by the vendors. (Top right) 03:40 am - A vendor takes a nap after ofﬂ oading the fruits. (Bottom) 04:30 - Every “Lan” (fruit shop) is packed with bargain hunters.

MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 9 FEATURES SOCIETY More heritage tours needed to cater enthusiasts

Architecture tours, organised by HULU Culture, guide participants to explore old buildings around West Kowloon, including Tin Hau Temple, Methodist College, and other nostalgic blocks. The architecture tour was held from Janu- we never think of the making money,” said BY CANDICE WONG ary to March 2010, guiding participants to Mr Go, also the project director of HULU explore and appreciate old buildings around Culture. ith the increasing concern over West Kowloon, including Tin Hau Temple, Some participants agreed that tour fee is heritage preservation and the cul- Methodist College and other nostalgic blocks. acceptable for them. Wtural legacy of Hong Kong, cultur- All tours are free of charge with guides. “I think $50 is not expensive, but worthy al and heritage tours become another choice “Most of the participants are locals, not enough,” said Mr Xavier So Tsz-kin, 21, who of leisure for all walks of life in town. foreign visitors, including ‘post-80s’, form joined Mr Go’s tour to Central and Western Three days after open application, West two or three students and families with District last year. Kowloon Cultural Tour got its quota full with kids,”said Mr Simon Go Man-ching, one of “You can see Mr Go knows the store ow- over 400 applicants, leaving more names in the tour guides. ners very well. He likes to let them speak out the waiting list for possible extra tours. “I believe they treat the trip as a time for their stories rather than himself providing The West Kowloon Heritage Tour also re- reunion and education of old culture for the background information to us,” he said. ceived positive feedback. next generation,” he said. Another participant, Ms Christy Wong Both tours comprised the Cultural and Ar- Besides the Cultural and Architecture Shuk-yi, 21, was inspired by the trip but pre- chitecture Tours in West Kowloon program. Tours in West Kowloon, HULU Culture has fers to pay back in another way. In organising the program, the Commis- been holding a variety of trips in recent years “I actually fantasise to spend one summer sion for Heritage’s Offi ce of Development to let Hong-Kong people explore the commu- in the old stores doing volunteer work there Bureau cooperated with HULU Culture and nity and re-understand their culture. to spread what I’ve got to others,” she said. the Hong Kong Architecture Centre respec- In the beginning of this year, HULU Cul- Similar tours by HULU Culture will be tively. Both tours are conducted every Satur- ture led trips to Sham Shui Po, and now it held in April and May, whereas the govern- days afternoon. focuses on the Central and Sheung Wan dis- ment has yet no clear plan for the next tours. From December 2009 to February 2010, trict. “We have no concrete details now and we the cultural tours took about 20 culture-en- Without any fund from government, have to see whether the objectives and details thusiasts each group to walk around old shops HULU Culture charges $50 per tour. are fi t with other NGOs”, said the representa- which are still operating traditional Chinese “The tour fee is just the donation for the tive of Commissioner for Heritage’s Offi ce. business in Shanghai Street, such as the Gan company to support the program. Actually Ming Framing and Man Wah Tailors. there are not many expenses on the tour and EDITED BY MILEY LI 10 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 FEATURES TRAVEL York: a tour back to the old times

day trip, as the city’s medieval walls enclose Castle Museum is the place to explore. Dis- BY CATHIE GUO the centre of the city. The wall has been de- plays include recreated rooms like a Victoria fending the city since Roman times and York parlour and a Jacobean dining room, show- hen most of the small towns in enjoys more miles of the intact walls than any ing people the lives of the Romans and the England are still asleep in a Sun- other city in England. Vikings back in the ancient times. Wday morning, the city just a fi ve- The city centre is half an hours’ walk from During lunch time, the smell of Yorkshire hour ride from London is an exception. York, the medieval walls where most of the sites of pudding spreads miles away. It is a local deli- a small heritage city in Northern England, is interest are located compactly. Pass through cacy that visitors cannot miss. The pudding packed with crowds from all over the world the Coppergate Shopping Area, and be was fi rst introduced in 1737 and has attained soon after the sun rises. stunned by the magnifi cent Clifford’s Tower wild popularity even until today. It is a Bri- York was founded by the Romans in 71 standing in the middle of an open space. The tish lunch staple made from batter and often AD and then captured by the Vikings in 866 Tower is a stone quatrefoil keep built on top served with roasted beef and chicken. AD. Located at the confl uence of the River of a Norman motte. It was the site of a mas- The York Minster is a ten-minute walk Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, this walled sacre when many of York’s Jewish communi- from the Tower. When the sun shines on the city has a signifi cant position in the nation’s ties were burnt to death during a clash back Great West Window, the fl owing tracery of transport system. in 1190. Today it becomes a high point over- the later decorated gothic period refl ects the The walk from the bus station to down- looking the whole city. history of this second largest Gothic cathe- town is popular among visitors to start off a Walk down from the Tower and the York dral in northern Europe. It is a perfect place for visitors looking for some tranquility. In the book Walk Around the Snickelways of York by author Mark W Jones in 1983, he introduced a collection of small streets and footpaths in the city of York and named them Snickelways. The Stonegate is the kind of street covered with cobblestones and with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the Vikings. At the end of the street, an endless queue appears every afternoon for the famous Bri- tish Afternoon Tea in front of the Betty’s Tea Room. With sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries on a tiered stand, it always takes more than an hour for people to drink the traditional English tea and enjoy the sunset of the city in York. It is the best moment of the day, together with a taste of the year 1919.

TRAVEL TIPS: The Clifford’s Tower stands high and beautiful in the middle of an open area. 1. A good time arrangement is necessary if you want to have the afternoon tea at the Betty’s. It always takes half an hours’ waiting for a seat. 2. The old city ‘s access is foot-only, and many of the sights are only a short walk between one another. 3. There are many ghost walks that run throughout the year during the evenings start from 6 pm.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: 1. Jorvik Viking Centre 2. National Railway Museum 3. Treasurer’s House 4. Castle Howard 5. Barley Hall

York Castle Museum provides visitors a vivid view of its history. EDITED BY PHILA SIU MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 11 COVER STORY

12 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 Click on tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk for exclusive video

Ma steps down to a wider road Former gov’t bureau chief Frederick Ma Si-hang shares his life with TYR

The University of Hong Kong with majors in BY ALAN KWOK economics and history in 1970. Prof Ma’s family of six lived in an apartment of about 100 square feet. They had to Why do we treat our youngsters in this share their washroom and kitchen with other way?” The Commercial Radio phone- residents. His father passed away when he “in programme On a Clear Day received was a high school student, leading his mo- an unusual call from a former government ther to work long hours to support the fami- offi cial on June 15 last year who sobbed ly. “I had no dream,” he said. He just wanted when talking. “Why do we hurt them? It is to get a job to support the family so that they a sorrow of Hong Kong people.” The call hit could live better. Apple Daily’s front page next day. He taught at four schools to fend for The topic being addressed was about his family when he was an undergraduate. Christian Zheng Sheng College, a drug re- “Poverty is a sinking whirlpool, but also a habilitation boarding school. It was seeking motivation for advancement,” he said. “I to relocate to a larger campus in Mui Wo, wished to escape from this whirlpool after but received strong opposition from local education.” residents. “Post-50s” = “Post-80s” “We should be in a society with kind tolerance and give chances to the youngsters Apart from the part-time jobs, Prof Ma to correct their wrongdoings,” said Professor participated a lot in student activities. He Frederick Ma Si-hang, the caller, in an ex- represented the faculty of arts in the Se-nate clusive interview with The Young Reporter. of the university. “So I stood for election Resigning from the Secretary for Com- when I was in university,” he said. “It was merce and Economic Development for a direct election.” He also took part in the health reasons in 2008, Prof Ma earns four “Diaoyutai Movement” over the sovereignty “part-time jobs”, with three of them relat- dispute of Diaoyutai Islands between China ing to young people. He gives lectures at the and Japan. School of Economics and Finance of HKU “Truth be told, I think there is no differ- as an honorary professor, shares Christian ence between ‘post-50s’ and ‘post-80s’,” said testimony and hosted a radio programme to Prof Ma, a member of the so-called “post- share his thoughts with youngsters. 50s,” commenting on the sizzling topic of “I wish my six-year experience in the young activists. “I still remembered that government can be a good role model of the when I studied in the university, my school- youngsters,” he said. mates and I concerned a lot about social issues. We would cry out for the ‘Diaoyutai “I had no dream” Movement’ and other unjust issues in the Prof Ma has a typical “Hong Kong story”. society.” Born in 1952, he grew up in a poor family as Prof Ma, however, stressed that he was a mediocre – if not lazy–student. “I always not a leftist in the university. “Some of my carried ladders with me back home and was schoolmates were leftists. Mr Ching Cheong, blamed by my mother,” he said, referring to for example, was a leftist,” he said, referring being graded “H”s at school. to the well-known journalist being jailed by He awoke in secondary four, after he the Chinese government fi ve years ago. “I found that he could be ousted if his academic was a moderate.” results showed no improvement. “My mother Like many youngsters at that age, Prof always told me, ‘If you don’t study well, you Ma loves The Beatles’ songs, a sign of re- Photo: Sybil Kot will be a beggar’.” He galloped and entered bellion at that time. But he got no talent in MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 13 COVER STORY music. “I tried to learn to beat drums. But I more than we did, say $16,000, but they can “How can you say this? You have to know failed,” he said. “I tried to join amateur mu- probably buy three square feets only.” it even you don’t have time to read,” said Mr sic competition. But I was eliminated when I Three years afterwards, he got an op- Albert Ho Chun-yan, legislator and chair- just stepped on the stage.” portunity to be relocated to the New York’s man of Democratic Party. “But his bowing Prof Ma did not perform well in exams headquarter. He then worked in London and and smile immediately made people forget and graduated with third class honours. But Toronto. “I was so lucky as I had the chance his stupid responses.” he said he never regretted participating in to look around the world by my job with the Mr Ho, an HKU law alumnus of 1975, said so many student activities. “Otherwise my bank,” he said. He met Ms Linda Wong Pui- Prof Ma–though specialising in fi nance–was university life wouldn’t be that brilliant and kee, his secondary schoolmate, in Canada. short on experience in politics. colourful and I couldn’t meet such a large They got married in 1979. “He is never a qualifi ed politician as he network of friends,” he said. Prof Ma’s family returned to Hong Kong lacks a vision and insight into a long-term in 1990. Then the second chance in his life reform,” he said. Mr Ho, however, said Prof Hello, Minister! came up. He and his wife planned to send Ma was smart and fl exible and appreciated After graduating in 1973, Prof Ma’s life their two daughters to a good school in his optimistic and outspoken character. and achievement seemed to be marked by Canada. “But it could receive one of them “His relation with legislators is not bad,” three opportunities and coincidences. The only,” he said. Meanwhile, one of his friends said Mr Ho. “He knows how to handle inter- fi rst one came with his fi rst job. He aspired encouraged the family to come back. He personal relationship diplomatically.” to work for Cathay Pacifi c. “I never tra- worked for Kumagai Gumi (HK), a listed Prof Ma agreed that good interpersonal velled abroad before I graduated. The fur- construction and property development relationship was important in a society where thest place I had been to was Macau,” he company. He later re-joined the Chase Man- people work as a team. “A politician has to said. He wished to work for the airline so that hattan Bank as Chief Executive of Private be open-minded and is willing to communi- he could get free trips. He got an interview Bank and then joined PCCW in 2001. cate with people. Then the chance of being but by chance his successful application to Then the third chance in his life emerged. successful is bigger,” he said. Chase Manhattan Bank was received earlier Mr Antony Leung Kam-chung, his HKU Prof Ma got baptised in 2003, when he than Cathay’s offer of a second interview. “I classmate and the former fi nancial secretary, found that the pressure of working in the couldn’t wait at that time. My family relied asked him to join the government in 2002. government was very heavy. His wife, who on me,” he said. “Antony later told me he didn’t expect me established Citywide Renewal, a Christian Prof Ma started with the salary of $1,600. to say yes with the reason that it was a good charity organisation, told him to pray with “My salary could buy eight square feets of chance to contribute to the society,” said Prof her every early morning to seek help from an apartment at that time,” he said. “Nowa- Ma. He gave up the annual salary in excess God. “At that time, I can feel the power gi- days, university graduates earn ten times of $10 million. “I would like to serve Hong ven by God,” he said. Kong,” he said. Prof Ma was ap- Fat Ma, Fit Ma pointed as the Se- In 2008, Prof Ma was diagnosed with cretary for Financial blood vessel tumours in the brain. “I had the Services and the Trea- so-called three ‘highs’: high blood pressure, sury. During his term high cholesterol level and high triglyceride,” in offi ce, Hong Kong said “Fat Ma”, a moniker of Prof Ma which was recovering from media coined. the 1997 fi nancial cri- His doctor said he could get a stroke if he sis. The markets were worked under heavy pressure. He quitted the gloomy. government, exercised hard, played golf and Perhaps what most travelled. He has lost about 20 pounds from Hong Kongers re- his peak weight of about 200 pounds. “I got membered Prof Ma, rid of the three ‘highs’ when having body apart from his cousin, check last month,” he said delightfully. local actor Mr Eric Now he always tells youngsters to trea- Tsang Chi-wai, was sure their life. “Life is like a juggler and the penny stocks inci- the balls in his hands,” said Prof Ma. “We dent in summer 2002, have four balls in our hands: career, wealth, leading to a selling health and family. The fi rst two are made of climax of shares as plastic which you can pick them up if they investors panicked all are dropped. But the latter two are made of at once. glass which will be smashed if not handled Prof Ma, who with care.” took up the post just a month ago, said in the Hello, Prof Ma! Legislative Council After the resignation, he became an hon- that he did not have orary professor at the School of Econom- time to read the docu- ics and Finance of HKU and hosted a radio ments of the incident. programme “Hello, Prof Ma!” to share his His support rating thoughts with youngsters. plummeted from 53.8 “I think he gives me a feeling of hones- to 39, according to the ty,” said Ms Christine Kwok Chun-yan, who Prof Ma says his wife (left) and himself do not put much Public Opinion Pro- co-hosted the programme with Prof Ma. Ms pressure on his two daughters (centre). gramme at HKU. Kwok, 23, fi rst met Prof Ma at a high-table 14 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 Frederick Ma Frederick Prof Ma graduated from HKU with third class honours. dinner of HKU. The psychology student said Prof Ma was impressed by her opinions on social problems and China’s politics. “Perhaps he saw his past from me,” said Ms Kwok. She added that Prof Ma was very circumspect. “He knows I was a fan of Sammi Cheng Sau-man by my ringtone,” she said, referring to the famous Cantonpop singer. “He thus bought Sammi’s book and asked her for an autograph and a few words for me when they met in a dinner.” Prof Ma now enjoys his life under low pressure and does not see a chance of returning to the government. He measures out his limits. “Pressure is defi ned as high demands, lots of restrictions and little help,” he said. Prof Ma said when he worked in the government, he had high expectation on himself and faced restrictions by the scarce resources and supervision of the legislative body and the media. But he could obtain little help. Photo: Sybil Kot Prof Ma became the Chairman and Non- Prof Ma calls for more tolerance to young people. “I was born in Hong Kong. I Executive Director of China Strategic Hol- love this place. I hope to see a forgiving and harmonious society,” he says. dings last November, 17 months since he left the government, provoking conspiracy 1952 born in Hong Kong theory that his resignation paved the way for returning to the business fi eld. 1973 graduated from The University of Hong Kong with a degree in eco- While America International Group is nomics and history and joined Chase Manhattan Bank making a deal with China Strategic Hold- 1979 married Ms Linda Wong Pui-kee ings to sell Taiwan’s Nan Shan Life Insur- ance Company, he said he was not busy in 1990 resided in Hong Kong after working in New York, London and handling the job simply because he is “non- Toronto executive.” “Unlike the government job, the pressure 2001 became Executive Director of PCCW of this job is little,” said Prof Ma. 2002 joined the government as Secretary for Financial Services and the Prof Ma encouraged pressurised Hong Treasury Kongers to work harder. “Don’t be discour- aged and blame others when encountering 2007 appointed as Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development problems. You could be treated unjustly. But it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Don’t mind to 2008 resigned from the government for health reasons get a beating. Stand up and keep it up!” 2009 became Chairman and Non-Executive Director of China Strategic Holdings EDITED BY SIMON YIU MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 15 INTERVIEWS Amateur rules track with six years of strive

BY ANDY AU YUENG

s I walked out into the large couryard football ground surrounded by a tall Acement spectator stand and the class- room block, I encountered a bunch of young chaps who were lifting weights here and running about there. I looked for a more promi- nent ﬁ gure, someone with a bit of authority, the coach. I saw no one coaching there,

nobody was yelling at the athletes, pointing Manson Kwok them to places or statuesquely overlooking Mr Manson Kwok holds the overall championship of cross country team which their training performances. earns his team the entrance ticket to the division one. Then someone called my name from the far side of the court. I looked over and saw throwing. I need to manage the morale and I already graduated. a young-looking, dark-skinned, light-built still need to fi nd time for my own training.” Now the teams have a taste of the harvest athlete in a bright yellow jersey jogging his And he still does. Holding the stopwatch Mr Kwok and themselves brought with their way towards me. I was going to ask him to at hand, he is still managing the team in the constant hard work and devotion. Both the bring me to the coach before he spoke, “Hi! course of the interview. “Be there early on cross-country team and athletics team secure I am Manson.” Then I realised I have got the Thursday! Be there at eight!” As the head Division One promotion this year after six right man. coach, he still runs the errands of the teams. years of fi ghting in the lower division. Mr Manson Kwok Man-chun is not your “Are you training? Good! It is going to be Team members do not need to hesitate average sports coach. He is only 24 but has very tough next year in Division One. Give it when the opportunity comes to them to com- been in the sports for six years. He sacrifi ced your best! ” he encouraged his athletes. ment on their coach. all his personal time to coach his mother “He is a devil, on the training ground that school’s cross country and athletics teams “I want to prove to my is. But he is the greatest friend to the whole and brought them division one promotion af- forerunners that I can team off the track,” said Kan Hei Chun, 15, a ter six years of struggling in lower division. member of the athletics team. It all started in 2002 when Mr Kwok fi rst make something happen “He made us run 400m intervals one after took an interest in long-distance running. here.” another at nine degrees Celsius with just two “I was neither the most enthusiastic, nor a minute of rest in between. Other athletes may very good runner back then,” he said. Mr Kwok is now coaching around 60 ath- not have to do that, but Mr Kwok made you He suggested the school the prospect of letes. They have two to three weekly lessons, succeed in it.” said Lai Ho Nam, 15, another training their students for the sport. “Every- with two to three hours each. They have extra member of the team. one believed that it was impossible in this trainings two months before competitions. “Watermelon”, as Mr Kwok’s teammates area. I guess I am ahead of the curl...I want Speaking of the greatest challenge in call him, works part-time for money to spend to prove to my forerunners that I can make coaching, he did not fi nd it on the tracks, but on shoes for his athletes, equipments and ce- something happen here,” he said. from the athletes’ parents instead. The teams lebration after competitions. When he works, And with only two years in the sport, Mr were found so devoted in training they could other coaches, who are also alumni of the Kwok founded the school’s fi rst cross-coun- not focus on the academic results. school, take his place. try team along with its fi rst athletics team. For the parents’ peace of mind, Mr Kwok “Yes, Watermelon is sick. He had this And as soon as he had signed up for the job, took his multitasking to the next level by of- journal in which he kept details of every run- he realised how hard things could be to get fering his athletes supplementary tuition on ner’s performance, and he would offer indi- something from nothing. their studies. With all that work to juggle vidual feedback to them which at times really “There weren’t any students who have with his two hands, Mr Kwok found it hard encourages the boys,” said Mr Ramon Lee experience on the events”, he relished times to strike a balance. Sze-ho, one of the assistant coaches. at the beginning. “I was like a scout look- “Opportunities are not always there for Mr Kwok said everyone close to him ing for talents on the street. I saw somebody you, and it is up to you to grasp it when it pondered, “Why don’t you think for yourself ran and I’d walked up to him and told him, comes. If you tell me to look back, I don’t fi rst?” And when he told me his plans for the “You’ve got potential, come and try running think I would do much better with my studies future, you will soon see why. with us!” if I hadn’t managed the teams,” he said. “I have always wanted to be a certifi ed He found it hard to work as a one man He managed to enroll for an undergradu- coach. I want to come back and teach here at band at the beginning. “I looked for training ate degree in sports and recreational leader- St. Louis.” You get the idea. venues. I am responsible for all of the events, ship at Hong Kong Baptist University in from running and jumping to pushing and 2009, while all his former classmates have EDITED BY SIMPSON CHEUNG 16 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 INTERVIEWS Writer widens interpretation of positivity

BY VIVIAN CHUI

ocusing on the computer, Ms Christina Wong Ming-yan, the 31-year-old au- Fthor was hurrying to ﬁ nish her article which will be published in the coming Hong Kong Book Fair in July. Like most writers, Ms Wong has aban- doned pen and paper and used computers to get her stories done. She types fast. Only the keyboard tells the secret – the Braille on it shows the writer is visually impaired. Ms Wong’s vision was affected by Ger- man measles when she was eight months old. Although she was once able to see when she was three to eight years old, her optical nerves were injured again. Since then the girl sees nothing anymore. Yet, the drawback does not blind the writer from capturing and depicting things happening around her. As a story teller, Ms Wong likes to travel and uses the experience as materials for her stories. Ms Wong is known as a singer, a compo- (Top) Ms Wong was selected as one of The Ten Outstanding Young Persons in ser, a writer, a music teacher and also one of October 2008. (Below) The books written by Ms Wong since 2004. the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2008. “I like to communicate with people from different nations,” she said. As a fearless tra- veller, Ms Wong has been to India, Korea, Ja- pan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Yet Ms Wong was not always as indepen- dent as she is now. In the past, she was an introvert who disliked talking to others. “I seldom talked when I was small. It was really a difﬁ cult task,” said Ms Wong, who is now a

frequent speaker facing people from all walks Wong Christina of life in the public. The turning point was when she decided aboard was a successful transformation. She for clients, for commercials as well as wed- to study in Australia at the age of 14. had become braver and more conﬁ dent. dings sometimes.” “I was the only Chinese studying in the “I am not worried. You cannot worry too With her brother and cousins as col- school. When I didn’t know the direction, I much about this girl,” said Ms Wong’s mo- leagues, Ms Wong said she enjoys working just had to ask others. I talked to my room- ther, showing conﬁ dence to her daughter. with her family. “We will not hate each other mate to ‘bribe’ her into accompanying me to Her family is a great support for the wri- after arguments,” she said, “but sometimes the canteen,” the girl opened up her heart in ter. “As a freelancer, they will not ask whe- we just cannot separate working and private the experience. ther the job will bring you wealth or not. As matters,” she laughed. long as you have potential in the industry, Coming through a long way, the writer “I tried nearly every- they will support you.” has her own belief in life. “You never know Ms Wong and her family are now running when you are going to die. That’s why I treat thing such as skiing, a business to promote life education. They or- every day as if it were the last and I sleep ear- horse riding.” ganise various events including talks, work- ly every day in order to keep myself healthy,” shops, performances and singing classes. she said. “I tried nearly everything since then such “The idea is to promote positivity and “Life is short, just do something meaning- as skiing, horse riding, etc. My brother even teach others how to face problems,” said Ms ful,” she added. allowed me to drive as long as it is a straight Wong, who is a role model to spread positive road ahead,” said Christina. The experience messages herself, “we will compose songs EDITED BY LUNA LAU MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 17 REVIEW Comic- turned- movie puts classical music on the map again

BY MINI LI

o matter you are a classical music novice or a serious music Nenthusiast, passion and deter- mination inside every musician’s hearts still impress you. In Japanese movie Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score, when the conducting baton is waved, music sparks with laughter and tears. The fi rst part of the drama spin off has premiered on March 4 in Hong Kong and the second part will show in May. The movie acts as sequels to the popular TV drama Nodame Cantabile aired in 2006 and 2008, which won the best drama, best leading actress, best director, best music and best title song in 2007 Japanese Drama Academy Awards. The story is about the growing of two genius musicians Chiaki (played by Hideki Takeuchi) and Nodame (played by Juri Ueno). Chiaki, who is the win- ner of a reputable international composition contest, faces a new challenge of leading an old and poorly-managed orchestra. Nodame helps Chiaki with his orchestra management. The concert turns out to be a success while Nodame plane-phobia, then studied conducting in Chiaki and messy pianist Nodame presents is held up in her roads for shadowing, leaving Paris and fi nally made his mark. This time traditional Japanese affection in a cartoon hint for the next movie. he faces his biggest challenge and stomps way which gives freshness to audiences on The movie is about classical music, a ra- the road that his teacher Franz Strezemann TV and now a bigger screen. rity for Asian production. The joy and sadness who had walked through. Pianist Nodame Friendship and romance act as the melody in the movie are derived from the growth and and clarinetist Kuroki were among the best of the movie and some “kuso” fi ghting plots struggle of musicians. It is enriched by pieces in Japan, but they came to realise it is a much between the couples Chiaki and Nodame are of classics by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, bigger world than they thought. ornaments which make audiences burst into Ludwig Von Beethoven and Frederic Chopin Japanese movies do outstanding job cap- laughter. which is tuneful for everyone - music lovers turing human nature with their delicated des- People of all ages are recommended to and ordinary people. cription of human relationship and excellent watch, jokes may not translate well into Chi- The movie is also the fi rst movie in the mood setting. Departures, the Oscar winning nese and English at times, but you can still world that was allowed to fi lm inside the best foreign-language movie even makes feel the passion of those characters, laugh spectacular Goldene Saal in Vienna, which Japanese movie shines in the international and cry with them. Besides, it is wonderful to is famous for its acoustics and is one of the fi lmdom. watch some good cinematography with great three fi nest concert halls in the world. The portrayal of the sweet, implicit and sound effect in the cinema. We saw the growth of ex-piano student “kuso” (very funny but sometimes mischie- Chiaki in the drama series. He overcame vous) romance between talented conductor EDITED BY KELVIN CHAN 18 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 TYR’S SELECTION

It’s break time!

e know how it feels to have classes after classes, assignments after assignments, occasional tests and exams in your jam-packed schedule already Wﬁ lled up with so many activities and work. Stepping into the hectic season, TYR invites you to take a break amid your work and live it up! Here you’ll see cute and yummy Rilakkuma snacks, choco hamburgers and rum cake chocolate. Not to forget is the soda drink with Daruma san on it!!

Have fun, recharge yourself and treat your buddies!

a. Lotte Specialite Rum b. Bourbon Every Burger Choco Snacks Cake Chocolate

e. Kimura Japanese c. Rilakkuma Soda Caramel Corn

d. Rilakkuma Biscuit Stick

The above items are from Okashi Land (a/b), Taste (c/d), Log-On (e).

MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 19 OPINION Are you already getting outmoded? the messages have you transferred from one Let ers to the Editor phone to another, or from SIM card to SIM card? How much of that material could some- day be the stuff of a memoir, or a biography, Be a green example or a historical account? What are you writing today that will be history tomorrow? he seriousness of global warming is If journalism is history’s fi rst page, how widely understood. Millions of people can we write that history as accurately and Tare at risk from the coastal fl ooding fully as it should be if we are denied access due to the rise of sea level. About 20 to 30 per to source materials by technological change? cent of plant and animal species assessed so Against what will we check the accuracy of far are likely to be at higher risk of extinction our individual and collective memories? if increases in global average temperature How much of what you’ll need will be in exceed 1.5 to 2.5 degree Celsius. The global Facebook, Linkedin or Buzz? How much will average temperature already has increased by be on different hard drives? Will storing ma- about 0.74 degree Celsius over pre-industrial terials on separate hard drives or CD-ROMS levels. If we do not go green, the earth will be help? Maybe. But even into the late 90’s, ruined very soon. Francis Moriarty people were storing data on fl oppy discs – First of all, you should set up a green mo- anybody’s machine run those? del to infl uence your family members. Use ake a look around at your laptop, desk- Will today’s various platforms exist and less electricity by reducing the use of com- top, I-pod, Blackberry, Kindle, fax (if be available when we need them in fi ve, 10 puters and turning off the TV completely, Tyou haven’t tossed it away along with or 20 years? (No less worrisome: Will we don’t use stand-by mode. On top of that, your pager) and ask this: Am I accumulating then fi nd that what we wrote and what others you should classify and recycle paper waste material that will be important – even crucial wrote to us has become someone else’s prop- and use both sides of paper before recycling – in years to come, but which is already be- erty? Go ask Google.) them. coming inaccessible thanks to multiple plat- My own experience may help put the is- Moreover, you can ask your mother to forms and rapidly evolving technologies? sues in relief. I was among the fi rst freelance use local ingredients to cook since transpor- The ability to create and store information journalists in the US to work on a portable ting produce locally can save fuel which lo- is expanding, but the new technologies that computer. It was such an oddity that I was wers substantial amounts of carbon dioxide make this expansion possible may also be often asked questions like: “Without getting emissions accordingly. Also, you can sug- rapidly outstripping our ability to keep those too technical, what is a modem?” gest your parents that using e-billing is more materials in forms that are not only safe over My fi rst computer was a TRS-80 convenient and environmentally-friendly. time, but also easily retrievable. (aka“Trash-80”) from Radio Shack. When During holidays, you and your family can For journalists, archivists, librarians, his- its memory was at maximum capacity, it join a tree planting activity because trees can torians, academics, and governments, this held 62K. I couldn’t dream at the time of absorb carbon dioxide and reduce the effects is becoming a major headache with serious ever needing more. I still have it, along with on global warming. This activity can also en- consequences and a growing price tag. original tape machine on which my data were courage family unity. Until the last few decades, the world’s stored, as well as the portable fl oppy drive Apart from setting up a green example to knowledge was largely stored in books and that eventually replaced it. There are still sto- your family, you should also infl uence your manuscripts. Then, information created on ries in there that I don’t want to throw away friends. You can do green activities together paper began to be kept using technologies that but can’t get out. Since then, my home has like swimming along the beaches and cy- some readers of this article may have never become a museum of outmoded technolo- cling. Furthermore, you should recommend seen – microfi che, for example. In brief, ma- gies – a fl ock of mutually incomprehensible that your friends bring their water bottles as terials were being copied, essentially using chicken and ducks – none of which I can it can reduce carbon emissions and reduce photo-based techniques, with the result that throw away without losing my work. waste and pressure on landfi lls. Having ve- more information was stored in smaller forms Working in radio, I also have work stored getables is actually environmentally friendly. requiring less space and, hence, lower cost. on reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, digital tapes, Rearing cattle releases high amount of car- But once copied, the originals were vulner- mini-disks (MDs) and in MP3 format. Some bon dioxide into the atmosphere. Replacing able to being tossed away, and many were. recordings have historical value. That means meat with vegetables several meals a week These newer copying means have rapidly that around the world, broadcasting stations, not only reduces carbon emission, it also given way to digitalization, but in some ways archives also must turn into museums of tech- translates into a healthier lifestyle. that’s worsened the problem. It’s the old nology to maintain their capacity for data re- The current situation is critical. Although chicken-talking-to-duck issue: Any number trieval, or risk losing some material forever. our lifestyles may not be green enough, it is of different software have been used, many Will hard disks endure as long as the Dead better be late than never. From today, let’s incompatible. Some systems and programs, Sea scrolls did? Hard to say. But I wonder start our green lifestyle. once fairly widespread, have all but disap- what future archeologists will do when they peared (how many still work in DOS? PFS uncover ancient CD-ROMS buried in the VIVIAN LEUNG Word?) All too often, newer software cannot sands. Hong Kong True Light College successfully retrieve data in its entirety (or even at all) from earlier versions of the same Francis Moriarty is 2nd vice-pre- software from the same developer. sident of the Foreign Correspondents’ Write to us and you could win an English Consider your own correspondence: How Club, Hong Kong, and senior political novel from Bookazine. Send your letter with your full name, address and phone number to much is in text-message form on different reporter at RTHK. phones you’ve owned? And how many of [email protected]. 20 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 EDITORIAL Cases of university student suicides: red alert

not translate into better ability to command up by the older generation in Hong Kong, ex- BY LUNA LAU their emotions and pressure, while they are aggerating them to push the younger harder supposed to be well educated and understand to achieve better results. This is unlike wes- niversity students has left an image the value of life more than the ordinary. tern cultures that students’ paths and careers of immaturity in the eyes of Hong This type of young people is stereotyped. are up to their choice and they enjoy more UKongers in the past month, after con- The public may think students nowadays in freedom during the student lives. secutive cases of them committing suicide. general do not have the ability to master stress Hong Kong students’ effort to make them- Ironically, the deceased mostly acquired and manage their emotions because they face selves stand out from the crowd has caused degrees in the three famed universities, fewer obstacles during their growth. them most of their precious time and energy. namely The University of Hong Kong, The On the contrary, some university students Some neglect their real needs. Little time Chinese University of Hong Kong and The understand the obstacles well enough that is left to ponder their past performance and Hong Kong University of Science and Tech- they often consider too much when facing adjust future directions and schedules accor- nology. One of the deceased students was problems. dingly. They rush towards the goal. They even studying in a postgraduate programme. Some early birds know the importance of omit other noteworthy components on their Their deaths are indeed a misfortune to getting a job soon after graduation, so they journey. One day they crack up and think their families and the society. But the repea- try their best to produce a “good-looking” they have lost everything when encountering ted cases over years also make us wonder the resume by joining different internship pro- a problem. reasons behind. grammes and taking up posts in academic Of course this is not a must, not a trend Is the pressure from school really kil- societies throughout their university lives. and not a case for all. Nevertheless, families, ling our younger generation even they have Some know the importance of appearance schools and the society should notice these reached a certain education level? so they spend time keeping themselves look repeated cases are not unrelated at all. The People generally perceive that the de- smart and pretty. deceased students are not born to be self- ceased students were mentally fragile and had They pack their schedule and intangibly abased and incompetent. low self-conﬁ dence, making them incapable load pressure on to their shoulders just be- Students are also advised to take them- of coping with the upcoming difﬁ culties, cause they get a full picture of society with selves into account when they are consi- eventually step onto the road of no return. the materials picked up from their parents, dering their future. After all, the one they What’s more, the relatively higher educa- professors and the society. should always be responsible to is exactly tion background of the deceased students did Challenges nowadays are usually played their very selves. TYR is now available at...

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MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 21 GALLERY

China’s N ew DreamCity

ianjin has been recently ranked as the most livable city in China, sur- Tpassing Beijing and Shanghai, in The Economist’s World’s Most Livable Cities 2010. The criteria for this ranking include social stability, environment, education, health care, public transport and recreational facilities.

With the proximity to the country’s capi- tal, and its ports located on the Bohai Gulf in Paciﬁ c Ocean, Tianjin has been a city of both strategic and cultral importance.

While the city’s new buildings reached a record height, and the European-styled old town being conserved and renewed, Tian- jin has became a city of great economic potential and international competitveness, and after all, an ideal place for living and investments.

| TEXT & PHOTOS BY SYBIL KOT | EDITED BY IRENE HUANG

1. Can he manage to ﬁ nish it? 2. Jiefang Road and its British architects. 3. Traditional Chinese pavilion often seen in parks or gardens. 4. Be careful! 5. A mix of old and new. 6. Almost every household owns a bicycle. 7. The carriage is a legacy of the British concession territories. 8. The church attacked by Chinese riot during the Tianjin Massacre. 9. A woman makes dragon beard candy.

22 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk MARCH 2010 7 1

3 6 9

MARCH 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 23