Like a brand name, a person’s reputation requires investment and is built over time. For politicians, we get to know them by observing their words, behaviour and track record, even though we may not know them personally. (more…)

If the chief executive election is a horse race, punters have been observing morning gallops so far to assess the condition of the racers before deciding how to bet. So far, two contenders have put themselves forward. There may be a third racer but his or her eligibility will have to be checked first, and punters won’t know for sure what’s happening until the third stable gets its house in order. (more…)

With the global nuclear renaissance stalled by Fukushima, China is relying more than ever on hydropower to keep the economy growing. We expect the country to add the equivalent of eight Three Gorges dams by 2020. The dambuilding frenzy is most intense in China’s ecologically sensitive southwest. As hydro engineers fight farmers and city planners for dwindling water resources, the central government is being forced to rethink its stance on water resources – hydro in particular. [Download report]

On October 12, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has a date with history. On the important occasion of his last policy address, he said last month, he would provide an account of his stewardship. And this would enable the public to assess how well or badly he has kept the promises he made in his election manifestos. (more…)

The consultation document on regional cooperation to create a green haven is worth reading. It was released last week jointly by the Environment Bureau, and the Guangdong and Macau authorities. Its objective is to transform the greater Pearl River Delta region into “an exemplar city cluster of green and quality living”, with healthy ecosystems, low-carbon activities and efficient transport networks. (more…)

Civic Exchange publication series outlines key issues on air quality and the law in HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Judicial.

Press launch on 30 August 2011:

[ English press release | Chinese press release ]

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This letter to Chief Executive Mr Tsang reviews his election platforms and examins what remains unfulfilled from which contained a programme of proposals to transform many aspects of Hong Kong people’s lives. [Download]

Hong Kong’s lack of archives legislation has led to frequent legal debacles, costing taxpayers millions of dollars while demonstrating the deficiency in accountable and transparent public records management. Doug Meigs reports. 

A group of archivists, lawyers and historians are crusading for archives legislation in Hong Kong, in order to ensure preservation of public records, which now are held largely under the discretion of individual government departments and statutory bodies.  (more…)

By Valentine Henrard

A key issue in Hong Kong society today is the high level of poverty and the growing income and wealth gaps. Poverty has become a daily issue of media attention and social debate, a sign that the Hong Kong public wants to understand why poverty remains a serious problem for so many people amidst such wealth. How is it that Hong Kong, one of the richest societies in the world, falls behind in helping the poor? How did Hong Kong society become so unequal? This report is the first work of a publications series Civic Exchange will be exploring in 2011-2013 on the phenomenon of poverty in Hong Kong. While it does not answer the vital questions fully, it uses available economic data and raises some questions for consideration. | Download full report |