People
Hong Kong Faces Organ Donation Crisis with Sharp Decline in Registrations
- 2023-04-13
- Society
- By: Kei Tung LAMEdited by: Ming Min AW YONG
- 2023-04-13
Organ donation in Hong Kong has hit an eight-year low, with only 12,500 people registering as donors last year, despite ongoing efforts to promote organ donation. The number of new registrations on the Central Organ Donation Register has declined year by year following 2019. The number of cancellations has also risen sharply, reaching 1,615 last year, more than double the figure for 2021. Edith Chow, a 20-year-old university student who has registered on the Central Organ Donation Register, believes that organ donation is a moral imperative. “The decision of donating organs is often driven by a desire to help others and to make a positive impact on the world. I hope I can be a way to leave a positive legacy and make a lasting contribution to society,” she said. However, some people are hesitant or opposed to the idea of organ donation. Ip, a 76-year-old man, cited Chinese beliefs as the reason for his opposition to organ donation. “We believe that we should have our whole body even after death, so I can’t donate my organs to others. I don’t even allow my relatives to do so,” he said. Chow said most of her friends and relatives are generally more open-minded about organ donation. However, she said the government's efforts to promote the program are insufficient in attracting more registration. "Registering to donate organs is an easy process, but the lack of advertising on public transport is challenging to reach a broader audience. Many people are still unaware of the significant impact that organ donation can have on someone's life," Chow said. Lam, a 58-year-old architect, expressed concerns about the risks associated with donation and its potential impact on their health. “I have three high, and I am afraid that if my organs are donated to others, it would …
First Day of the MTR "Thank you day"
- 2023-04-10
- Society
- By: Hanzhi YANG、Yiyang LIEdited by: Noah Tsang
- 2023-04-10
To thank passengers, the MTR offered half fares in April. 8 and 9, as well as on May. 13 and 14. This is the first of its kind offer applicable to travel on MTR, Light Rail and MTR bus. The MTR half-fare subsidy can encourage people to make long-distance trips. Half-fare concessions can promote spending, and some people want to enjoy half-fare concessions on weekdays. The MTR's half-fare subsidy for April began two days ago. This deal includes MTR service to and from Lok Ma Chau Station and Lo Wu Station. Compared to earlier in the week, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of people using the East Rail Line, with many choosing to take the MTR today and tomorrow to get to Shenzhen. Except for the Airport Express, the trip from the city to the port or any other area on that day can enjoy half price, meaning people can enjoy a HK$1 trip at the lowest price. At around 4 pm on April. 8, the East Rail Line had more passengers than the Kwun Tong Line. More passengers were boarding at Shatin and University stations. Kelly Zhao, 21, a Hong Kong Polytechnic University student, travels to Shenzhen once a week for dining and shopping. From Hung Hom Station to Lo Wu, transportation costs about $39 per person. "The price is a little expensive for me, but I'm going to Shenzhen twice this week due to the MTR discount of half-fare,” she said. Lee Ka Ming, 33, had just returned from a shopping spree. "I hope the half-fare concessions on the MTR will be extended for a longer period of time, as the daily commute is too expensive, and it would be better if there were discounts on weekdays," Ming said. Passengers can get more savings …
Art Basel Hong Kong 2023
- 2023-04-03
- Society
- By: Elif Lale AYHAN、Huen Tung LEIEdited by: Wisha LIMBU
- 2023-04-03
Art Basel is back in Hong Kong this spring, featuring 177 galleries from Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. This year, the return of Encounters has presented more large-scale projects.
Exhibition commemorates the 20th anniversary of superstar Leslie Cheung’s death
- 2023-04-02
- Society
- By: Yee Ling TSANG、Wai Sum CHEUNGEdited by: Yu Yin WONG
- 2023-04-02
More than 7,600 fans gathered at Hong Kong Heritage Museum to commemorate the 20th anniversary of legendary star Leslie Cheung’s death on Saturday, according to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and hosted by Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the “Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition” showcases an extensive collection of Cheung’s mementoes. Three of Cheung’s close friends, Florence Chan, William Chang and Wing Shya are guest curators. Cheung’s partner, Daffy Tong, also shared his personal collection with the museum. The event displays 61 exhibits, such as stage outfits, trophies, photos, videos and Vinyl records. Visitors can redeem free posters using their tickets at the exhibition’s exit. Cantopop icon Leslie Cheung passed away 20 years ago on 1 April 2003. In his career, Cheung won numerous awards, including RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards, Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards. Cheung’s artistic films and pop songs are still widely admired and adored by many. There are also other ongoing memorial events in the city, including “Reminiscing Leslie Cheung: 20th Anniversary Exhibition” at Hong Kong MTR Station, Timeless Leslie Encounter in Olympian City, and "Leslie Cheung MISS YOU MUCH LESLIE CONCERT" in Hong Kong Coliseum. The “Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition” will remain publicly open until 9 October.
Hong Kong Sevens: tournament breaks gender barrier as women play alongside men for the first time
- 2023-04-02
- Society
- By: Dhuha AL-ZAIDIEdited by: Ming Min AW YONG
- 2023-04-02
It’s the much-anticipated time for sports again in Hong Kong. Tickets have been purchased months in advance, as rugby fans await the iconic Hong Kong Sevens. In the So Kon Po stadium last weekend, live bands cheer on the crowd, who are spotted in eccentric costumes – giraffe onesies, pirates, Snow White and her seven dwarfs – chanting to Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer with beer pints in their hands. This year, for the first time in the World Rugby Sevens Series’ 23-year-history, the male and female teams will compete side-by-side over three days, from March 31 to April 2. As the Hong Kong women’s rugby players eagerly prepare for such transformation that will shape the trajectory of the team, this points to an optimistic change in rugby, as more and more women are entering the field and adapting the dynamic of the sport. According to World Rugby, there are currently 2.7 million global female rugby players out of a total of 9.6 million, with a 28% increase in registered female players since 2017. This is largely attributed to new measures and campaigns aimed at increasing participation and engagement in women’s games. The Try and Stop Us campaign launched by World Rugby in 2019, and the World Rugby Women’s Plan 2021-25, hope to increase women’s contribution to the sport both on and off the field through participation, performance and investment. Currently, more than 40% of rugby’s 400 million fanbase are female World Rugby reported. In Hong Kong, women first began playing professionally for the Hong Kong Football Club, a private members' sports organisation, 110 years after it was founded in 1886, playing against Japan in their first international tournament in 1998. Now, the club holds two 15-a-side female teams - Fire and Ice and seven men’s team. As the …
Hong Kong’s High-Speed Railway to mainland fully resumes its train service today
- 2023-04-01
- Society
- By: Runqing LI、Yi Yin CHOWEdited by: Ming Min AW YONG
- 2023-04-01
Hong Kong’s high-speed railway fully resumes its train service today, reopening the long-haul trains from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Mainland China cities. According to Mass Transit Railway, the resumption of long-haul train service would directly take passengers over the border to 66 cities in mainland China. This includes Beijing, Shanghai and more. Passengers must complete the Mainland Health Declaration Online Form before the journey and have a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours of travel if they have stayed in designated overseas places or Taiwan in the past seven days. Zhang Xing, 24, arrived in Hong Kong from Guang Xi, a province in the southwest of Mainland China, after a four-hour journey on the high-speed train. She said there were enough tickets to Hong Kong when she bought the ticket one week ago, and she was excited to take the first train after resumption. Depending on the destination, tickets for the high-speed train can cost around HKD78 to HKD 1375 for adults. Fares are also different for different classes of Travel. Currently, Second Class, First Class, Premium Class and Business Class are available. Premium Class and Business Class are only available on some Mainland trains. “I come to Hong Kong as a traveller,” said Zhang. “Of course I will visit Hong Kong more frequently as the high-speed train saves my time.” Cai Zihan, 16, a mainland student in Hong Kong, also said he was happy to see the resumption of the train service. “I no longer needed to transfer the train in Shenzhen. I can directly arrive my hometown in Fujian by the high-speed train directly,” he said.
HK Rugby Sevens return with women’s game added for the first time
- 2023-03-31
- Society
- By: Yau To LUM、Tsz Yau CHANEdited by: Ka Ki FUNG
- 2023-03-31
Hong Kong Sevens game kicked off today at the Hong Kong Stadium. The three-day tournament starts today and will continue through the weekend. 16 men and 12 women teams will be joining the game. Hong Kong women's team played against New Zealand this afternoon, losing out by 50 points. They will be playing against Great Britain’s team tomorrow at 10 am. The local men’s team will be facing Great Britain and Uruguay tomorrow. Despite the rainy weather, local fans, students and tourists slowly lined up for security and ticket check at the front gate at 8 am. Some audience dressed up in costumes to root for their favourite team. Chan Hoi Yee, 16, a rugby fan who had watched the Hong Kong sevens for the sixth time, said, “This year’s game is definitely more energetic, entertaining and fun.” She thinks that rugby is “the sport that everyone would love” and different from other sports. Kent Smith, 38, who came from Melbourne in Australia, was excited to watch the game for the first time despite the bad weather. “I have never been to Hong Kong. This is my first time here, I am excited to watch the game,” Smith said. He also said that the rainy weather does not really affect the atmosphere in the stadium. Mak Chiu Tsui, 57, a local rugby fan, said this is his 9th time watching the Rugby Sevens. “This time, I am looking forward to watching the women’s games. Since this is the first time the women’s team is playing in Hong Kong,” Mak said. Tickets for the Rugby Sevens games are still on sale, available at the Hong Kong sevens website. The price of a 3-day pass is $1950 for adults and $950 for children.
Chief executive demands better control towards Hong Kong budget tourism from mainland
- 2023-03-30
- Society
- By: Junzhe JIANG、Xiya RUIEdited by: Ming Min AW YONG
- 2023-03-30
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has asked related officials to enhance the control of the crowds to solve the complaints from Hong Kong residents over the low-cost mainland visitors gathering on the street and in restaurants. Lee said on Tuesday that the city's tourism is recovering and has reached the first stage of returning to normality, hence making it necessary to manage the capacity. In the press conference, Lee said he had asked the related authorities, including Culture, Sport and Tourism Bureau as well as Hong Kong Tourism Authority to manage the tourism’s impact on transportation. After the three-year shutdown, many cross-border tourists have returned to the city, leading to crowding in Kowloon City, To Kwa Wan, Hung Hom and more. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the number of tourists from the mainland increased to 280,525 in January, 470.8% more than the same period in 2022. Hong Kong Express announced that they would operate 400 more flights every week to cope with rising levels of flights to Hong Kong. Cheng Xinyi, a customer manager from Donghai travel agency, said they have four to five tour groups to Hong Kong every day, and Hong Kong is the best choice for tourists with a lower budget. The tourists are usually guided by their tour conductors and travel among the districts for shopping. This caused complaints about noise, hygiene issues, and transportation congestion spark. “There are many mainland tour groups eating in my restaurant,” said Maa Hoi-ying, the owner of a local restaurant in To Kwa Wan. “I usually accept 50 customers at the same time, but I can only keep 10 to 15 seats for my neighbourhoods,” she said. Maa said although there are some complaints about the tour groups, she’s happy with them as she can earn more money. …
Hong Kong’s first major exhibition for graffiti and street art
- 2023-03-22
- Society
- By: Yuhan WANG、Juncong SHUAIEdited by: Noah Tsang
- 2023-03-22
“City as Studio” is China’s first significant graffiti and street art exhibition. The exhibition showcases over 100 pieces of artwork by more than 30 artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and FUTURA. It is held at K11 Art & Cultural Centre from Mar. 20 to May. 14. This video has been updated on 26/3/2023.
Tolls for two Hong Kong cross-harbour tunnels will increase to HK$30 from August 2, charges for Western Tunnel will decrease to HK$60
- 2023-03-22
- Society
- By: Kei Tung LAMEdited by: Ming Min AW YONG
- 2023-03-22
To alleviate long-standing traffic flow issues, the Hong Kong government proposed a new toll plan for three cross-harbour tunnels in two stages. Chan Sai-hung, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, said that under the first stage, starting from August 2, tolls for private cars using the Western Harbour Crossing will be lowered from HK$75 to HK$60. Also, the tolls for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing will be increased from HK$20 to HK$30 and from HK$25 to HK$30, respectively. Taxi fares will be standardized at HK$25 per trip for all three tunnels to discourage empty taxis from concentrating on lower-priced return trips through the Cross-Harbour and Eastern Harbour Crossings. "The lower toll rate for the Western Harbour Tunnel would encourage me to use it more often," Chan, a private car driver, said. He said that the higher toll rates for the other tunnels could help distribute traffic evenly across all three tunnels. However, not all drivers are happy with the proposed changes. Sze, a private car driver and a frequent user of the Eastern Harbour Tunnel, said that the toll increase would add to his monthly expenses. "The new charges are just a disguised increase in fares," he said. Under the proposed second stage, which is expected to start latest by the end of this year, the government plans to implement different charging schemes for different time periods. During "non-peak hours", 7 pm to 7.30 am, from Monday to Saturday nights, the three tunnels will charge a flat rate of HK$20 for private cars. In the morning and evening "peak hours", the fee is HK$60 for the Western Harbour Tunnel and HK$40 for the Cross-Harbour and Eastern Harbour Crossings. On Sundays and public holidays, private cars will be charged at a flat rate of HK$20 to HK$25, depending …