十年前的今天,(新界)西部走廊鐵路正式開通,象徵著捷運服務延伸到元朗,屯門區.隨著元朗等地區的開發,西鐵乘客量與日俱增,從最初的每日十二萬人次上升至約三十萬人次,輕鐵亦隨即成為接駁西鐵的主要交通工具.2009年8月16日,西鐵南昌邨至紅磡一段通車,進一步吸引居民使用.
可是,由於西鐵走線對往來屯門乘客而言實屬迂迴,城際客貨運輸的進一步擴大,以及深圳灣通道啟用,對疏導屯門公路和三號幹線車流量作用不大.輕鐵亦因擔當接駁西鐵角色,早上和傍晚擁擠情況進一步加劇.
至於早年建議的北環線,也因為興建九龍至廣州番禺的廣深港高速鐵路而擱置.這樣令西鐵未能有效地為往來港深乘客提供服務,窒礙了西鐵的載客量增長和新田,古洞地區的開發,間接減緩房屋供應.事實上,連接元朗和上水的新田公路間或堵車,嚴重者車程可以耽擱數小時之久,因此北環線有相當的需求量.
最近,城中鉅富,立法會議員田北辰提出改建輕鐵為架空鐵路,但這樣必須遷移其途經元朗大馬路走線至十八鄉,而在屯門區的路線和車站須作若干遷移.由於政府有計劃發展十八鄉和洪水橋,而且元朗市居民可使用朗屏西鐵站,因此改動路線符合將來的社區發展.
2013年12月12日 星期四
30 years of Australian dollar flexible exchange rate: review and revelation
The Australian treasury decided to adopt flexible exchange rate on 12 December 1983, 8 weeks after Hong Kong dollar peg to US dollar, in order to cope with speculative bet on appreciation, and to suspend foreign exchange rate control. This became an important landmark of liberalization of economy in Australia. 30 years later, Australian dollar has become the fifth most traded currency in foreign exchange market and it has gained wider acceptance in international trade. As the merit of increasing demand of metal ores and agricultural products, especially in Asia, assets in Australia has attracted large amount of speculation funds and thus AUD has appreciated against most of the currencies in the world.
Since 1983, AUD has been proved volatile against major currencies like USD, but the primary commodity prices expressed in AUD show a gradual increasing trend which is less volatile than other currencies, especially in earlier years of implementing flexible exchange rate regime, thus AUD exchange rate often reveals global resources demand and international investment conditions.
In the past 20 years, Reserve Bank of Australia has maintained lower price inflation and less volatile interest rate changes than before, thanked for currency supply and interest rate autonomy.
However, commodity boom from 2002 and huge investment flow into stock and property market due to immigration has led to steep appreciation and made the Australian products less competitive in global market. Global low interest rate also fuelled the land price rise.
The house prices in major cities outpace salary increase and a significant part of dwellings have risen to AUD 1 million, which have become unaffordable to general public. Leverage speculation by self managed super funds become a key factor of skyrocketing residential prices.
In addition, it posed pressure on further rent and pay rise, thus Australian goods and services become uncompetitive. Closure of Holden manufacturing plants leading to 50000 job loss, Qantas plan of slashing and outsourcing jobs are major instance for this.
In addition, food processing companies in Australia started to move manufacturing process to New Zealand, in which the wages are 25% less than Australian counterparts (despite of appreciation of New Zealand dollar against AUD). In addition, rigid and pro-union labour laws and strong labour union presence in Australia also prompted the companies to shift the works.
Although flexible exchange rate helped the authorities to adjust currency supply, interest rate and fiscal policies fit to local economic situation, this has caused vigorous changes of exchange rate because the authorities are powerless to turbulent capital flows. High exchange rate and surging land price for years have proven to be hurt the growth of actual economy in Australia.
In order to reduce harmful impact of currency fluctutation due to external factors, the Reserve Bank of Australia should adopt controlled flexible exchange rate based on commodity prices, exchange rate of major convertible currencies and price inflation within a band, as say 12%. That can stabilize export prices in order to promote manufacturing sector. This can prevent rapid increase of prices of import nations. Also, more job positions can be provided in Australia and living standard of Australian citizens can be maintained.
Reference:
'Dollar float good for Aust: Keating', Business Spectator, 12 December 2013, URL: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/12/12/australian-dollar/dollar-float-good-aust-keating , retrieved on 12 December 2013.
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/pdp/2007/pdp02.pdf
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.203.1540&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Exchange rate policy by IMF: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/issues13/index.htm
reports: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/jessica-irvine/happy-30th-birthday-to-our-floating-aussie-dollar/story-fnj45kvd-1226763657590
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/real-estate-price-surge-for-sydney-property-market/story-fni0cx12-1226690654418
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/technology/federal-government-calls-on-holden-boss-mike-devereux-to-give-australia-the-truth-about-its-future/story-fnjwq1p2-1226779214737
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19462454/vic-house-prices-soar-to-record-highs/
http://www.spaa.asn.au/ceo-blog/blog/2013/perfect-storm-in-a-teacup-warnings-of-smsf-property-moneytrap-not-backed-by-figures.aspx#.UqmXf47yzIU
Since 1983, AUD has been proved volatile against major currencies like USD, but the primary commodity prices expressed in AUD show a gradual increasing trend which is less volatile than other currencies, especially in earlier years of implementing flexible exchange rate regime, thus AUD exchange rate often reveals global resources demand and international investment conditions.
In the past 20 years, Reserve Bank of Australia has maintained lower price inflation and less volatile interest rate changes than before, thanked for currency supply and interest rate autonomy.
The house prices in major cities outpace salary increase and a significant part of dwellings have risen to AUD 1 million, which have become unaffordable to general public. Leverage speculation by self managed super funds become a key factor of skyrocketing residential prices.
In addition, it posed pressure on further rent and pay rise, thus Australian goods and services become uncompetitive. Closure of Holden manufacturing plants leading to 50000 job loss, Qantas plan of slashing and outsourcing jobs are major instance for this.
In addition, food processing companies in Australia started to move manufacturing process to New Zealand, in which the wages are 25% less than Australian counterparts (despite of appreciation of New Zealand dollar against AUD). In addition, rigid and pro-union labour laws and strong labour union presence in Australia also prompted the companies to shift the works.
Although flexible exchange rate helped the authorities to adjust currency supply, interest rate and fiscal policies fit to local economic situation, this has caused vigorous changes of exchange rate because the authorities are powerless to turbulent capital flows. High exchange rate and surging land price for years have proven to be hurt the growth of actual economy in Australia.
In order to reduce harmful impact of currency fluctutation due to external factors, the Reserve Bank of Australia should adopt controlled flexible exchange rate based on commodity prices, exchange rate of major convertible currencies and price inflation within a band, as say 12%. That can stabilize export prices in order to promote manufacturing sector. This can prevent rapid increase of prices of import nations. Also, more job positions can be provided in Australia and living standard of Australian citizens can be maintained.
Reference:
'Dollar float good for Aust: Keating', Business Spectator, 12 December 2013, URL: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/12/12/australian-dollar/dollar-float-good-aust-keating , retrieved on 12 December 2013.
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/pdp/2007/pdp02.pdf
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.203.1540&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Exchange rate policy by IMF: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/issues13/index.htm
reports: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/jessica-irvine/happy-30th-birthday-to-our-floating-aussie-dollar/story-fnj45kvd-1226763657590
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/real-estate-price-surge-for-sydney-property-market/story-fni0cx12-1226690654418
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/technology/federal-government-calls-on-holden-boss-mike-devereux-to-give-australia-the-truth-about-its-future/story-fnjwq1p2-1226779214737
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19462454/vic-house-prices-soar-to-record-highs/
http://www.spaa.asn.au/ceo-blog/blog/2013/perfect-storm-in-a-teacup-warnings-of-smsf-property-moneytrap-not-backed-by-figures.aspx#.UqmXf47yzIU
2013年11月29日 星期五
開放巴士經營和恢復非空調巴士
今天下午,九巴向政府申請漲價4.3%,亦是九巴兩年內第二次提出漲價申請.過去數年來,九巴聲稱因營運虧損,油價高企,屢次調漲收費,再加上十多年來全面採用空調車隊,累計上漲達五成,民眾不勝負擔.一直以來,九巴部份路線常因班次不足,路線迂迴等為地區人士詬病,專利制度引致九巴壟斷亦為各界批評.
事實上,不少公共汽車路線由於路線重疊,與火車競爭或因地區人口變遷導致乘客量減少,引致經營虧損;另一方面,運輸署對居民的公共交通需要視若無睹,未有因應新公路開通而開辦新路線滿足居民需求,也令公共汽車公司難以增加車資收入.再者,九巴方面將路訊通(車上電視)廣告和不動產收入撇除出營運收入之外,製造虧損假象.上述兩者如併項計算,九巴每年純利應有約肆億港圓左右.
為了降低營運成本,筆者認為運輸署可將乘客較少路線以牌照形式交由現存的旅遊客車或校車業者經營,並容許它們因應乘客需求自辦路線,惟當局可作適度規範,如限制用車種類和營運範圍,防止市區交通壅塞,也可保持良性競爭藉以維持質素.獨立客車業者可採用30至40座位客車(midibus)取代大型客車,有助控制營運成本,延緩漲價壓力.公共汽車業者可重新購置非空調車輛,因造價,維修費用較廉宜,耗油量僅是空調車的4/7,減少尾氣排放,有助達致減低排放目標.
事實上,不少公共汽車路線由於路線重疊,與火車競爭或因地區人口變遷導致乘客量減少,引致經營虧損;另一方面,運輸署對居民的公共交通需要視若無睹,未有因應新公路開通而開辦新路線滿足居民需求,也令公共汽車公司難以增加車資收入.再者,九巴方面將路訊通(車上電視)廣告和不動產收入撇除出營運收入之外,製造虧損假象.上述兩者如併項計算,九巴每年純利應有約肆億港圓左右.
為了降低營運成本,筆者認為運輸署可將乘客較少路線以牌照形式交由現存的旅遊客車或校車業者經營,並容許它們因應乘客需求自辦路線,惟當局可作適度規範,如限制用車種類和營運範圍,防止市區交通壅塞,也可保持良性競爭藉以維持質素.獨立客車業者可採用30至40座位客車(midibus)取代大型客車,有助控制營運成本,延緩漲價壓力.公共汽車業者可重新購置非空調車輛,因造價,維修費用較廉宜,耗油量僅是空調車的4/7,減少尾氣排放,有助達致減低排放目標.
2013年11月28日 星期四
香港五大公害
最近數周,新聞透視和鏗鏘集先後探討香港出現的市政和環境弊病.本文就此歸納和延伸討論,以及可能的紓解辦法:
光污染:
筆者早在十一年前已參與觀星活動,但是在市區,包括荃灣曹公潭和尖沙咀太空館,夜空常受燈光反射,呈現紫藍色,甚至暗褐色,星光完全被遮蔽.八年前筆者遷居現住所,其位置頗接近貨櫃碼頭,其燈光強烈如白晝,自日落持續至翌日黎明,甚是擾人.
2004年起旅遊事務處舉辦幻彩詠香江燈火匯演,每月至少兩三回,間或加入煙火,令人目眩,徒費能源,更令空氣混濁,此類匯演對吸引旅客恐怕沒有太多正面作用,但騷擾維港兩岸住民作息,此類燈火展示應當減至只在重大節慶,如農曆新年,中秋,聖誕舉行.
要減少光污染,當局可考慮採用類似1973年時實施的燈火管制措施.商店在晚上9時後須關掉外牆和招牌50%燈光,晚上11時後更須完全關上燈光.與此同時電力公司須取消招牌電費折扣,鼓勵節能燈具使用.
招牌:
香港市區不少招牌體積巨大,每每懸空橫亙數條行車線,且達數層樓高,鱗次櫛比,世間罕見.綿密的霓虹燈光線反射回大廈室內,居民徹夜飽受強光照射之苦.商店結束後招牌多被廢置,接手商店多只會翻髹或重鋪招牌而不作修葺,支架常任由風吹雨打,直到鏽壞.數星期前旺角彌敦道招牌倒塌,北行全線封閉數小時,可見其對人命構成嚴重威脅.
路邊攤販:
水資源浪費:
未經回收廢棄物:
光污染:
筆者早在十一年前已參與觀星活動,但是在市區,包括荃灣曹公潭和尖沙咀太空館,夜空常受燈光反射,呈現紫藍色,甚至暗褐色,星光完全被遮蔽.八年前筆者遷居現住所,其位置頗接近貨櫃碼頭,其燈光強烈如白晝,自日落持續至翌日黎明,甚是擾人.
2004年起旅遊事務處舉辦幻彩詠香江燈火匯演,每月至少兩三回,間或加入煙火,令人目眩,徒費能源,更令空氣混濁,此類匯演對吸引旅客恐怕沒有太多正面作用,但騷擾維港兩岸住民作息,此類燈火展示應當減至只在重大節慶,如農曆新年,中秋,聖誕舉行.
要減少光污染,當局可考慮採用類似1973年時實施的燈火管制措施.商店在晚上9時後須關掉外牆和招牌50%燈光,晚上11時後更須完全關上燈光.與此同時電力公司須取消招牌電費折扣,鼓勵節能燈具使用.
招牌:
香港市區不少招牌體積巨大,每每懸空橫亙數條行車線,且達數層樓高,鱗次櫛比,世間罕見.綿密的霓虹燈光線反射回大廈室內,居民徹夜飽受強光照射之苦.商店結束後招牌多被廢置,接手商店多只會翻髹或重鋪招牌而不作修葺,支架常任由風吹雨打,直到鏽壞.數星期前旺角彌敦道招牌倒塌,北行全線封閉數小時,可見其對人命構成嚴重威脅.
路邊攤販:
水資源浪費:
未經回收廢棄物:
2013年11月21日 星期四
傳媒須強烈抵制電視廣播霸道作風
電視廣播因壹傳媒指其就免費電視牌照爭議報道'失實',以及呼籲民眾參與罷看等抵制行動,將壹傳媒列為'不受歡迎媒體',不接受一切採訪.記者協會指電視廣播的行徑開極壞先例,箝制採訪自由.這樣'賊喊捉賊'的言論,必引起公憤.
事實上,電視廣播自開台以來,一直雄霸香港所有種類電視逾50%市場,其種種限制藝人,唱片公司的'霸王條款'長期為各界詬病.但各大媒體以至社會各界對此操縱市場行為卻容忍十多年,這樣一來窒礙香港流行音樂和綜藝節目的發展,品質每下愈況.
面對電視廣播的橫蠻行動,所有報章和網絡媒體應團結一致,停止訪問電視廣播及屬下藝人,通過行動抵制,令其失去宣傳渠道,降低公眾關注度和收視,才可能讓管理層醒悟,促使電視台公平對待媒體.
事實上,電視廣播自開台以來,一直雄霸香港所有種類電視逾50%市場,其種種限制藝人,唱片公司的'霸王條款'長期為各界詬病.但各大媒體以至社會各界對此操縱市場行為卻容忍十多年,這樣一來窒礙香港流行音樂和綜藝節目的發展,品質每下愈況.
面對電視廣播的橫蠻行動,所有報章和網絡媒體應團結一致,停止訪問電視廣播及屬下藝人,通過行動抵制,令其失去宣傳渠道,降低公眾關注度和收視,才可能讓管理層醒悟,促使電視台公平對待媒體.
2013年10月31日 星期四
增加託育服務 減家務助理需求
現時香港共有約32萬名外籍家務助理,大多負責照顧家中兒童,長者,並協助部份家務.近期不少社會人士因菲律賓有關當局拒絕就馬尼拉人質事件受害者家屬道歉,主張抵制菲律賓籍家務助理,勞工和貨品.但有部份意見認為菲律賓籍家務助理佔總量51%,短時間內難以尋找替代來源,因此不應限制菲律賓籍家務助理.
香港引進菲律賓籍家務助理的由來,是1978年馬可斯(Ferdinand Marcos)政權面對經濟蕭條,為解決外匯進出虧空,便開始輸出家務助理彌補貨幣出納缺口.泰國,印尼政府先後仿傚,外籍家務助理蜂擁進來香港.
如停止雇用外籍家務助理,父母或其他親屬因工作難以照顧家中小孩,而祖父母通常無法提供適當照顧,不少家庭將陷入窘局:若父母或長輩其中一人辭職,往往會入不敷出,還可能導致家族間成員紛爭;如獨留兒童在家,一旦發生意外,父母很可能因'疏忽照顧兒童'罪而被判刑.
為解決託管兒童問題,政府和社區組織須增加社區育幼院設施,如初期未能設立,或可暫借社區中心,空置校舍.政府部門,公家機關應以身作則,增加育幼設施地點和容納人數,並因應情況可錯開工作時段,方便照顧幼童.再者,有關當局須協調各組織,提供社區保母,並提供資助,讓在居所或工作地點附近未設立育幼院的家長照顧其子女.教育局應在各小學提供課後託管服務,聘用大學生和實習教師提供補習服務,延長校舍開放時間至晚上七時.
香港引進菲律賓籍家務助理的由來,是1978年馬可斯(Ferdinand Marcos)政權面對經濟蕭條,為解決外匯進出虧空,便開始輸出家務助理彌補貨幣出納缺口.泰國,印尼政府先後仿傚,外籍家務助理蜂擁進來香港.
如停止雇用外籍家務助理,父母或其他親屬因工作難以照顧家中小孩,而祖父母通常無法提供適當照顧,不少家庭將陷入窘局:若父母或長輩其中一人辭職,往往會入不敷出,還可能導致家族間成員紛爭;如獨留兒童在家,一旦發生意外,父母很可能因'疏忽照顧兒童'罪而被判刑.
為解決託管兒童問題,政府和社區組織須增加社區育幼院設施,如初期未能設立,或可暫借社區中心,空置校舍.政府部門,公家機關應以身作則,增加育幼設施地點和容納人數,並因應情況可錯開工作時段,方便照顧幼童.再者,有關當局須協調各組織,提供社區保母,並提供資助,讓在居所或工作地點附近未設立育幼院的家長照顧其子女.教育局應在各小學提供課後託管服務,聘用大學生和實習教師提供補習服務,延長校舍開放時間至晚上七時.
2013年10月29日 星期二
Distorted currency market disrupt real economy
The so-called 'economic cycle' is only due to the control of loans by several bankers, including manipulation of quantity of currency, interest rate, derivatives. Also, 90% of overall foreign exchange transactions and large part of commodity market are based on speculation and thus the prices and exchange rate are actually determined by some powerful bankers, instead of real economic situation or actual purchasing power of countries. When currencies are undervalued, that can reduce purchasing power of citizens and reduce internal consumption. The breakdown of gold or silver based currency system seriously disturbs normal international trade and current account balance. This also contributes to rapid expansion of income gap among individuals and countries.
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2013/10/currency-markets-are-rigged-2/?fb_action_ids=578672548856877&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=hovercard
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2013/10/currency-markets-are-rigged-2/?fb_action_ids=578672548856877&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=hovercard
2013年10月26日 星期六
統計數字失實,工資率和就業意願
"人均生產總值大幅增加達六成"?2000年,香港人均產值約19萬多港圓,但到2012年,只升至27萬左右,名義數值增加約38%,惟同期物價漲30%,換言之經濟沒多大增長,統計數值嚴重失實.這亦反映在千禧科技網絡破滅後,民眾收入連年下跌. 當局有必要實施集體協商制度,工會建議行業基本工資或薪酬,儘速引進每月標準工時180小時,最高工作208小時,提高工資率,吸引較高學歷者加入,紓緩大專生就業困難和提升入職意願. 至於電腦行業雇員近年薪酬上漲現象,不過是追回過去大幅減薪的結果.
2013年10月22日 星期二
香港電視不獲商營電視牌照分析
香港政府最近不給予香港電視(原為城市電訊,但已賣盤)商營電視廣播牌照,引起滿城風雨,民眾抱怨發牌程序不公,惹來各界揣測,一時眾說紛紜.
有說是基於香港電視有可能製作批判中國政府和香港政府的電視節目,招惹中國政府或親北京政客不滿.事實上,商營電視不僅靠廣告收入,還得依賴節目外銷,才能賺取足夠的利潤.而且,劇集和綜藝節目製作往往需與國內以至其他國家的機構合作,從商業角度觀之,香港電視實在不會冒險製作批評中國或香港執政者的內容,不然無法與國內機構合作,其節目無法銷往國內,自斷其重大財政來源.另一方面,王維基被委任為江蘇省政協代表(雖屬榮譽性質居多),相信不敢與國內當局提出不同政見.
為了明白香港電視不獲牌照的緣由,我們須加以細心分析.香港電視所製作的節目以綜藝節目和劇集為主,而且大肆宣傳,明顯是向現有兩家無線電視台挑戰,與現存節目正面交鋒.勿忘數月前電視廣播曾就增加商營電視牌照一事提出司法覆核,指其會減少廣告收入,香港政府為維護既得利益,就此作政治妥協,這恐怕是香港電視不獲牌照的真正原因.
再者,有評論指王維基可能將香港電視苦心經營,待獲得較高收視和廣告收入後將之轉售.此說法不無理據.當年王維基引進回撥長途電話,以廉價服務取得市場份額,而後業務擴展到直撥國際電話和互聯網,再將電訊業務轉售予集多國財團的一家私募基金,套現40億港圓,作為啟動電視台資金.一些觀點認為他會重施故技,不會長期積極經營電視業務.
有說是基於香港電視有可能製作批判中國政府和香港政府的電視節目,招惹中國政府或親北京政客不滿.事實上,商營電視不僅靠廣告收入,還得依賴節目外銷,才能賺取足夠的利潤.而且,劇集和綜藝節目製作往往需與國內以至其他國家的機構合作,從商業角度觀之,香港電視實在不會冒險製作批評中國或香港執政者的內容,不然無法與國內機構合作,其節目無法銷往國內,自斷其重大財政來源.另一方面,王維基被委任為江蘇省政協代表(雖屬榮譽性質居多),相信不敢與國內當局提出不同政見.
為了明白香港電視不獲牌照的緣由,我們須加以細心分析.香港電視所製作的節目以綜藝節目和劇集為主,而且大肆宣傳,明顯是向現有兩家無線電視台挑戰,與現存節目正面交鋒.勿忘數月前電視廣播曾就增加商營電視牌照一事提出司法覆核,指其會減少廣告收入,香港政府為維護既得利益,就此作政治妥協,這恐怕是香港電視不獲牌照的真正原因.
再者,有評論指王維基可能將香港電視苦心經營,待獲得較高收視和廣告收入後將之轉售.此說法不無理據.當年王維基引進回撥長途電話,以廉價服務取得市場份額,而後業務擴展到直撥國際電話和互聯網,再將電訊業務轉售予集多國財團的一家私募基金,套現40億港圓,作為啟動電視台資金.一些觀點認為他會重施故技,不會長期積極經營電視業務.
2013年10月17日 星期四
港圓匯率制度有修改必要
今天是港圓與美圓掛鉤制度實施30週年,金融管理局發表文章,指制度可保持港圓'穩定',而且美圓是世界上流通和認受程度最高的貨幣,是'金融穩定的基石',亦有助其運作.可是,根據過去經驗,香港在採用硬性掛鉤制度後,港圓兌多種貨幣的波幅非但未有減少,更因美圓兌其他貨幣間匯率變化而帶來不確定因素.
自1973年起,使用掛鉤匯率的國家和地區因其缺乏調控彈性,已相繼捐棄此制度.現時只有約肆拾多個國家或地區仍然採用,包括汶萊,海灣合作委員會(GCC,含阿拉伯六個主要產油國),丹麥,西非部份國家和委內瑞拉.
從2003年開始,國際基礎商品價格以倍數上升,直接導致普遍物價上漲.現時香港相當一部份糧食,日用品和輕工業製品從國內進口,人民幣升值助長其升值,企業利潤同時大幅減少.另一方面,由於香港所有原料依賴進口,惟資源國,如澳大利亞,加拿大,貨幣匯率時有變化,而且波動甚大,亦令物價變化難以控制,對基層民眾衝擊尤甚.
2008年初起,美國政府為挽救房市泡沫爆破引發的經濟衰退,以及由於其公債過巨,將其公債和'兩房'(Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac)債券貨幣化,引致上萬億美圓計資金在全球各地流動,資產價格暴漲暴跌,世界各主要國家紛紛效尤,誘發嚴重金融震盪,貨幣貶值.香港在強制結匯下,外來資金流入意味著銀行需大量印鈔,構成資產和物價上漲.
現時美國政府負債達16萬7仟億美圓,而且由於維持健康保險和養老制度,潛藏負債可能更多,維持與美圓掛鉤已日漸不可靠,日本,歐羅區和不列顛亦出現如此趨勢,即使與數種國際硬通貨掛鉤也不靠譜.由此觀之,採用以基礎商品和多種貨幣混合爬行式掛鉤制度,以及引進物資儲備和平準基金可減少港圓以及資產價格波動,並紓緩物價上漲.
自1973年起,使用掛鉤匯率的國家和地區因其缺乏調控彈性,已相繼捐棄此制度.現時只有約肆拾多個國家或地區仍然採用,包括汶萊,海灣合作委員會(GCC,含阿拉伯六個主要產油國),丹麥,西非部份國家和委內瑞拉.
從2003年開始,國際基礎商品價格以倍數上升,直接導致普遍物價上漲.現時香港相當一部份糧食,日用品和輕工業製品從國內進口,人民幣升值助長其升值,企業利潤同時大幅減少.另一方面,由於香港所有原料依賴進口,惟資源國,如澳大利亞,加拿大,貨幣匯率時有變化,而且波動甚大,亦令物價變化難以控制,對基層民眾衝擊尤甚.
2008年初起,美國政府為挽救房市泡沫爆破引發的經濟衰退,以及由於其公債過巨,將其公債和'兩房'(Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac)債券貨幣化,引致上萬億美圓計資金在全球各地流動,資產價格暴漲暴跌,世界各主要國家紛紛效尤,誘發嚴重金融震盪,貨幣貶值.香港在強制結匯下,外來資金流入意味著銀行需大量印鈔,構成資產和物價上漲.
現時美國政府負債達16萬7仟億美圓,而且由於維持健康保險和養老制度,潛藏負債可能更多,維持與美圓掛鉤已日漸不可靠,日本,歐羅區和不列顛亦出現如此趨勢,即使與數種國際硬通貨掛鉤也不靠譜.由此觀之,採用以基礎商品和多種貨幣混合爬行式掛鉤制度,以及引進物資儲備和平準基金可減少港圓以及資產價格波動,並紓緩物價上漲.
2013年10月14日 星期一
香港須進一步抵制菲律賓貨品和服務
就菲律賓總統傲慢回應香港行政長官接見請求一事,激起香港民眾強烈憤怒.不少政界和民間人士要求停止菲律賓籍勞工,主要是家務助理入境,試圖以減少匯款手段向菲律賓政府施壓,換取總統正式道歉.可是尋找替代勞工來源需時,短期內不易達到預期成效.
有建議認為香港政府可通過限制貿易手段,進一步減少外匯收入達致制裁目的.本人認為除了抵制商品外,香港政府應該責令船主和航空公司停止聘用,甚至解雇菲律賓籍船員和機艙人員,以此加強菲律賓民間社會對政府壓力.再者,過去一年香港進口連同再轉口貨物總值達肆佰億港元,佔其總出口值8.5%,而本地留用貨品約有壹佰餘億港元.香港自菲律賓進口產品以半導體和電子電器為大宗,一旦停止進口勢必阻礙其增長勢頭,並可引起國際輿論關注,引發國人減少購買菲律賓貨品.
事實上,菲律賓的產業和貿易主要被世家大族所寡佔,更與統治集團互為犄角,抵制菲律賓貨品必定直接觸動富豪權貴的經濟利益,相信較能有效促使菲律賓當局關注事件,向受害者致歉.
參考:菲律賓出口增長的報道,Strong export performance of Philippines, Tempo-News in a flash,網站: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/09/strong-export-performance-of-philippines/#.Ulv1l47yzIU
有建議認為香港政府可通過限制貿易手段,進一步減少外匯收入達致制裁目的.本人認為除了抵制商品外,香港政府應該責令船主和航空公司停止聘用,甚至解雇菲律賓籍船員和機艙人員,以此加強菲律賓民間社會對政府壓力.再者,過去一年香港進口連同再轉口貨物總值達肆佰億港元,佔其總出口值8.5%,而本地留用貨品約有壹佰餘億港元.香港自菲律賓進口產品以半導體和電子電器為大宗,一旦停止進口勢必阻礙其增長勢頭,並可引起國際輿論關注,引發國人減少購買菲律賓貨品.
事實上,菲律賓的產業和貿易主要被世家大族所寡佔,更與統治集團互為犄角,抵制菲律賓貨品必定直接觸動富豪權貴的經濟利益,相信較能有效促使菲律賓當局關注事件,向受害者致歉.
參考:菲律賓出口增長的報道,Strong export performance of Philippines, Tempo-News in a flash,網站: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/09/strong-export-performance-of-philippines/#.Ulv1l47yzIU
2013年10月10日 星期四
駁資本壹週收回石崗機場論
本星期出版的資本壹週首頁評論提出收回石崗機場等多幅軍事用地,可解決香港住宅,康樂用地匱乏的情況.雖說香港不少供駐港解放軍用地未被有效使用,本人亦贊成收回一部份軍事設施供本地發展,更強烈希望香港政府遊說中央政府,闡述香港土地和房屋嚴重不足,因而收回部份軍營設施的請求.
但是,本人就收回石崗機場的觀點持相當保留態度.首先,石崗機場除了供駐港解放軍使用外,還是香港唯一可供小型飛機升降的機場.倘若石崗機場關閉,香港即失去僅有的飛行訓練基地,亦令高空考察或遊樂用飛行器無處容身.一旦香港被外國空軍入侵,民用機場即被解放軍接管,香港政府隨之失去咽喉要道的控制權.儘管廣東省內有數個空軍基地,但石崗空軍機場守衛香港的作用不可抹煞.
但是,本人就收回石崗機場的觀點持相當保留態度.首先,石崗機場除了供駐港解放軍使用外,還是香港唯一可供小型飛機升降的機場.倘若石崗機場關閉,香港即失去僅有的飛行訓練基地,亦令高空考察或遊樂用飛行器無處容身.一旦香港被外國空軍入侵,民用機場即被解放軍接管,香港政府隨之失去咽喉要道的控制權.儘管廣東省內有數個空軍基地,但石崗空軍機場守衛香港的作用不可抹煞.
2013年10月9日 星期三
抵制菲律賓勞工是正當之舉
有立法會議員提出逐步停止向菲律賓籍家務助理,以至所有勞工,藉經濟手段向菲律賓政府施壓,試圖促使當局向馬尼拉人質事件傷者和遇難者遺屬道歉.
根據現行入境條例,入境事務處處長有權拒絕批准外籍勞工簽證和逗留,以此停止審批新申請.
現時香港有十六萬名菲律賓籍家務助理,而其僱主大多是育有兒童的家庭,選擇菲律賓籍家務助理的原因是普遍具備一定英語能力,不易被泰國,印尼籍家傭取代.
這次立法會議員提出議案並非即時全面遣返,而是合約屆滿後不能續約,相信已考慮尋找替代人員需要數月甚至上一年,盡可能減少安排上的不便.
事實上,不是菲律賓籍家務助理僅視香港為跳板,最終會選擇到美加或歐洲工作.
參考:電視廣播新聞,2013-8-31, http://news.tvb.com/local/5221deca6db28cd676000005
根據現行入境條例,入境事務處處長有權拒絕批准外籍勞工簽證和逗留,以此停止審批新申請.
現時香港有十六萬名菲律賓籍家務助理,而其僱主大多是育有兒童的家庭,選擇菲律賓籍家務助理的原因是普遍具備一定英語能力,不易被泰國,印尼籍家傭取代.
這次立法會議員提出議案並非即時全面遣返,而是合約屆滿後不能續約,相信已考慮尋找替代人員需要數月甚至上一年,盡可能減少安排上的不便.
事實上,不是菲律賓籍家務助理僅視香港為跳板,最終會選擇到美加或歐洲工作.
參考:電視廣播新聞,2013-8-31, http://news.tvb.com/local/5221deca6db28cd676000005
2013年6月30日 星期日
克羅地亞加入歐洲聯盟 機遇與挑戰
2013年7月1日,前南斯拉夫克羅地亞共和國正式加入歐洲聯盟,成為第28會員國.其申請和協商程序前後延宕10年,即使在2011年12月歐盟27會員國與克羅地亞共同簽署加入協議,但經相關所有國家議會批准也花上一年多時間.在申請加入之初,克羅地亞在農業,司法,稅制方面未達歐盟平均標準,而環保層面上更遠遠落後於西歐.
雖然克羅地亞社會已逐漸擺脫獨裁政治和南斯拉夫戰爭的陰霾,惟直到今日,該國仍飽受行政低效,貪污,國企寡佔,高負債等等政經問題困擾.儘管貪瀆情況沒有羅馬尼亞和保加利亞加入歐盟時那麼嚴重.
最近一集由DW-TV製作的Made In Germany報道,克羅地亞南端是歐洲風力最強勁地區之一,有德國投資人在當地建造風力發電場,但行政手續極其繁複,程序冗長,但投資人坦言那裡具備一定條件和發展機會.這事例證明克羅地亞亟需全面制度改革,以提昇營商便利程度.
事實上,克羅地亞擁有綿長阿德里亞海海岸線和多個大大小小島嶼,又與中歐連接,可成為海陸運輸的轉接點.當局可利用地理優勢,設立經濟特區,通過稅務減免引進資金,打破國企寡佔,吸納過剩工人,更可發展海洋產業,提高技術和產能.
克羅地亞加入歐盟意味著當地農,工業者須面臨歐洲共同市場競爭,亦須符合歐盟的環保生產規範.當局必須協助本土產業提高工藝層次,包括技術支援和低息貸款等補助,以及組成合作社,幫助業者面對重大競爭考驗.
此外當局更須進一步整飭貪瀆,厲行法治,對銀行金融業實施嚴格規範,控制債務,讓投資人對該國政經環境具備信心,始可增加稅收,藉此獲得歐盟配對資金開展建設,提高人民生活素質,使該國法制,經濟趨向奧地利,德國等進步國家水準.
外部連結: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/30/2999645/will-eu-entry-boost-or-hamper.html , Will EU entry boost or hamper Croatia tourism? NewsObserver.com, 30 June 2013.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/will-eu-membership-help-croatia-find-closure-8679333.html, Will EU membership help Croatia find closure? The Independent, 28 June 2013.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/croatia/10107828/Why-joining-the-EU-is-so-hard-to-swallow-for-Croatias-winemakers.html, Why joining EU is so hard to swallow for Croatia's winemakers, The Telegraph, 8 June 2013.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/29/us-croatia-eu-idUSBRE95S0FT20130629, Mired in recession, ex-Yugoslav Croatia joins troubled EU, Reuters, 29 June 2013.
http://news.yahoo.com/factbox-balkan-states-hope-croatia-eu-225556915.html, Factbox: Balkan states hope to follow Croatia into EU, 30 June 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/29/opinion/global/croatia-and-the-eu.html?_r=0, Croatia and the EU, The New York Times, 29 June 2013.
http://www.france24.com/en/20130630-croatia-prepares-eu-entry-party, Croatia prepares for EU entry party, France24, 30 June 2013.
雖然克羅地亞社會已逐漸擺脫獨裁政治和南斯拉夫戰爭的陰霾,惟直到今日,該國仍飽受行政低效,貪污,國企寡佔,高負債等等政經問題困擾.儘管貪瀆情況沒有羅馬尼亞和保加利亞加入歐盟時那麼嚴重.
最近一集由DW-TV製作的Made In Germany報道,克羅地亞南端是歐洲風力最強勁地區之一,有德國投資人在當地建造風力發電場,但行政手續極其繁複,程序冗長,但投資人坦言那裡具備一定條件和發展機會.這事例證明克羅地亞亟需全面制度改革,以提昇營商便利程度.
事實上,克羅地亞擁有綿長阿德里亞海海岸線和多個大大小小島嶼,又與中歐連接,可成為海陸運輸的轉接點.當局可利用地理優勢,設立經濟特區,通過稅務減免引進資金,打破國企寡佔,吸納過剩工人,更可發展海洋產業,提高技術和產能.
克羅地亞加入歐盟意味著當地農,工業者須面臨歐洲共同市場競爭,亦須符合歐盟的環保生產規範.當局必須協助本土產業提高工藝層次,包括技術支援和低息貸款等補助,以及組成合作社,幫助業者面對重大競爭考驗.
此外當局更須進一步整飭貪瀆,厲行法治,對銀行金融業實施嚴格規範,控制債務,讓投資人對該國政經環境具備信心,始可增加稅收,藉此獲得歐盟配對資金開展建設,提高人民生活素質,使該國法制,經濟趨向奧地利,德國等進步國家水準.
外部連結: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/30/2999645/will-eu-entry-boost-or-hamper.html , Will EU entry boost or hamper Croatia tourism? NewsObserver.com, 30 June 2013.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/will-eu-membership-help-croatia-find-closure-8679333.html, Will EU membership help Croatia find closure? The Independent, 28 June 2013.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/croatia/10107828/Why-joining-the-EU-is-so-hard-to-swallow-for-Croatias-winemakers.html, Why joining EU is so hard to swallow for Croatia's winemakers, The Telegraph, 8 June 2013.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/29/us-croatia-eu-idUSBRE95S0FT20130629, Mired in recession, ex-Yugoslav Croatia joins troubled EU, Reuters, 29 June 2013.
http://news.yahoo.com/factbox-balkan-states-hope-croatia-eu-225556915.html, Factbox: Balkan states hope to follow Croatia into EU, 30 June 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/29/opinion/global/croatia-and-the-eu.html?_r=0, Croatia and the EU, The New York Times, 29 June 2013.
http://www.france24.com/en/20130630-croatia-prepares-eu-entry-party, Croatia prepares for EU entry party, France24, 30 June 2013.
2013年6月28日 星期五
聲援貨櫃碼頭工人罷工 天經地義
上星期四,葵涌貨櫃(集裝箱)碼頭爆發工潮,一百多名工人因不滿工資偏低,工時過長,遂圍堵馬路抗議. 工人聲稱,他們須連續工作12至24小時始獲休息,在起卸尖峰時段更須連續工作72小時. 可是,他們的極端辛勞被資本家賤視.和記黃埔旗下香港國際貨櫃碼頭工人指他們原本獲直接聘用, 但後來改為通過外判商聘用,工資亦隨之下降,至今未恢復至15年前工資基準. 更糟的是,香港國際貨櫃碼頭和承辦商往往在意外發生後隱瞞事件,限制採訪並給予'掩口費', 令外界難以得悉意外成因,亦無法讓獨立人士分析和建議,防範日後類似事件發生.
黃色工會分化工人 早在工潮爆發之初,貨櫃碼頭公司和外判商在未有充份通知多數工人下,便與工聯會談論漲工資條件, 然而外判商提出的漲幅僅5%,遠少於工人的要求,而且工聯會誘使工人接受苛刻條件,盡快復工, 意圖破壞工人提出改善工資待遇的堅決訴求.
外判制度是元兇 過去貨櫃碼頭營運商傾向直接僱用工人,但後來由於分工日趨精細,以及試圖控制成本, 因而引進外判制度.可是,此例一開即引發惡性競爭,以及'判上判',結果工資下降,中間剝削日趨嚴重. 據不完整統計,貨櫃碼頭營運商給予外判工人工資總額竟有約三成被中間分判商賺去! 貨櫃碼頭營運商在選擇分判業者時,徹底漠視工人的安全.據了解,判頭在安排工作流程時, 未有充分考量工人安全;直到數年前當局才引進考核制度,確保工人曾接受一定的安全訓練.
禁制罷工實屬霸王硬上弓 高等法院下達裁決,就貨櫃碼頭工人請願行動頒布臨時禁制令,禁止工會領袖參與.此外分判商威脅 工人須在4月2日早上10時答應復工,否則'永不錄用'.上述行動充分體現資本家強行動搖工人爭取 勞動成果的意志,更是利用財力和制度上的漏洞,粗暴打壓工人維護應有權益行動. 但是,眾多工人無懼嚴苛威嚇,堅持正義訴求,我們需發揚愛德精神,必然與工人們站在同一陣線!根據基本法,香港居民享罷工自由,而且按職工會條例,法院不能受理任何針對罷工行動的侵權訴訟, 這樣的裁決實屬對相關法律的藐視和踐踏!
解決之道: 1.終止外判制度:分判商通過從營運商繳付服務費和工資的差額取利,多重分判必定層層剋扣, 工人所得進一步下降.所有貨櫃碼頭工人應由碼頭管理公司統一聘請,驅除中盤業者剝削, 讓工資直接到工人之手.雖然碼頭管理公司或須僱用更多中層管理人員,但以其規模之大, 中層管理人員薪酬總額與外判商剝削比較,只屬一筆小數額.
2.香港數家貨櫃碼頭經營者須自行承擔周邊設施基建費用,有別於世界多數地區,導致營運成本過高, 因而令處理費冠全球.政府有必要承擔碼頭及其周邊設施的建設和維護費用,降低運作成本, 並修訂競爭法規,適度規管利潤,藉此調減處理費,以維持香港國際競爭力,提升整體運輸量.
3.統一認證:勞工處須接管所有貨櫃碼頭工人的職業安全訓練和考核制度,提升安全規範, 避免自我監督,也有利工人在不同機構流轉.
4.提高待遇,吸引新人入行:除了有系統的培訓以外,改善工作條件也是招攬新人的關鍵. 有關部門須監察貨櫃碼頭營運者是否充分執行安全措施,並在營運合約加入相關條款, 確保工人可獲得職業安全訓練和設備. 在僱用新職工的條款中,工時可適度減至每月200小時,但初期可定為每月216小時,但工資率可按比例 調整(每小時$67-70),讓工人作息平衡,提高注意力,減少意外發生機會.
原文發佈於2013年4月1日,10:40pm
Support strike of stevedores
Support stevedores of Hong Kong Container Terminals: Stop outsourcing, rise hourly wages by 30%, give back benefits
Stevedores in Hong Kong International Terminal have suffered in extreme long working hours and poor working conditions for several years. They have often work for 12 to 24 hours continuously, and even 72 hours during peak time. Worst still, they are employed by outsourcing agents, which expropriate wages and welfare of stevedores for profits of agents, while some of the agents are in fact high-ranking management personnel of HIT. Such tricks allow HIT, operator of the Container Terminal, to evade responsibility of compensation, retire fund, etc.
HIT and contractors often conceal industry accident involved in docks by imposing restriction on the press and pay 'concealing fees' so outsiders cannot know the reasons of the accidents. Also, indepedent researchers cannot give any advice and recommendations to prevent further accidents.
The High Court announced a verdict that HIT can impose a temporary injunction against trade union involving in the strike. Such action revealed that right-protection action by labourers are blatantly suppressed by the capitalists, who are basking on financial power and loopholes of legal system. According to Basic Law, residents in Hong Kong have freedom of industrial action. Also under existing laws, lawcourts cannot accept lawsuits against strikes. Such verdict is extreme contempt and violation to related laws!
Our request:
Stop outsourcing to eliminate exploitation by agents,
Rise hourly wages by 30%,
Give back compensation, benefits like retirement funds,
Reduce working hours to 216 per month
Please support stevedores' strike action by signing on: https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/li-ka-shing-cheung-kong-holdings-chairman-matthew-cheung-stop-outsourcing-rise-hourly-wages-by-30-give-back-benefits
The original text was distributed on 3 April 2013, 10:12pm.
黃色工會分化工人 早在工潮爆發之初,貨櫃碼頭公司和外判商在未有充份通知多數工人下,便與工聯會談論漲工資條件, 然而外判商提出的漲幅僅5%,遠少於工人的要求,而且工聯會誘使工人接受苛刻條件,盡快復工, 意圖破壞工人提出改善工資待遇的堅決訴求.
外判制度是元兇 過去貨櫃碼頭營運商傾向直接僱用工人,但後來由於分工日趨精細,以及試圖控制成本, 因而引進外判制度.可是,此例一開即引發惡性競爭,以及'判上判',結果工資下降,中間剝削日趨嚴重. 據不完整統計,貨櫃碼頭營運商給予外判工人工資總額竟有約三成被中間分判商賺去! 貨櫃碼頭營運商在選擇分判業者時,徹底漠視工人的安全.據了解,判頭在安排工作流程時, 未有充分考量工人安全;直到數年前當局才引進考核制度,確保工人曾接受一定的安全訓練.
禁制罷工實屬霸王硬上弓 高等法院下達裁決,就貨櫃碼頭工人請願行動頒布臨時禁制令,禁止工會領袖參與.此外分判商威脅 工人須在4月2日早上10時答應復工,否則'永不錄用'.上述行動充分體現資本家強行動搖工人爭取 勞動成果的意志,更是利用財力和制度上的漏洞,粗暴打壓工人維護應有權益行動. 但是,眾多工人無懼嚴苛威嚇,堅持正義訴求,我們需發揚愛德精神,必然與工人們站在同一陣線!根據基本法,香港居民享罷工自由,而且按職工會條例,法院不能受理任何針對罷工行動的侵權訴訟, 這樣的裁決實屬對相關法律的藐視和踐踏!
解決之道: 1.終止外判制度:分判商通過從營運商繳付服務費和工資的差額取利,多重分判必定層層剋扣, 工人所得進一步下降.所有貨櫃碼頭工人應由碼頭管理公司統一聘請,驅除中盤業者剝削, 讓工資直接到工人之手.雖然碼頭管理公司或須僱用更多中層管理人員,但以其規模之大, 中層管理人員薪酬總額與外判商剝削比較,只屬一筆小數額.
2.香港數家貨櫃碼頭經營者須自行承擔周邊設施基建費用,有別於世界多數地區,導致營運成本過高, 因而令處理費冠全球.政府有必要承擔碼頭及其周邊設施的建設和維護費用,降低運作成本, 並修訂競爭法規,適度規管利潤,藉此調減處理費,以維持香港國際競爭力,提升整體運輸量.
3.統一認證:勞工處須接管所有貨櫃碼頭工人的職業安全訓練和考核制度,提升安全規範, 避免自我監督,也有利工人在不同機構流轉.
4.提高待遇,吸引新人入行:除了有系統的培訓以外,改善工作條件也是招攬新人的關鍵. 有關部門須監察貨櫃碼頭營運者是否充分執行安全措施,並在營運合約加入相關條款, 確保工人可獲得職業安全訓練和設備. 在僱用新職工的條款中,工時可適度減至每月200小時,但初期可定為每月216小時,但工資率可按比例 調整(每小時$67-70),讓工人作息平衡,提高注意力,減少意外發生機會.
原文發佈於2013年4月1日,10:40pm
Support strike of stevedores
Support stevedores of Hong Kong Container Terminals: Stop outsourcing, rise hourly wages by 30%, give back benefits
Stevedores in Hong Kong International Terminal have suffered in extreme long working hours and poor working conditions for several years. They have often work for 12 to 24 hours continuously, and even 72 hours during peak time. Worst still, they are employed by outsourcing agents, which expropriate wages and welfare of stevedores for profits of agents, while some of the agents are in fact high-ranking management personnel of HIT. Such tricks allow HIT, operator of the Container Terminal, to evade responsibility of compensation, retire fund, etc.
HIT and contractors often conceal industry accident involved in docks by imposing restriction on the press and pay 'concealing fees' so outsiders cannot know the reasons of the accidents. Also, indepedent researchers cannot give any advice and recommendations to prevent further accidents.
The High Court announced a verdict that HIT can impose a temporary injunction against trade union involving in the strike. Such action revealed that right-protection action by labourers are blatantly suppressed by the capitalists, who are basking on financial power and loopholes of legal system. According to Basic Law, residents in Hong Kong have freedom of industrial action. Also under existing laws, lawcourts cannot accept lawsuits against strikes. Such verdict is extreme contempt and violation to related laws!
Our request:
Stop outsourcing to eliminate exploitation by agents,
Rise hourly wages by 30%,
Give back compensation, benefits like retirement funds,
Reduce working hours to 216 per month
Please support stevedores' strike action by signing on: https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/li-ka-shing-cheung-kong-holdings-chairman-matthew-cheung-stop-outsourcing-rise-hourly-wages-by-30-give-back-benefits
The original text was distributed on 3 April 2013, 10:12pm.
新界東北大興土木,為誰發展,誰可得益
近日政府低調推出新界東北,含粉嶺,打鼓嶺,古洞地區的開發建議草案,諮詢期至本月底結束.雖然規劃署在過去三年就此事諮詢公眾,但一直缺乏民眾關注和傳媒報道,而且溝通渠道不足,令多數香港居民對此不知情,或一知半解.事實上,這是一個龐大的城市規劃案,不僅關係到大地主和居民間的角力,還牽涉到香港特區居民的住房和產業結構,是一項影響民生的巨型工程.
在此,我們有以下訴求:
香港政府須重新全面諮詢民眾,就新市鎮和土地開發廣攬意見,鼓勵公眾踴躍參與;
撤回'特區中的特區'讓國內居民自由出入計劃;
限制低密度住宅佔總住宅地面積10%;
通過換地和容積率轉移方式,收回60%大地主手上土地,以保留農田,建造工業園和經濟房屋;
管制開發商利潤至毛利20%,預留最少40%樓板面積供香港特區居民以個人名義購房;
提供租稅優惠,鼓勵本地和中外企業在新市鎮,開山或填海區建立高新產業工廠,促進就業.
規劃署就新界東北新發展區規劃及工程研究: http://www.nentnda.gov.hk/
<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/%E7%B6%AD%E8%AD%B7%E5%9C%9F%E5%9C%B0%E5%85%AC%E7%BE%A9-%E8%B8%A2%E7%88%86%E8%AC%8A%E8%A8%80%E7%99%BC%E5%B1%95.html">新界東北大興土木,為誰發展,誰可得益 Petition | GoPetition</a>
九七後最大規模逼遷，新界東北居民衝場抗議,連結: http://www.inmediahk.net/%E4%B9%9D%E4%B8%83%E5%BE%8C%E6%9C%80%E5%A4%A7%E8%A6%8F%E6%A8%A1%E9%80%BC%E9%81%B7%EF%BC%8C%E6%96%B0%E7%95%8C%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%97%E5%B1%85%E6%B0%91%E8%A1%9D%E5%A0%B4%E6%8A%97%E8%AD%B0 ,周嘉怡, 香港獨立媒體, 2012年8月18日
原文發佈於2012年8月22日,3:52pm.
在此,我們有以下訴求:
香港政府須重新全面諮詢民眾,就新市鎮和土地開發廣攬意見,鼓勵公眾踴躍參與;
撤回'特區中的特區'讓國內居民自由出入計劃;
限制低密度住宅佔總住宅地面積10%;
通過換地和容積率轉移方式,收回60%大地主手上土地,以保留農田,建造工業園和經濟房屋;
管制開發商利潤至毛利20%,預留最少40%樓板面積供香港特區居民以個人名義購房;
提供租稅優惠,鼓勵本地和中外企業在新市鎮,開山或填海區建立高新產業工廠,促進就業.
規劃署就新界東北新發展區規劃及工程研究: http://www.nentnda.gov.hk/
<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/%E7%B6%AD%E8%AD%B7%E5%9C%9F%E5%9C%B0%E5%85%AC%E7%BE%A9-%E8%B8%A2%E7%88%86%E8%AC%8A%E8%A8%80%E7%99%BC%E5%B1%95.html">新界東北大興土木,為誰發展,誰可得益 Petition | GoPetition</a>
九七後最大規模逼遷，新界東北居民衝場抗議,連結: http://www.inmediahk.net/%E4%B9%9D%E4%B8%83%E5%BE%8C%E6%9C%80%E5%A4%A7%E8%A6%8F%E6%A8%A1%E9%80%BC%E9%81%B7%EF%BC%8C%E6%96%B0%E7%95%8C%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%97%E5%B1%85%E6%B0%91%E8%A1%9D%E5%A0%B4%E6%8A%97%E8%AD%B0 ,周嘉怡, 香港獨立媒體, 2012年8月18日
原文發佈於2012年8月22日,3:52pm.
(轉載)機器將進一步主宰工廠
根據中央社轉載紐約時報報道,荷蘭飛利浦工廠利用自動機械臂,全天候生產電刮鬍刀,所需工作人員僅及傳統工廠的1/10.
網址鍵接: http://tw.news.yahoo.com/未來工廠-機器人當道-155212459--finance.html
http://dailynews.sina.com/bg/tw/twfinance/cna/20120819/17253688375.html
由此看來,他日的生產程序將會被研發生產機械,設計程式的工程師全面控制,'專家管治'的年代來臨.
然而,工人被機器取代後,必然面臨失業和貧窮,更大比例的生產利潤由資本家瓜分.
一旦大眾失去收入,商品銷路收縮,定必陷入產能過剩,資金斷裂,企業裁員,以至經濟長期蕭條,工業文明終必自我顛覆.
原文發佈於2012年8月20日,8:19pm.
網址鍵接: http://tw.news.yahoo.com/未來工廠-機器人當道-155212459--finance.html
http://dailynews.sina.com/bg/tw/twfinance/cna/20120819/17253688375.html
由此看來,他日的生產程序將會被研發生產機械,設計程式的工程師全面控制,'專家管治'的年代來臨.
然而,工人被機器取代後,必然面臨失業和貧窮,更大比例的生產利潤由資本家瓜分.
一旦大眾失去收入,商品銷路收縮,定必陷入產能過剩,資金斷裂,企業裁員,以至經濟長期蕭條,工業文明終必自我顛覆.
原文發佈於2012年8月20日,8:19pm.
How to achieve democracy of masses?
The spirit of democracy is active participation of public in policy decision making process and other public affairs. Electoral democracy is essential in modern democratic systems, but it still cannot represent the will of the many.
It is because elected governments or councils are not truly representative of national opinion since discrepancies often found in most voting systems, which election results cannot correspond to proportion of votes of each candidate, and thus certain groups or communities, or their agents are excluded from policy making process.
Most of the funds of politicians actually come from powerful capitalists. When we cast our votes to them, we do recognize the legitimacy of the ruling system, which is subject to predatory capitalism, and surrender our power to officials or councilors, who are often subject to the power and interest of capitalists.
There are lots of evidence to prove that electoral system cannot reduce, but expand the economic and social inequality. For example, in the past three decades, several governments reduced taxes of the rich, relaxed the regulations on banks, property sector and capital flow. Many public utilities have become share corporation. That has lead to wild fluctuation in asset prices, escalating public and private debts, unstable employment, wage reduction, increasing disproportion in wealth distribution, bank crises and deposit protection in expense of taxpayers. Another example is various governments set up surveillance systems and anti-terrorism laws under the name of "protection of safety of citizens". The major reason of this is only a FEW major enterprises and politicians being involved in the legislation process. In the other words, the voice of general masses are IGNORED.
Therefore, we should find out other methods to make our ideas or views to be represented and practised. To practise the "real" spirit of democracy, we should actively participate daily issues around us, and to raise the attention of these among our family members, relatives, schoolmates, colleagues, union members and friends. For example, residents of an estate should express their opinions and involve in decision of setting and management of communal facilities because they are familiar to the facilities and daily operations of the estate, rather than officials.
The participatory democracy system can be implemented by steps below: First, we should mention the problems we faced to other members of the community, such as quality of public services, labour rights, like wages and working safety conditions, welfare issues, etc. and persuade relatives or colleagues to concern about these.
Second, we can gather the opinions of an issue that we concerned, and propose recommendations to tackle the problems. We may set up posters or billboards at communal places of housing estate, schools or universities, or on walls outside community centres, councilors' offices, trade union centres or religious gathering places. We should respect comments of the members and find out the pros and cons of ideas by each one. In order to reach consensus, we can analyse and discuss all possible methods and discuss to each other. This can make the members of communities to understand and agree the proposed plan.
Third, we can draft an action plan for the issues that we concerned. We can connect authorities or organizations that are responsible to the scope of the plans. Also, any members who have spare time may join the organizations in order to involve in the planning and implementation process directly. That may make our projects become practical. We can find local councilors to seek support in organizing activities, since they can help us to promote the activities to other residents or groups, and to explain the importance of participation. Those promotion can let more people being involved in implementation process and make the actions powerful.
In Hong Kong SAR, not all of district councilors are elected by voters. Some of them are appointed by the government and the rest are ex-officio members, who are rural committee chairpersons. Moreover, district councils are basically advisory boards and do not have much power to manage amenities. They also cannot decide the town planning, use of funds and provision of public services. The absence of city council also impede co-ordination of social projects involving two or more districts, and reduce the efficiency of handling territory-wide issues.
Because the existing ruling system in Hong Kong SAR is dominated by administrative departments, the district councils should have wider range of functions in management of amenities and regional matters, and all of the councilors should be directly elected, in order to make the councils represent the will of the public. The total district council members should be reduced to 300 in order to smooth the decision-making process. Also, more resources can be allocated to each councilor to improve the services to the communities.
The original text was distributed on 5 July 2012, 10:56pm.
It is because elected governments or councils are not truly representative of national opinion since discrepancies often found in most voting systems, which election results cannot correspond to proportion of votes of each candidate, and thus certain groups or communities, or their agents are excluded from policy making process.
Most of the funds of politicians actually come from powerful capitalists. When we cast our votes to them, we do recognize the legitimacy of the ruling system, which is subject to predatory capitalism, and surrender our power to officials or councilors, who are often subject to the power and interest of capitalists.
There are lots of evidence to prove that electoral system cannot reduce, but expand the economic and social inequality. For example, in the past three decades, several governments reduced taxes of the rich, relaxed the regulations on banks, property sector and capital flow. Many public utilities have become share corporation. That has lead to wild fluctuation in asset prices, escalating public and private debts, unstable employment, wage reduction, increasing disproportion in wealth distribution, bank crises and deposit protection in expense of taxpayers. Another example is various governments set up surveillance systems and anti-terrorism laws under the name of "protection of safety of citizens". The major reason of this is only a FEW major enterprises and politicians being involved in the legislation process. In the other words, the voice of general masses are IGNORED.
Therefore, we should find out other methods to make our ideas or views to be represented and practised. To practise the "real" spirit of democracy, we should actively participate daily issues around us, and to raise the attention of these among our family members, relatives, schoolmates, colleagues, union members and friends. For example, residents of an estate should express their opinions and involve in decision of setting and management of communal facilities because they are familiar to the facilities and daily operations of the estate, rather than officials.
The participatory democracy system can be implemented by steps below: First, we should mention the problems we faced to other members of the community, such as quality of public services, labour rights, like wages and working safety conditions, welfare issues, etc. and persuade relatives or colleagues to concern about these.
Second, we can gather the opinions of an issue that we concerned, and propose recommendations to tackle the problems. We may set up posters or billboards at communal places of housing estate, schools or universities, or on walls outside community centres, councilors' offices, trade union centres or religious gathering places. We should respect comments of the members and find out the pros and cons of ideas by each one. In order to reach consensus, we can analyse and discuss all possible methods and discuss to each other. This can make the members of communities to understand and agree the proposed plan.
Third, we can draft an action plan for the issues that we concerned. We can connect authorities or organizations that are responsible to the scope of the plans. Also, any members who have spare time may join the organizations in order to involve in the planning and implementation process directly. That may make our projects become practical. We can find local councilors to seek support in organizing activities, since they can help us to promote the activities to other residents or groups, and to explain the importance of participation. Those promotion can let more people being involved in implementation process and make the actions powerful.
In Hong Kong SAR, not all of district councilors are elected by voters. Some of them are appointed by the government and the rest are ex-officio members, who are rural committee chairpersons. Moreover, district councils are basically advisory boards and do not have much power to manage amenities. They also cannot decide the town planning, use of funds and provision of public services. The absence of city council also impede co-ordination of social projects involving two or more districts, and reduce the efficiency of handling territory-wide issues.
Because the existing ruling system in Hong Kong SAR is dominated by administrative departments, the district councils should have wider range of functions in management of amenities and regional matters, and all of the councilors should be directly elected, in order to make the councils represent the will of the public. The total district council members should be reduced to 300 in order to smooth the decision-making process. Also, more resources can be allocated to each councilor to improve the services to the communities.
The original text was distributed on 5 July 2012, 10:56pm.
Does Universal Suffrage equate to democracy?
Universal suffrage is a method to represent the opinion of public. Voters can choose (a) representative(s) who has/have similar opinions in public policy or governing under a relatively fair and just procedure. The basis of this is to choose intermediates who collect public opinion and make their voice heard, in order to make measures or policies favourable to the public more likely being implemented.
However, standing for elections can be very costly because massive election campaigns must be held in order to address ideas of candidates and draw attention of voters. Actually, political groups receive most of donations from large, influential enterprises for expenditures of their daily opeations and election campaigns. That means wealthy fews can interfere with the agenda of politicians and orientation of mass media. Elected governments will become an apparatus of the major enterprises to control the society and thus the promises by politicians often render meaningless.
Also, most of the citizens only cast the vote to well-known personalities because they have to make their voting decision under limited information provided by mainstream media. That have effectively barred general public, including "real" independent candidates to participate the decision-making of public affairs and legislation process.
Worst still, most of election systems cannot prevent demagogues to seize the power and manoeuvring the governing structure and legal system to take advantage by themselves, or even implement repressive measures, like "suspending" or depriving the rights of citizens, especially under economic depression.
The original text was distributed on 4 July 2012, 10:07pm.
However, standing for elections can be very costly because massive election campaigns must be held in order to address ideas of candidates and draw attention of voters. Actually, political groups receive most of donations from large, influential enterprises for expenditures of their daily opeations and election campaigns. That means wealthy fews can interfere with the agenda of politicians and orientation of mass media. Elected governments will become an apparatus of the major enterprises to control the society and thus the promises by politicians often render meaningless.
Also, most of the citizens only cast the vote to well-known personalities because they have to make their voting decision under limited information provided by mainstream media. That have effectively barred general public, including "real" independent candidates to participate the decision-making of public affairs and legislation process.
Worst still, most of election systems cannot prevent demagogues to seize the power and manoeuvring the governing structure and legal system to take advantage by themselves, or even implement repressive measures, like "suspending" or depriving the rights of citizens, especially under economic depression.
The original text was distributed on 4 July 2012, 10:07pm.
從開發商及金融業者醜聞反思企業管治
近年,不少企業被揭發以高風險手法經營,或發生爭奪繼承權,甚至捲入法律訴訟,但股權集中於特定集團手上,結果令企業面臨重大沖擊,決策人物不能掌管大局,社會各界對企業管理層失去信任,以至股價暴跌.
這不禁讓人反思現行企業架構和監察制度是否健全.
首先從董事會架構入手,才可以了解企業一旦失去'靈魂人物',決策能力便大大減弱.
在多數普通法地區,單一營運層面董事會是最普遍的決策層面架構,往往只有主席,副主席,執行董事和非執行董事.即使是公開上市的股份有限公司,主要股東常擔任主席和行政總裁.董事成員通常也是主要股東及其親友.這種結構的優點是可讓創辦人及其熟人網絡直接運營企業,提高運作效率和有利企業迅速決策,擴展業務.
但當企業達到相對龐大的規模,牽涉到多項業務,員工和股東人數亦與日俱增.主要股東往往不易監督部門運作,公司,主要股東和大眾股東的利益很可能互相衝突,尤其大眾股東要求企業問責和管理,運作穩定.非執行董事無法有效平衡主要股東和大眾股東的利益,亦未必為公司發展帶來建樹.
為了平衡公司發展,主要股東和零散股東的利益和期望落差,上市企業管理層須接受不具,或極少利害衝突人士監察.
公司為了增加營業額,經常作快速或不必要的擴充,甚至利用高倍借貸等手段,必然削弱財務穩定.更甚者,主要股東或決策者可以運用財技,為自身撈取巨額經濟利益,罔顧企業的持續能力和零散股東財務收入.
兩層董事會架構(two-tier board system)包括執行委員會(executive board)和監察委員會(supervisory board),而監察委員由大眾股東投票產生.不少歐洲聯盟成員,如德國,荷蘭,以至一些亞洲國家,如印尼,都實行這種監察制度.
以德國為例,大型企業(Aktiengesellschaften)監察委員會(Aufsichtsrat)由十名大眾股東選出代表和十名員工代表組成.他們可以委任執行委員會(Vorstand)成員,以及具備通過重大決議的權力.
此制度理論上有助零散股東監督企業領導人的表現和管理手法,並提供法定機制,平衡主要股東勢力.股東監察委員可以瞭解企業內部重大決策過程,也可減少企業不當或冒進經營可能性.
原文發佈於2012年5月31日,4:28pm.
這不禁讓人反思現行企業架構和監察制度是否健全.
首先從董事會架構入手,才可以了解企業一旦失去'靈魂人物',決策能力便大大減弱.
在多數普通法地區,單一營運層面董事會是最普遍的決策層面架構,往往只有主席,副主席,執行董事和非執行董事.即使是公開上市的股份有限公司,主要股東常擔任主席和行政總裁.董事成員通常也是主要股東及其親友.這種結構的優點是可讓創辦人及其熟人網絡直接運營企業,提高運作效率和有利企業迅速決策,擴展業務.
但當企業達到相對龐大的規模,牽涉到多項業務,員工和股東人數亦與日俱增.主要股東往往不易監督部門運作,公司,主要股東和大眾股東的利益很可能互相衝突,尤其大眾股東要求企業問責和管理,運作穩定.非執行董事無法有效平衡主要股東和大眾股東的利益,亦未必為公司發展帶來建樹.
為了平衡公司發展,主要股東和零散股東的利益和期望落差,上市企業管理層須接受不具,或極少利害衝突人士監察.
公司為了增加營業額,經常作快速或不必要的擴充,甚至利用高倍借貸等手段,必然削弱財務穩定.更甚者,主要股東或決策者可以運用財技,為自身撈取巨額經濟利益,罔顧企業的持續能力和零散股東財務收入.
兩層董事會架構(two-tier board system)包括執行委員會(executive board)和監察委員會(supervisory board),而監察委員由大眾股東投票產生.不少歐洲聯盟成員,如德國,荷蘭,以至一些亞洲國家,如印尼,都實行這種監察制度.
以德國為例,大型企業(Aktiengesellschaften)監察委員會(Aufsichtsrat)由十名大眾股東選出代表和十名員工代表組成.他們可以委任執行委員會(Vorstand)成員,以及具備通過重大決議的權力.
此制度理論上有助零散股東監督企業領導人的表現和管理手法,並提供法定機制,平衡主要股東勢力.股東監察委員可以瞭解企業內部重大決策過程,也可減少企業不當或冒進經營可能性.
原文發佈於2012年5月31日,4:28pm.
Sufficient financial regulations are important to financial hub
Introduction
A sound financial regulatory system is an important basis of stable and reliable financial market. Precise legislations and strict enforcement system
are essential to control the practices of financial institutions. After the Great Depression, several developed countries have developed series of
laws to regulate disclosure of financial data, potential risk and sales practices of financial institutions.
In the past 20 years, a lot of complexed financial products like derivatives flooded the market and most of the investors cannot understand their underlying risks.
However, Hong Kong Monetary Authority was unawared of those risks and this had led to severe losses among
Lehman Brothers minibonds and Morgan Stanley Octave Bonds investors.
In fact, these products are classified as high risk in USA and sales to retail investors are prohibited.
Problems:
Nowadays, two separated entities, including Securities and Futures Commission and Hong Kong Monetary Authority, are responsible to financial regulations in Hong Kong SAR.
As the complexity of modern financial products and diversification of bank operations, the existing structure often cannot monitor the risks of them effectively.
Worst still, some scopes of regulations by the two organizations are duplicated. That will reduce the efficiency of monitoring securities and financial institutions.
Also, that will provide oppotunities to transfer the responsibility to each other.
In some countries like Canada and UK, integrated financial regulatory agencies are responsible to set operation guidelines, observe and investigate the practices of banks.
The regulatory agencies are required to report to the legislature in order to let the public observe their operations. Thus public interest can be protected.
Loose loan regulations are directly linked to HIGH housing prices
In the past 5 years, prevailing mortgage loan rates have dropped more than reduction of prime rate.
As HKD is at pegging rate to USD, the interest rate of both currencies should be similar.
However, the prevailing 30-year mortgage rate is 2.8% p.a., which the rate is fixed for just 3 years but floated afterwards.
Moreover, many banks provide adjustable-rate mortgage at rate as low as 2.1% p.a., which is significantly lower than 30-year fixed mortgage rate in USA at about 4%,
even if the rate is the lowest in the past 50 years.
Meanwhile, 10-year US Treasury bond yield is 2.36% and 30-year T-bond yield is 3.44%.
Therefore, such low mortgage rates are totally predatory and have contributed to steep rise in property prices!
But Hong Kong Monetary Authority allows scenario similar to Irish and USA property bubble occurs now.
In fact, repayment will increase steeply if Hong Kong Inter-bank Offer Rate or prime rate increases, which is likely to occur 2 to 3 years later.
Moreover, banks often impose some terms to allow them to raise lending rates even HIBOR or prime rate remains unchanged.
Such predatory lending can lead to massive loan default and leading to potential financial crisis.
We demand for...
More information about risks of investment products, like stocks or bonds composition, must be disclosed;
Ban advertisements of risky derivatives, like options or warrants;
Set up laws to forbid the sales of complexed derivatives to retail investors;
Raise lower limit of mortgage rate to 3.5%;
All home mortgage must adopt fixed rate until the USA Federal Reserve raise the base borrowing rate increase to 1.5%;
Ban predatory lending practices and disclose all interest rate details of loans
The original text was distributed on 4 April 2012, 4:11pm.
A sound financial regulatory system is an important basis of stable and reliable financial market. Precise legislations and strict enforcement system
are essential to control the practices of financial institutions. After the Great Depression, several developed countries have developed series of
laws to regulate disclosure of financial data, potential risk and sales practices of financial institutions.
In the past 20 years, a lot of complexed financial products like derivatives flooded the market and most of the investors cannot understand their underlying risks.
However, Hong Kong Monetary Authority was unawared of those risks and this had led to severe losses among
Lehman Brothers minibonds and Morgan Stanley Octave Bonds investors.
In fact, these products are classified as high risk in USA and sales to retail investors are prohibited.
Problems:
Nowadays, two separated entities, including Securities and Futures Commission and Hong Kong Monetary Authority, are responsible to financial regulations in Hong Kong SAR.
As the complexity of modern financial products and diversification of bank operations, the existing structure often cannot monitor the risks of them effectively.
Worst still, some scopes of regulations by the two organizations are duplicated. That will reduce the efficiency of monitoring securities and financial institutions.
Also, that will provide oppotunities to transfer the responsibility to each other.
In some countries like Canada and UK, integrated financial regulatory agencies are responsible to set operation guidelines, observe and investigate the practices of banks.
The regulatory agencies are required to report to the legislature in order to let the public observe their operations. Thus public interest can be protected.
Loose loan regulations are directly linked to HIGH housing prices
In the past 5 years, prevailing mortgage loan rates have dropped more than reduction of prime rate.
As HKD is at pegging rate to USD, the interest rate of both currencies should be similar.
However, the prevailing 30-year mortgage rate is 2.8% p.a., which the rate is fixed for just 3 years but floated afterwards.
Moreover, many banks provide adjustable-rate mortgage at rate as low as 2.1% p.a., which is significantly lower than 30-year fixed mortgage rate in USA at about 4%,
even if the rate is the lowest in the past 50 years.
Meanwhile, 10-year US Treasury bond yield is 2.36% and 30-year T-bond yield is 3.44%.
Therefore, such low mortgage rates are totally predatory and have contributed to steep rise in property prices!
But Hong Kong Monetary Authority allows scenario similar to Irish and USA property bubble occurs now.
In fact, repayment will increase steeply if Hong Kong Inter-bank Offer Rate or prime rate increases, which is likely to occur 2 to 3 years later.
Moreover, banks often impose some terms to allow them to raise lending rates even HIBOR or prime rate remains unchanged.
Such predatory lending can lead to massive loan default and leading to potential financial crisis.
We demand for...
More information about risks of investment products, like stocks or bonds composition, must be disclosed;
Ban advertisements of risky derivatives, like options or warrants;
Set up laws to forbid the sales of complexed derivatives to retail investors;
Raise lower limit of mortgage rate to 3.5%;
All home mortgage must adopt fixed rate until the USA Federal Reserve raise the base borrowing rate increase to 1.5%;
Ban predatory lending practices and disclose all interest rate details of loans
The original text was distributed on 4 April 2012, 4:11pm.
Call for Great Reset--act NOW!
The Occupy Wall Street movement had been started for half a year and it had gained wide support from the people all over the world.
However, the police forces has cleared out the venues in recent weeks. These operations has made the masses disappointed.
Looking back to Hong Kong SAR, the economy system are dominated by conglomerates, developers and financial institutions.
Financial sectors, property rents and business services take a large proportion of economy.
The low direct tax system in Hong Kong SAR merits to rich people, and flat corporate tax at 16.5% make major enterprises to
accumulate wealth easily, but lead to large burden to small businesses.
Many people are dissatisfied with widespread corporate greed and low income, and they find that they are unable to improve livelihood by any means.
In addition, there are several social uncertainties and risks like confidence crisis of the government, distorted representations
Recently, a lot of exposes revealed that the background of potential Chief Executive candidates arose a lot of queries
among Hong Kong people. We also feared that they will protect the interest of conglomerates, or even adopts repressive
measures, which poses a threat to our civil liberty.
We, like the most of the public, are discontented with economic inequality and civil rights deprivation, thus we need a GREAT RESET!
So, we provide a platform to voice your view, to fight for FAIR society--this is
Occupation Movement 2.0 Hong Kong-call for Great Reset
If you are fed up with such reality, please take action NOW!
We want and long for:
Freedom and liberty
Direct and participatory democracy, including REAL consultation in economic strategy and city planning
Expansion of authority of District Council, like management of municipal facilities
Universal suffrage with low threshold, i.e. nomination by 1.5% of voters for Chief Executive
Total Legislative Council members reduced to 56 in 2016, and 45 in 2020, by scrapping Functional Constituency
Tax reform, including:
increase of marginal tax rate of persons with >$1million annual income;
progressive profit tax, increase tax rate of enterprises with >$60million annual income;
reduce tax rate of small businesses, cultural and technology industries to 10%
Regulation of property market
Increase residential flat supply to 85000 flats and 5 million m2 per year, including 40000 rental public housing flats
Impose rent control based on 2009 rent level
Consolidate Home Ownership Scheme, rent or buy option, re-location of Urban Renewal plans to Economy Housing
Establish regional housing association, to provide economy housing and affordable flats for local residents
Impose Scheme of Control mechanism to limit house prices
Reformation of Mandatory Provident Fund, including:
allowing employees to select operators freely and provide more types of funds;
reducing annual management fee to 0.5% to 1%;
detailed disclosure to risks and investment instruments included;
5% minimum requirement to invest in PHYSICAL GOLD
Banking and finance
Set up postal saving and micro-loans to small businesses and social enterprises
regulate service charges by banks
stop charges to low balance accounts
Reform Hong Kong dollar exchange rate regime, to shift from USD peg to Exchange Rate Trade Weighted Index(1) crawl peg,
than gradually shift to managed float, in order to control price inflation.
Economy and livelihood
Increase minimum wage(2) and set up standard working hours at 2400 hours annually
enforce collective agreement between labour unions and commercial chambers
draft policies to diversify economy and develop high technology manufacturing sector
Set up policies to encourage competition
recognize legal status of parallel import
de-regulation of bus service and oil supply
reclaim land to build de-salination plant, liquefied natural gas terminal and high technology industrial estate at highly discounted rent(3)
Tariff control
Impose Scheme of Control agreement on town gas and railway based on operation income;
Extend monthly passes of railway on zone basis;
Reduce permitted profit level of electricity companies to prevent further increase of tariff;
Require electricity companies to utilize excess profits to invest in renewable energy
Explanation
1. Initial Exchange Rate Trade Weighted Index composition includes 70% USD and 30% of USD prices of major commodities,
including coal, petroleum, natural gas, copper, steel, rice, wheat, etc. The composition of ETWI can be changed to 50% USD,
20% currencies of major trading partners and 30% of USD prices of commodities about 2 years later.
Afterwards, USD component in ETWI can be reduced to 35%.
2. Minimum wage should be increased to HKD8800 per month or HKD42 per hour, and HKD30 for first 600 hours of employment,
no later than 1 October 2012. The minimum wage level should further increase to HKD10000 per month by 2014.
3. The proposed reclamation sites are located south off Lamma Island and south off Cheung Chau, with areas of 2km2 and 6km2 respectively.
The proposed land rent of the industrial estates is HKD8000 per square metre for 30 years.
The original text was distributed on 23 March 2013, 9:06pm.
However, the police forces has cleared out the venues in recent weeks. These operations has made the masses disappointed.
Looking back to Hong Kong SAR, the economy system are dominated by conglomerates, developers and financial institutions.
Financial sectors, property rents and business services take a large proportion of economy.
The low direct tax system in Hong Kong SAR merits to rich people, and flat corporate tax at 16.5% make major enterprises to
accumulate wealth easily, but lead to large burden to small businesses.
Many people are dissatisfied with widespread corporate greed and low income, and they find that they are unable to improve livelihood by any means.
In addition, there are several social uncertainties and risks like confidence crisis of the government, distorted representations
Recently, a lot of exposes revealed that the background of potential Chief Executive candidates arose a lot of queries
among Hong Kong people. We also feared that they will protect the interest of conglomerates, or even adopts repressive
measures, which poses a threat to our civil liberty.
We, like the most of the public, are discontented with economic inequality and civil rights deprivation, thus we need a GREAT RESET!
So, we provide a platform to voice your view, to fight for FAIR society--this is
Occupation Movement 2.0 Hong Kong-call for Great Reset
If you are fed up with such reality, please take action NOW!
We want and long for:
Freedom and liberty
Direct and participatory democracy, including REAL consultation in economic strategy and city planning
Expansion of authority of District Council, like management of municipal facilities
Universal suffrage with low threshold, i.e. nomination by 1.5% of voters for Chief Executive
Total Legislative Council members reduced to 56 in 2016, and 45 in 2020, by scrapping Functional Constituency
Tax reform, including:
increase of marginal tax rate of persons with >$1million annual income;
progressive profit tax, increase tax rate of enterprises with >$60million annual income;
reduce tax rate of small businesses, cultural and technology industries to 10%
Regulation of property market
Increase residential flat supply to 85000 flats and 5 million m2 per year, including 40000 rental public housing flats
Impose rent control based on 2009 rent level
Consolidate Home Ownership Scheme, rent or buy option, re-location of Urban Renewal plans to Economy Housing
Establish regional housing association, to provide economy housing and affordable flats for local residents
Impose Scheme of Control mechanism to limit house prices
Reformation of Mandatory Provident Fund, including:
allowing employees to select operators freely and provide more types of funds;
reducing annual management fee to 0.5% to 1%;
detailed disclosure to risks and investment instruments included;
5% minimum requirement to invest in PHYSICAL GOLD
Banking and finance
Set up postal saving and micro-loans to small businesses and social enterprises
regulate service charges by banks
stop charges to low balance accounts
Reform Hong Kong dollar exchange rate regime, to shift from USD peg to Exchange Rate Trade Weighted Index(1) crawl peg,
than gradually shift to managed float, in order to control price inflation.
Economy and livelihood
Increase minimum wage(2) and set up standard working hours at 2400 hours annually
enforce collective agreement between labour unions and commercial chambers
draft policies to diversify economy and develop high technology manufacturing sector
Set up policies to encourage competition
recognize legal status of parallel import
de-regulation of bus service and oil supply
reclaim land to build de-salination plant, liquefied natural gas terminal and high technology industrial estate at highly discounted rent(3)
Tariff control
Impose Scheme of Control agreement on town gas and railway based on operation income;
Extend monthly passes of railway on zone basis;
Reduce permitted profit level of electricity companies to prevent further increase of tariff;
Require electricity companies to utilize excess profits to invest in renewable energy
Explanation
1. Initial Exchange Rate Trade Weighted Index composition includes 70% USD and 30% of USD prices of major commodities,
including coal, petroleum, natural gas, copper, steel, rice, wheat, etc. The composition of ETWI can be changed to 50% USD,
20% currencies of major trading partners and 30% of USD prices of commodities about 2 years later.
Afterwards, USD component in ETWI can be reduced to 35%.
2. Minimum wage should be increased to HKD8800 per month or HKD42 per hour, and HKD30 for first 600 hours of employment,
no later than 1 October 2012. The minimum wage level should further increase to HKD10000 per month by 2014.
3. The proposed reclamation sites are located south off Lamma Island and south off Cheung Chau, with areas of 2km2 and 6km2 respectively.
The proposed land rent of the industrial estates is HKD8000 per square metre for 30 years.
The original text was distributed on 23 March 2013, 9:06pm.
漫談保育與民生,移山與填海
今天是植樹日,也是反對網絡審查日.但我在此不會談及兩者及其緣由,更與'植樹'的主題相反.
近年來,香港特區政府緊縮土地供應,導致住宅,辦公室供不應求,房價,房租以倍數暴漲,商人和民眾怨聲載道.
然而,過去構想的新市鎮開發進度緩慢,直到現在僅有零星的住宅建案落成.同期公共房屋建成量每年平均不過二萬個,
許多低收入以至中下階層住戶只好居於分租單元,甚至床位寓所.這樣的單元不僅缺乏通風,衛生條件惡劣,更不合消防安全標準.
本年初旺角曾經發生牌檔火災,蔓延至上層分租單元,導致多人傷亡;不少工廠大樓被改建為床位分租,更有租戶因其寓所已被當局宣布為違章建築下令封閉.
上述事件喚醒社會各界對安全居住環境和廉租房屋短缺的重視.
有見及此,運輸及房屋局計劃在未來五年興建七萬個公共房屋單位,惟仍然遠低於需求量,當局解釋是由於建地不足和收地困難.
香港特區土地面積約1040平方公里,但山多而平地稀少,郊野公園佔436.56平方公里,還有不少郊區土地空置多年未被利用,市區和市鎮僅佔其中五分之一,可見仍有不少土地供日後發展.
綜觀市鎮邊緣和郊區土地未被利用的主要原因,是由於土地用途和容積率規劃欠妥,以及租稅法令未能鼓勵大地主,包括主要開發商善用土地和管制囤積土地.
畢竟,增建公共房屋,經濟房屋,工業區和高新產業園須利用官地開發.現有可供開發的平原中,相當部份的土地使用權落在私人手中,而收地過程曠日持久,這導致開發受阻,不利民生.
另一方面,以填海造地提供房屋必然破壞海洋生態環境,更堵塞航道,危害航行安全.香港以港都景色聞名於世,港灣狹窄更使其名不副實,降低旅遊收益.
根據推算,香港每年新建租用公共房屋需求量達25000個,替補重建單元達18000個以上,若平均單元面積為50平方米,那麼每年新公共住宅區佔地達30公頃.
開山闢石乃社會的當務之急
當你往來香港各城鎮之間,必然看見沿途群山連綿,也有不少空曠地區.我在小學時代曾到大帽山參與植樹活動,感到心曠神怡,亦藉此意識到植樹護林的重要.
雖然這些地區草木扶疏,昆蟲,兩棲類動物星羅棋佈,但是香港地狹人稠,以及民眾對居住素質的重視,保護地表,林木已經成為奢侈.
相對於世界上的主要都會區,如東京,倫敦,紐約市,香港土地利用率實在偏低.香港農地總面積68平方公里,惟近年民間普遍關注改造農地對原有景觀的破壞,紛紛發起請願,要求保留農田.
為了增建公眾可負擔住宅應付人口增長,開山建造新市鎮無可厚非.
因此當局有必要制定一套長期規劃以及明確時間表,並須充分諮詢民眾意見,
俾使用地規劃能夠考慮小民居住素質,如較大單位面積和休憩空間,就業需要和可持續環境,如建築物綠化,雨水,污水和廢料回收系統.
這樣盡可能地補償因開發山坡地引起的水土破壞.
除了開山以外,香港不少農地和魚塘由大地主控制,或遭開發商圈佔,部份並已經被平整.但是當局制定的容積率只有1.5倍或以下,發展價值不大.
其中一個解決之道是政府收回五分之三地面積,以具農業或生態價值區域為主;十分之一面積保持原來容積率;
餘下十分之三地段作高密度發展,容積率提升至4.5倍.倘若開發商將過往建案剩餘容積率轉移,以及遵守一定條款如加強綠化或限制利潤回報率,更可提升至5.7倍.
填海造地是否完全不可取?
在沿海地區,填海造地往往是獲得新建地的便捷方法,省卻拆遷所需的龐大經費和冗長程序.世界上不少重大建設,包括香港國際機場,關西機場,都是在填土地上修築而成.
東京灣填海造地面積更達249平方公里,提供巨大的工業和居住用地.
最近土木工程拓展署提出25處可能選址填海造地,其中長洲以南和南丫島人工島方案共可提供約10平方公里用地.
由於油尖旺,中區,以至白石角填海計劃等前科,這樣的方案飽受大眾和環保團體質疑,指可能成為不動產項目,建設高價住宅和遊艇碼頭,民眾無法享用.
事實上,香港民眾急切需要海水化淡廠,液化天然氣接收站,高科技工業區和船塢等設施,而上述建設須利用大幅沿岸地段,毋庸置疑的是,在海面上填築是最可取方案.
填造一平方公里土地成本約二十餘億港元,連同相關道路和公共設施的成本約四十億元.縱使基地面積只有百分50,每平方公尺成本約8000元左右,
而每平方公尺拆遷成本往往動輒一萬圓以上.
政府在填海造地前應當充分,廣泛向大眾闡明填土的確切用途,對環境的影響和補救措施,並廣納都市規劃界人士,環境關注團體以至於民間訴求,釋除各界疑慮.
原文發佈於2012年3月12日,10:57pm.
近年來,香港特區政府緊縮土地供應,導致住宅,辦公室供不應求,房價,房租以倍數暴漲,商人和民眾怨聲載道.
然而,過去構想的新市鎮開發進度緩慢,直到現在僅有零星的住宅建案落成.同期公共房屋建成量每年平均不過二萬個,
許多低收入以至中下階層住戶只好居於分租單元,甚至床位寓所.這樣的單元不僅缺乏通風,衛生條件惡劣,更不合消防安全標準.
本年初旺角曾經發生牌檔火災,蔓延至上層分租單元,導致多人傷亡;不少工廠大樓被改建為床位分租,更有租戶因其寓所已被當局宣布為違章建築下令封閉.
上述事件喚醒社會各界對安全居住環境和廉租房屋短缺的重視.
有見及此,運輸及房屋局計劃在未來五年興建七萬個公共房屋單位,惟仍然遠低於需求量,當局解釋是由於建地不足和收地困難.
香港特區土地面積約1040平方公里,但山多而平地稀少,郊野公園佔436.56平方公里,還有不少郊區土地空置多年未被利用,市區和市鎮僅佔其中五分之一,可見仍有不少土地供日後發展.
綜觀市鎮邊緣和郊區土地未被利用的主要原因,是由於土地用途和容積率規劃欠妥,以及租稅法令未能鼓勵大地主,包括主要開發商善用土地和管制囤積土地.
畢竟,增建公共房屋,經濟房屋,工業區和高新產業園須利用官地開發.現有可供開發的平原中,相當部份的土地使用權落在私人手中,而收地過程曠日持久,這導致開發受阻,不利民生.
另一方面,以填海造地提供房屋必然破壞海洋生態環境,更堵塞航道,危害航行安全.香港以港都景色聞名於世,港灣狹窄更使其名不副實,降低旅遊收益.
根據推算,香港每年新建租用公共房屋需求量達25000個,替補重建單元達18000個以上,若平均單元面積為50平方米,那麼每年新公共住宅區佔地達30公頃.
開山闢石乃社會的當務之急
當你往來香港各城鎮之間,必然看見沿途群山連綿,也有不少空曠地區.我在小學時代曾到大帽山參與植樹活動,感到心曠神怡,亦藉此意識到植樹護林的重要.
雖然這些地區草木扶疏,昆蟲,兩棲類動物星羅棋佈,但是香港地狹人稠,以及民眾對居住素質的重視,保護地表,林木已經成為奢侈.
相對於世界上的主要都會區,如東京,倫敦,紐約市,香港土地利用率實在偏低.香港農地總面積68平方公里,惟近年民間普遍關注改造農地對原有景觀的破壞,紛紛發起請願,要求保留農田.
為了增建公眾可負擔住宅應付人口增長,開山建造新市鎮無可厚非.
因此當局有必要制定一套長期規劃以及明確時間表,並須充分諮詢民眾意見,
俾使用地規劃能夠考慮小民居住素質,如較大單位面積和休憩空間,就業需要和可持續環境,如建築物綠化,雨水,污水和廢料回收系統.
這樣盡可能地補償因開發山坡地引起的水土破壞.
除了開山以外,香港不少農地和魚塘由大地主控制,或遭開發商圈佔,部份並已經被平整.但是當局制定的容積率只有1.5倍或以下,發展價值不大.
其中一個解決之道是政府收回五分之三地面積,以具農業或生態價值區域為主;十分之一面積保持原來容積率;
餘下十分之三地段作高密度發展,容積率提升至4.5倍.倘若開發商將過往建案剩餘容積率轉移,以及遵守一定條款如加強綠化或限制利潤回報率,更可提升至5.7倍.
填海造地是否完全不可取?
在沿海地區,填海造地往往是獲得新建地的便捷方法,省卻拆遷所需的龐大經費和冗長程序.世界上不少重大建設,包括香港國際機場,關西機場,都是在填土地上修築而成.
東京灣填海造地面積更達249平方公里,提供巨大的工業和居住用地.
最近土木工程拓展署提出25處可能選址填海造地,其中長洲以南和南丫島人工島方案共可提供約10平方公里用地.
由於油尖旺,中區,以至白石角填海計劃等前科,這樣的方案飽受大眾和環保團體質疑,指可能成為不動產項目,建設高價住宅和遊艇碼頭,民眾無法享用.
事實上,香港民眾急切需要海水化淡廠,液化天然氣接收站,高科技工業區和船塢等設施,而上述建設須利用大幅沿岸地段,毋庸置疑的是,在海面上填築是最可取方案.
填造一平方公里土地成本約二十餘億港元,連同相關道路和公共設施的成本約四十億元.縱使基地面積只有百分50,每平方公尺成本約8000元左右,
而每平方公尺拆遷成本往往動輒一萬圓以上.
政府在填海造地前應當充分,廣泛向大眾闡明填土的確切用途,對環境的影響和補救措施,並廣納都市規劃界人士,環境關注團體以至於民間訴求,釋除各界疑慮.
原文發佈於2012年3月12日,10:57pm.
Call for bus deregulation in Hong Kong
Existing public bus system in Hong Kong SAR is franchise system. Most of the bus services are provided by five franchised bus companies, supplemented by residential bus services by some smaller operators.
The public and pressure groups have criticized this system for several years because it has led to monopolize services in most of the area, inefficient bus services and high fare in some routes.
Moreover, those franchise operators are partially owned by large conglomerates or developers, which were often criticized as profiteers.
Bus routes arrangements by franchise bus operators can be very inflexible because of the strong regulation by Transport Department and opposition of route changes by district councils.
Thus the bus network cannot satisfy the actual demand of passengers and development of highway network.
For example, there was no regular bus services running from Sham Shui Po or Yau Tsim Mong districts to Sha Tin or Tai Po districts even three years after opening of Sha Tin Height and Eagle Nest Tunnels of Route 8.
Furthermore, the expansion of rapid transit and railway company merger, which causing reduction of transfer fares, led to dwindling bus patronage.
Rising oil prices in the past decade and inefficient bus routes have also made bus operation less profitable.
In order to promote the service efficiency and provide routes according to actual passenger demand, partial de-franchising of bus services in HKSAR can be a viable option.
The implementation plan is to allow non-franchise bus operators like coach companies to apply for passenger bus licences under route basis.
They can directly submit applications to Transport Department 3 weeks before the start of service. If operators find the routes unprofitable, they may notify the Transport Department and notify 3 weeks before cancellation.
Those licenced non-franchise bus operators can put no more than 250 buses into such services.
In order to prevent too many buses to enter the downtown, which lead to traffic jam, some limitation of routes should be imposed on those non-franchised routes:
all services within the boundaries of Sai Kung, Ma On Shan, Tai Po(including the Chinese University), Northern, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun districts are firstly deregulated;
on second stage, all services within the limits of areas above and Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Island districts are deregulated;
for routes entering downtown,
from Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long districts and Lantau Island, the limit of route in downtown is Yen Chow Street;
for routes heading to Olympic Station or Park Avenue, they must pass along Yen Chow Street, Sham Mong Road, Hoi Fai Road to reach terminus.
for routes heading to Kowloon Station, they must pass along as the road sections above and then Ferry Street or Hoi Wan Road, Jordan Road to reach terminus.
from Sha Tin, Tai Po and Northern districts, the limit in downtown is Waterloo Road or Whampoa Garden/Hung Hom Ferry Concourse;
for routes heading to Kowloon Station, they must pass along Ferry Street or Hoi Wan Road, Jordan Road to reach terminus.
for routes passing Route 8 to reach Sham Shui Po district, they must pass along Yen Chow Street, Sham Mong Road, Hoi Fai Road to reach terminus in Olympic or Kowloon Station.
from Sai Kung or Junk Bay, the limit in downtown is Kowloon City Pier or Kai Tak area.
references
bus deregulation in Great Britain: http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/econn/econn078.pdf
bus deregulation in Republic of Ireland: http://www.compecon.ie/Bus%20Paper.htm
(The original text was distributed on 20 September 2011, 4:30pm)
The public and pressure groups have criticized this system for several years because it has led to monopolize services in most of the area, inefficient bus services and high fare in some routes.
Moreover, those franchise operators are partially owned by large conglomerates or developers, which were often criticized as profiteers.
Bus routes arrangements by franchise bus operators can be very inflexible because of the strong regulation by Transport Department and opposition of route changes by district councils.
Thus the bus network cannot satisfy the actual demand of passengers and development of highway network.
For example, there was no regular bus services running from Sham Shui Po or Yau Tsim Mong districts to Sha Tin or Tai Po districts even three years after opening of Sha Tin Height and Eagle Nest Tunnels of Route 8.
Furthermore, the expansion of rapid transit and railway company merger, which causing reduction of transfer fares, led to dwindling bus patronage.
Rising oil prices in the past decade and inefficient bus routes have also made bus operation less profitable.
In order to promote the service efficiency and provide routes according to actual passenger demand, partial de-franchising of bus services in HKSAR can be a viable option.
The implementation plan is to allow non-franchise bus operators like coach companies to apply for passenger bus licences under route basis.
They can directly submit applications to Transport Department 3 weeks before the start of service. If operators find the routes unprofitable, they may notify the Transport Department and notify 3 weeks before cancellation.
Those licenced non-franchise bus operators can put no more than 250 buses into such services.
In order to prevent too many buses to enter the downtown, which lead to traffic jam, some limitation of routes should be imposed on those non-franchised routes:
all services within the boundaries of Sai Kung, Ma On Shan, Tai Po(including the Chinese University), Northern, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun districts are firstly deregulated;
on second stage, all services within the limits of areas above and Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Island districts are deregulated;
for routes entering downtown,
from Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long districts and Lantau Island, the limit of route in downtown is Yen Chow Street;
for routes heading to Olympic Station or Park Avenue, they must pass along Yen Chow Street, Sham Mong Road, Hoi Fai Road to reach terminus.
for routes heading to Kowloon Station, they must pass along as the road sections above and then Ferry Street or Hoi Wan Road, Jordan Road to reach terminus.
from Sha Tin, Tai Po and Northern districts, the limit in downtown is Waterloo Road or Whampoa Garden/Hung Hom Ferry Concourse;
for routes heading to Kowloon Station, they must pass along Ferry Street or Hoi Wan Road, Jordan Road to reach terminus.
for routes passing Route 8 to reach Sham Shui Po district, they must pass along Yen Chow Street, Sham Mong Road, Hoi Fai Road to reach terminus in Olympic or Kowloon Station.
from Sai Kung or Junk Bay, the limit in downtown is Kowloon City Pier or Kai Tak area.
references
bus deregulation in Great Britain: http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/econn/econn078.pdf
bus deregulation in Republic of Ireland: http://www.compecon.ie/Bus%20Paper.htm
(The original text was distributed on 20 September 2011, 4:30pm)
Calling for better wages and standard working period
Minimum Wage Ordinance in Hong Kong SAR will take effect on 1 May 2011, and that will become the landmark of protecting workers from exploitation by their employers.
In addition, that will become the start of intergrating labour laws in Hong Kong to most of the regions in the world.
The idea of minimum wage can be traced back to 1894 in New Zealand, in order to reduce the women or Asian population enter the labour market.
Authorities in Victoria, Australia established wages board, which set basic wages for 6 occupations that were considered paying low wages in 1896 in response to frequent, bitter strikes.
However, sweat shops were still a serious social problem in industrialized countries until about 1930.
By 1817 Robert Owen had formulated the goal of the eight-hour day and coined the slogan 'Eight hours labour, Eight hours recreation, Eight hours rest'.
In Great Britain, Trade Boards Act 1909 provided for creations of boards to set minimum wage criteria.
Winston Churchill MP argued that allowing residents receiving less than a living wage in return for their utmost exertions is a national evil, regardless of classes.
In order to protect service sector workers, who are most vulnerable to low wages, authorities in GB implemented National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to improve labour protection.
In 1936, Franklin Delano Roosevelt implemented New Deal to improve economy in USA and suggested the idea of federal minimum wage.
The congress in USA passed the Fair Labor Standard Act and nationwide minimum wage was introduced on 1 January 1939, which was at USD0.25 per hour.
In the next 29 years, this level had been increased for several times, and reached USD1.6 per hour in 1968.
But the minimum wage steadily declined since then when price inflation is taken into account.
In recent years, fewer employers provide health plans to minimum wage earners.
Many critics claimed that minimum wage distorted the supply and demand of workers and it is fundamentally against free market economy.
In addition, the requirement on experience, qualifications, labour strength of various sectors can differ greatly. Danger of the job can also be a factor of wages.
Workers may require a 'risk premium' for dangerous position, such as construction labourers, armed guards.
Some positions, like brokers receive income largely based on transaction amount, not a certain level.
That makes minimum wage implementation more troublesome.
Therefore, collective agreement between commercial chambers and trade unions can largely resolve such disputes and set up a wage level truly reflect a fair market level.
Furthermore, collective agreement is conducive to workers fighting for better working conditions and prevent long working hours.
MINIMUM WAGES, By David Neumark and William L. Wascher, 377 pages; MIT Press, 2008
Hansard HC vol 155, col 1888 (24 April 1906)
Colliver, Victoria (August 29, 2010). "Health plans dwindle in U.S. Number of firms offering insurance drops as costs rise". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/09/15/BUG8OENLE61.DTL.
For the issues in working hours, standard working period is usually 40 hours per week in USA. If employees work for more than the period, employers have to pay 1.5 times to the hourly rate.
Standard working period in Europe is usually between 35 to 40 hours, and the laws usually restricts the workweek that must not exceed 48 hours.
This can ensure workers to have enough period to rest and prevent themselves suffer from poor health due to excessive labour.
However, the Minimum Wage Ordinance in Hong Kong SAR does not mention standard working period.
Employees still have to suffer from long working hours, especially among nursing assistants, cleaners and security guards.
Giannis Kouzis, Lefteris Kretsos, Annualised hours in Europe, European Industrial Relations Observatory on-line, 23 October 2003
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/2003/08/study/TN0308101S.htm
I am very dissatisfied that the minimum wage level is set on just HKD28 (USD3.59) per hour, which is just slightly high than that in Taiwan and Turkey, which have GDP significantly lower per capita!
Such wage cannot even provide a wage of bare subsistance level of two people!
It is estimated that the minimum wage level should be at least HKD8500 per month, or HKD42 per hour to sustain a family of two.
When compared with the income level to OECD members, this level is very low even under purchasing power parity basis!
I recommend that the minimum wage should be HKD42 per hour, and a lower rate, such as HKD30 per hour for under-experienced employees.
Maximum working hours should be set at 2400 hours annually.
(The original text was distributed on 25 April 2011, 10:58pm)
In addition, that will become the start of intergrating labour laws in Hong Kong to most of the regions in the world.
The idea of minimum wage can be traced back to 1894 in New Zealand, in order to reduce the women or Asian population enter the labour market.
Authorities in Victoria, Australia established wages board, which set basic wages for 6 occupations that were considered paying low wages in 1896 in response to frequent, bitter strikes.
However, sweat shops were still a serious social problem in industrialized countries until about 1930.
By 1817 Robert Owen had formulated the goal of the eight-hour day and coined the slogan 'Eight hours labour, Eight hours recreation, Eight hours rest'.
In Great Britain, Trade Boards Act 1909 provided for creations of boards to set minimum wage criteria.
Winston Churchill MP argued that allowing residents receiving less than a living wage in return for their utmost exertions is a national evil, regardless of classes.
In order to protect service sector workers, who are most vulnerable to low wages, authorities in GB implemented National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to improve labour protection.
In 1936, Franklin Delano Roosevelt implemented New Deal to improve economy in USA and suggested the idea of federal minimum wage.
The congress in USA passed the Fair Labor Standard Act and nationwide minimum wage was introduced on 1 January 1939, which was at USD0.25 per hour.
In the next 29 years, this level had been increased for several times, and reached USD1.6 per hour in 1968.
But the minimum wage steadily declined since then when price inflation is taken into account.
In recent years, fewer employers provide health plans to minimum wage earners.
Many critics claimed that minimum wage distorted the supply and demand of workers and it is fundamentally against free market economy.
In addition, the requirement on experience, qualifications, labour strength of various sectors can differ greatly. Danger of the job can also be a factor of wages.
Workers may require a 'risk premium' for dangerous position, such as construction labourers, armed guards.
Some positions, like brokers receive income largely based on transaction amount, not a certain level.
That makes minimum wage implementation more troublesome.
Therefore, collective agreement between commercial chambers and trade unions can largely resolve such disputes and set up a wage level truly reflect a fair market level.
Furthermore, collective agreement is conducive to workers fighting for better working conditions and prevent long working hours.
MINIMUM WAGES, By David Neumark and William L. Wascher, 377 pages; MIT Press, 2008
Hansard HC vol 155, col 1888 (24 April 1906)
Colliver, Victoria (August 29, 2010). "Health plans dwindle in U.S. Number of firms offering insurance drops as costs rise". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/09/15/BUG8OENLE61.DTL.
For the issues in working hours, standard working period is usually 40 hours per week in USA. If employees work for more than the period, employers have to pay 1.5 times to the hourly rate.
Standard working period in Europe is usually between 35 to 40 hours, and the laws usually restricts the workweek that must not exceed 48 hours.
This can ensure workers to have enough period to rest and prevent themselves suffer from poor health due to excessive labour.
However, the Minimum Wage Ordinance in Hong Kong SAR does not mention standard working period.
Employees still have to suffer from long working hours, especially among nursing assistants, cleaners and security guards.
Giannis Kouzis, Lefteris Kretsos, Annualised hours in Europe, European Industrial Relations Observatory on-line, 23 October 2003
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/2003/08/study/TN0308101S.htm
I am very dissatisfied that the minimum wage level is set on just HKD28 (USD3.59) per hour, which is just slightly high than that in Taiwan and Turkey, which have GDP significantly lower per capita!
Such wage cannot even provide a wage of bare subsistance level of two people!
It is estimated that the minimum wage level should be at least HKD8500 per month, or HKD42 per hour to sustain a family of two.
When compared with the income level to OECD members, this level is very low even under purchasing power parity basis!
I recommend that the minimum wage should be HKD42 per hour, and a lower rate, such as HKD30 per hour for under-experienced employees.
Maximum working hours should be set at 2400 hours annually.
(The original text was distributed on 25 April 2011, 10:58pm)
2013年6月15日 星期六
World stock exchange merger and the new order of global equity market
In the past five years, there are several stock exchange mergers involving major stock markets in the world. Recently, Frankfurt's Deutsche Borse and New York Stock Exchange are in advanced talk on possible merger.
Citigroup analyst Donald Fandetti stated that the combined entity would be the largest global exchange since more than 90% of futures and derivatives in Europe are traded in those exchanges. They may also serve as a platform for international ventures.
Also, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange also announced that they will merge.
Such trans-atlantic stock exchange merger actions facilitate more investors to trade more types of stocks within their trading hours.
They can also trade stocks of more foreign companies in their home countries in order to avoid taxations and procedures of international stock tradings.
Why there are lots of such mergers take place?
As the advancement of computer trading and popularity of the Internet, more and more investors tend to trade their equities across borders
and the volume of trade processing has increased by tenfold, or even hundredfold.
In the trend of capital globalization, co-operation and merger among financial institutions are inevitable. These actions help better utilization of capital, resources and improve the efficiency of trading. A lot of stock markets plan to co-operate, share market information with each other, or even accept more foreign companies to trade their equities in order to promote their competitiveness.
Many financiers believe that international stock exchange mergers can improve the competitiveness of financial sectors of the host countries and facilitate to prompt reactions by the market due to longer trading hours.
According to William Blair’s Lane and Leikhim, mergers of exchanges help to eliminate major administration expenses,
and there should also be important strategic benefits through clearing synergies. This possible merger can combine two major interest futures exchanges in Europe.
For Hong Kong Stock Exchange, there are still no clear plan to merge or acquisite other stock exchanges. However, its existing aim of focusing on China market already failed to comply the existing trend of financial globalization because the two trans-atlantic mergers have posed a threat to Hong Kong Stock Exchange since this will reduce the incentive of foreign natural resource companies to list on Hong Kong Exchange.
Moreover, a lot of large enterprises in Asia Pacific region have already listed on New York Stock Exchange. When those companies list on Hong kong Exchange, that can attract more international capital to invest in Hong Kong SAR and greatly increase the trade volume.
Hong Kong Stock Exchange should seek more co-operations to exchanges in greater China and south-east Asia so that the exchange can become the regional financial hub.
Moreover, Hong Kong has the advantage on time zone. If Hong Kong Exchange introduce electronic trading, the trading time can be extended to at least 8 hours. This can extend the trading period of the proposed merged market to at least 100 hours per week. Investors in Asia Pacific region can trade stocks of most of the international enterprises during bank operation hours. The transaction amount of Hong Kong Exchange is expected to be doubled as the economic growth in China and south-east Asia.
The original text was distributed on 9:37pm, 13 February 2011.
Citigroup analyst Donald Fandetti stated that the combined entity would be the largest global exchange since more than 90% of futures and derivatives in Europe are traded in those exchanges. They may also serve as a platform for international ventures.
Also, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange also announced that they will merge.
Such trans-atlantic stock exchange merger actions facilitate more investors to trade more types of stocks within their trading hours.
They can also trade stocks of more foreign companies in their home countries in order to avoid taxations and procedures of international stock tradings.
Why there are lots of such mergers take place?
As the advancement of computer trading and popularity of the Internet, more and more investors tend to trade their equities across borders
and the volume of trade processing has increased by tenfold, or even hundredfold.
In the trend of capital globalization, co-operation and merger among financial institutions are inevitable. These actions help better utilization of capital, resources and improve the efficiency of trading. A lot of stock markets plan to co-operate, share market information with each other, or even accept more foreign companies to trade their equities in order to promote their competitiveness.
Many financiers believe that international stock exchange mergers can improve the competitiveness of financial sectors of the host countries and facilitate to prompt reactions by the market due to longer trading hours.
According to William Blair’s Lane and Leikhim, mergers of exchanges help to eliminate major administration expenses,
and there should also be important strategic benefits through clearing synergies. This possible merger can combine two major interest futures exchanges in Europe.
For Hong Kong Stock Exchange, there are still no clear plan to merge or acquisite other stock exchanges. However, its existing aim of focusing on China market already failed to comply the existing trend of financial globalization because the two trans-atlantic mergers have posed a threat to Hong Kong Stock Exchange since this will reduce the incentive of foreign natural resource companies to list on Hong Kong Exchange.
Moreover, a lot of large enterprises in Asia Pacific region have already listed on New York Stock Exchange. When those companies list on Hong kong Exchange, that can attract more international capital to invest in Hong Kong SAR and greatly increase the trade volume.
Hong Kong Stock Exchange should seek more co-operations to exchanges in greater China and south-east Asia so that the exchange can become the regional financial hub.
Moreover, Hong Kong has the advantage on time zone. If Hong Kong Exchange introduce electronic trading, the trading time can be extended to at least 8 hours. This can extend the trading period of the proposed merged market to at least 100 hours per week. Investors in Asia Pacific region can trade stocks of most of the international enterprises during bank operation hours. The transaction amount of Hong Kong Exchange is expected to be doubled as the economic growth in China and south-east Asia.
The original text was distributed on 9:37pm, 13 February 2011.
Call for more land supply and regulating property market
近年來香港特區政府大幅削減土地供應,新建成樓宇大減,引起住宅,辦公樓等供不應求,房價瘋狂上漲.
二十大開發商建成樓宇佔新供應樓房面積超過九十百分點,有論者認為地產霸權已十分明顯.
按照傳統經濟理論,限制土地供應必然導致地價極端上漲,而香港房價已超越民眾和商人的負擔能力.
過去五年,香港每年土地供應僅有約二十萬平方公尺,少於1985至1997年間依據中英聯合聲明限定的五十萬平方公尺.
恆隆地產主席陳啟宗直指香港政府限制土地供應是絕對錯誤.
為增加住房供應和促進房地產市場競爭,我們建議:
以地皮面積計,將每年土地供應恢復到五十萬平方公尺,高密度住宅區佔二十五萬平方公尺,限價出售房屋佔五萬平方公尺,商業區佔五萬至十萬平方公尺.
在市區重建方面,重建後樓宇容積率可提高到拆卸前樓宇的2.5倍,有利於樓換樓,舖換舖推行,惟限於自用物業,建商仍然得到不低的利潤.
上述樓換樓,舖換舖措施相信能加快收購程序,降低佔用流動資金,有助中小型建商參與.
將大部份地皮分拆至約二千至一萬平方公尺拍賣,使每年土地供應增至一百多幅.
政府應盡快開發新市鎮,促進增加土地供應.並限定最少10百分點土地面積列為限價出售房.
政府每年土地權出讓所得須控制於本地生產總值的2%至3%,以調節地價至民眾可負擔水平.
凡涉及轉換土地用途的建案,俱徵收統一土地增值稅,稅率為總售價與地價和建築費用連利息差額的60%至70%.
建設乙類公共房屋,供現行公共房屋收入上限1至1.4倍住戶申請,房租約為甲類的1.6至2倍.每年興建甲類(現行)和乙類公共房屋各20000個.
原文發佈於2011年1月31日,11:01pm.
In recent years Hong Kong SAR Government greatly reduced land supply and fewer buildings completed.
The supply of resident flats and offices does not meet the demand and causes uncontrollable increase in property prices.
20 biggest developers invested in more than 90% of newly completed building area and critics claim that there is blatant property tyranny.
According to traditional economic theory, limitation on land supply leads to extreme increase in land prices.
While the property prices in Hong Kong have already become unaffordable by general public and merchants.
In the past 5 years, land supply in Hong Kong was about 200000 square metres, which was lesser than the limit of 500000 square metres, according to Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Chan Kai-chung, chairman of Hang Lung Properties, claimed that the decision of land supply limitation by Hong Kong Government is totally wrong.
In order to increase housing supply and promote competition in property market, we propose that:
Increase total annual land supply to 500000 square metres, which consists of 250000 square metres for high density residential blocks,
50000 square metres for limited price housing projects, 50000 to 100000 square metres for business districts.
Land volume in re-development project can increase to 2.5 times of land volume in buildings before demolition.
This will be conducive for original flat owning residents to exchange new flats from developers while developers can still be highly profitable in construction projects.
It can also reduce the time for acquisition and capital required, thus small to medium construction companys can involve in those projects.
Most of the land lots should be splited into area of 2000 to 10000 square metres and thus more than 100 land lots can be auctioned every year.
The government should develop more new towns and at least 10% of the total area is reserved for building limited price flat.
Government annual land auction income should be controlled to about 2% to 3% of GDP. In addition, unified land value added tax should be levied for projects involving changes in land use.
The tax rate is [total price of flats being sold- (land purchase price+ construction costs+ interest)]*(60% to 70%).
Build B type public housing estate for households at income level of 1 to 1.4 times of income limit of existing public housing estate applications,
while the proposed rent is about 1.6 to 2 times of existing flats.
Construct type A and type B public housing flats, each of 20000 per year.
The original text was distributed on 11:01pm, 31 January 2011.
二十大開發商建成樓宇佔新供應樓房面積超過九十百分點,有論者認為地產霸權已十分明顯.
按照傳統經濟理論,限制土地供應必然導致地價極端上漲,而香港房價已超越民眾和商人的負擔能力.
過去五年,香港每年土地供應僅有約二十萬平方公尺,少於1985至1997年間依據中英聯合聲明限定的五十萬平方公尺.
恆隆地產主席陳啟宗直指香港政府限制土地供應是絕對錯誤.
為增加住房供應和促進房地產市場競爭,我們建議:
以地皮面積計,將每年土地供應恢復到五十萬平方公尺,高密度住宅區佔二十五萬平方公尺,限價出售房屋佔五萬平方公尺,商業區佔五萬至十萬平方公尺.
在市區重建方面,重建後樓宇容積率可提高到拆卸前樓宇的2.5倍,有利於樓換樓,舖換舖推行,惟限於自用物業,建商仍然得到不低的利潤.
上述樓換樓,舖換舖措施相信能加快收購程序,降低佔用流動資金,有助中小型建商參與.
將大部份地皮分拆至約二千至一萬平方公尺拍賣,使每年土地供應增至一百多幅.
政府應盡快開發新市鎮,促進增加土地供應.並限定最少10百分點土地面積列為限價出售房.
政府每年土地權出讓所得須控制於本地生產總值的2%至3%,以調節地價至民眾可負擔水平.
凡涉及轉換土地用途的建案,俱徵收統一土地增值稅,稅率為總售價與地價和建築費用連利息差額的60%至70%.
建設乙類公共房屋,供現行公共房屋收入上限1至1.4倍住戶申請,房租約為甲類的1.6至2倍.每年興建甲類(現行)和乙類公共房屋各20000個.
原文發佈於2011年1月31日,11:01pm.
In recent years Hong Kong SAR Government greatly reduced land supply and fewer buildings completed.
The supply of resident flats and offices does not meet the demand and causes uncontrollable increase in property prices.
20 biggest developers invested in more than 90% of newly completed building area and critics claim that there is blatant property tyranny.
According to traditional economic theory, limitation on land supply leads to extreme increase in land prices.
While the property prices in Hong Kong have already become unaffordable by general public and merchants.
In the past 5 years, land supply in Hong Kong was about 200000 square metres, which was lesser than the limit of 500000 square metres, according to Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Chan Kai-chung, chairman of Hang Lung Properties, claimed that the decision of land supply limitation by Hong Kong Government is totally wrong.
In order to increase housing supply and promote competition in property market, we propose that:
Increase total annual land supply to 500000 square metres, which consists of 250000 square metres for high density residential blocks,
50000 square metres for limited price housing projects, 50000 to 100000 square metres for business districts.
Land volume in re-development project can increase to 2.5 times of land volume in buildings before demolition.
This will be conducive for original flat owning residents to exchange new flats from developers while developers can still be highly profitable in construction projects.
It can also reduce the time for acquisition and capital required, thus small to medium construction companys can involve in those projects.
Most of the land lots should be splited into area of 2000 to 10000 square metres and thus more than 100 land lots can be auctioned every year.
The government should develop more new towns and at least 10% of the total area is reserved for building limited price flat.
Government annual land auction income should be controlled to about 2% to 3% of GDP. In addition, unified land value added tax should be levied for projects involving changes in land use.
The tax rate is [total price of flats being sold- (land purchase price+ construction costs+ interest)]*(60% to 70%).
Build B type public housing estate for households at income level of 1 to 1.4 times of income limit of existing public housing estate applications,
while the proposed rent is about 1.6 to 2 times of existing flats.
Construct type A and type B public housing flats, each of 20000 per year.
The original text was distributed on 11:01pm, 31 January 2011.
Problems and Potential risks of third runway of Hong Kong International Airport
The Hong Kong Airport Authority will start the consultation on building the third runway of the airport very soon.
Because there is not much space in existing airport region, reclamation is required for building the additional runway.
Some arguments claimed that the existing air traffic in Hong Kong SAR increases and that will reach the maximum airport runway traffic capacity within a few years.
If the additional runway is not built, that will hinder the growth of air traffic and harmful to the economy.
However, there are some safety concerns about the expansion of the airport.
First, there is not too much space in the sea adjacent to the airport and the runway can only be built at the north of existing runways.
The width of Urmston Road will further reduce to about 4km. That will increase the speed of water flow and shorten the distance between ships.
The Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge projects have already led to reclamation of 10 square kilometres of sea adjacent to north Lantau Island.
Building the runway will cause further pollution of sea water.
But the most important concern is flight safety. Nowadays, there are 40 to 50 flights take off from the airport per hour in peak time and the distance between aeroplanes are often closer than 600m.
If the third runway opens, more and more flights will land on and depart from the airport. The planes will further close to each other and that will greatly increase the potential risk of collision.
In addition, Tai Lam Hill just locates on 9km north-east off from the proposed third runway and high-rising residential buildings in Sham Tseng, 11km north-east from airport, pose a danger for planes.
Since the planes fly at 400m to 600m above the sea level in those areas, they are likely to collide on the hills and buildings and lead to massive deaths.
In order to cope with the growing air traffic, Hong Kong Airport Authority should provide incentives for airlines to arrange planes with larger capacity to fly routes to and from Hong Kong.
The authorities should impose a flat rate for all the planes landing on the airport and reduce the rate for large planes, such as B747-8 and A380.
That will reduce a lot of air space occupied because a 50-seat aeroplane occupies the same air space of a 400-seat aeroplane!
Location of Hong Kong International Airport and adjacent area: http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Urmston_Road¶ms=22_20_34_N_113_56_50_E_type:waterbody
The original text was distributed on 8:50pm, 22 January 2011.
Because there is not much space in existing airport region, reclamation is required for building the additional runway.
Some arguments claimed that the existing air traffic in Hong Kong SAR increases and that will reach the maximum airport runway traffic capacity within a few years.
If the additional runway is not built, that will hinder the growth of air traffic and harmful to the economy.
However, there are some safety concerns about the expansion of the airport.
First, there is not too much space in the sea adjacent to the airport and the runway can only be built at the north of existing runways.
The width of Urmston Road will further reduce to about 4km. That will increase the speed of water flow and shorten the distance between ships.
The Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge projects have already led to reclamation of 10 square kilometres of sea adjacent to north Lantau Island.
Building the runway will cause further pollution of sea water.
But the most important concern is flight safety. Nowadays, there are 40 to 50 flights take off from the airport per hour in peak time and the distance between aeroplanes are often closer than 600m.
If the third runway opens, more and more flights will land on and depart from the airport. The planes will further close to each other and that will greatly increase the potential risk of collision.
In addition, Tai Lam Hill just locates on 9km north-east off from the proposed third runway and high-rising residential buildings in Sham Tseng, 11km north-east from airport, pose a danger for planes.
Since the planes fly at 400m to 600m above the sea level in those areas, they are likely to collide on the hills and buildings and lead to massive deaths.
In order to cope with the growing air traffic, Hong Kong Airport Authority should provide incentives for airlines to arrange planes with larger capacity to fly routes to and from Hong Kong.
The authorities should impose a flat rate for all the planes landing on the airport and reduce the rate for large planes, such as B747-8 and A380.
That will reduce a lot of air space occupied because a 50-seat aeroplane occupies the same air space of a 400-seat aeroplane!
Location of Hong Kong International Airport and adjacent area: http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Urmston_Road¶ms=22_20_34_N_113_56_50_E_type:waterbody
The original text was distributed on 8:50pm, 22 January 2011.
Common domains, Copyright and Portrait right of deceased personalities
After viewing of the episode of 60 Minutes broadcasted on 20th January, 2011, I think that the practice of taking advantage from deceased personalities is rather unfavorable.
Becoming the agent of deceased personalities and using their works or images in order to get profit is disrespectful to the deceased and highly parasitic because those agents take too much copyright fee and exploited the rights of the heirs.
In addition, copyright and portrait rights may last for several decades. That will let the descendants and agents gain a lot of wealth just by basking on reflected glory of famous deceased people and the social wealth will be more concentrated on those agents and celebrity families.
The costs of using the works of those personalities increase greatly for a long time and hinder the usage of our common culture heritage and art works, especially for the general public.
Therefore, the authorities should consider to strictly enforce the limitation on period of the copyrights and portrait rights of the deceased.
All the copyrights and portrait rights must be terminated 50 years after the decease of the authors or the person of the image. That means copyright and portrait rights can be passed on one generation only.
After that, the images of personalities and our culture wealth can enter the common domain, instead of being monopolized by certain families or foundations.
Such limitation can help the easy access of information and knowledge in order to improve the human culture.
The original text was distributed on 11:13pm, 21 January 2011.
Becoming the agent of deceased personalities and using their works or images in order to get profit is disrespectful to the deceased and highly parasitic because those agents take too much copyright fee and exploited the rights of the heirs.
In addition, copyright and portrait rights may last for several decades. That will let the descendants and agents gain a lot of wealth just by basking on reflected glory of famous deceased people and the social wealth will be more concentrated on those agents and celebrity families.
The costs of using the works of those personalities increase greatly for a long time and hinder the usage of our common culture heritage and art works, especially for the general public.
Therefore, the authorities should consider to strictly enforce the limitation on period of the copyrights and portrait rights of the deceased.
All the copyrights and portrait rights must be terminated 50 years after the decease of the authors or the person of the image. That means copyright and portrait rights can be passed on one generation only.
After that, the images of personalities and our culture wealth can enter the common domain, instead of being monopolized by certain families or foundations.
Such limitation can help the easy access of information and knowledge in order to improve the human culture.
The original text was distributed on 11:13pm, 21 January 2011.
人口遷入須予以制約
中港兩地政府近日制定協議,自四月一日起允許香港特區永久居民的十五周歲或以上內地子女來港定居,估計數萬人受惠.
但是,社會各界普遍憂慮此決定會導致更多新來者爭奪社會資源,包括教育,就業,住房方面.
本人其中一項憂慮是其連鎖反應.當上述已婚子女獲得香港特區居留權,也許會提出申請,讓其配偶子女來港定居.
而未婚子女來港後一旦再與非本地居民結婚,生兒,也會以家庭團聚為理由來港定居,可能帶來十多萬額外人口.
事實上,不少提出家庭團聚申請者為低技術的貧民,勢將佔用稀少的公共資源和服務,基層居民失業人數增加,令民怨日深.
過去二十年來,香港特區面對近一百萬名來自中國其他地區以至第三世界的低技術勞動力及其親屬,令低技術職位供不應求,
亦明顯推低工資水平,還增加每年數十億港元社保開銷!
因此,我們建議當局將單程證名額減至每日五十名,並撤回上述協議.
從嚴審批低學歷,低技術,長者來港申請,以及設立外國人來港名額上限.
香港特區政府應轉向鼓勵高技術人才定居,協助高技術及文化產業發展.同時簡化技術,資歷評審和手續.
教育,文化和科技機構也須向外多加招攬各地優秀人才,以提升文化,科技產業比率,培訓本地技術人員.
原文發佈於2011年1月16日,10:22pm.
但是,社會各界普遍憂慮此決定會導致更多新來者爭奪社會資源,包括教育,就業,住房方面.
本人其中一項憂慮是其連鎖反應.當上述已婚子女獲得香港特區居留權,也許會提出申請,讓其配偶子女來港定居.
而未婚子女來港後一旦再與非本地居民結婚,生兒,也會以家庭團聚為理由來港定居,可能帶來十多萬額外人口.
事實上,不少提出家庭團聚申請者為低技術的貧民,勢將佔用稀少的公共資源和服務,基層居民失業人數增加,令民怨日深.
過去二十年來,香港特區面對近一百萬名來自中國其他地區以至第三世界的低技術勞動力及其親屬,令低技術職位供不應求,
亦明顯推低工資水平,還增加每年數十億港元社保開銷!
因此,我們建議當局將單程證名額減至每日五十名,並撤回上述協議.
從嚴審批低學歷,低技術,長者來港申請,以及設立外國人來港名額上限.
香港特區政府應轉向鼓勵高技術人才定居,協助高技術及文化產業發展.同時簡化技術,資歷評審和手續.
教育,文化和科技機構也須向外多加招攬各地優秀人才,以提升文化,科技產業比率,培訓本地技術人員.
原文發佈於2011年1月16日,10:22pm.
可持續經濟法是香港的當務之急
2006年,中國工商銀行在上海和香港上市,其中在香港集資一千三百億元,更成為全球最大市值的公眾持股銀行.
2010年10月,友邦保險(American International Assurance)在香港公開招股,集資1590.78億元,創下集資最高紀錄.
2010年首十個月,香港新股集資額達3459.4億元,創下近年來新高.
香港交易所股票總市值突破二十萬七千億元,直逼2007年瘋狂漲勢時的最高紀錄.
在2006年,香港業已成為全球最大的股票衍生工具市場,股民不顧一切加入投機,實與國際銀行家對賭,不少散戶因而傾家蕩產.
過去一年新房地產項目紅火,按可用面積計每平方公尺售價往往超過十萬元.
北區一批洋房冒充為瑞士式房屋,每間面積不足二百平方公尺,卻售三千萬元以上,令人震駭,壓縮市郊空間.
近期經濟學者揭發部份開發項目政府收取補地價甚低,開發商利潤達五十至六十百分點.
自1999年起,香港特區商品貿易逆差呈擴張趨勢,1999年貿易逆差為437.18億元,2006年為1387.77億元,2010年首三季香港特區商品貿易逆差達2458.4億元,超過歷年來全年總額,形勢嚴峻.
屯門回收園使用率頗低,相當部份首期租戶退租.
看見上方的經濟狀況概述,你們會有甚麼感受?也許,不少民眾對於上方的描述不以為然,認為只要自己能賺錢便感覺良好.
但是,資產泡沫,投機狂潮,匯率波動已經對社會民生產生負面影響,民怨沖天,要求政府增加房屋供應,資助,改善經濟之聲四起.
再者,社會上一直有聲音敦促政府,工商界發展高新科技工業和文化產業,但長期被排除於主流媒體之外.
香港特區各階層收入差距甚鉅,經過稅負和社會保障轉移後收入最高五分之一人口所得為收入最低五分之一人口的十三倍,
遠較台灣,南韓,日本,澳大利亞等地為大!
過去十年,社會上的有識之士,明白到現時以房地產和金融主導的經濟不可長期持續,以及多次時代挫折,提出一些創新思維,解決當下困境.工人階級飽受壓榨,以及資訊發達,也令民間維權意識抬頭.可持續經濟概念亦逐漸獲得社會注視.
為何需要可持續經濟?
在人類文明發展進程中,農業是文明的源泉.可是農耕產值低,亦不能滿足人類需求.製造業遂成為附加價值基礎,
工業生產的進步是社會發展的必要因素,服務業隨之大幅擴張.但當社會趨向投機,以個人貪念為本,土地,股票,債券等等價格暴漲,更產生金融衍生工具,加劇市場波動,與實際經濟脫節,財富注定向少數人,甚至財閥集中.
殷鑑不遠,1990年起日本資產泡沫爆破,股市,房市暴跌逾十年,高房價導致的後遺症至今尚在,東京等大都會區二十年來實質經濟無甚增長.2008年經濟危機,愛爾蘭共和國,西班牙建築和房地產事業過度擴張,政府,企業,民間因為投機,結果被債務壓垮.
由此可見,產業結構均衡是經濟穩定的基石.
另一方面,地球資源已經被人類活動嚴重消耗,當資源消耗殆盡,生態災難,永久大蕭條必然到臨.
我們需要作出甚麼行動?
敦促政府制定協助文化產業,創新科技和回收再造工業,藉此達到人盡其才,還可以有效分配生產資料.
訂立可持續經濟法,協助第二產業重新發展,並向高增值產業,包含生化,醫藥,可再生能源導向;
重設租務管制,限制房租上漲,嚴格規範金融事業發展.
制定高度累進所得稅,統一土地增值稅,一定額度以上的股息課稅,縮減收入差距,額外稅收用作研發,科技產業稅務抵扣,以及增加社會保障,減少後顧之憂.
密切監察企業行為,加強輿論監督,將不公義,攫取過鉅利潤行為公開;人民也須自覺,堅決抵制不負社會責任企業並加以譴責.
必要時應加入工會,社會壓力團體,爭取個人,社會應有利益,'團結就是力量',喚醒公眾關注及支援.
鑑於亞太地區自由貿易區大增,香港特區政府須積極與更多地區制定自由貿易區,特別是東南亞,印度次大陸等鄰近新興市場,吸引當地企業利用香港金融平台和商業服務.
原文發佈於2010年11月15日,10:35pm.
2010年10月,友邦保險(American International Assurance)在香港公開招股,集資1590.78億元,創下集資最高紀錄.
2010年首十個月,香港新股集資額達3459.4億元,創下近年來新高.
香港交易所股票總市值突破二十萬七千億元,直逼2007年瘋狂漲勢時的最高紀錄.
在2006年,香港業已成為全球最大的股票衍生工具市場,股民不顧一切加入投機,實與國際銀行家對賭,不少散戶因而傾家蕩產.
過去一年新房地產項目紅火,按可用面積計每平方公尺售價往往超過十萬元.
北區一批洋房冒充為瑞士式房屋,每間面積不足二百平方公尺,卻售三千萬元以上,令人震駭,壓縮市郊空間.
近期經濟學者揭發部份開發項目政府收取補地價甚低,開發商利潤達五十至六十百分點.
自1999年起,香港特區商品貿易逆差呈擴張趨勢,1999年貿易逆差為437.18億元,2006年為1387.77億元,2010年首三季香港特區商品貿易逆差達2458.4億元,超過歷年來全年總額,形勢嚴峻.
屯門回收園使用率頗低,相當部份首期租戶退租.
看見上方的經濟狀況概述,你們會有甚麼感受?也許,不少民眾對於上方的描述不以為然,認為只要自己能賺錢便感覺良好.
但是,資產泡沫,投機狂潮,匯率波動已經對社會民生產生負面影響,民怨沖天,要求政府增加房屋供應,資助,改善經濟之聲四起.
再者,社會上一直有聲音敦促政府,工商界發展高新科技工業和文化產業,但長期被排除於主流媒體之外.
香港特區各階層收入差距甚鉅,經過稅負和社會保障轉移後收入最高五分之一人口所得為收入最低五分之一人口的十三倍,
遠較台灣,南韓,日本,澳大利亞等地為大!
過去十年,社會上的有識之士,明白到現時以房地產和金融主導的經濟不可長期持續,以及多次時代挫折,提出一些創新思維,解決當下困境.工人階級飽受壓榨,以及資訊發達,也令民間維權意識抬頭.可持續經濟概念亦逐漸獲得社會注視.
為何需要可持續經濟?
在人類文明發展進程中,農業是文明的源泉.可是農耕產值低,亦不能滿足人類需求.製造業遂成為附加價值基礎,
工業生產的進步是社會發展的必要因素,服務業隨之大幅擴張.但當社會趨向投機,以個人貪念為本,土地,股票,債券等等價格暴漲,更產生金融衍生工具,加劇市場波動,與實際經濟脫節,財富注定向少數人,甚至財閥集中.
殷鑑不遠,1990年起日本資產泡沫爆破,股市,房市暴跌逾十年,高房價導致的後遺症至今尚在,東京等大都會區二十年來實質經濟無甚增長.2008年經濟危機,愛爾蘭共和國,西班牙建築和房地產事業過度擴張,政府,企業,民間因為投機,結果被債務壓垮.
由此可見,產業結構均衡是經濟穩定的基石.
另一方面,地球資源已經被人類活動嚴重消耗,當資源消耗殆盡,生態災難,永久大蕭條必然到臨.
我們需要作出甚麼行動?
敦促政府制定協助文化產業,創新科技和回收再造工業,藉此達到人盡其才,還可以有效分配生產資料.
訂立可持續經濟法,協助第二產業重新發展,並向高增值產業,包含生化,醫藥,可再生能源導向;
重設租務管制,限制房租上漲,嚴格規範金融事業發展.
制定高度累進所得稅,統一土地增值稅,一定額度以上的股息課稅,縮減收入差距,額外稅收用作研發,科技產業稅務抵扣,以及增加社會保障,減少後顧之憂.
密切監察企業行為,加強輿論監督,將不公義,攫取過鉅利潤行為公開;人民也須自覺,堅決抵制不負社會責任企業並加以譴責.
必要時應加入工會,社會壓力團體,爭取個人,社會應有利益,'團結就是力量',喚醒公眾關注及支援.
鑑於亞太地區自由貿易區大增,香港特區政府須積極與更多地區制定自由貿易區,特別是東南亞,印度次大陸等鄰近新興市場,吸引當地企業利用香港金融平台和商業服務.
原文發佈於2010年11月15日,10:35pm.
柏林圍牆倒下二十年,對中國,韓國有何啟示?
兩天後,柏林圍牆已被柏林居民推翻二十年,對德國,以至世界人民而言,是一個重要日子.但是,中國,韓國仍然受分治,甚至分裂之苦.
海峽兩岸,由於政經制度歧異,不相往來數十年.國內,港澳和臺灣人民亦經歷不同生活和思維模式,彼此間存在省籍偏見.雖然內地改革開放帶來互相交流機會,但是國內(注:在近代史上,由1928年起),與臺灣兩蔣年代的威權管治造成民間不可磨滅的傷痕.
在香港特區,香港主體性領導社會,專業人士和民間存在自保心態,對經濟融合存在保留態度,類似德國統一的撤銷關稅和邊界管制之議尚屬非主流(雖然本人主張十年內中港仿照申根公約方式,人貨自由往還),更恐懼貪瀆威權,深層思想上卻與臺灣人民接近(約兩月前其中一輯左右紅藍綠亦有此說).
至於朝鮮半島,陽光政策搖擺不定,北朝鮮經改遲緩,動輒核武威脅,禍害東亞以至世界人民.南北民生南轅北轍,假使統一必引起史無前例的管治危機.
海峽兩岸,由於政經制度歧異,不相往來數十年.國內,港澳和臺灣人民亦經歷不同生活和思維模式,彼此間存在省籍偏見.雖然內地改革開放帶來互相交流機會,但是國內(注:在近代史上,由1928年起),與臺灣兩蔣年代的威權管治造成民間不可磨滅的傷痕.
在香港特區,香港主體性領導社會,專業人士和民間存在自保心態,對經濟融合存在保留態度,類似德國統一的撤銷關稅和邊界管制之議尚屬非主流(雖然本人主張十年內中港仿照申根公約方式,人貨自由往還),更恐懼貪瀆威權,深層思想上卻與臺灣人民接近(約兩月前其中一輯左右紅藍綠亦有此說).
至於朝鮮半島,陽光政策搖擺不定,北朝鮮經改遲緩,動輒核武威脅,禍害東亞以至世界人民.南北民生南轅北轍,假使統一必引起史無前例的管治危機.
原文發佈於2009年11月7日,10:49pm.
演藝人和嫩模書展宣傳與社會文化素養
每年一度的香港書展本來是閱讀愛好者的好去處,除了可以讓讀者得知形形色色的書籍,特別是新書或冷門書籍,也是作者,出版者,發行人和大眾交流的平台.可惜的是,近年來不少演藝人和出版商都趁機宣傳其所謂著作,而出版商轄下攤位員工各施各法,喧囂叫賣,四周簇擁著大批歌迷,影迷,以至’趁墟’的市民.更甚者,在今年書展中,一群被稱為’嫩模’(或’靚模’)的表演女郎或推廣模特兒將會發佈其圖片集,並搔首弄姿,徹底破壞書展原來的文化氣息,淪為充滿庸俗表演的推銷場所,以及變相的追星活動,與一般商場的演藝人的宣傳活動無異.
在此,我們不禁要質問這個社會:為何一年一度的書展仍然無法成為香港特區這文化荒漠的綠洲?為什麼書展淪入出版商之手後,竟轉作令人厭惡的’名人著作’(常有請槍之嫌)大賣場?為何每年有逾七十萬人進入書展,但大部分人依然無法走出與演藝人見面,購買低檔書,圖片集的怪圈內?
歸根究底是香港特區民眾忽略人文素養,以及審美觀的匱乏.雖然香港居民普遍工作繁忙,但他們即使有一點餘暇,也傾向觀賞商人制作的電影,電視劇,收聽流行音樂.可是,稍有一點品位的人只要看過一兩部影劇,都知道那般影劇僅屬公式化產品,部分著重官能刺激,欠缺文化內涵.更可悲的是,近年流行音樂創作素質低落,歌詞言之無物,演唱者五音不全,難引起聽眾長期共鳴,成為’用完即棄’的產品.
事實上,在百忙中閱讀文化藝術書籍,收聽古典音樂,不失是暫時放開工作煩惱的理想方法.在繁忙的工作中尋找心靈慰藉,陶冶性情本是人生的一點調節,可是人們在強大的商業宣傳下,往往不願意追尋被視為高格調的文藝作品.
另外,香港特區的教育過度重視實學,速效,輕視文化教育.縱使多數中小學設閱讀獎勵計劃,文化推廣活動,但也未能吸引大量學生參與.因此,教育當局須加大力度於文化藝術科目的擴展,提高學生對文藝作品的鑑賞力,減少過度操練和接受文藝課外活動作升學的參考指標,才能提升社會人士對閱讀文化的關注
原文發佈於2009年7月18日,6:25pm.
Promotions
in Book Fair and cultural quality in Hong Kong
The
Hong Kong Book Fair, which is held in every July, is a good place for
regular readers to know a wide range of books, especially new or
unpopular books. It is also a place for exchanging ideas or views of
authors, publishers, distributors and readers. Alas, many performers
and publishers have taken the advantage to promote their so-called
works in the book fair. The salespeople of publishers yell in order
to promote the works. Fans or even residents sticking with the herd
gather round stalls. Worst still, some showgirls and promotional
models distribute photo collections with their appearances. They have
even planned to pose sultry actions. After protests by a Facebook
group, Trade Development Council, the organizer of book fair, divided
a hall for performers to meet their fans. The actions of those
performers totally disrupt the cultural atmosphere and transform the
venue into a plebeian promotion place and performer following
activity by devoted fans, as found in general shopping centres.
We
have to question the society: Why the
annual book fair still cannot become oasis of Hong Kong SAR, where
people called it as ‘culture desert’? Why the fair is degraded to
a selling place of disgusting ‘celebrity works’ (which are often
ghost- written)? Why most of 700 thousand odd attendants still cannot
get out of activities like seeing performers, buying low quality
books and albums?
The
ultimate reason of the norm is the lack of cultural quality and
aesthetic standard among quality. Although Hong Kong people
are often very busy, they often prefer popular music, television
dramas and movies produced by merchants, rather than aesthetic works
and fine arts. In fact, any person with some critical ideas often
finds those dramas or movies usually have a few similar styles, or
merely for sensual excitement. Sadly, most of the pop songs in recent
years are rather meaningless and singers have no sense in rhythm.
Those songs cannot impress audiences and people abandon them very
quickly.
Reading
some great literature and listening to classical music are effective
methods to reduce annoyance derived from working or everyday life.
Nourishment of our bored souls is necessary
to urban people. However, the public often forget fine arts under the
great influence of commercial propaganda.
Hong
Kong government and people often stress on actual skills in education
and defy arts and literature. Even a lot of reading or cultural
promotional programmes are held in schools, not many students enter
the programmes actively. Therefore, the educational authorities in
Hong Kong must fully promote the appreciation
of literature works, reduce unnecessarily training and adopt students
having high ability in literature activities in order to improve
public awareness on reading ‘regular books’.
The Chinese original text was distributed on 6:25pm, 18 July 2009; English translation was distributed on 5:42pm, 24 July 2009.
Digital audio broadcast in Hong Kong and issue of bandwidth allocation
Digital radio and allocation of bandwidth
Digital audio broadcast is a technology that applies computers to ‘compress’ sound waves into digital signals, which occupy smaller volume of bands and transmit in the air with high fidelity and longer distance because the signals can be re-arranged in the decoders in radio receptors.
Because of smaller band volume being occupied under digital audio broadcast, 100 bands can be placed within a range of band while the band can accompany 10 to 50 bands under analogue radio broadcast. In addition, analogue broadcast is constrained by the landscape because hills or high buildings can block the transmission of radio signals and the power is often smaller. Thus a radio band can only cover smaller areas and some different bands are applied by one channel, especially in hilly regions like Hong Kong, Taipei and Auckland, New Zealand.
For example, FM bandwidth ranges from 88MHz to 108MHz and intervals between bands are 0.4 MHz. But due to diffraction by hills and destructive interference, more bands is occupied by the same channel (in Hong Kong, 7 bands are allocated by the same channel). Meanwhile, there are 10 to 40 AM bands available in Hong Kong SAR and it needs 2 to 3 bands for a channel to cover the whole region. However, the reception quality of AM broadcasting is sometimes poor because of interference and low power. Therefore AM broadcasting has not been popular in past three decades. So not much channels apply AM broadcasting. Thus shortage of broadcasting bands occurs.
But Wave Radio, a new Hong Kong radio station that will operate in second half year of 2009, will introduce digital technology to improve the audio fidelity. It may be the hope of utilizing AM radio bandwidth. But it can still not relieve insufficiency of bandwidth. In recent years, some Hong Kong pro-democratic politicians opened pirate radio channel to resist existing public and commercial channels, but they faced strong suppression by the government.
In Taiwan, some non-Kuomintang politicians have also opened pirate radio broadcast to promote their views and they also faced forced closure by Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) government. However, pirate channels are mushroomed all over the island and several interference cases are reported. Those channels often promoted medicine with poor quality at high price and the presenters often propagandize demagogic political points of view.
Therefore, digital audio broadcasting should be introduced and promoted forcefully by the governments to provide more bandwidth and reduce the chains on audio broadcasting applications. Reducing those restrictions can create better environment to promote science, technology and traditional culture like classical music, opera. To manage the radio resources properly, quasi-official organizations should be set up and lease the periods for different organizations at affordable rate in order to allot time and channels for broadcasting and promote the quality of radio equipments.
AM radio theories: http://www.howstuffworks.com/radio-spectrum.htm
Introduction of AM broadcasting: http://www.economicexpert.com/a/AM:radio.htm
The original text was distributed on 7:29pm, 28 May 2009.
Digital Audio Broadcast and opening of radio and television channels
In order to respond the concern of Hong Kong citizens, the pressure groups should urge the government to relax the conditions of licences for broadcasting and change the procedures. The guarantee deposit for audio broadcast should be reduced to $100000 to $5 million, depending on the size of staff, power and reception population. Licences issuing process must be supervised by the Legislative Council. Broadcast licensing authority should include independent academics or experts in cultural field, legislators and district councillors without politic connections. The period for applying low power broadcast licences by education institutions should be reduced to about three months. The change will be conducive to setting of campus radio and media for community services and promote participation of community services. The government and civil groups should be active on setting public television channels, in order to provide a platform for effective communications between government and different parties, promoting messages from non-government organizations, or even providing more educational programmes. In addition, civil groups should also urge the existing broadcasters to invest more on digital broadcast and launch more services immediately and the government should draft a plan to subsidize low income households to buy digital radio and television set and recycling of old appliances to reduce the harmful effect of mass dumping.
The original text was distributed on 10:19pm, 31 May 2009.
Digital audio broadcast is a technology that applies computers to ‘compress’ sound waves into digital signals, which occupy smaller volume of bands and transmit in the air with high fidelity and longer distance because the signals can be re-arranged in the decoders in radio receptors.
Because of smaller band volume being occupied under digital audio broadcast, 100 bands can be placed within a range of band while the band can accompany 10 to 50 bands under analogue radio broadcast. In addition, analogue broadcast is constrained by the landscape because hills or high buildings can block the transmission of radio signals and the power is often smaller. Thus a radio band can only cover smaller areas and some different bands are applied by one channel, especially in hilly regions like Hong Kong, Taipei and Auckland, New Zealand.
For example, FM bandwidth ranges from 88MHz to 108MHz and intervals between bands are 0.4 MHz. But due to diffraction by hills and destructive interference, more bands is occupied by the same channel (in Hong Kong, 7 bands are allocated by the same channel). Meanwhile, there are 10 to 40 AM bands available in Hong Kong SAR and it needs 2 to 3 bands for a channel to cover the whole region. However, the reception quality of AM broadcasting is sometimes poor because of interference and low power. Therefore AM broadcasting has not been popular in past three decades. So not much channels apply AM broadcasting. Thus shortage of broadcasting bands occurs.
But Wave Radio, a new Hong Kong radio station that will operate in second half year of 2009, will introduce digital technology to improve the audio fidelity. It may be the hope of utilizing AM radio bandwidth. But it can still not relieve insufficiency of bandwidth. In recent years, some Hong Kong pro-democratic politicians opened pirate radio channel to resist existing public and commercial channels, but they faced strong suppression by the government.
In Taiwan, some non-Kuomintang politicians have also opened pirate radio broadcast to promote their views and they also faced forced closure by Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) government. However, pirate channels are mushroomed all over the island and several interference cases are reported. Those channels often promoted medicine with poor quality at high price and the presenters often propagandize demagogic political points of view.
Therefore, digital audio broadcasting should be introduced and promoted forcefully by the governments to provide more bandwidth and reduce the chains on audio broadcasting applications. Reducing those restrictions can create better environment to promote science, technology and traditional culture like classical music, opera. To manage the radio resources properly, quasi-official organizations should be set up and lease the periods for different organizations at affordable rate in order to allot time and channels for broadcasting and promote the quality of radio equipments.
AM radio theories: http://www.howstuffworks.com/radio-spectrum.htm
Introduction of AM broadcasting: http://www.economicexpert.com/a/AM:radio.htm
The original text was distributed on 7:29pm, 28 May 2009.
Digital Audio Broadcast and opening of radio and television channels
In the previous essay, we mentioned that Digital Audio Broadcast can reduce the bands required to broadcast due to combination of several audio streams. In fact, the band volume occupied by one analogue radio channel can transmit 10 digital signals. In Hong Kong SAR, there are seven radio channels transmit in FM and each of them occupies 7 band widths to service different areas. Transmission stations in Hong Kong SAR are often built 10km to 40km apart and one band can broadcast two to three channels from different stations due to reflection of signals by hills and variation of power of waves. 14 analogue radio channels or 140 digital channels can be transmitted through FM bands over Hong Kong SAR when band division is adopted.
Digital terrestrial television has been launched in Hong Kong at the end of 2007 and about 30% of residents have received television service in such way. Five bands are reserved for digital terrestrial television and each band can accommodate four to five channels. After the existing analogue broadcasting being withdrawn, there will be additional bands for additional television channels or amateur radio. But until now, only three bands that consist of ten channels provide service. The other two bands still have not been allocated yet and eight television channels are empty.
There are a lot of people find that the existing radio and television channels in Hong Kong cannot satisfy the needs of the public and the number of channels is not adequate, compared with Taiwan and most of developed countries. Moreover, the license issuing procedure of Hong Kong government is very strict and that inhibits merchants and public to apply for new broadcasting service. For example, only Wave Radio, operated in 2008 by Albert Cheng King Hon, a publisher and former radio host and councillor, applied for new radio licence successfully since 1991. Meanwhile, a pirate radio station operated by some democrats has been run irregularly.In order to respond the concern of Hong Kong citizens, the pressure groups should urge the government to relax the conditions of licences for broadcasting and change the procedures. The guarantee deposit for audio broadcast should be reduced to $100000 to $5 million, depending on the size of staff, power and reception population. Licences issuing process must be supervised by the Legislative Council. Broadcast licensing authority should include independent academics or experts in cultural field, legislators and district councillors without politic connections. The period for applying low power broadcast licences by education institutions should be reduced to about three months. The change will be conducive to setting of campus radio and media for community services and promote participation of community services. The government and civil groups should be active on setting public television channels, in order to provide a platform for effective communications between government and different parties, promoting messages from non-government organizations, or even providing more educational programmes. In addition, civil groups should also urge the existing broadcasters to invest more on digital broadcast and launch more services immediately and the government should draft a plan to subsidize low income households to buy digital radio and television set and recycling of old appliances to reduce the harmful effect of mass dumping.
The original text was distributed on 10:19pm, 31 May 2009.
Review of cross-strait charter flight-Challenge and opportunities
With a closer traffic connection across Taiwan Strait, more and more air and ship lines provide cross-strait direct services. In addition, more and more people in Taiwan set up factories and own properties in mainland China, especially in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Meanwhile, thousands of mainland Chinese residents travel to Taiwan every week. In near future, they can also take cruise ship as a part of tour. This is due to the pact of promoting closer economic relationship, also known as three links, between mainland China and Taiwan in mid 2008, including trade, transport and post.
A lot of people doubted that the pact will reduce the trade volume, or even economy in Hong Kong SAR, Guangdong Province and Macau SAR because of faster transport modes, lower costs and closer cultural ties, especially between Fujian and Taiwan. For example, flight time between Shanghai to Taoyuan, near Taipei, is reduced from 5 hours to about one and a half hours. Besides, the voyage time on routes from Shanghai or Xiamen to Keelung also reduces for over a half.
Since more than 3 million passengers travelled from Taiwan to mainland China via Hong Kong per year between 2001 and 2008, and half of the passengers did not actually enter Hong Kong SAR, thus many operators in travel industry viewed the pact is a challenge of the region. However, the pact will bring more adverse impact to Macau SAR to other regions. It is because 1.5 million or 80% of total Taiwan-Macau flight passengers headed for mainland China and only 8 million passenger trips take flights or transit in Macau International Airport.
Worse still, the furthest cargo ship destination from Macau is Taiwan and the goods transport in Macau SAR mainly relied on cities adjacent to the Pearl River. Thus direct ship lines between mainland China to Taiwan means a major blow to cargo transport industry in Macau and the region will have heavier dependence upon gaming and tourism industries.
In fact, there are various international flights are available in Hong Kong, and the potential growth of economy in Taiwan, Southeast Asia and India, the demand of international flights to Taiwan will increase in the foreseeable future. In addition, goods delivered between mainland China and Taiwan by air and transferred in Hong Kong International Airport was below 10% of total goods volume in the past decade.
Therefore, tourism sector in Hong Kong should start more intensive promotion in mainland China and Taiwan to attract their residents visit to Hong Kong. They can also suggest tours combining attractions in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. At the other point, after scandals of abandoning and cheating mainland Chinese tourists, a large part of mainland Chinese citizens do not like to travel and shop in Hong Kong. To make tourists feel secured during their journeys, the tour agents and guides must emphasize their ethics. Airlines should enhance international lines, especially from Hong Kong to Southeast Asia, Indian subcontinent and Europe. In addition, Macau should develop itself as low-cost carrier hub in order to accommodate budget flights or lines with fewer passengers but with potential growth. Also, reducing fares is important to attract more passengers and carriers. That can compensate the loss in both regions due to three links.
The original text was distributed on 5:29pm, 25 May, 2009.
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