The Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong

FCC restrictions update on 2 June 2022

FCC restrictions update on 2 June 2022

Dear Members:

The current precautionary measures will be extended from June 2 until further notice. The current policies will continue as follows;

•	All restaurants will be open until 11:59 p.m. every day. Last orders for food will be at 10:50 p.m., while last orders for drinks will be at 11:30 p.m.
•	Maximum number per table is 8 now, each member can bring 3 guests.
•	Private functions and meetings can accommodate up to 120 persons. Please contact our team at [email protected] to discuss.
•	Still there is no music performances at Bert’s will be held at this time.
•	The health club continues to open, although the sauna and steam room will remain closed. No more than 6 people are allowed in the health club at a time and masks are no longer required while exercising. Pre-register is required with the gym attendant at 2844 2849.
•	All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table.
•	Staff continues to complete a COVID-19 rapid test every 3 days.

The Club continues to implement the government’s “Vaccine Pass”. Anyone who is unable to provide valid proof of vaccination will be denied entry to the Club. Please be reminded that you and your guest are required to complete the 3rd dose starting from May 31. Please remember to upload your 3rd jab record to your LHS app and make sure you’re using the latest version of the app. See below for more details on the number of doses the pass requires and arrangement for recovered persons.
(https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/20/P2022032000438.htm?f_ontSize_=1)

Please be aware that mask wearing is a government requirement except when eating and drinking, and anyone not wearing a mask faces a $5,000 fine. In case of an inspection and a fine being issued, the Club is not responsible.

We thank all Members for their understanding and your continued support.

Keith Richburg
President

2 June 2022

FCC AGM on May 30

FCC AGM on May 30

Dear Members,

We’d like to remind everyone of Monday’s Annual General Meeting which will start promptly at 6pm in the Main Dining Room. We are aware there is additional interest this year so to help facilitate a smoothly-run meeting, here are some answers to questions members have asked recently:

How many people can attend?

Our capacity is 150.

Why can’t we get a bigger venue?

The location must be included in the official AGM notice, per our Articles of Association, and cannot be changed without restarting the AGM-holding process. Our Articles also compel the Club to hold an AGM between 15-31 May each year, so we can’t restart the process either.

Can motions be put forward at the AGM that were not included in the AGM notice?

No. However, under Any Other Business (AOB), members can bring up any issue for discussion. If there is a request for a vote, the Chair can allow a vote to get a sense of the membership’s views, but the result of any vote is not binding on the board because the issues were not included in the AGM notice. This is common corporate AGM practice around the world to allow members to be notified in advance of issues to be discussed.

Who can vote at AGMs?

All voting Members – that is, Correspondent, Journalist and Associate Members. Please note the capacity constraints on attendance.

What if I can’t attend but want to vote?

You can arrange a proxy – that is, nominate a Member attending to vote for you – by filling in a form and getting the original to Reception by Saturday, May 28 at 6pm. We are still looking into whether we can accept electronic versions and hope to have an answer later today. Please contact the concierge at 2521 1511 or email [email protected] with your email details if you’d like to be informed once we’ve clarified that.

What if Members want to compel the Board to do something not already on the AGM agenda?

Members can call for an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held at a later date. The rules around holding EGMs can be found in our Articles of Association.

Can we stream the meeting to expand capacity?

No. It’s not possible to do that at this point, not least since votes in the meeting have to be checked by our auditors. This is a legal requirement and we’re currently not set up to do this remotely.

What if I have other questions?

Please contact the concierge at 2521 1511 or email me at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer before the meeting.

Keith Richburg

President

27 May 2022

FCC Board of Governors 2022-2023 Election Result

Congratulations to the new FCC Board of Governors for 2022-2023. They will begin serving after the Annual General Meeting on May 30.

We would like to thank the outgoing Board members for their service.

The new Board members are listed below.

PRESIDENT

Keith RICHBURG

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Hannamiina TANNINEN

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Tim HUXLEY

CORRESPONDENT GOVERNORS

Rebecca BAILEY
Jennifer JETT
Kari Soo LINDBERG
Kristie LU STOUT
Shai OSTER
Olivia PARKER
Peter PARKS

JOURNALIST GOVERNORS

Zela CHIN
Joe PAN

ASSOCIATE GOVERNORS

Genavieve ALEXANDER
LIU Kin-ming
Christopher SLAUGHTER
Richard WINTER

Further relaxation of restrictions starting May 19

Further relaxation of restrictions starting May 19

Dear Members:

Following the Government announcement of the further easing of pandemic restrictions starting May 19, the FCC’s policies will be updated as follows;

•	All restaurants will be open until 11:59 p.m. every day. Last orders for food will be at 10:50 p.m., while last orders for drinks will be at 11:30 p.m.
•	Maximum number per table is 8 now, each member can bring 3 guests.
•	Private functions and meetings can accommodate up to 120 persons. Please contact our team at [email protected] to discuss.
•	Still there is no music performances at Bert’s will be held at this time.
•	The health club continues to open, although the sauna and steam room will remain closed. No more than 4 people are allowed in the health club at a time and masks are still required while exercising. Pre-register is required with the gym attendant at 2844 2849.
•	All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table.
•	Staff continues to complete a COVID-19 rapid test every 3 days.

The Club continues to implement the government’s “Vaccine Pass”. Anyone who is unable to provide valid proof of vaccination will be denied entry to the Club. Please be reminded that you and your guest are required to complete the 3rd dose by end of May. See below for more details on the number of doses the pass requires and arrangement for recovered persons.
(https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/20/P2022032000438.htm?f_ontSize_=1)

We thank all Members for their understanding and your continued support.

Keith Richburg
President

19 May 2022

FCC relaxes restrictions starting May 5 and continues to implement “Vaccine Pass”

FCC relaxes restrictions starting May 5
and continues to implement “Vaccine Pass”

Dear Members:

Following the Government announcement of the further relaxation of pandemic restrictions starting May 5, the FCC’s policies will be updated as follows;

•	All restaurants will be open for dine-in service until 10 p.m. every day. Last orders for food will be at 9 p.m., while last orders for drinks will be at 9:30 p.m.
•	Maximum number per table is now extended from 4 to 8, each member can bring 3 guests.
•	The takeaway menu is available from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. The menu can be downloaded from our website at fcchk.org. Please place orders with the FCC Restaurant at 2844 2806 or [email protected]. All orders will be confirmed by a phone call.
•	Private functions and meetings for a maximum of 20 persons can be arranged. Please contact our team at [email protected] to discuss.
•	No music performances at Bert’s will be held at this time.
•	The health club is open, although the sauna and steam room will remain closed. No more than 4 people are allowed in the health club at a time and masks are required while exercising. Please pre-register with the gym attendant at 2844 2849.
•	All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table.
•	Staff will complete a COVID-19 rapid test every 3 days.
•	The Government also announced that from Thursday May 19, all restaurants can open until midnight and we can accept banquets up to 120 persons.

The Club continues to implement the government’s “Vaccine Pass”. Anyone who is unable to provide valid proof of vaccination will be denied entry to the Club. Please be reminded that you are required to complete the 3rd dose by end of May. See below for more details on the number of doses the pass requires and arrangement for recovered persons.
(https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/20/P2022032000438.htm?f_ontSize_=1)

For a full detail of the relaxation scheme please visit: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202205/04/P2022050300895.htm

We thank all Members for their understanding and your continued support.

Keith Richburg
President

5 May 2022

Message from the President on World Press Freedom Day

3 May 2022

As we mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, we should pause and remember the many journalists and media workers killed so far this year in Ukraine while covering the conflict and in other trouble spots including Afghanistan, Mexico, Myanmar and around the world. They sacrificed their lives for the mere act of reporting, which should never be a crime and should never cost a journalist their life.

The past year has also seen an erosion of press freedom globally, with increases in threats against journalists, the use of legal tools to target legitimate reporting, online threats and harassment against journalists, a tsunami of disinformation aimed at undermining truthful reporting, and of course censorship. Here in Hong Kong, some news outlets have been forced to close and journalists arrested because of the application of the colonial-era sedition ordinance.

What do we do now and how do we face the future?

As a press organization, we will continue to try to hold the S.A.R. government officials to their word that Hong Kong continues to enjoy press freedom. That means we will continue to speak out on issues directly impacting the media, when it is appropriate and always within the law — since the Basic Law also allows for free expression. We will issue public statements when we feel our voice can make a difference, and we may at times send private letters to government officials expressing our concerns and seeking clarification or seeking to meet.

We will continue to express our deep concerns over any type of “fake news” law in Hong Kong and how such a law might be used to hinder legitimate reporting, and to offer our expertise on the subject. We will push for journalists to have access to public records and databases. We will continue having speaking events about press freedom, to which we invite government officials to attend. And we will continue holding workshops for journalists, including on matters involving physical safety, online threats and harassment, data protection, as well as mental health and trauma.

Hong Kong authorities should be willing to accept legitimate comment and criticism without resorting to automatic claims that the FCC is somehow “interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs” or “smearing one country, two systems.” I respectfully remind them that the FCC has been in Hong Kong for 73 years, and its members include many Hong Kong natives, permanent residents and long-time residents. The FCC is Hong Kong. We are a part of the fabric of the city and adding our voice to the discussion should be welcomed, not maligned. Moreover, what makes “one country, two systems” more than just a vacant slogan is that unlike elsewhere, Hong Kong has a diversity of voices and views, and everyone is allowed to voice those within the law, and without being subjected to veiled threats, intimidation and reprisals. As George Orwell said; “Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticise and oppose.”

I know a few members who disagree with the decision of the FCC Board of Governors to suspend the Human Rights Press Award, even though there are clear and acknowledged concerns that continuing the Award in the current political climate would have posed a real and an immediate risk. I am thrilled the HRPA will continue in the future under a new administrator, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and new regional co-sponsors. But I’m saddened the FCC will no longer have any involvement or affiliation.

Some suggest that if you cannot speak out on every issue, then the Club should not speak on any issue. I disagree. I believe the majority of our members, as well as our friends, supporters and absentee members around the world, all understand that it is still better, indeed imperative, that we continue to speak up as forcefully as we can when we can. This means that we can continue to discharge our journalistic duties and maintain the level of civic discourse for which Hong Kong is rightly proud.

We do not plan to give up. Walking away now, when we can still try to have some impact and when we have something very much worth protecting, would be a betrayal to all those who have made great sacrifices for the profession of journalism, and for trying to seek the truth.

Keith Richburg
President

FCC Board of Governors Election 2022

To All Members,

The ballot has been sent to your correspondence address on 13 April 2022.

Please find the bio & policy statements from nominees for the election of the Board of Governors 2022-2023 at https://www.fcchk.org/nominees-for-the-election-of-the-board-of-governors-2022-2023/.

Mr Dan Strumpf has informed the club that he wishes to withdraw his candidacy for the post of correspondent governor in the election to the 2022/23 Board of Governors. As the ballots for the election had already been printed at the time this notification was received and as reprinting would not allow the ballots to be distributed to members within the schedule required by the Articles of Association, Mr Strumpf’s name remains on the ballot for correspondent governor.

For your information, the ballot will close at 3pm on Thursday, 19 May 2022.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Best regards,

Election Committee

30 April 2022

Important notice from the President

Dear Members,

I write to inform you that the FCC Board met on Saturday, 23 April, and, after a lengthy discussion, regretfully decided to suspend the Human Rights Press Awards pending further review.

I know this is an unusual step to take so late in the process, just weeks before we were set to announce the winners. It is likely to be deeply disappointing to all those who took time to enter, and to the judges and everyone else who invested their time and energy into this project.

Over the last two years, journalists in Hong Kong have been operating under new “red lines” on what is and is not permissible, but there remain significant areas of uncertainty and we do not wish unintentionally to violate the law. This is the context in which we decided to suspend the Awards.

This decision in no way reflects the FCC Board’s view of the content of any of the entries or the work of the independent judges.

The FCC intends to continue promoting press freedom in Hong Kong, while recognising that recent developments might also require changes to our approach.

This was a very tough decision to reach. We explored a variety of other options, but could not find a feasible way forward. It is particularly painful coming less than two weeks before May 3, World Press Freedom Day, when we normally announce the HRPA winners and celebrate their journalism.

We would like to thank and apologise to all the entrants, the judges, the staff members and others who gave their time.

Keith Richburg
President

25 April 2022

FCC resumes evening dine-in service on April 21 and fully implements “Vaccine Pass”

FCC resumes evening dine-in service on April 21 and fully implements “Vaccine Pass”

Dear Members:

In line with the government’s easing of pandemic restrictions starting April 21, FCC policies will be updated as follows:

•	All restaurants will be open for dine-in service until 10 p.m. every day. Last orders for food will be at 9 p.m., while last orders for drinks will be at 9:30 p.m.
•	Maximum 4 persons are allowed per table, each member can bring 3 guests.
•	The takeaway menu is available from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. The menu can be downloaded from our website at fcchk.org. Please place orders with the FCC Restaurant at 2844 2806 or [email protected]. All orders will be confirmed by a phone call.
•	Private functions and meetings for a maximum of 20 persons can be arranged. Please contact our team at [email protected] to discuss.
•	No music performances at Bert’s will be held at this time.
•	The health club will reopen, although the sauna and steam room will remain closed. No more than 4 people are allowed in the health club at a time and masks are required while exercising. Please pre-register with the gym attendant at 2844 2849.
•	All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table.
•	Staff will complete a COVID-19 rapid test every 3 days.

Please also be aware that the Club is now fully implementing the government’s “Vaccine Pass,” meaning that anyone 12 or older must scan a QR code that shows either their vaccination record or a medical exemption certificate. Anyone who is unable to provide valid proof of vaccination will be denied entry to the Club, according to the government’s regulation. You can visit here to learn how to obtain a QR code version of a medical exemption certificate. See below for more details on the number of doses the pass requires.
(https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/20/P2022032000438.htm?f_ontSize_=1)

Except for the three types of specified persons, all Members and their guests must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” QR code before entering the Club, including to use the workroom.

Our Members’ health, along with that of our team, remains our most important priority. We thank all Members for their understanding and your continued support. Please stay safe, everyone.

Keith Richburg
President

14 April 2022

Nominees for the Election of The Board of Governors 2022-2023

Here are the nominations for the FCC Board of Governors 2022-2023. Below are links to each nominee’s bio and policy statement. Please read them before voting.

	Note:
	a.	Please indicate your vote by putting a “✓” in the appropriate bracket. Any mark other than a “✓” shall invalidate this Ballot paper.
	b.	If vote(s) casted exceed(s) the number allowed in respective capacity, this Ballot paper shall be invalid.
	c.	Bio & policy statements of the candidates are available at the FCC website <www.fcchk.org>.
	d.	The completed Ballot paper must be received by the Club, either by mail or in the Ballot box, not later than 3pm on Thursday, 19 May 2022.


Candidate

PRESIDENT: (The position of President can be voted by Correspondent members only) (Vote for not more than one)
	1. Keith RICHBURG – Journalism and Media Studies Centre The University of Hong Kong

	FIRST-VICE PRESIDENT: (The position of First Vice President can be voted by Correspondent members only) (Vote for not more than one)
	2. Hannamiina TANNINEN – Kauppalehti, Hong Kong Correspondent

	SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT: (The position of Second Vice President can be voted by Correspondent, Journalist or Associate members) (Vote for not more than one)
	3. Tim HUXLEY – Mandarin Shipping

	CORRESPONDENT MEMBER GOVERNORS: (The position of Correspondent Governor can be voted by Correspondent members only) (Vote for not more than eight)
	4. Rebecca BAILEY – AFP
	5. Jennifer JETT – Asia Digital Editor, NBC News
	6. Kari Soo LINDBERG – Bloomberg News
	7. Kristie LU STOUT – CNN INTERNATIONAL
	8. Shai OSTER – The Information
	9. Olivia PARKER – The New York Times
	10. Peter PARKS – AFP
	11. Dan STRUMPF – The Wall Street Journal

	JOURNALIST MEMBER GOVERNORS: (The position of Journalist Governor can be voted by Correspondent or Journalist members) (Vote for not more than two)
	12. Zela CHIN – TVB
	13. Joe PAN – ImpactNFT Alliance and News

	ASSOCIATE MEMBER GOVERNORS: (The position of Associate Governor can be voted by Correspondent, Journalist or Associate members) (Vote for not more than four)
	14. Genavieve ALEXANDER – Genavieve Co. Ltd
	15. LIU Kin-ming – KM & Associates
	16. Christopher SLAUGHTER – Consultant
	17. Richard WINTER – China Tonghai International Financial Limited