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FCC Lounge & Bar is still open with limited service under T8
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As Hong Kong enters its third year under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law (NSL), a panel of legal experts and politicians gathered at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) to discuss its effect on the city.
Sitting on the panel were John Burns, Honorary Professor of Politics and Public Administration at The University of Hong Kong (HKU); Albert Chen, Chair of Constitutional Law at HKU; former Legislative Council member Emily Lau; and Senior Counsel/Executive Council member Ronny Tong. The talk was moderated by FCC President Lee Williamson.
“When it comes to Hong Kong, the sky falls down,” said Tong when pointing out the support behind other countries’ national security efforts and the criticism Hong Kong’s NSL receives from the international community.
Burns agreed that all states must ensure national security, however he emphasised that interpretation was key in how national security laws are enforced. He believes that the local government has been using the NSL to intimidate the public and encourage self-censorship, ultimately changing political behavior in the city despite how vague he finds the NSL to be.
Chen, on the other hand, described NSL offenses as “narrowly-defined” and added that most of the ongoing cases dealt with sedition, not the NSL. He explained that sedition falls under the Crimes Ordinance, which has been a part of Hong Kong’s legal system since the city’s days as a British colony.
“Political offenses are not subject to extradition,” Chen said when asked about the eight self-exiled activists who are wanted by Hong Kong’s national security police.
He added that returning the wanted activists to Hong Kong would only work if the countries they fled to had extradition agreements with the city, but that many countries had abolished their agreements due to the NSL.
For Lau, the strongest critic on the panel, her biggest concern with the NSL is Article 29, which prohibits “provoking hatred” among Hong Kong residents towards the local and central governments. She argued that criticising the government does not equate to provoking hatred but that Article 29 implies as such. To her, this results in the criminalisation of free speech in Hong Kong.
Lau also criticised the continued detention of the 47 Democrats who have now spent over 90 days in court.
“This is a question of humane treatment,” Lau said, citing this case as one of the “shockwaves” felt across Hong Kong since the NSL’s enactment along with the various news organisations and NGOs that have either disbanded or left the city.
“I have strong faith in One Country, Two Systems, and the judiciary,” Tong repeated several times during the discussion. “As a lawyer myself, I know many of the judges and I don’t believe any of them are corrupt. If you think they are corrupt, please tell me.”
The four panelists were also asked about their thoughts on Article 23, the potential ban of the 2019 protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong,” and “soft resistance.”
Watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel:
“Some questions never change.”
Dr. Tao Wang came to this conclusion after decades of covering China’s economy and her past 15 years of working at UBS Investment Research. Questions about China’s sustainability for economic growth, state and market relationships, and structural issues are what inspired her to write her new book Making Sense of China’s Economy, which was published earlier this year.
Dr. Wang spoke about her book at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) alongside Andrew Chan, a member of the FCC’s Professional Committee who has worked in risk management.
Her first point: there is no simple narrative regarding China’s economy. The “doom predictions” that Dr. Wang would often hear hadn’t materialized yet, reinforcing her advice to not extrapolate when monitoring the mainland’s economic development.
Dr. Wang also used her talk to address some of the common misconceptions, one of which is that the Chinese government is a monolithic entity, as well as the concerns about the rising role of the state versus the market. Through graphs and charts, she showed the drop in state ownership in the economy across various sectors between the 1980s until mid 2000s, which has stopped over the past one and half decade. While the state increased its role in social areas (though China still lags OECD countries in social spending) and regulations in recent years, she believes that the lack of progress in SOE reforms contributed to the perception of an ever-larger role of the state.
“I’m not as pessimistic,” she said when addressing the decline of China’s working population and long-term potential growth.
Acknowledging the challenges of decline in the working-age population, she pointed out that there is still surplus labor to be transferred out of farming, and that China’s actual retirement age of 54 is very young when compared to China’s average life expectancy (78 years). A gradual and modest extension of retirement age can help increase labor supply this decade.
Along with the declining work population, Dr. Wang mentioned other challenges to China’s economy: social inequality between urban and rural citizens, rising debt, access to technology, and geoeconomic issues. She believes that while problems in accessing advanced technology will be negative for China, the country still has plenty of room to catch up and move up the technology ladder by applying existing mature technologies.
Dr. Wang noted that economic reforms and “opening up” to the rest of the world were key behind China’s economic success. One thing the government did right was being pragmatic and adaptive to different challenges, she highlighted.
But will China continue to be pragmatic and adaptive? Dr. Wang said that is perhaps the biggest question. The answer is not clear, however she is “cautiously optimistic.”
Making Sense of China’s Economy is now available on Amazon.
Watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel:
At the FCC’s Club Lunch on June 26, William Kirby, the T. M. Chang Professor of China Studies at Harvard University, talked about his book Empires of Ideas: Creating the Modern University from Germany to America to China, which was published last year.
His latest work chronicles the origins of modern universities in Europe and how they have evolved through American and Chinese institutions. It also discusses China’s role in global tertiary leadership amidst changing philosophies towards university governance and academic freedom.
The talk was moderated by Jennifer Jett, the FCC’s First Vice-President.
After giving an overview of how German institutions provided the foundation for American universities to improve and expand upon, Professor Kirby described how the US was “disinvesting” in its own public universities while China’s academic aspirations continued to rise.
“How could China not lead?” he asked the audience. To Kirby, there is no doubt that China has the capacity to lead the world in higher education.
However, he believes China’s goal cannot be reached without partnerships with universities in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere across the globe. Kirby emphasized that both intellectually and architecturally, Chinese universities (as well as American universities) are linked to the international community.
He expressed concern about China’s relative lack of international students, particularly Americans, but said their numbers were likely to increase now that China has lifted its “zero-Covid” restrictions.
The other major obstacle to the advancement of Chinese universities, Professor Kirby said, is political interference, citing the seven topics that mainland universities are forbidden from discussing.
Universities should be a place where “not one question cannot be asked,” he said, explaining that even if they are unpleasant or unpopular, ideas should be heard instead of silenced.
Empires of Ideas: Creating the Modern University from Germany to America to China is now available on Amazon.
Click here to watch the full talk on the FCC’s YouTube channel:
At the FCC’s June 14th lunch discussion on the government’s reform plan for the District Councils, a panel of former and current district councillors remained divided over the future of the city’s elections.
Moderated by FCC President Lee Williamson, the panel consisted of Legislative Council member Joephy Chan, district councillors Christine Fong and Paul Zimmerman (who is retiring at the end of his term), and former district councillor Fred Li.
While both Zimmerman and Li opposed the reforms, Fong said that she is welcome to any changes. Chan maintained the strongest support for a District Council overhaul, claiming the proposals were “much needed” and that they put Hong Kong “back on track according to the Basic Law.”
Last month, Chief Executive John Lee announced the reform plan which would result in only 88 of the 470 District Council seats being directly elected, less than 20% of the total. Currently, the proportion of directly elected seats is around 90%.
The new plan would also increase the number of government-appointed seats to 179, while 176 seats would be decided by indirect elections which require candidates to secure nominations from three committees and be screened for political loyalty and national security risks.
Li, as a member of the District Board which preceded the District Councils, noted that the new reforms (and the Legislative Council reforms) were in direct response to 2019, but he mainly criticized the increase of government appointees. He described his past experience of working with appointees as “nonsense” and clarified that he was never an appointee himself when challenged by the panel.
“This is like chopping off your ears or being blindfolded,” said Zimmerman, the strongest critic on the panel. He questioned the necessity of reforms given the existence of the National Security Law and the oaths that public figures must take before entering office. Zimmerman also faced questions from Chan regarding his own resignation and was accused of quitting too quickly without giving the government a chance for dialogue.
“[I] will not be a flag for dramatic change,” Zimmerman said to defend himself. “[I] cannot pretend it’s a democratic system.”
Fong reminded the panel that the District Councils are meant to make residents’ lives better and have a duty to serve people.
In response to a question if there was any more room for democracy in Hong Kong, Chan claimed that direct elections don’t work due to their “loss of efficiency” and “political chaos.” She cited cases of filibustering in the 2015 District Council elections and emphasized that Hong Kong’s political system shouldn’t be judged by Western values.
An attendee commented that filibustering exists on all sides of the spectrum, citing the various District Council walkouts staged by pro-establishment officials after the implementation of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law.
Former FCC president and Director of HKU Journalism Keith Richburg asked about future voter turnout. The 2019 District Council elections had around a 70% voter turnout almost all in favor for the pro-democracy camp, but the 2021 Legislative Council elections had barely 30% of the city’s voters participate.
Chan reiterated that voter turnout was not the sole indicator of a good election and compared local elections to elections in overseas cities like New York.
Li opposed such a comparison and instead suggested Hong Kong compare itself to its own history. To him, not doing so would be like “putting our heads under sand.”
In a final question posed by Hong Kong Free Press, the panelists were asked if government appointees truly understand their role and the communities they serve, and what the voter turnout for the upcoming November elections might mean for Hong Kong.
“Fantastic! Low turnout!” Zimmerman said with a chuckle.
Chan mentioned that she collaborates with government appointees to do district work, and then criticised Western politicians for polarising people to vote with emotion. She also reiterated her earlier point that a high voter turnout doesn’t signify a good election or that the people care about their livelihood. To her, these circumstances mean that the voters care more about politics above all else.
Sharing his final thoughts on the district council reforms, Li said, “We’ve lost checks and balances.”
Click here to watch the full panel discussion on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr71oGWSsOA
Showcasing his latest book Out of Ireland, author Mark O’Neill held an informative and humorous talk about the Irish diaspora across Asia.
O’Neill began with the life-changing discovery of his father’s Irish accent in his teenage years. Up until that point, he had lived his entire life in London and had no idea he was Irish. His father had never spoken in his true voice after years of developing a “perfect BBC” accent in order to advance in his career.
“For the first time, my sister and I realized that our father wasn’t the person we thought he was,” O’Neill said.
Since then, O’Neill took it upon himself to learn more about his heritage and what it really means to be an Irish citizen in the world, and eventually recorded everything he learned in Out of Ireland.
Throughout his travels – especially throughout Asia – he met all walks of life hailing from his father’s homeland: athletes, businessmen, musicians, nurses, police officers, and even priests.
O’Neill went into further detail on the parts of his book that highlighted Irish people living in Hong Kong. He elaborated on Sister Mary Aquinas, one of the twelve Irish nurses that helped eradicate tuberculosis from the city, as well as Father Patrick McGovern, the Jesuit Legislative Council member who represented the working class of Hong Kong and what O’Neill described as “a pretty amazing thing.”
The second half of O’Neill’s talk explored the ways in which Chinese people from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan had influenced Ireland, namely opening restaurants, building churches, and in the case of Hazel Chu, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, becoming an elected official.
When pressed further by one of the lunch talk’s attendees on Chinese influence on Ireland, specifically Hong Kong’s influence on the nation, O’Neill also mentioned university students, fintech and pharmaceutical professionals, and Kwanghi Chan, a Hong Kong-born celebrity chef who’s become a household name in Ireland.
Watch the full book talk below:
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Welcome to our Acting General Manager Carmen |
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Dear Members, |
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I’m writing today to congratulate Carmen Chan on her new promotion to Acting General Manager! |
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Carmen has worked with The FCC for the past 5 years as our Club Operations Manager where she has demonstrated her dedication to the Club. Now, she will apply her skills further as our Acting General Manager after Didier’s departure at the end of May. |
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Carmen has many achievements over the course of her career with the Club, including organising special events, building stronger participation with diplomatic Consulates, and setting up processes and guideline for the Club and the staff. |
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In her new role, Carmen will continue to apply her expertise and dedication. I wish her the best as she begins her new chapter with The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong on 1 May 2023. |
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Please join me in wishing Carmen the best of luck and welcoming her into her new role. |
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Best, Keith 21 April 2023 |
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Farewell to our General Manager Didier |
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Dear Members, |
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By now you may have heard the news that our skilled and accomplished General Manager Didier Saugy will be leaving us to take up an exciting new position as Executive Director of the National Press Club in Washington D.C. |
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Over the last five years, Didier has helped steer the Club through probably the most challenging times in our recent history, including the last three years dominated by ever-changing government pandemic regulations, early closing hours, uncertainty over our building lease and the departure from Hong Kong of so many longtime members, friends and colleagues. Throughout it all, and with his calm and unflappable demeanour, Didier has kept the Club on an even keel. |
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Since I took over as President in January 2021, I’ve come to know Didier as a partner, confidante and friend. I want to extend to Didier my personal thanks and best wishes for his new adventure in my old stomping grounds, Washington D.C. Our loss is the National Press Club’s gain. |
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Didier will be with us through the end of May and our Annual General Meeting. The Board at the upcoming Saturday meeting will be naming a current member of Didier’s executive management team as interim club manager while a designated search committee conducts a search for a new general manager. The next Board to take office in May after the AGM will be responsible for confirming the new general manager. We want to ensure you there will be a seamless transition. You should not notice any disruption to Club activities. |
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In the meantime, let’s raise a glass to Didier in thanks for helping get the Club through these tough times. And let’s wish him and his family the best as he leaves behind the Lion Rock for the wonders of Rock Creek Park. |
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Excelsior! Keith |
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FCC Nomination for the Board of Governors 2023 – 2024 |
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Dear Members, |
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The FCC Annual Nomination Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 12 April 2023 for the purpose of accepting oral nominations for the Board of Governors for the 2023 – 2024 Term. |
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Under the provisions of the Articles of Association, nominations may also be made in writing. |
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For those who wish to make a written nomination or nominations, please use the form(s) we are sending to you by mail or you can ask from the office. The written nominations should be delivered to the Club office, either in person or by registered letter, no later than 6pm on Wednesday, 12 April 2023. |
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Nominations are invited for the following positions: |
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A President who shall be a Correspondent Member. The nomination must be made and seconded by Correspondent Members. A First Vice-President who shall be a Correspondent Member. The nomination must be made and seconded by Correspondent Members. A Second Vice-President who may be a Journalist Member or an Associate Member. The nominations may be made and seconded by Correspondent Members, Journalist Members or Associate Members. Eight (8) Correspondent Member Governors who shall be Correspondent Members. The nominations must be made and seconded by Correspondent Members. Two (2) Journalist Member Governors who shall be Journalist Members. The nominations may be made and seconded by Correspondent Members or Journalist Members. Four (4) Associate Member Governors who shall be Associate Members. The nominations may be made and seconded by any Voting Member. |
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A Member being nominated does not mean that he or she is elected a Club Officer. An election by mail ballot will be held subsequently and the mail ballot papers together with a list of candidates accepted will be sent to all Members of the Club one week after the Nomination Meeting. |
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A candidate for election to the Board of Governors can accept nomination for only one position on the Board of Governors. |
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By order of the Board of Governors, |
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Keith Richburg President |
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