Hong Kong

Hong Kong: Crackdown on Shops that Cheat Tourists

Date: April 18th, 2007 |

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Shops that cater to tourist groups have been swindling mainland Chinese visitors with fake jewelry, so the Hong Kong government is cracking down with what may be the world’s most stringent consumer protection policy. The measure will extend the period for unconditional returns from 14 days to six months and eliminate the requirement that the [read more]

Hong Kong: Smoking Ban Clears the Air

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

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A smoking ban in many public places went into effect Jan. 1, making Hong Kong an unusually smoke-free city by Asian standards. The ban covers workplaces, restaurants, even beaches, sports stadiums and large areas of parks. The ban does not include bars or nightclubs, mahjong or massage parlors, or bath houses. These establishments are exempt [read more]

Hong Kong: Air Pollution Makes Hong Kong Less Appealing

Date: April 4th, 2006 |

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Hong Kong is losing its luster for expatriates because of steadily increasing air pollution, according to a report by ECA International, a company that researches living conditions in the world’s top cities for corporations. Most of the bad air blows in from Guangdong province and little has been done to mitigate it. Despite the drop [read more]

In the years to come

Date: March 23rd, 2004 |

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In the years to come it might be possible to walk from Hong Kong to Kowloon as more and more of the harbor is reclaimed for development. About half of the harbor has vanished in the last 100 years, and another 44 acres is about to go for a road development. Thousands marched in protest [read more]

Hong Kong

Date: July 23rd, 2002 |

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In an effort to clean up city streets, Hong Kong has cracked down on littering and spitting, with “litter police” now handing out $77 fines on the spot. Not surprisingly, the fines are being met with resistance, so much so that the enforcers are being given martial arts training to defend themselves against attackers. The [read more]

Hong Kong: Airport to Screen for Liquids

Date: March 7th, 2007 |

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On March 21, Hong Kong airport will begin screening carry-on bags for liquids, bringing its policies into line with International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines. Passengers will be able to bring containers of liquids no larger than 3.5 ounces that must fit in a clear plastic re-sealable bag no larger than 1 liter. Exceptions will be [read more]

Pacific Rim: Taiwan Earthquake Damages Undersea Cables

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

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A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan Dec. 26 and damaged undersea telecommunications cables, affecting internet, banking and telephone services around the Pacific Rim. Much of the service has been restored but repairs to the cables are expected to take as long as a month. Internet access may be slow or unavailable in so [read more]

Hong Kong: Protests Expected at WTO Meeting

Date: December 6th, 2005 |

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Thousands of people took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration for democracy Dec. 4 despite warnings from senior Chinese officials not to protest. The crowd, estimated at between 63,000 and 250,000, marched to demand one-person, one-vote elections in Hong Kong. Chinese authorities refuse to establish a timetable for such a vote, in part because [read more]

Hong Kong

Date: December 23rd, 2002 |

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The third incident in as many weeks of birds succumbing to avian flu has prompted authorities to act fast to prevent a repeat of the 1997 epidemic that killed six people. The incidents occurred in a pond in Kowloon Park, in poultry markets in Kowloon and Lantau Island and in a waterfowl park. The flu [read more]

Hong Kong

Date: July 2nd, 2002 |

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Five years after being handed back to China, Hong Kong is looking for good news. The economy is depressed, property values have dropped by half, unemployment has tripled, and there is little enthusiasm for the head of government. As with other economic sectors, tourism is suffering. On the other hand, Hong Kong is still a [read more]