Caged Homes

Some people in Hong Kong say that you can never go wrong with purchasing property. Due to the lack of space in Hong Kong and the ever growing population, eventually, the value of the property will rise.

Hong Kong's richest have made their fortunes from property. With the continual migration of mainlanders coming to Hong Kong each year and the return of many overseas Chinese, Hong Kong has become increasingly over-populated; and land and property will continue to play a dominating role in the Hong Kong economy. Since Hong Kong's tax system is a low income and capital tax rate system, the Hong Kong government's main stream of revenue is selling its most precious commodity, land. The government therefore must make a killing on all their land sales and as a result, only the largest property developers with the deepest pockets will have the resources to purchase land. The land, once developed into residential, office, or retail buildings, are then sold to the market at even higher premiums.

Like many capitalistic societies, the wealth gap between the rich and poor is omnipresent. It is especially prevalent in Hong Kong where only money can buy space. Many middle class families cannot afford a home in Hong Kong, so you can imagine the plight of the poor. Hong Kong has subsidized public housing for the poor, but the queue for them are long; and for those that are still waiting, many have settled living in a caged home.

A caged home is a metal cage the size of a single bed where people sleep in and keep their few belongings in. At night, they would lock themselves in these cages to prevent theft. Caged homes are located at Hong Kong's most impoverished neighborhoods and are often rented to the elderly at sums of around HK$1,500/month. (not a small amount for the amount of space you are actually occupying). There will be several caged homes in a room and the space in the room are shared by all the occupants.

When one enters one of these premises, it is difficult not to be overwhelmed by the depressing notion that these people are living waiting to die, similar to animals in a wet market waiting their turn to be slaughtered and sold.

Hong Kong's Youth

Hong Kong's youth, nowadays, have chosen to take to the streets to protest as a means to gain attention (and a brief moment of fame) upon themselves, rather than rely on brains and hard work through academics, business, or arts.

The most popular issue of protest these days is universal suffrage, but other issues such as high property prices, poverty, pollution are all favorite issues. As long as it can be blamed on the government or big businesses, Hong Kong's youth will show up in protests. 

My problem with this is not that they should not care for these issues, but it is the prevalent attitude in Hong Kong-- to firstly put blame on others rather than choosing to do something more constructive for the betterment of society. It is easy to wave a sign, lie on the streets, and hurl obscenties to officials (the more extreme, the better your chances are those actions will be noticed and shown on the nightly news). It is not so easy to start a business or volunteer your time and money.

The protests gives the youth a sense of importance in society; a sense of accomplishment which they are unable--or too lazy-- to obtain through academics, entrepreneurship, or other laborious achievements.

If you start a business, you actually have to use your brain and rely on yourself and your finances. There is risk and in the event of failure, there is no one to blame but yourself. Hong Kong's youth would rather choose an easier way to gain fame. To blame will get you fame.

Unfortunately, many adults choose to encourage the toddlers to protest; thinking in their own distorted way that it is good for them at an early age to take part in showing concern for society's problems--the earlier the better. Hence, it is not uncommon to see young children who have just learnt to walk to take part in any one of Hong Kong's weekly protests.

Today's youth simply do not have enough life experience to step out and criticize and blame others--many of whom are professionals and experts in that particular issue. The youth should go out and try new things, see more things, read more, and go through more ups and downs of life before they make a judgement on something. If they still feel ungratified, then go out to protest.

Instead, their early lesson in life is that if things don't go their way, they should blame, blame, and blame.

http://youtu.be/iNtwPlIiRro

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, the most celebrated holiday for the Chinese and many Asian countries, is all the holidays packed into one. First and foremost, it is a time for family gathering when families gather together for the most important (and most extravagant) meals of the year; a time for gift giving and passing out lucky red pocket money when visiting family and friends; a time for fun and festivities in the form of flower markets, lion dances, and firecrackers; and a time for optimism as a new lunar year begins and people hope for health, luck, and prosperity.

In today's China, Chinese New Year takes on increased importance due to the phenomenon of the migrant worker--a population of China's youth whom have left their rural homes in the countryside and moved to southern and eastern coastal cities in search of work with higher wages. This group of workers are the backbone of China's economic machine as a majority of them work in China's factories that produce exports to the rest of the world and helped propel China's economy in the last thirty plus years to the world's second largest economy.

All year they are separated from their loved ones, and Chinese New Year is the one time where they make the exodus back home to visit family and friends. It is the most joyous time for the migrant workers when they are reunited with parents and/or children and it is also the most joyous time for those left behind as well, as all year long they look forward to the 1-2 weeks where their loved ones return home. It is not surprising that everyone place great importance to this time of year and must make the journey back--regardless of expense and hardships in the form of climate or travelling conditions.

China's economic miracle has come in the expense of breaking a sacred Chinese ideal of family, and Chinese New Year is the glue that reunites families together.

Unlike some holidays where the anticipation build up lasts for months, but the actual holiday comes and pasts after one day; festivities for Chinese New Year lasts for 1-2 weeks after the New Year's day. The days after New Year's day are spent visiting the homes of family and friends, exchanging gifts, worshipping in temples, and of course alot of eating. The holiday is never a let down and always lives up to the billing.

With China's growing importance and overseas Chinese scattered in all corners of the world, perhaps one day we will see Chinese New Year holiday as an official holiday in the west. It is truly a unique part of China's long and rich history and an inherent part of Chinese culture that should be shared to all who values the importance of family, friends, optimism, and thanksgiving.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Worcestershire sauce

I wonder if the two chemists from Worcester, England,  John Wheely Lea and William Henry Perrins (better known as Lea and Perrins) had in mind their famous Worcestershire sauce would be a regular staple in Chinese cuisine.

If you go in any Chinese restaurant or Chinese household in the world, chances are there will be some brand of Worcestershire sauce found in the kitchens. 

In Chinese dim sum, the deep fried spring roll and steamed beef ball are two most notable dishes that are served with a small round plate of Worcestershire sauce. Some people like me cannot imagine eating those two dishes without drowning each with Worcestershire sauce.

I am not sure when and how this practice of dipping spring rolls and beef balls in Worcestershire sauce started; but if I was to guess, it would probably be in Hong Kong or perhaps some Chinatown restaurant overseas where English influence and thus, English products are found. I doubt that it first started in China.

I can imagine it already; some waiter who doesn’t speak a word of English mistaken the bottle of Worcestershire sauce as soy sauce and served it with a plate of beef ball or spring roll. The customer, without a second thought, stabs the beef ball, dips it in the sauce, and shoves it in his already greasy mouth. Expecting a salty taste of the beef ball, his taste buds are instead greeted with a sour, tangy taste of Worcestershire sauce. His initial reaction would have been anger and discontent as if he had been tricked into eating something against his will. Just when he is about to scold the waiter, he takes another second to savor the taste and upon second thought, he concludes the taste to be quite unique. He inquires about the sauce and in due time, he begins to confidently introduce this combination to family and friends as if it was a secret stock tip that would make them a fortune. Quickly, word of this combination spreads to other restaurants in the city and then to Chinatowns all over the world until to this date, every restaurant that serves dim sum is required to stock up on this sauce.

Personally, I love Worcestershire sauce; I find it to be such a versatile sauce—used to spice up meats, pastas, salads, sauces, and cocktails. I really cannot imagine another sauce that is used for so many varieties of food. I myself use it for all of the above as well as anything which I deem needs more flavoring. Rather than pulling out the soy sauce or salt, I always grab the Worcestershire sauce instead.

I really wonder what the reaction of Lea and Perrins would be if you went to their little laboratory in Worcester and told them that the little secret sauce they were testing would be a necessity for Chinese cuisine recipes all over the world. I am pretty sure that the Chinese market was the last market they had in mind when they created this sauce—but thank goodness they did. Who would have thought Chinese spring rolls and Worcestershire sauce would be a match made in heaven.   

                                steamed beefball w/worcestershire sauce

Entrepreneural Spirit

It is sad how the local property market has sapped the entrepreneurial spirit in a city famous for sprouting out businesses. Hong Kong people’s reputation for taking risks and starting business is global.  Every corner of the world, there are Hong Kong businessmen from all eras who set up their own businesses and worked diligently to provide for their families in their newly adopted land. If one is willing to take a risk and work hard, there is nothing that cannot be achieved.

That is why it is such a pity to see that the spirit has been extinguished from these entrepreneurs’ homeland.  Nowadays, everyone shuns the idea of starting your own business. Even if you have a grand idea and manage to make a profit, the majority of that profit will be used to pay the rent of your shop. The rent increase (which will eventually come—the only question is by how much) will dry up all profits that you have and eventually leave you in the red.
Landlords take advantage of your business’s profitability.  If they see that business is good, they will increase you even more to try to play on your reluctance to move because they know you will not quit a profitable business. It is a vicious cycle and at a time where rising costs and inflation is omnipresent, it is a losing battle. Why bother put your life’s savings into something which will ultimately founder.

All businesses require time for its product and reputation to mature. Starting a business is a long term plan, but due to the normal 2 year contract system that is prevalent in the Hong Kong property market, businesses simply do not have the time to develop and mature.  Even if you decide to continue your business after the first rental increase, you may not survive the second or third increase. Some choose to move shop, but again a new location requires time for the business to be developed. Once the new location’s contract is due and a rent increase is looming, business owners are again faced with the decision to close down or relocate.
Buying your own property is out of the question for most aspiring entrepreneurs. The selling costs are astronomical; and even if you have that kind of resource, it would be more prudent to rent out the property rather than use it to start a business. It's just a safer bet.

Businesses that have been established for a long time have the luxury of an established reputation and thus die-hard, loyal customers. Famous local restaurants are a good example. Because of their reputation, customers do not mind paying that extra sum just to say they’ve been to that restaurant and tried their famous dish. As a result, we have fifty dollar wonton noodles or five hundred dollar barbecue goose. These businesses have the luxury of charging more to customers, but new businesses – not a chance.  

I am not a big fan of blaming the government. I don’t believe the government is solely responsible for the high property price problem in Hong Kong; there are many outside factors such as growing mainland wealth and hot money from overseas. However, this problem is the source to almost all Hong Kong’s economic and social problems. It is stifling Hong Kong’s economic growth and depressing the spirit of would-be entrepreneurs. If we can somehow free this spirit once again, Hong Kong will see better days ahead.

 

 

Chopsticks

Growing up in a Chinese household, learning to use chopsticks is equivalent to learning to walk and talk. When you are old enough to eat adult food and do not require being fed anymore, you will need to learn to use this utensil and typically, your elders will teach you the proper way of holding the chopsticks. The technique will be reinforced several times in your childhood and one day, you will bequeath this wisdom to the next generation.

Although you may have seen variant forms of holding chopsticks—and each form may have been sufficient in doing the job—there is actually one de facto form which is acknowledged as the correct form by all. Other versions are improper and those that use different versions will be the first to admit that it is not the correct way to hold them.

From my observations, you can tell a person’s character by how he/she holds their chopsticks—but this only applies to people who grew up using chopsticks, and not foreigners who learnt to use them later on in life.

I find that people who hold their chopsticks incorrectly are often stubborn people. The art of chopstick holding is not rocket science, but it is taught early in age and can be adjusted any time. The majority of people whom I am acquainted to who hold their chopsticks in an unorthodox way are capable of holding them the proper way as well, but those that refuse to correct themselves to the proper form (even though they’ve had a lifetime to change) are often stubborn by nature. These people are often uncompromising people in their ideals and habits in all factions of life. Euphemistically, you can say that they have strong ideals and refuse to appease their critics.

If this sounds like nonsense, just take a family member for example and compare their chopstick holding habits to their character. More often than not, this assessment is quite accurate. I find it to be a useful tool to learn more about someone you are not closely acquainted to.   

Correct form

 

                                                           Stubborn dude


                                                          

East Indian Security Guard

Due to Hong Kong’s history as a British colonial outpost and the ties Britain had with India, there are many East Indians that have settled in Hong Kong.  Some had been successful in setting up businesses, but the majority has settled for blue collar work in Hong Kong society

In many local banks, it is common to see an East Indian security guard armed with a rifle standing at the main entrance of the bank.

I always find myself feeling sorry for the poor fellow having to stand there like a guard dog for hours at end. Out of pity, I usually give them a nod when I enter or leave the bank.

It is apparent that the bank has hired this man with the sole purpose of scaring off potential robbers by dressing him up in a security guard uniform and arming him with a weapon. However, my problem is that this guard is totally for appearance only and if put in the moment of peril, he will not stand a chance of survival. 

The East Indian security guard who I would typically see does not resemble anything like a highly trained specialist in fire arms with expertise in protecting the innocent public. Instead, he is usually an out-of- shape, middle-aged man, who is just trying to make ends meet with this minimum wage paying job.

I get the feeling that the bank’s management feels that just because he is East Indian, your typical Chinese robber will harbor 19^th century xenophobia upon the sight of his larger than average physical size (compared to the average Chinese) and his abundance of facial hair, thus abandon the thought of robbing the bank.

What’s more, the bank’s management has armed this man with a weapon which looks like a hunting rifle which you use to hunt elk. The type of rifle which takes about two minutes to load up for one huge shot—totally unsuitable for use in defending against an armed robbery. If you are to arm him, at least have the decency to arm him with a modern weapon!

He does not have any back-up at the premises working alongside him, nor is he wearing a bullet proof vest. (I am sure of this because you can see their chest hairs sprout out at the top of their buttoned up shirts; and in the summer time, I can see their perspiration through the shirt which frankly, looks more like a bowling shirt with stitched patches on the sides).

If someone was to plan an armed robbery at the bank, I can tell you that this poor East Indian will undoubtedly be the first casualty as he is the only other person with a weapon, thereby, poses the only immediate threat to the robbers’ task on hand.  Afterwards, it is just a matter of settling the unarmed customers and retrieving the money from the staff at a timely manner. (We’ve all seen the typical bank robber movies).

It is safe to say that the East Indian security guard would be a sitting duck. Before he can load up his heavy rifle, he’d be taken out from the start. He is a Rottweiler without teeth.

It would be better not to arm him with a rifle as robbers would not find him such a threat and would not find it so urgent to remove him out of the picture firstly. Regrettably, the bank’s management unabashedly did not give much thought to this man’s post or his prospects of coming out alive should the unfortunate case of a robbery occurs. He is being paid a very low wage, but is in fact putting his life in jeopardy.

Although his job is probably quite simple and stress free 99% of the time, I am saddened to think of the one-time possibility of his needing to fire his rifle. 

 

Diaoyu Islands

The dispute between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands, or what the Japanese refer to as the Senkaku Islands, seems a little absurd provided the amount of damage the political tension is doing to China and Japan’s economy.  

No one has really paid attention to these islands until it was discovered a few decades ago that there may be huge oil reserves under the sea near the islands. From that point on, the two sides' quarrel over the islands remained unabated. China, with its growing thirst for oil to feed its economy, and Japan, with its historical need to import oil, both laid claim to this once abandoned child. Taiwan, in the meantime has laid claim as well, but due to the juggernaut statures of these two economic powerhouses, its claim has mostly been ignored as squeals in the background.   

Currently, the islands are administered by Japan due to treaties formed after WW2 in which the United States played a key role in implementing.

As of late, the political climate between the two countries has intensified due to the Japanese government's decision to nationalize the islands.

We hear of news reports of how Japanese companies are scaling back their factory operations in China resulting in a setback to Japanese output as well as Chinese employment. Boycotts of Japanese goods in China and a drop of tourism to Japan from Chinese nationals have dealt a severe blow to the Japanese economy. China has also felt the effects as Japan, after all, is China’s third largest trading partner.

The scene of Chinese fishing boats crashing onto the shores of the islands followed by a Chinese fisherman storming out onto the shores and being chased by Japanese coast guards has been a common site in the nightly news.  The Chinese fisherman will be seen sticking a Chinese flag onto the island only to be instantly tackled by one Japanese guard with another pulling the flag out a few seconds after it had been stuck in. That scene reminds me of how enthusiastic Chinese violently crowd in Buddhist temples on Chinese New Year in order to be the first to stick their incense into the main alter, only to have their incense pulled out by temple staff shortly after it had been stuck in. For someone who is not religious like me, it seemed quite meaningless—not to mention quite hilarious.

Deng Xiao Ping, famous for his pragmatism, had a good suggestion to the Islands’ dispute. He told his counterparts in Japan to let future generations deal with it; their concerns should be at improving present relations.

Seeing that this generation is incapable of resolving the matter, I offer another solution—why not nuke the islands off the face of the earth?

The islands, in retrospect, are useless; it is not like you can build luxury resorts on the islands or build a Disneyland like on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. After all, it is the oil that both countries aspire for. The islands represent the oil; but if there were no islands, there would, in essence, be nothing concrete for each country to quarrel for. The oil is under the sea and will remain there until actual rigging begins.  

If each want to lay claim to the oil, then let each country’s ships sail aimlessly around the waters, waving their country’s flags. The Japanese do not need guards patrolling the island and the adventurous Chinese fishermen do not have a destination to sail to for them to stick their flags in.

It would be a test of wills, and after sailing in loops for a few months or years, perhaps both countries will realize the futility, and come to the table to discuss how to co-operatively excavate the oil from the sea instead.



Chinese fighting to plant their insence on Chinese New Year