The relatively low infection and death rates in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are a testament to investment in public health infrastructure, transparency and societies that prioritize group interests. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Because the coronavirus disproportionately affects people over 65, health care systems in countries with large elderly populations are struggling. The pandemic should prompt governments to consider how policies such as social distancing affect the elderly. By Program Associate Colleen Howe.
Lessons that should have been learned after the harrowing Sars experience were not: diseases like Covid-19 will happen from time to time in a hyper-connected world, and the trust and transparency that will fortify a society’s response to such a crisis is lacking. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Battling urban heat is becoming an increasingly urgent challenge, threatening those living in densely populated cities around Asia who suffer the effects of rising temperatures. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Like the wildfires in Australia, the political flames in Hong Kong burn hotter with each outbreak. Given that the government shows no intention of heeding the public’s voices, corporate Hong Kong must get to work on community engagement. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Hong Kong is the fastest-ageing economy in the world, and has the lowest population share of children under 14. The city faces a grim economic fate, unless the older and younger generations can work together to change the growth model. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Hong Kong’s youth and its middle class no longer believe in upward mobility and see little but more competition ahead. Facing economic insecurity and disconnect from older generations, they turn to protests as a way of belonging. A new social contract is needed to restore faith. By Program Director Janet Pau.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s strategy of waiting out the protests is not working. Meanwhile, businesses are caught between protesters and pressure from China. Protesters must find creative ways out of the impasse that will not destroy Hong Kong. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
By narrowing the boundaries of commentary, China is gradually alienating outsiders who might see opportunities there. In attacking the NBA, which does not need China and would be difficult to replace, Beijing may have finally gone too far. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
Xi Jinping’s approach highlights how politics has always been in command in China. But nationalistic leaders and web users would do well to remember the losses suffered through extreme political correctness in the Mao era. By Executive Director Mark Clifford.
