[aldrich]

Hello, I'm a reporter for a U.S. newspaper, and I'm working on a story about air pollution in Hong Kong. I'm hoping to talk with expats about how the pollution is affecting them. (Have you thought about leaving? Are you worried about how it's affecting your kids? Do you notice it when you go outisde?) I'd love to chat about these issues with anyone who is willing--if you drop me an e-mail at aldricher999@yahoo.com, I will write you back with more information about my newspaper and the story I'm working on.
Thanks!

[Pekkerhead]

why don't you just come over yourself and see what the fuss is about. at least that way you will have some first hand knowledge to give your article some validity

[KnowItAll]

What fuss?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f54b006a-36a...0779e2340.html

Mr Fung said the 90,000 Hong Kong-owned factories operating in the Pearl River Delta, and trading companies such as Li & Fung, should embrace socially responsible manufacturing and sourcing policies.

Big difference between "should" and "we will enforce it with our suppliers".

By the way, the best proposal I've seen to date has been the boycott of the Standard Chartered Marathon.

[Expatriate]

I can see it also when staying inside.

Anyway, if you are a reporter, you should see for yourself what you are reporting about.

If you write for an U.S. paper, then it probably isn't so important anyway.

[Sleuth]

Maybe he works for the NY Times and then it wouldn't be so important to actually experience what he is writing about. Although, since he is actually asking for expat opinions and not just making the whole story up for the newspaper, maybe he doesn't work for the NY Times.
Didn't the American Chamber just come out with some anti-pollution policies/statements?

[Gatts]

Please also note that yes, polution is getting worse here, but it's still a lot better then almost any City in China. The worsening pollution is getting a ot of press here, and also CNN is jumping on it. While this is good and creating awareness, I don't think this is having a massive influence on expats leaving the territory.

Shanghai is really one big cluster of smog and pollution (much, much worse then HK), yet is attracting a lot of expats everyday, yet you hardly see any reports on the increasing pollution there. So please keep in mind that it's all a bit relative when compared to our dear neighbour.

[greenietea]

strange enough though, i was reading a chinese local newspaper yesterday and it insisted that more than 30% of the expats have chosen to leave while more than 50% of the "potential" expats had decided against coming.

they have to be making up these numbers.

[Expatriate]

If he decides to come to Hong Kong, then the best time for reporting about pollution is when a typhoon is near Taiwan or is approaching Taiwan and blows all the bad air from China to Hong Kong.

Alternatively he could go to any Chinese City. But he has to be careful of following things:

a) anything that is not already reported by Xinhua might be regarded as a state secret and that includes pollution in any form.

b) if he is photographing pollution there might be a military object hidden behind that pollution and he could be charged with spying.

c) Any unauthorized collection of data is prohibited. Taking out collected data of approved research without permission is also prohibited.

d) Be friendly to every policeman or other officer. If you ask them to help you, they will help you. If you tell them what they have to do you got a permanent place at the end of the queue.

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by Gatts

Please also note that yes, polution is getting worse here, but it's still a lot better then almost any City in China. The worsening pollution is getting a ot of press here, and also CNN is jumping on it. While this is good and creating awareness, I don't think this is having a massive influence on expats leaving the territory.

Shanghai is really one big cluster of smog and pollution (much, much worse then HK), yet is attracting a lot of expats everyday, yet you hardly see any reports on the increasing pollution there. So please keep in mind that it's all a bit relative when compared to our dear neighbour.

Agreed. The industrial cities of the PRC are amazingly polluted; you can taste the air. HK isn't nearly that bad.
That having been said, we picked Ma On Sha and one of the factors was cleaner air.

[migao]

Could somebody do a calculation for me:

- How much should HK lift energy prices (electricity & gasoline) in order to avoid GST?

- How much should China lift energy prices to cool down the economy?

I know, no exact calculations possible, just an idea...