Hong Kong stock exchange chairman doesn’t see Shanghai as competitor

I interviewed Ronald Arculli, Chairman of the Hong Kong stock exchange, for NHK World. The full interview is available here. We went over many topics, including carbon emissions trading. During the interview Arculli showed how the stock market is looking at new products, he also stressed the strenghts of it but added that there were no plans for acquisitions or tieups. Anyway, he also said “never say never” as a final comment to that answer.

His first last day of life

When the tall young Asian man woke up on Sunday October 4th 2009, I’m sure he didn’t think he was supposed to die.

When I woke up that day I was grumpy as usual. I didn’t know under which circumstances I would later meet a man screaming “help” while disappearing under the waves.

Few times do journalists get caught up in a story they way I did, but when that happens experience has taught me the story will be hard to tell. I disagree with Capa’s line, being too close to a story is as bad as being too far.

The trip started with a hike to Tailongwan, Saikung -in Hong Kong’s north eastern New Territories. We arrived there around 2 PM. The beach is secluded, only reachable by jungle trails. That’s why it’s a great place to escape Central. That’s why there aren’t rescue services.

“Bad day for swimming, gotta get a floatie for some fun,” I thought. Pilar, (my wife) a South Atlantic veteran, after a very short assessment rented a body board for both of us. The rest of our party already had one.

Enjoying Sunday, some surfing and lots of tumbling around in the enraged waters. All was fun until a man pointed towards someone with his arms raised getting swallowed by the waves. His shouts drowned by the fury of the sea.

One in our group, a good swimmer, hurried over there and caught him. He later said it felt as if the drowning man had passed out and caught him right on time.

I approached from the other side, only to assist, and other two members of our group -all of us with boards, closed in.

The drowning man was between the beach and the surfers who go out there on days like these. He went unnoticed to the long-board riders. By chance we were close to him and one of us managed to make it on time.

After our swimmer got him out of the worst, the Asian man’s friends huddled around us and we dragged him to the beach.

As soon as he was on safe ground I asked him his name. A traditional three part name in Cantonese. He was speaking. He was alive.

I took his pulse, it was over the roof. His friends had already called the authorities. Not much more to do other than talking to him and making sure he felt OK.

And so he stayed on the beach until a helicopter arrived. Of course, I couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot, with a simple camera.

The video shows the exceptional work of the Hong Kong authorities, they arrived with a full team of medics and airlifted him to a hospital. We were stunned by the efficient operation.

It seems the Hong Kong Standard wrote about the drownings of the season. I’m not sure if it’s the same person at the bottom of the piece. Those who survive don’t make headlines.

His friends wanted to have our phone numbers, we refused. All of us just did what anyone else would have, given the same opportunity.

Our best pay was knowing that a man is still alive and all of us played a little part in the most important word of this phrase: “still.” Another day for someone not supposed to still be among us.

Best PR, no PR – China’s consistent PR blunders

A country with over a billion people and many minorities, some of them in conflict, should be considered a threat to international security. Asia has two such countries; only one is deemed dangerous.

India has a nuclear program, under no non-proliferation regime. North Korea and Iran are believed to be in a similar status. After India decided to place its nuclear development within some kind of legal framework and agreed on nuclear cooperation with the US, journalists, analysts and pundits never said that would be a threat to global stability. Objections were in terms of the possible interpretations that some members of the axis of evil could draw from that.

China increased its defense spending 14.9% compared to last year’s budget, according to official figures. A recent US Defense Department report claimed China’s growth in defense spending was higher. The US report was accompanied by a choir of calls for transparency and comments underscoring China’s growing assertiveness as a threat to global security.

India increased its defense spending 34% for the 2009 budget, according to Jane’s -a defense think tank. This fact was overlooked by most of the international press.

India has nuclear weapons, deep social inequalities, a steeply rising defense budget, rampant corruption and enough Islamic fundamentalism to make anyone uncomfortable. Regardless of the Pakistan connection, attacks like the ones on international hotels in Mumbai last summer aren’t possible in countries without extremism.

And India isn’t considered a threat to global security. Not only isn’t it a threat, its media coverage is that of a lovely colorful country. India’s chaos is colorful. Meanwhile, China’s more predictable behavior is dangerous.

Both realities look disturbingly similar, but the bigger the effort China places in managing its international image the worse it seems to do.

And this is the center of the problem, according to William Nobrega -CEO of Conrad Group, a consulting firm that follows major issues in both countries. He explained that China’s desire to manage its image underscores the fact that it’s not a free country, and this is very bad for publicity.

Meanwhile India grants its journalists rights and doesn’t have a security apparatus dedicated to alienating the media, local or foreign.

All journalists who work in China have some contact with Public Security Bureau officials, on unfriendly terms, while working in the field. At the end of the day, most of the reporting gets done regardless of the harassment. But sometimes the news professionals are detained. Like most people, journalists don’t enjoy spending time in jail.

As the ample amount of negative news on China shows, PSB officials can’t stop reporters. But they can help journalists add a negative spin to a general backdrop of repression, Goebels style propaganda and media controls. Lack of understanding that the best propaganda is no propaganda is costing China dearly. PR disasters follow PR disasters. Achievements can be counted -and are mildly applauded.

As Mr. Nobrega suggested, the more China attempts to regulate its coverage the greater the backlash from the international press.

It could be inferred that the greater the backlash, the greater the resentment in the country. And the greater the resentment the greater the will to control. And thus, an even greater backlash.

The last attempts by Chinese authorities to allow some coverage by international journalists after the riots in Xinjiang was a great leap forward. Unfortunately, some members of the local security forces had a great idea: arresting a group of Hong Kong journalists covering a demonstration.

The authorities wanted to excuse themselves for the nip alleging the journalists were inciting violence.

Fortunately, few PSB officials carry fire arms. There would be many a shot foot among the ranks.

Bath, from the water

Bath, from the water

Originally uploaded by diegolaje

Who would not have a bath in the water? Well, in Bath it’s perfectly possible to be in the Bath and not getting wet.

Probably this tradition dates to Roman times. Romans used oil to bathe their bodies, so they really didn’t get wet when they were getting cleaned.

So this may be their way of claiming their influence to this date, as most people who go to Bath stay dry.

Fortunately, there isn’t much oiling going on in the city. At least publicly.

A themed fountain

Manneken Pis

Originally uploaded by diegolaje

Belgians are obviously cool people.

One of the most important corners in Brussels is monopolized by this little guy who spends all day, well, relieving himself.

It was quite interesting to see the predominantly Asian crowd posing for pictures and the Chinese chocolate shop right next to it. It is a great opportunity to practice Mandarin.

There is a glitch in this story, as Manneken Pis is a name given in one of the two languages spoken in Belgium. My suggestion would be to change the current name in French and replace it for “le garçon de pisse” as a tribute to one of Mel Brooks’ most memorable characters in the History of the World film.

Hopefully, this one won’t be beheaded.

Between her legs

Between her legs

Originally uploaded by diegolaje

The Eiffel Tower is a very elegant lady. Even from a not-so-favorable angle.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Originally uploaded by diegolaje

Blenheim Palace is where Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during WWII, was born.

The palace was built by John, Winston’s ancestor, during the early 18th century.

There’s a special area dedicated to the life of Winston Churchill, where many of his letters are on display.

While an aspiring army officer at the military academy, his letters to his father showed a soft and loving side of his personality.

Other rooms display the special dedication the family had to collecting Chinese china.

The palace is located in the picturesque town of Woodstock, a short bus ride away from Oxford, southern England.

Further reference in the official website, and Wikipedia.

Learning about weddings

Learning about weddings

Originally uploaded by diegolaje

Spent this weekend learning more about Hong Kong wedding customs. I caught up with a couple and Two Young Studio (www.twoyoung.com.hk) and accompanied them during a pre-wedding photo shoot.

The bride and groom were getting a preview of their own wedding, that will be celebrated later this year.

The day was warm, but despite the unfavorable weather the couple had a great time.

The world may see a flu vaccine shortage

One of the leading microbiologists in the world warns that the southern hemisphere may find itself short on seasonal flu shots next year.

As resources are directed towards the production of the H1N1 vaccine, fewer doses of regular flu shots will be produced.

So far, seasonal flu kills more people than the H1N1 virus. This could mean that we may actually be breeding a future health crisis.

To watch my conversation with Prof. Malik Peiris, click here. This video was shot and edited by Saul Sugarman.

Hong Kong weddings

Detail of a traditional gown

Originally uploaded by diegolaje

Tradition and new tendencies collide in today’s China.

This detail is from a Chinese traditional wedding gown that was updated with a floral arrangement.

A visit to a recent wedding trade show was an opportunity to rethink wedding fashion.