Good morning,
Itâs been a while since my last food rec, so hereâs this super easy, non-time-consuming tiramisu if thatâs what you were craving. My pairing of choice, also an oldie but goodie (in honor of the school season starting soon for many):
Enjoy the good weather! While it lasts, i guess
-Charlotte
On Todayâs Tide
COVID |
3+4 quarantine as the economyâs booster shot
Politics |
HK Government states that criticism of its defects is welcomed
Facebook pages for anonymous rants shut down
Former security minister passes away
Policy | Littering fines to be upped
Events
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Travel | Top 10 Most Frequented Asian Airports: HK Intâl Airport Misses Out
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COVID in Hong Kong


New cases: 5,279 (215 imported)
Total cases: 1,417,322
New deaths: 3
Total deaths: 9,565
Economyâs booster shot: 3+4
A surge of cases is expected with the reduced â3+4â quarantine, though Financial Secretary Paul Chan says this will boost the economy, despite the overall outlook still not looking great for the remainder of 2022.
âWe welcome criticismsâŚâ
Full quote: âWe welcome criticisms and donât see them as problems at all, if they can let us know about our defects and make us perform better.â Secretary for Security Chris Tang said this on Sunday a few days after his radio appearance, where he was asked about the âchilling effectâ on free speech.
However, Tang distinguished that criticisms intended to promote hostility among people are not welcome. âBut if your intention is to provoke and promote enmity between different classes of people so that they might abuse, attack each other, or even resort to violence, this might constitute a breach of the law.â
Facebook pages shut down
Not just any Facebook pages. After Tuesdayâs arrests of two administrators who ran the âCivil Servant Secretsâ page, several of these similar âconfession pagesâ have been shut down too. At least eight, as of Thursday, including pages for parents, Hospital Authority employees, and students at several universities, among other audiences.
Tuesdayâs arrests concerned two government employees (aged 28, 29) who allegedly published seditious posts online. According to SCMP, ââŚOne in five arrests by national security authorities in the past two years was made on the grounds of the colonial-era sedition offence rather than the four crimes outlawed by the Beijing-imposed legislation.â

The âsecretsâ pages are used by people in a community to voice their opinions anonymously, no matter the content. Admins collect these opinions and post them on the public page.
However, not all content on these pages are for whistle-blowing: âMany posts did not criticise the government at all and some even expressed support for a government decision,â according to a CUHK professor.
Former Security Minister passes in sleep
At age 73, former HK Security Minister Ambrose Lee passed in his sleep on Sunday, as revealed by his ex-colleagues and former senior officials.
His passing was said to be sudden by many, with a recent visit to hospital to treat ribs broken in a fall revealing his otherwise healthy condition.
He was HKâs longest serving security secretary (served from 2003-2012), and has been lauded postmortem by John Lee. In a statement expressing his sadness, the CE praised the Security Ministerâs âexemplary contributionsâ to the public office over the years, as well as the ârespect and loveâ he commanded. Lee said:
âI was deeply impressed by his dedication and commitment to serving the people of Hong Kong when I worked with him in various positions in the past.â
You litter, you lose (money)
Officials have recently marked HKâs street scene as having fallen into a âunremitting, nightmarish cycleâ after inspecting street hygiene conditions on Sunday. This inspection in turn marks the beginning of the CEâs âHong Kong New Cityscapeâ campaign to increase liveability.
Campaign leader Warner Cheuk is perhaps considering raising the fine for littering from the current HK$1500, which has been in place for the past 20 years. Some members of the public have suggested HK$10,000 as the new punishing fee, though Cheuk says the figure must remain reasonable.

This first phase of the campaign will focus on cleaning up and targeting the city, particularly the 600+ hygiene âblack spotsâ. The second phase, scheduled for October, will focus on beautifying the city.
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
German Films at the 46th Annual Hong Kong Film Festival
Our friends at the German Consulate and the Goethe Institut are premiering 4 German films in Asia including GREAT FREEDOM (GROSSE FREIHEIT), EVOLUTION, AXIOM and COME WITH ME TO THE CINEMA - THE GREGORS.
The full HKFF programme, which includes films from all over the world, is available here.
Lifeline Mental Health Livefest at The Wanch
The uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic has made it exceedingly difficult for the music industry, particularly live music. Indefinite restrictions have taken a heavy toll on the mental health of not only the artists, but also the thousands of people who work alongside them.
On 20th August 2022, Musicians Foundation will be conducting an afternoon of TedX-style talks focusing on raising awareness on music and mental health.
When: Sat 20 Aug, 3-5pm
Where: The Wanch
Cost: Free
Sign up here (places limited for COVID regulations)
Official media partner: ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct
HT is proud to once again be a media partner for ReThink - HKâs biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This yearâs conference invites more than 300 expert speakers to share their visions and insights, covering important topics like economic progression while coexisting with nature harmoniously, efficient use of resources, transformation to a low-carbon society, and circular economy for future generations.
Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off!
For more local events, check out yesterdayâs High Tide.
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