Hong Kong’s ‘Drifting’ Mainlanders
In recent years, the term 'gang piao', literally 'Hong Kong drifters' has been used to describe the educated young mainlanders who study and then work in Hong Kong. The gang piao identify with and have taken to Hong Kong's culture, language and values to varying degrees. Some mix only with other gang piao and speak Putonghua, while others have learnt Cantonese and find themselves changed by their Hong Kong experience. Varsity hears some of their stories.
Room for More and Better Hostel Rooms
The ever increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong means the demand for accommodation keeps going up, yet hotel accommodation in Hong Kong is notoriously expensive. Youth hostels could provide a decent, safe and reasonably-priced alternative for those who want to experience Hong Kong but most of them are currently in remote areas and serve hikers. Is there room for more hostels in easily accessed areas?
Methadone Throws Lifeline to Heroin Addicts
Hong Kong's methadone programme is held up as a model that has worked to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS among injecting drug users and assist addicts to lead functional lives. But as the number of heroin users has decreased in the territory, the programme's value has been questioned. Varsity looks at the impact methadone has had as a method of harm reduction.
Jobs Give Ex-Offenders a Second Chance
Ex-offenders often encounter discrimination when they leave prison and re-enter society. It can be hard for them to overcome social prejudice and find jobs. But as Varsity discovers, there are some organisations and employers who are working to to give former offenders a chance to start afresh through employment.
Masters and Apprentices in the World of Martial Arts
The bonds between masters and apprentices are part of Chinese martial arts folklore. In the old days, the master a combination of parent, teacher and mentor - a figure to be obeyed. How can these bonds survive in the 21st century where martial arts are not necessarily a philosophy and way of life but can also be just a hobby or way of keeping fit?
Residents face forced move from Tai O’s Tin Lee House
Tin Lee House in Tai O village is the public housing block with the lowest occupancy rate in Hong Kong, with just 14 households. Now those households, mainly made up of elderly people who lost their former homes in a fire, have been told they must leave because the government wants to sell the flats under the Home Ownership Scheme. Here, the residents tell their stories.
Wheelchair Athletes Call for Better Sports Facilities
Hong Kong's successful Paralympics athletes are widely lauded by the government and in the media for their inspiring achievements. But little is heard about sporting needs of ordinary disabled people. Here, they tell Varsity about the problems they face in finding venues to train and the hurdles they encounter with the lack of facilities that cater to their needs.
Cyclists Savour Life in the Slow-lane
Hong Kong is known for having a fast pace of life and fierce competitive streak. But not everyone is happy to participate in the rat race. Varsity meets some the Slow-mo cyclists, who have decided to literally slow down, wake up to the world around them and smell the roses.
Local Bands Snub Government’s Flyover Venue Plans
Fly the Flyover is a project to turn the underpasses of Kowloon East into venues for rock concerts and other cultural events. The government says it will help to revitalise the area and provide more cultural spaces in Hong Kong. But local bands tell Varsity they believe the plan is just a ploy to jack up rents and squeeze them out of Kwun Tong's factory buildings.
Getting a Hong Kong Passport, Becoming a Chinese National
When is a local not a local? When the nationality law says they are not Chinese nationals because they are not of Chinese ethnicity. Members of Hong Kong's ethnic minority communities who born and raised here have to apply to become Chinese nationals before they can apply for S.A.R. passports and they say the current system lacks transparency and accountability.