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What to Buy in Hong Kong?

Tourists do not find old fashioned Hong Kong souvenirs in Temple Street appealing.

By Alexia Leung

Taking advantage of his own textile business, Keith Mok is making Hong Kong souvenirs such as coin bags, backpacks and shopping bags patterned with minibus signs, MTR station names and neon sign boards which are displayed at his shop in Sham Shui Po Fabric Market.

“We are still developing new products that highlight unique features of Hong Kong. We are going to produce crossbody bags and drawstring bags using fabrics with mahjong and minibus signs patterns to make it look more stylish,” the 26-year-old shop owner says. 

“Both Hongkongers and tourists (buy these products)… Half of the tourists are from Europe, US and Australia. The other half are from Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore,” he adds.

Coin bags are sold for HK $50 (US $6.39) each and the shopping bags are sold for HK $180 (US $23.02) each.

The Hong Kong patterned pouches that are sold for $50 each

“Our products are a bit more expensive than others because the products are made in Hong Kong by Hong Kong tailors, the sewing process is complicated and the fabrics are imported from Japan,” Mok says.

In an attempt to expand his business to reach out to more tourists, Mok is putting up pop-up stores in D2 Place and the Mills. “We will have a spot in the Central Market soon,” he adds. 

While Mok is developing new Hong Kong souvenirs, vendors at Temple Street, a popular tourist spot, are still selling products designed decades ago. 

Souvenirs such as stuffed pandas, dim sum magnets and Victoria Harbour keychains can be found in Temple Street. Most of them are imported from mainland China. The price ranges from HK $20 (US $2.56) to HK $90 (US $11.51).

Jonathan Schāfer*, a German tourist who came to Hong Kong for the first time, finds the souvenirs in Temple Street are more of a Chinese style than a Hong Kong style. 

“The souvenirs here cannot really represent Hong Kong. I think it’s like basic tourism stuff you get all over the world… Some are special compared to other countries like the chopsticks, but it is so basic. It is the typical Asian, Chinese style in the eyes of a Westerner,” the 18-year-old tourist says.  

Another German visitor, Manuel Schmidt*, traveled to other Asian countries with his wife before coming to Hong Kong. 

“The quality of the souvenirs here is the same as the other countries we were in before, like in Vietnam and Thailand. I think it’s because everything is from China so it is the same quality,”

Thomas Parker, a tourist from England, came to Temple Street only for sightseeing.

“I don’t want to spend a lot on souvenirs here. I’m just looking around… exploring… I like the atmosphere here. Everything looks the same, so I can’t tell much about the quality,” he says. 

Mainland imported souvenirs that are sold at Temple Street

Tourists are not the only ones struggling to find special souvenirs. Hongkonger Matthew Chung* is having a hard time finding souvenirs for his Taiwanese friend.

“The souvenirs… the stuffed toys… you wouldn’t know that it is from Hong Kong. There’s not many Hong Kong features. You wouldn’t buy souvenirs here for friends, especially for foreign friends, there is nothing special,” the 60-year-old man says.

Chan Kam-wing, Chairman of the Yau Ma Tei Temple Street Association of Hawkers and Shop Operators, says they hope to collaborate with hawkers who sell dry goods to sell some packaged food such as fish maws, dry scallop, salted fish, walnut cookies and century egg puffs as Hong Kong souvenirs.  

“The dry goods at Temple Street can also be souvenirs. For example, ‘I Love HK’ T-shirts, Hong Kong landmark keychains, cartoon keychains and Hong Kong luggage tags. These are things that have Hong Kong features and can be sold as souvenirs,” he adds. 

Chan aims to turn Temple Street into a souvenir street by first persuading the hawkers to introduce new souvenirs, and local brands such as Kee Wah Bakery and Bee Cheng Hiang can also set up stores at Temple Street. 

In response to Varsity’s enquiry, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) says that they will continue to develop more special tourism products and introduce new experiences for tourists.  

“Promoting tourism through mega events and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as the Events Capital of Asia…Developing more special tourism products and experiences in collaboration with the travel trade focusing on potential markets and visitor segments, to attract visitors from different source markets to come to Hong Kong,” the board says in an email. 

*Names changed at interviewees’ request

Sub-edited by Liam Hordijk

A Journey of Becoming a Chinese Musical Performer

Performer Angelina Zhu Zirong shares the story of her musical journey. 

By Bliss Zhu

Starring in Hamlet, an adapted Chinese musical production based on Shakespeare’s classic, Zhu Zirong toured 12 cities and 21 shows around China, acting as Queen Gertrude in 2023. 

“Every time I’m on the stage I go through a different life journey through music. It is amazing to perform in musicals,” the 39-year-old performer says.

She has performed in 19 different musicals including Broadway musicals. She acted as Mother and Eros in Once On An Island, and Marta in Company. She also produced the Chinese version of the Off-Broadway musical in 2021, Tick Tick Boom, which is a musical that premiered in 2001 in New York.

Curtain call photo of the cast of the original musical Hamlet at the end of its tour in Jinan.  (Photo courtesy of Angelina Zhu Zirong)

In recent years, Zhu participated in many original Chinese musicals such as The Orphan of Zhao(趙氏孤兒).

“Artists have little room for interpretations when performing adapted versions of foreign musicals, as they want to respect the mature original scripts. I prefer to do original Chinese musicals which give me all the space I want to perform the role with my understanding and interpretations,” she says.

Her passion for musicals can be traced back to 2003 in a singing performance at her high school. She sang so well that she won the admiration of a teacher from a musical college.

“She asked me:’ Do you want to learn musical performance?’ But actually, I did not know what it was,” she recalls.

The teacher introduced two classical musicals Les Misérables and Jesus Christ Superstar to her and she instantly fell in love with this type of art. 

“I share the feelings and inner thoughts of those characters and even know the development of a whole thing from a single song,” she says.

Pursuing her love for musicals, Zhu studied at the Shanghai Conservatory Of Music between 2003 and 2008.

During that period, the musical industry in China was mainly dominated by foreign works such as Les Miserables and The Lion King, according to the China Economic Network, the largest economic information portal website in mainland China. In 2010, many companies began to produce Chinese versions of Broadway musicals. 

“At that time, it was difficult to find teaching materials about musicals. When I studied musical theatre in Shanghai, I bought pirated discs of British, American, and French productions,” Zhu recalls.

Apart from listening to others’ work, Zhu also joined a band as a vocal singer. She ran for roles in many Chinese versions of Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals.

In 2017, Zhu acted in the Chinese version of Murder Ballad, an American rock musical launched in New York in 2012.

“I learnt a lot because I played two characters with completely different backgrounds and personalities. I enjoy challenging myself to perform for two roles at the same time,” she says.

To get ready for the two roles, Zhu learned from the stories and songs to know more about the characters and how to interpret the roles.

A group photo of the four main stars of the Chinese version of the Off-Broadway rock musical Murder Ballad, with Angelina Zhu Zirong in it. (Photo courtesy of Angelina Zhu Zirong)

To cater to the Chinese audiences, she also studies how to change some lines in the original script and adapt them to the Chinese context.

“I discussed adaptations with the director… like how to express English slang in Chinese that resonates better with audiences,” she adds.

Zhu Zirong shares that there are so many scripts and roles she wants to play in Chinese traditional stories.

Zhu observes that more Chinese classics have been turned into musicals such as No Longer Human, The late Emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty(南唐後主), and The Orphan of Zhao in which she had a role.

“More classical foreign musicals are introduced into the Chinese musical market after the border was reopened in post-covid, which allows Chinese artists to learn from the mature production of classics and apply them to local productions,” Zhu says.

She thinks that the commercial incentive is important for developing the Chinese musical industry. 

“If production companies want more audiences to pay for their work, they need to focus on the work and script which must be well-developed with creativity,” she says.

“We can import foreign works… and I hope we can export our own creative work too. I think the Chinese musical industry will have more original productions in the coming decade for audiences around the world,” she adds.

Sub-edited by Kamun Lai

Shenzhen: Student Hotspot for Cheap Thrills

Students in Hong Kong spend money in Shenzhen for cheaper prices and more diverse choices

By Celina Lu

University student Shay Xie Chengxi, who lives in Fanling, goes to Shenzhen with his friends every weekend.

“I go to Shenzhen for a day of fun. It costs me about RMB ¥300 (US $41.47) to watch a movie, dine out and sing karaoke. If I do the same things in Hong Kong, it probably costs me RMB ¥500 (US $69.11),” the 23-year-old student says.

Shay shares that a hotpot meal with five people in Shenzhen costs about RMB ¥100 (US $13.82) per head, which is half the price of a meal in Hong Kong. 

“In Hong Kong a hotpot meal costs at least RMB ¥200 (US $27.65). Pricing is a strong reason for me to go to Shenzhen. Also, I eat cuisine that I cannot find in Hong Kong, such as Xinjiang food like charcoal grilled beef and lamb,” he says.

Having Xinjiang grilled meat in Shenzhen.

Another university student, Felix Shangguan Yuqian, also goes to Shenzhen every weekend.

“Dining out is the highlight of my week. I choose to go to Shenzhen to spend money because of cheaper cost and better quality of service,” the 23-year-old student says. 

“You can get a delicious meal with two to three dishes in Shenzhen for RMB ¥40-50 (US $5.53-6.91) if you order takeout, and it usually only costs RMB ¥100 (US $13.82) if you go to a restaurant. But in Hong Kong, it costs you RMB ¥150-200 (US $20.73-27.65) for dining in,” he says. 

“About the quality of service, there’s usually no time limit for dining in Shenzhen, and the waiters are more polite,” he adds.

Other than eating out, Shangguan also has his hair cut once a month in Shenzhen. 

“A simple haircut in Hong Kong costs RMB ¥60-70 (US $8.29-9.68), compared with RMB ¥20 (US $2.77) across the border,” Shangguan says.

“If you want a fine haircut at a high-end salon, it costs RMB ¥300-400 (US $41.47-55.29) in Hong Kong. But it only costs about RMB ¥100 (US $13.82) in mainland China. Colouring and perming are also more expensive in Hong Kong. And the skills of hair stylists in Shenzhen are much better,” he adds. 

Apart from cheaper spending on food and services, university students also flock to Shenzhen for leisure activities. 

University student Ivy Shi Yuhan visits Shenzhen at least once a week and sometimes stays overnight there. 

“I usually go to Shenzhen to join role-play games, sing karaoke, play board games, have a massage or a drink with friends,” she says.

Enjoying the facilities of party rooms in Shenzhen.

According to the data provided by the Dianping app, the per capita consumption of entertainment activities such as Live Action Role Playing (LARP) games, escape room games, KTVs, board game parlours, and massage shops in Hong Kong cost RMB ¥50-200 (US $6.91-27.65), while the price is RMB ¥30-150 (US $4.15-20.73) in Shenzhen.

“The entertainment venues in Hong Kong are relatively small and old, and prices are expensive. Unlike in Shenzhen, where pricing is cheap and the venue is more spacious and well-maintained,” the Year Two student explains.

Shenzhen’s KTV facilities feature large screens.

Professor Haiyan Song from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University points out cost is the major factor for people going to Shenzhen to spend. 

“The living costs in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai are much cheaper. The demand for consumption is determined by price, so that’s why a lot of people go to these cities instead of staying in Hong Kong,” Song says. 

But Song believes the spending pattern will not last long. “When the economic situation in China improves, more tourists will come to Hong Kong. We forecast that Hong Kong will recover to the 2018 level by the end of 2025,” he says.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) says they will step up promotion through different strategies to attract visitors to visit Hong Kong.

“Promoting tourism through mega events and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as the Events Capital of Asia; attracting high value-added visitors and stepping up the development of Meetings, Incentive travels, Conventions, and Exhibitions by tapping into Hong Kong’s advantage as the ‘World’s Meeting Place’,” the board says in a reply. 

Edited by Cynthia Hu

Sub-edited by Liam Hordijk

From Pikachu to Poetry: Su Embroidery

Su Embroidery blends tradition with modern artistry

By Zora Yan

Embroidery master Zhang Xue combines traditional Su embroidery techniques with the image of Pikachu, a popular Japanese anime character, to create a folding fan.

Invited by the production team of the Japanese movie POKÉMON Detective Pikachu, Zhang then spent six months creating this handmade artwork featuring the cartoon character.

Zhang sent the folding fan as a gift to Ryan Rodney Reynolds, who did the voice of  Pikachu in the film at a press conference when launching the movie in 2019.

“No one could have imagined that Su embroidery could be applied in this way,” the 36-year-old craftsman says.

Pikachu Embroidery Artwork made by Zhang Xue. (Photo courtesy of Zhang Xue)

Su embroidery refers to the sewing style in the Suzhou region, originating in the Chunqiu Dynasty. There are a total of four embroidery styles in China and the other three are Xiang from Hunan, Shu from Sichuan, and Yue from Guangzhou.

Zhang’s family has been engaged in Su embroidery for several generations. His journey as a craftsman began when he was four.

“My ideas differ from others as I don’t follow the traditional way of sewing paintings and patterns. I aspire to create modern Su embroideries such as the minimalist style featuring simplicity and a monochromatic palette of black and white that young people like,” he says.

In 2015, Zhang started his embroidery studio in Zhenghu, Suzhou. Unlike traditional embroidery artwork, which mostly features flowers and landscapes or follows specific patterns, he wants to do new inventions with Su embroidery. 

“I am a big fan of ancient Chinese poetry and paintings, and I find inspiration from them. I also develop ideas from daily life elements like cloud shapes and TV programmes,” Zhang says.

Inspired by a TV programme about astronomy, Zhang created an artwork titled “Starry Sky” in 2016. He applied over 20 traditional needlework techniques that were on the verge of being lost to this modern artwork. The work is now being exhibited at the WorldSkills Museum in Shanghai, the first museum showcasing professional skills worldwide.

Zhang, who used to be a teacher at Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute, has also become an inspiration for others.

“I have a male student in my class, and he told his parents about my embroidery. I was truly shocked when he successfully convinced his parents to let him choose Su embroidery,” he says.

He also observes an increasing interest in embroidery among young people.

“I think it’s good because more young people are keeping this cultural heritage alive, so it won’t disappear,” the master says.

With over 40 years of experience in Su embroidery, Xu Wenying, an arts and crafts master from Suzhou, also finds more young people learning embroidery at her studio.

“I used to think that young women nowadays are unwilling to learn Su embroidery and prefer working. I am surprised that many young people still want to create their own textile product,” Xu says.

Xu Wenying in ‘Xu Wenying Embroidery Studio. (Photo courtesy of Xu Wenyin

Xu is now running Su embroidery courses for people to experience and learn the skill. Most are university students in their 20s and 30s.

The youngest student is a 12-year-old girl, Dai Ruiwen, who takes a four-hour high speed train ride from Tianjin to learn embroidery.

“I have always loved making my own handicrafts. I came across social media posts about Su embroidery when surfing online. I want to learn it,” Dai says.

She had a great sense of achievement after spending eight hours making the basic patterns of Su embroidery with the help of her master.

“I will continue learning Su embroidery in the future because I think it is a meaningful thing to do, and I hope I can help promote this culture in the future,” she says.

Xu’s son, Pu Hongtao, is running a social media account to promote his mother’s embroidery business. 

“I am surprised that even primary school pupils are willing to travel from other cities to Suzhou to learn Su embroidery,” Pu says

Many young people born in the 1990s and 2000s from various parts of China have contacted Pu through his Chinese social media account on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) to come to Suzhou and learn Su embroidery from his mother.

“It is a wonderful thing to see so many young people becoming more interested in embroidery. Their dedication is impressive because not many young people nowadays are willing or able to engage in such time-consuming handicrafts patiently,” Pu adds.

Edited by Sean Pan

Sub-edited by Sunnie Wu

Birthday Party as Blessing

NGO spreads love and blessings by holding birthday parties for underprivileged children.

By Hanne Chan

Having a birthday party is not a given for every child, and Edward Fernandes has seen many struggle to have a meal on their special days.

“I’ve seen a little boy finishing a whole plate of spaghetti within two to three seconds,” Fernandes, who founded Birthday Happiness Asia, recalls of a party hosted one and a half years ago. 

“The little boy told me he did not have good food very often when he was gulping the pasta. I told him to slow down. There were lots at the party. He could take the food away with a lunchbox if he wanted to,” Fernandes adds.

Missing out on an important part of childhood, Fernandes set up the organisation with his wife Marilou Edora in 1994 to host birthday parties for the needy.

“I came from a poor single-parent family in the Philippines. My sister and I never celebrated our birthdays, neither my wife, as our parents couldn’t afford one,” he says.

The NGO nearly collapsed when Fernandes’ wife was battling cancer. The service stopped for a year until 2021, when he resurrected the service in memory of his late wife.

“My wife saw it not only as a birthday party. She tried to give them more hope and something to hang on to in the future. You just never know, maybe a joyous memory can save one’s life,” Fernandes says.

Edward Fernandes with a picture of his late wife Marilou Edora.

About 1.65 million people in Hong Kong – nearly one-quarter of the citizens – are living below the official poverty line, according to the latest Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report published by the government in 2020. Calculated at half of the city’s median monthly income, the poverty line stands at HK$4,400 (US $562.22) for one person and HK$20,400 (US $2606.67) for a four-person household.

Among one million children in Hong Kong, 274,900 of them live under the poverty line.

Fernandes vows he will continue his service to spread joy to needy children. 

“Even in a wealthy place like Hong Kong, there are 30,000 children living in cage homes. It’s laughable – it’s not laughable, it’s very sad – I can’t do anything about it, what we can do is just spread a little birthday happiness to the children,” the founder says.

He adds: “But it doesn’t mean we give up, we carry on.”

The organisation now has about 200 volunteers organising birthday parties for grassroots children, orphans, ethnic minorities and children with Down syndrome and autism.

Volunteers host birthday parties three to four times monthly. They decorate a venue, design games, prepare gifts and food, and even bake cakes for birthday boys and girls. 

Homemade cakes and nourishing food are the must-haves. “They are made with love and affection, that is the difference between bought cakes (and homemade cakes),” Fernandes says.

“Most of these children don’t eat nourishing food, and they may never taste a well-made cake again. But at least they have something to remember,” he adds.

“For the gifts, no toy promoting violence, sex or racism is allowed. This is the only guideline. Apart from that, I always let them (the team leader) take over the parties,” the founder says.

Celebrants cutting a birthday cake together.
(Photo courtesy of Bianca Bernardino)

One of the team leaders, Eve Lo, is responsible for contacting social workers, gathering volunteers, and leading parties. 

“Many of those kids live under tension, struggling in poverty and family problems. What I wish is that they walk away knowing that there are good spirits in society, and there are strangers who care for them,” the 67-year-old woman says. 

Lo was deeply touched by the spirit of the organisation and joined one and a half years ago.

“I got to know the organisation from a news article in the South China Morning Post, and then immediately decided to apply for volunteer work. I’m not promising to change the world, but I’m happy that I gave a little happiness to someone,’ she says.

The group is working with other partnering organisations like Caritas, Sau Mau Ping Catholic Primary School, Love21, and the Society for Community Organization (SoCO) for venues and referrals of children. 

Tim Tse, a social worker of the SoCO, believes such services can benefit disadvantaged children. 

“The activity empowers the underprivileged group by acknowledging to them the power and rights they have. More promotion (for the NGO) is needed. The group is still unknown to many, especially those who need their service,” Tse says. 

Edited by Sunnie Wu

Tripping North: Shopping in Shenzhen for Cheap Grocery

Hongkongers flock to Shenzhen’s giant supermarket for cheap grocery.

By Emma Wei

Kylie Wong goes to Shenzhen for grocery shopping in giant supermarkets almost every two weeks.  

“I really enjoy shopping in Shenzhen. I used to go there once a month. Now I go to Shenzhen more than two times a month after the opening of Costco,” the 32-year-old woman says.

Wong goes shopping in Shenzhen for cheaper food and daily necessities such as bread, yogurt, and fruits even though it takes two hours from her home to the supermarket.

“I usually spend RMB¥1,500 (US$207.54) on food and fresh meat. It costs me twice the price if I buy them in Hong Kong,” she says.

She buys fruit like strawberries, blueberries and food at a cheaper price in Shenzhen and then carries them back to Hong Kong.

“The cost of living in Hong Kong is very high. I prefer doing my grocery shopping in Shenzhen as the quality of products is the same as those in Hong Kong, but they are much cheaper,” she says. 

“Buying food is a good deal as large-sized packages are available. Although houses in Hong Kong are very small, I still try to stock up on as much food as possible,” she says.


Kelly Wong buys some food and daily necessities like meat, pineapple, masks.

Lu Mao-ting also loves grocery shopping in Shenzhen even if it takes him about an hour and a half to get there from his home.

“I loved shopping in Costco when I was studying in America. It’s great that there is a branch in Shenzhen!” Lu, who lives in Mong Kok, says.

He finds that some daily necessities and food in the giant supermarket are cheaper. “A piece of cake in Hong Kong costs HK$50 (US$6.39), but I can buy a whole cake at the same price in Shenzhen,” he says.

“Although I haven’t tried the taste here yet, I will probably buy it again because of this price,” he adds.

According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, 53.34 million Hong Kong residents travelled to mainland China, with over 40 million leaving through the Shenzhen Hong Kong port in 2023. 

Opened on January 12, 2024, Costco has launched some promotional campaigns to draw more crowds to the supermarket.


Wholesale retailer Costco sells goods in bulk. 

“The original annual membership fee is RMB¥299 (US$41.37) but there was a discount before the opening of Costco that it took only RMB¥199 (US$27.53) between September 2023 and January 12, 2024,” the sales manager of the mega supermarket surnamed Wu says. 

About 90,000 customers applied for membership online before the supermarket was open, and Hong Kong applicants count for 10 percent. 

The total revenue of Costco’s six branches in China reached RMB¥57.8 billion (US$7.99 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, according to Costco China financial report. 

“We have also launched some products with Cantonese characteristics that cater to the tastes of Hong Kong people. For example, a vacuum package of a popular dish from Guangzhou Restaurant. The convenient packaging allows Hong Kong customers to enjoy food at home when they want to,” Wu says. 

Marketing Manager Annie Suen of Wellcome Supermarket admits that Costco’s opening in Shenzhen has affected business in Hong Kong. 

“Fewer customers are coming to our branches after Costco has opened, especially during weekends,” Suen says.

“There is no significant change in the sale volume of vegetables and fresh meat, but daily necessities and cooked food show a downward trend,” she says. 

Associate Professor Bai Ying from the Department of Economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong believes that the opening of giant supermarkets such as Costco and Sam’s in Shenzhen will influence Hong Kong’s economy in the long run.

“The opening of those mega supermarkets has helped some Hong Kong residents cut down living costs. Looking ahead, this will make the local economy decline,” Bai says.

He points out that the biggest factor affecting consumption is price but the problem cannot be solved in Hong Kong easily because of the sky-high rent.

“The competition between Hong Kong and the mainland China markets can also be complimentary to each other leading to better products and services,” he adds.

Edited by Nicole Li and Perry Kwok

Sub-edited by Cynthia Hu

The White Wave in Taiwan

Taiwanese believe Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) is the island’s way-out of then Blue and Green.

By Mike Chu

University student Huang Bo-lin is a supporter of Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je.

“I support him because of all the work he has done as the mayor of Taipei City. He has made everything (government issues) transparent and public [to the people],” Huang says in a photo-taking event featuring Ko. 

Huang is also impressed by Ko’s promotional tactic.

“The support Ko has gained by social media has allowed him to avoid competing over traditional media outlets which are mostly manipulated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kuomintang (KMT),” Huang adds. 

  • Supporters of Ko Wen-je throw confetti as Ko is making his speech to the crowd on Ketagalan Boulevard.

The DPP and KMT are the two biggest parties in Taiwan with much longer history, representing the green camp and the blue camp respectively, while white is the colour for TPP founded in 2019.

Chen, who declined to reveal his full name, aged 40, shares Huang’s view. 

“Polls conducted by traditional media outlets which are controlled by blue and green camps always found Ko as the least popular in their surveys,” he says.

A supporter who nicknamed herself as Baibai thinks the rivalry between DPP and KMT are detrimental to Taiwan.

 “Taiwanese are conditioned to think that they can only choose DPP or KMT. That is limiting their thoughts about what options they actually have,” Baibai says. 

Ko earned 3.6 million or 26% of the votes, falling short of Kuomintang’s Hou Yu-ih at 33% and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te at 40%.

Ko’s campaign has attracted a lot of young people, which is supported by statistics. According to an analysis conducted by the News Lens, a Taiwanese online media outlet, around 48% of 20-39-year-old voted for Ko.

  • A supporter of Ko Wen-je with a headband that writes ‘fight once without hesitation’.

Associate fellow Jeremy Huai-Che Chiang of the Foundation for Future Generations Taiwan, says it is still too early for Ko and the TPP to challenge the two largest parties. 

“Despite an increase in voters who accept parties other than the two largest parties in the last legislative yuan election, the DPP and the KMT are still dominating. The landscape has not changed significantly ,” Chiang says.

“Loyalty to parties is shaped by real life experiences and that cannot be shifted in a short period of time,” Chiang adds.

  • Voting station staff revealing the result of the voting in the polling station Ximen Elementary School.

Edited by Kamun Lai

Sub-edited by Perry Kwok

Study Abroad for Better Jobs

Chinese fresh graduates desperate for jobs turn to overseas postgraduate programmes in the hope that they could land better jobs.

By Cynthia Hu

University student Luo Qinyu, from China’s eastern Zhejiang Province, is planning to pursue her master’s degree in Australia or Macau due to the gloomy labour market in China.

The Year Three student observes that more and more Chinese university students choose to study abroad as finding jobs in the country is not easy.  

“Rather than joining the job market, many fresh graduates prefer to enter the government or study abroad. Among all options, studying abroad is the least stressful choice,” Luo says.

“I even heard that a student paid RMB ¥12,000 (US $1680.91) to intern at Ogilvy, an advertising company, for two months,” the 21-year-old student says. 

According to the China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the unemployment rate among Chinese youngsters aged 16 to 24 in urban areas reached 21.3 per cent in June 2023. The rate has been constantly increasing throughout the year and the NBS announced such data would no longer be released from July 2023 in order to “further improve and optimise” the labourforce statistics.

“It’s really difficult to find a job now. I have submitted many resumes and only found an internship as an online Chinese teacher, which doesn’t fit in my major,” the business-major student says.

Luo admits that the difficulty in landing a job is one of the reasons why she wants to study abroad. 

“The job market is very competitive now. It is difficult to find a good job without  outstanding academic performance,” she says.

Luo Qinyu studies for the IELTS exam. (Photo Courtesy of Leo Qinyu)

Yan Liu, a 23-year-old student from another eastern province Jiangsu, has also decided to study abroad after five months of job hunting. 

“I graduated in June and found that I cannot find a job with a salary that is higher than RMB ¥12,000 (US $1680.91),” the English-major student says. 

“My parents believe I cannot find a well-paid job because I do not have a postgraduate degree ,” she adds. 

Liu consults an overseas education agency about her study plan. 

“Studying abroad can help me find a good job. The agency suggests that I study in the UK or Australia,” Liu says.

“My family can afford the cost of my study plan. They have prepared around RMB¥500,000 (US $69,667.00) for me,” she adds.

IELTS study materials in China. (Photo courtesy of Luo Qinyu)

Thelma Li, an IELTS consultant at the English tutoring school New Channel, which also helps students file applications to universities overseas, observes that there is an increasing number of students studying abroad.

Li points out that the high unemployment rate in China contributes to the growing number of students seeking help from the institution for studying abroad.

“There are many fresh graduates who come to our institution to apply for universities overseas because they cannot find jobs. Most students who choose to study abroad are from well developed places such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Zhejiang. They hope that a graduate degree from overseas universities can secure them better job opportunities,” she adds.

Li says some parents may choose not to send children abroad due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the situation is different now. 

Professor Henry Kwok Yan-shing, from the Department of Educational Administration and Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, points out that graduates from top universities overseas usually find it easier to get a job. 

“Getting a master’s degree from universities overseas might help in finding work. By the time these students  return to China, they might be in a better position than other Chinese students in the labour market,”  Kwok says. 

“Graduates from top universities are usually top earners in the labour market,” he adds.

Kwok points out that more people want to study abroad to improve their professional skills when the unemployment rate is high. 

“During an economic downturn, it makes sense for people to upskill themselves so they may stand a better chance in the labour market. If someone cannot find work in China and can afford to study overseas, studying abroad is an opportunity for these people,” he says.

He adds that postgraduate studies should be related to the type of work that the student desires.

“There should always be a valid, job-related reason for postgraduate studies. It’s beneficial for students to have some work experiences that align with their knowledge,” he says.

Kowk reminds that students should have a clear goal for studying abroad.

“Students need to know why they want to study overseas and whether the programmes they choose match their interests,” he adds.

Sub-edited by Kossy Chen

Gay Games Hong Kong Promotes LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Despite challenges and political pressures, Shawn Griffin organised the first Gay Games in Hong Kong.

By Yilie Lo

When the COVID-19 pandemic first began in early 2020, Shawn Griffin took up the directorship of Gay Games Hong Kong’s arts and culture division, which was responsible for organising the competition’s art events, concerts and performances.

The role required him to plan the entire programme, recruit members, and reach out to venues and performers.

It turns out to be a big challenge because of the pandemic. 

“Basically, my introductory meeting with the arts and culture team was a Zoom call. I don’t think I ever met a single person on the team face-to-face for over half a year. Many talents from the team left due to the uncertainties of the pandemic and government regulations, ” he recalls. 

Shawn Griffin’s profile on the official website of Gay Games Hong Kong 2023.

Initially, Griffin wanted to recruit more global talents for his team. However, it was challenging for foreign citizens to get a visa due to the travel restrictions brought by the pandemic.

“We had to find a healthy mix of local talents and international talents. Because of the travel restrictions, it was difficult to bring in international talents to our team,” Griffin says. 

“It was challenging yet reflected what Hong Kong could offer in terms of showcasing our subculture as a bold city,” he adds.

COVID-19 was not the only obstacle to overcome, as Gay Games’ unprecedented presence in Hong Kong also led to public debate.

“Owners of venues were very reluctant because nothing like this has been done before. It was difficult to find places that were supportive or open to us,” Griffin says. 

“Getting Queen Elizabeth Stadium was a major step for us to prove our competency,” he adds. 

Held from November 3 to 11, the Gay Games Hong Kong 2023 attracted 2,300 athletes from over 40 nations and regions, including Australia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. It was held at various arenas across the city, such as Queen Elizabeth Stadium, MacPherson Stadium and Jockey Club HKCFA Football Training Centre.

The event also faced political backlash from lawmakers and religious groups. Legislative council member Junius Ho Kwan-yiu accused Gay Games of threatening the traditional values of Hong Kong and violating the National Security Law as early as 2021. 

“Historically, there were no laws against homosexuality in China. So, those who say that the Gay Games are against traditional values are not doing their historical research very well,’ Griffin says.

“We were not making any statements against any groups. Our only purpose was to have a good time and support the queer community,” he adds.

The Gala Concert at the Closing Ceremony of Gay Games Hong Kong 2023.

Griffin goes on that the Gay Games is a blessing to the city as it showcase Hong Kong’s capabilities of hosting global scale events. 

“The Gay Games is a strong step in the direction towards a more societal acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong. It shows the city’s potential to become a safe haven for the queer community in Southeast Asia,” Griffin says.

Before moving to Hong Kong, Griffin always had a sense of insecurity for being part of the queer community. He was born in a Christian conservative neighbourhood in Missouri, US. He found it difficult to fully express his own identity when growing up.

“I was always in denial of my sexuality growing up there, and so are some of my friends. I didn’t fully come out until I moved here,” the 33-year-old says. He is now working as a freelance photographer.

Griffin first came to the city in 2012 to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong as a postgraduate student. He ended up transferring his studies to Hong Kong and stayed in the city.

“I was really falling in love with the city. Being in the creative industry, it was impactful for me to stay in a city where my creativity could be nurtured,” he says.

Apart from being a freelance photographer, Griffin worked for a public relations agency before he joined the art and culture team at Gay Games. 

Shawn Griffin and other participants of Gay Games Hong Kong 2023. (Photo courtesy of Shawn Griffin)

After Gay Games Hong Kong, Griffin continues to support the city’s queer community. He is now collaborating with bars, clubs and hotels to bring in more inclusive and representational performances and events.

“We need these small-scale productions to get stories told on a daily basis. They are what really brings the local community together,” he adds.

According to the Federation of Gay Games, the next Gay Games will be hosted in Valencia, Spain in 2026.

Sub-edited by Leopold Chen

Century-Old Preserved Bean Curd Shop

Third-generation owner of a century-old tofu pudding shop evolves his products while preserving “the taste of Hong Kong”.

By Jasmine Lam

Tofu pudding is all Liu Chun-kin wants for a great meal.

“I want to get back to the old feelings. Just like when I was young, I am already happy when eating rice with tofu pudding,” says Liu, the third-generation owner of the century-old tofu pudding shop Liu Ma Kee.

Liu Ma Kee is a handmade bean curd family business in Hong Kong with a store located in Jordan, with 118 years of history. 

It was established by Liu’s grandfather in 1905. Initially, it was a store for tofu and soybean pudding in Kwun Chung Market in Yau Ma Tei. 

Liu’s love for bean products is shared by people who have emigrated from the city for a long time.

“I still remember there was a 90-year-old woman who came back from the US with her whole family just to buy our bean curd. She said tasting it was her last wish, ” he recalls.

The current Liu Ma Kee store locates in Jordan.

Liu has been making bean curd for over 50 years since he was six. He inherited the shop from his father in 1984 when he was 21 years old. 

“I woke up at 5 a.m. at that time. I then started grinding soybeans and inspecting the factory until 6 p.m. Everyone woke early and worked hard, ” the 63-year-old recalls. 

“Now I help out when I am free. I do a little bit of everything, like fetch and carry work,” he says.

The business owner wants to follow the traditional formula, but some changes need to be made to catch up with current trends.  

“Responding to customers’ health concerns, we have reduced the content of salt in our products. But we can’t cut it by too much, or else it will turn bad,” Liu says.

“We always chat with and listen to customers’ opinions about our products,” he says, adding that it is the key to keep the business alive.

Apart from adjustment in the recipe, the production process and the source of ingredients have also changed.

“Most of the process is done in Hong Kong. We used to procure local ingredients only. But now our soybeans are from Canada, while the salt and wine are from mainland China due to the rising price of local products,” Liu says.

Since 1998, his wife has created different kinds of sauces including garlic fermented soy cream, Guilin chili sauce, and soybean BBQ sauce. 

Recipes about how to cook with their sauces featuring dishes like spaghetti carbonara and stir-fried scallops and broccoli are also printed for their customers.  

The family business faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a temporary decline in sales due to travel restrictions. Customers who emigrated to other countries were unable to fly back to buy their products.  

The price of a cup of bean curd has gone up over the years due to the rising costs. For example, the price of the largest package of bean curd was HK$8 (US$1.02) in 1961. But the price of it is HK$150 (US$19.21) in 2023.

Liu Ma Kee products are available in different sizes.

However, Liu says he is not worried about the competition from cheap mainland products. 

“Our product is no less competitive than mainland ones. I believe the quality of ingredients and supervision are crucial to producing superior bean curd. There is nothing to worry about,” Liu says. 

Liu’s son is willing to take care of the business as he wants to preserve “the taste of Hong Kong”. 

“I am too old to think about it. Just let it be. Maybe our offspring will continue the business at last, ”he says.

“Do your part well and uphold quality for the brand,” the owner says.

Sub-edited by Leopold Chen

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Varsity CUHK
Varsity is an award-winning magazine created for the tertiary students and faculty of Hong Kong. It is written, edited and designed by students in the School of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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