Christmas on the mainland? Hongkongers opt for festive fun across the border
By Oscar Liu
Some Hongkongers have embraced a festive twist this Christmas season by choosing to celebrate the holiday in mainland China, drawn by the open spaces and wallet-friendly options.
Although Christmas is not an official holiday on the mainland, many shopping centres joined in the festivities with elaborate decorations and setting up themed photo spots.
In Nanshan district, MixC World mall offers a winter wonderland with snowscapes, reindeer and huge Christmas trees. The shopping centre features hourly artificial snow showers from 3pm to 8pm.
Raymond Chan Bik-wah, 59, a corporate consultant, relished a quiet family holiday away from the crowds in Hong Kong during a five-day getaway to Shenzhen with his wife and 25-year-old son after their winter solstice dinner last Saturday.
“Big malls are everywhere in Shenzhen where budget-friendly options are widely available with quality service. Most importantly, I don’t feel claustrophobic at all,” Chan said.
“Apart from hotels which cost around HK$1,000 [US$129] per night, other expenses are relatively more budget-friendly than in Hong Kong with more choices in terms of dining and leisure activities,” Chan said.
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By Oscar Liu
Some Hongkongers have embraced a festive twist this Christmas season by choosing to celebrate the holiday in mainland China, drawn by the open spaces and wallet-friendly options.
Although Christmas is not an official holiday on the mainland, many shopping centres joined in the festivities with elaborate decorations and setting up themed photo spots.
In Nanshan district, MixC World mall offers a winter wonderland with snowscapes, reindeer and huge Christmas trees. The shopping centre features hourly artificial snow showers from 3pm to 8pm.
Raymond Chan Bik-wah, 59, a corporate consultant, relished a quiet family holiday away from the crowds in Hong Kong during a five-day getaway to Shenzhen with his wife and 25-year-old son after their winter solstice dinner last Saturday.
“Big malls are everywhere in Shenzhen where budget-friendly options are widely available with quality service. Most importantly, I don’t feel claustrophobic at all,” Chan said.
“Apart from hotels which cost around HK$1,000 [US$129] per night, other expenses are relatively more budget-friendly than in Hong Kong with more choices in terms of dining and leisure activities,” Chan said.
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Hong Kong customs arrests 2 women for allegedly smuggling cocaine in their bodies
By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two women at the airport for allegedly smuggling about HK$1.3 million (US$167,378) worth of suspected cocaine in pellets by concealing them within their bodies.
Officers of the Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday two female passengers, aged 46 and 42, aroused suspicion during immigration clearance after they arrived from Entebbe, Uganda via Doha, Qatar on the weekend.
The women were escorted to the hospital for examination after their arrival on Sunday. Medical personnel confirmed the presence of foreign objects in their bodies and arrested them on the spot.
As of 2pm on Tuesday, they had discharged 115 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.5kg (3.3lbs) in total, with an estimated street value of about HK$1.3 million.
Both women were charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Court on Thursday.
The department said it would continue to apply a risk assessment approach to cross-border crimes to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two women at the airport for allegedly smuggling about HK$1.3 million (US$167,378) worth of suspected cocaine in pellets by concealing them within their bodies.
Officers of the Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday two female passengers, aged 46 and 42, aroused suspicion during immigration clearance after they arrived from Entebbe, Uganda via Doha, Qatar on the weekend.
The women were escorted to the hospital for examination after their arrival on Sunday. Medical personnel confirmed the presence of foreign objects in their bodies and arrested them on the spot.
As of 2pm on Tuesday, they had discharged 115 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.5kg (3.3lbs) in total, with an estimated street value of about HK$1.3 million.
Both women were charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Court on Thursday.
The department said it would continue to apply a risk assessment approach to cross-border crimes to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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China’s finance ministry vows measures to boost consumption and investment next year
By Frank Chen
The Ministry of Finance has vowed concerted efforts to expand domestic demand next year as well as more and quicker fiscal expenditure after Beijing elevated consumption to a top priority and pivoted to more active policies to revitalise the economy.
The ministry will “appropriately increase” pensions and medical insurance subsidies to underpin consumption growth and give more support to consumer goods trade-in schemes, according to a statement released after Tuesday’s conclusion of a ministry conference on next year’s work agenda. It said the ministry will also promote effective investment, issue new bonds and boost spending.
“In 2025, we will implement a more proactive policy combination for a higher fiscal deficit ratio, increase expenditure intensity and accelerate the speed of spending to drive investment and consumption,” Finance Minister Lan Foan said at the meeting.
Beijing has identified key tasks for next year to put the growth of the world’s second-largest economy back on track. On top of reviving consumption as a top target, the top leadership also stressed the need for more active fiscal policies, including raising the deficit ratio, at this month’s tone-setting central economic work conference.
While Beijing has also shifted its monetary policy stance for 2025 to “moderately loose”, some economists have called for the onus of economic policy boosts next year to be placed on the fiscal side.
Economist Tao Dong told a forum last week that the focus of China’s fiscal policy next year will shift from stimulating investment to stimulating spending and that more consumption-boosting fiscal policies are in the pipeline.
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By Frank Chen
The Ministry of Finance has vowed concerted efforts to expand domestic demand next year as well as more and quicker fiscal expenditure after Beijing elevated consumption to a top priority and pivoted to more active policies to revitalise the economy.
The ministry will “appropriately increase” pensions and medical insurance subsidies to underpin consumption growth and give more support to consumer goods trade-in schemes, according to a statement released after Tuesday’s conclusion of a ministry conference on next year’s work agenda. It said the ministry will also promote effective investment, issue new bonds and boost spending.
“In 2025, we will implement a more proactive policy combination for a higher fiscal deficit ratio, increase expenditure intensity and accelerate the speed of spending to drive investment and consumption,” Finance Minister Lan Foan said at the meeting.
Beijing has identified key tasks for next year to put the growth of the world’s second-largest economy back on track. On top of reviving consumption as a top target, the top leadership also stressed the need for more active fiscal policies, including raising the deficit ratio, at this month’s tone-setting central economic work conference.
While Beijing has also shifted its monetary policy stance for 2025 to “moderately loose”, some economists have called for the onus of economic policy boosts next year to be placed on the fiscal side.
Economist Tao Dong told a forum last week that the focus of China’s fiscal policy next year will shift from stimulating investment to stimulating spending and that more consumption-boosting fiscal policies are in the pipeline.
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Hundreds protest in Syria after burning of Christmas tree sparks outrage among Christians
By Agence France-Presse
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early on Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria, journalists said.
“We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighbourhood.
The protests come a little more than two weeks after an armed coalition led by Islamists toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, who had cast himself as a protector of minorities in the Sunni-majority country.
A demonstrator who gave his name as Georges said he was protesting “injustice against Christians”.
“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here any more,” he said.
The protests erupted after a video spread on social media showing hooded fighters setting fire to a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama.
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By Agence France-Presse
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early on Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria, journalists said.
“We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighbourhood.
The protests come a little more than two weeks after an armed coalition led by Islamists toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, who had cast himself as a protector of minorities in the Sunni-majority country.
A demonstrator who gave his name as Georges said he was protesting “injustice against Christians”.
“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here any more,” he said.
The protests erupted after a video spread on social media showing hooded fighters setting fire to a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama.
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China names Chen Hui to lead PLA ground force political work amid personnel shake-up
By Sylvie Zhuang
China has promoted a long-time airforce officer, Chen Hui, to the rank of general, confirming him as the new army political commissar, according to a report by state news agency Xinhua on Monday.
Chen has replaced Qin Shutong, 61, whose appointment as the army political commissar was made public in January 2022. Qin’s whereabouts are unknown.
In China, a political commissar is a military official in charge of ideology, political education and ensuring unit morale.
The appointment comes amid a slew of personnel changes within the People’s Liberation Army, with the latest being Miao Hua, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission and the director of its political work department, who was placed under investigation for corruption in November.
Qin’s 2022 promotion happened while Miao was the head of the political work department, which is in charge of military personnel changes.
A promotion ceremony was held for Chen on Monday. It was the first such ceremony since Miao’s downfall last month.
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By Sylvie Zhuang
China has promoted a long-time airforce officer, Chen Hui, to the rank of general, confirming him as the new army political commissar, according to a report by state news agency Xinhua on Monday.
Chen has replaced Qin Shutong, 61, whose appointment as the army political commissar was made public in January 2022. Qin’s whereabouts are unknown.
In China, a political commissar is a military official in charge of ideology, political education and ensuring unit morale.
The appointment comes amid a slew of personnel changes within the People’s Liberation Army, with the latest being Miao Hua, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission and the director of its political work department, who was placed under investigation for corruption in November.
Qin’s 2022 promotion happened while Miao was the head of the political work department, which is in charge of military personnel changes.
A promotion ceremony was held for Chen on Monday. It was the first such ceremony since Miao’s downfall last month.
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Biden to decide fate of Nippon Steel’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ US$15 billion bid for US Steel
By Reuters
Nippon Steel’s US$15 billion bid for US Steel has been referred to US President Joe Biden, a White House spokesman said, giving the president 15 days to decide on a tie-up he has previously said he opposes.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews foreign investments in the US for national security risks, referred the deal to Biden after it was unable to reach a consensus, the companies and two sources said.
That gives Biden, who has long opposed the tie-up, 15 days to block the deal. If he takes no action in that time, the merger would get an unexpected greenlight.
“We received the CFIUS evaluation and the President will review it,” White House spokeswoman Saloni Sharma said.
The referral to Biden paves the way for the deal to be killed before president-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has also opposed the deal, which was first announced last December.
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By Reuters
Nippon Steel’s US$15 billion bid for US Steel has been referred to US President Joe Biden, a White House spokesman said, giving the president 15 days to decide on a tie-up he has previously said he opposes.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews foreign investments in the US for national security risks, referred the deal to Biden after it was unable to reach a consensus, the companies and two sources said.
That gives Biden, who has long opposed the tie-up, 15 days to block the deal. If he takes no action in that time, the merger would get an unexpected greenlight.
“We received the CFIUS evaluation and the President will review it,” White House spokeswoman Saloni Sharma said.
The referral to Biden paves the way for the deal to be killed before president-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has also opposed the deal, which was first announced last December.
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Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy plans to focus on smaller-drone services first
By Jiang Chuqin
A trial programme on drone operations in Hong Kong will focus on services involving smaller devices for emergency and rescue, inspection and maintenance, delivery and surveillance – rather than light shows – as the first step in building a low-altitude economy, according to authorities.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau and Civil Aviation Department jointly said the initial phase of the Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox would centre on operations involving smaller drones, and on easing restrictions on “flying beyond visual line of sight” so autonomous devices would become legally feasible.
Launched in November, the sandbox aims to assist the government in testing airspace operations and infrastructure, while also developing policies and regulatory guidelines for the industry. Applications to be in the first batch of companies are open until December 31, with the results scheduled to be announced in the first quarter of next year.
“Experience and data gathered from the sandbox will enable the Government’s informed decision-making for the formulation of appropriate infrastructure, related supporting facilities as well as standard rules and practices for low-altitude flying activities in the long run,” the bureau and department said in their joint response to Post inquiries last Thursday.
The sandbox pilot projects would be conducted under different scenarios to test various technical and ancillary facility requirements, they explained.
Authorities earlier said they had appointed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited as venue partners to facilitate the pilot projects while developing the low-altitude economy industrial chain.
Several companies said they would apply to join the regulatory sandbox, including food delivery giant Meituan and local drone show operator X Social Group.
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By Jiang Chuqin
A trial programme on drone operations in Hong Kong will focus on services involving smaller devices for emergency and rescue, inspection and maintenance, delivery and surveillance – rather than light shows – as the first step in building a low-altitude economy, according to authorities.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau and Civil Aviation Department jointly said the initial phase of the Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox would centre on operations involving smaller drones, and on easing restrictions on “flying beyond visual line of sight” so autonomous devices would become legally feasible.
Launched in November, the sandbox aims to assist the government in testing airspace operations and infrastructure, while also developing policies and regulatory guidelines for the industry. Applications to be in the first batch of companies are open until December 31, with the results scheduled to be announced in the first quarter of next year.
“Experience and data gathered from the sandbox will enable the Government’s informed decision-making for the formulation of appropriate infrastructure, related supporting facilities as well as standard rules and practices for low-altitude flying activities in the long run,” the bureau and department said in their joint response to Post inquiries last Thursday.
The sandbox pilot projects would be conducted under different scenarios to test various technical and ancillary facility requirements, they explained.
Authorities earlier said they had appointed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited as venue partners to facilitate the pilot projects while developing the low-altitude economy industrial chain.
Several companies said they would apply to join the regulatory sandbox, including food delivery giant Meituan and local drone show operator X Social Group.
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124 suspects arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly lending accounts to fraudsters
By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong police have arrested 124 suspects in a three-week crackdown on people lending or selling their bank accounts to fraud syndicates using internet or phone scams to cheat victims out of nearly HK$69 million (US$8.87 million).
Yuen Long police launched operation “Furywave” on December 2 and have since arrested 120 locals and four mainland Chinese. The suspects comprised 90 men and 34 women, aged 17 to 71.
They were arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception, using false instruments, money laundering or conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the force.
The operation was launched after district police recorded 3,467 scam cases from January to November, in which victims were asked to transfer money to bank accounts provided by fraudsters.
Inspector Victoria Ma Chung-yee, of the Yuen Long police district’s technology and financial crime squad, said on Tuesday: “The arrestees’ role in the case was that of money mule. They are suspected to be connected with 128 scam cases, which involved total losses of HK$68.69 million.”
Police managed to freeze about HK$890,000 of the funds, according to Ma.
A money mule is someone who lends or sells their bank accounts to help transfer or process illegally obtained funds on behalf of another person.
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By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong police have arrested 124 suspects in a three-week crackdown on people lending or selling their bank accounts to fraud syndicates using internet or phone scams to cheat victims out of nearly HK$69 million (US$8.87 million).
Yuen Long police launched operation “Furywave” on December 2 and have since arrested 120 locals and four mainland Chinese. The suspects comprised 90 men and 34 women, aged 17 to 71.
They were arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception, using false instruments, money laundering or conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the force.
The operation was launched after district police recorded 3,467 scam cases from January to November, in which victims were asked to transfer money to bank accounts provided by fraudsters.
Inspector Victoria Ma Chung-yee, of the Yuen Long police district’s technology and financial crime squad, said on Tuesday: “The arrestees’ role in the case was that of money mule. They are suspected to be connected with 128 scam cases, which involved total losses of HK$68.69 million.”
Police managed to freeze about HK$890,000 of the funds, according to Ma.
A money mule is someone who lends or sells their bank accounts to help transfer or process illegally obtained funds on behalf of another person.
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Ukraine war: Zelensky thanks China for supporting territorial integrity
By Maple Leung
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked China for supporting his country’s territorial integrity and emphasised the two nations’ improving bilateral relations amid China’s intensified efforts to mediate peace.
Zelensky delivered the remarks when accepting a letter of credence from China’s ambassador Ma Shengkun on Monday, according to a statement from the president’s office.
“Before the war Ukraine and China had a large volume of trade. Of course, we want it to be restored and our relations to be stronger in more areas,” Zelensky said.
Ma, who arrived in Kyiv last month, said he had full confidence in deeper bilateral ties.
The Ukrainian president also addressed North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine war and urged China to leverage its influence and “a strong voice”.
Since October, Pyongyang has reportedly sent thousands of soldiers to fight for Russia in the war, including in the Kursk border region, although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has directly confirmed reports that North Korean soldiers are taking part in the conflict.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said more than 1,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the war.
As the Ukraine war escalates, China has continuously positioned itself as a peacemaker and presented a neutral stance in the conflict.
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By Maple Leung
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked China for supporting his country’s territorial integrity and emphasised the two nations’ improving bilateral relations amid China’s intensified efforts to mediate peace.
Zelensky delivered the remarks when accepting a letter of credence from China’s ambassador Ma Shengkun on Monday, according to a statement from the president’s office.
“Before the war Ukraine and China had a large volume of trade. Of course, we want it to be restored and our relations to be stronger in more areas,” Zelensky said.
Ma, who arrived in Kyiv last month, said he had full confidence in deeper bilateral ties.
The Ukrainian president also addressed North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine war and urged China to leverage its influence and “a strong voice”.
Since October, Pyongyang has reportedly sent thousands of soldiers to fight for Russia in the war, including in the Kursk border region, although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has directly confirmed reports that North Korean soldiers are taking part in the conflict.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said more than 1,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the war.
As the Ukraine war escalates, China has continuously positioned itself as a peacemaker and presented a neutral stance in the conflict.
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Singapore Post downplays concerns over operational integrity after sacking of top executives
By Kimberly Lim
Singapore’s main postal service has sought to downplay concerns over its operational integrity following the termination of three top executives over a whistle-blower’s report earlier this year.
A spokeswoman told This Week in Asia that Singapore Post (SingPost) remained “confident of our legal position”, in response to questions on two of the three executives’ claims that the termination was “without merits, and was procedurally unfair”.
“We are confident of our legal position and will address this at the appropriate time and forum if necessary. In light of possible litigation, we are unable to provide any further comment on this issue,” she said.
She added that the board’s internal controls and risk management systems were “adequate” to address financial and operational risks, though such measures could not guarantee “absolute assurance against deliberate misconduct or fraud”.
“The incident involves the Group’s non-regulated international e-commerce logistics parcels business and three staff in the International Business Unit Operations. It has no bearing on local postal services,” she said.
“The Company has been upfront with the customer regarding the whistle-blowing reports as well as the findings regarding the inaccurate status codes submitted to the customer by SingPost.”
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By Kimberly Lim
Singapore’s main postal service has sought to downplay concerns over its operational integrity following the termination of three top executives over a whistle-blower’s report earlier this year.
A spokeswoman told This Week in Asia that Singapore Post (SingPost) remained “confident of our legal position”, in response to questions on two of the three executives’ claims that the termination was “without merits, and was procedurally unfair”.
“We are confident of our legal position and will address this at the appropriate time and forum if necessary. In light of possible litigation, we are unable to provide any further comment on this issue,” she said.
She added that the board’s internal controls and risk management systems were “adequate” to address financial and operational risks, though such measures could not guarantee “absolute assurance against deliberate misconduct or fraud”.
“The incident involves the Group’s non-regulated international e-commerce logistics parcels business and three staff in the International Business Unit Operations. It has no bearing on local postal services,” she said.
“The Company has been upfront with the customer regarding the whistle-blowing reports as well as the findings regarding the inaccurate status codes submitted to the customer by SingPost.”
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Russia says cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean after blast, 2 missing
By Reuters
An engine room explosion sank a Russian cargo ship called Ursa Major in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria, and two of its crew are missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
The vessel, built in 2009, was controlled by Oboronlogistika, a company that is part of the Russian Defence Ministry’s military construction operations, which had previously said it was en route to the Russian far eastern port of Vladivostok with two giant port cranes lashed to its deck.
The Foreign Ministry’s crisis centre said in a statement that 14 of the ship’s 16 crew members had been rescued and brought to Spain, but that two crew were still missing. It did not say what had caused the engine room explosion.
Unverified video footage of the ship heavily listing to its starboard side with its bow much lower down in the water than usual was filmed on December 23 by a passing ship and published on Russia’s life.ru news outlet on Tuesday.
Oboronlogistika, the ship’s ultimate owner, said in a statement on December 20 that the ship, which LSEG data showed was previously called Sparta III, had been carrying specialised port cranes due to be installed at the port of Vladivostok as well as parts for new icebreakers.
Two giant cranes could be seen strapped to the deck in the unverified video footage.
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By Reuters
An engine room explosion sank a Russian cargo ship called Ursa Major in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria, and two of its crew are missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
The vessel, built in 2009, was controlled by Oboronlogistika, a company that is part of the Russian Defence Ministry’s military construction operations, which had previously said it was en route to the Russian far eastern port of Vladivostok with two giant port cranes lashed to its deck.
The Foreign Ministry’s crisis centre said in a statement that 14 of the ship’s 16 crew members had been rescued and brought to Spain, but that two crew were still missing. It did not say what had caused the engine room explosion.
Unverified video footage of the ship heavily listing to its starboard side with its bow much lower down in the water than usual was filmed on December 23 by a passing ship and published on Russia’s life.ru news outlet on Tuesday.
Oboronlogistika, the ship’s ultimate owner, said in a statement on December 20 that the ship, which LSEG data showed was previously called Sparta III, had been carrying specialised port cranes due to be installed at the port of Vladivostok as well as parts for new icebreakers.
Two giant cranes could be seen strapped to the deck in the unverified video footage.
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Hong Kong teacher jailed for 6 months for taking upskirt videos of pupils
By Brian Wong
A Hong Kong teacher has been jailed for six months for taking upskirt videos of four students in class earlier this year, with the sentencing magistrate noting he had a “relatively high” chance of reoffending in the future.
Chan Yue-tak, 26, was escorted to Tuen Mun Court on Tuesday to be sentenced on five counts of unlawful recording or observation of private parts arising from as many incidents at a secondary school in the same district.
Chan admitted using his mobile phone to shoot upskirt footage of four 13-year-old girls – one of whom was targeted twice – while they were answering questions in front of a blackboard in January and February this year.
A prosecution summary of the case said the defendant committed the crimes while standing or crouching behind his victims. On some occasions, he pretended to either tie his shoelaces or pick up a chalk he deliberately dropped on the ground with his phone in his hand.
Chan’s first offence initially went unnoticed, but his students became increasingly suspicious of him as he reoffended four times in 11 days between January 22 and February 1.
The court heard the girl who was filmed twice confronted Chan after noticing he had put his phone on the ground near where she stood, but the teacher feigned ignorance and picked up his device “as if he did nothing wrong”.
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By Brian Wong
A Hong Kong teacher has been jailed for six months for taking upskirt videos of four students in class earlier this year, with the sentencing magistrate noting he had a “relatively high” chance of reoffending in the future.
Chan Yue-tak, 26, was escorted to Tuen Mun Court on Tuesday to be sentenced on five counts of unlawful recording or observation of private parts arising from as many incidents at a secondary school in the same district.
Chan admitted using his mobile phone to shoot upskirt footage of four 13-year-old girls – one of whom was targeted twice – while they were answering questions in front of a blackboard in January and February this year.
A prosecution summary of the case said the defendant committed the crimes while standing or crouching behind his victims. On some occasions, he pretended to either tie his shoelaces or pick up a chalk he deliberately dropped on the ground with his phone in his hand.
Chan’s first offence initially went unnoticed, but his students became increasingly suspicious of him as he reoffended four times in 11 days between January 22 and February 1.
The court heard the girl who was filmed twice confronted Chan after noticing he had put his phone on the ground near where she stood, but the teacher feigned ignorance and picked up his device “as if he did nothing wrong”.
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PM Anwar’s approval rating rises, but Malaysians still feel pinch from rising costs
By CNA
More Malaysians approve of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and more also believe the country is heading in the right direction under his unity government, compared to a year ago, according to a study by an independent research firm.
It found that 39 per cent of respondents felt Malaysia was going in the right direction as of the end of November 2024, an improvement from the 36 per cent in November 2023.
“Sentiments show gradual improvement after a prolonged period of negativity, although negative sentiments remain oversized,” said the study by Merdeka Center, which published the results on Monday.
The study found that 53 per cent of Malaysians believe their country is going in the wrong direction after two years under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, with almost half citing economic concerns.
This sentiment, however, is a slight improvement from Anwar’s one-year mark in November 2023, when Merdeka Center found that 54 per cent of respondents thought Malaysia was going in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile, Anwar’s approval rating at his two-year mark stands at 54 per cent, a four percentage point improvement from his rating after one year.
Merdeka Center polled 1,207 registered voters across the country between November 27 and December 10. The respondent mix was 52 per cent Malay, 29 per cent Chinese, 7 per cent Indian, 6 per cent Muslim bumiputra and 6 per cent non-Muslim bumiputra.
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By CNA
More Malaysians approve of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and more also believe the country is heading in the right direction under his unity government, compared to a year ago, according to a study by an independent research firm.
It found that 39 per cent of respondents felt Malaysia was going in the right direction as of the end of November 2024, an improvement from the 36 per cent in November 2023.
“Sentiments show gradual improvement after a prolonged period of negativity, although negative sentiments remain oversized,” said the study by Merdeka Center, which published the results on Monday.
The study found that 53 per cent of Malaysians believe their country is going in the wrong direction after two years under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, with almost half citing economic concerns.
This sentiment, however, is a slight improvement from Anwar’s one-year mark in November 2023, when Merdeka Center found that 54 per cent of respondents thought Malaysia was going in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile, Anwar’s approval rating at his two-year mark stands at 54 per cent, a four percentage point improvement from his rating after one year.
Merdeka Center polled 1,207 registered voters across the country between November 27 and December 10. The respondent mix was 52 per cent Malay, 29 per cent Chinese, 7 per cent Indian, 6 per cent Muslim bumiputra and 6 per cent non-Muslim bumiputra.
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State Council guideline encourages private investment in China’s railways
By Alice Li
China is encouraging private sector participation in its railways as part of efforts to enhance the integration and openness of the transport industry amid a logistical revamp aimed at improving supply chain efficiency.
According to a guideline released by the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Monday, the world’s second-largest economy plans to reform natural monopolies in the transport sector – caused by high infrastructure costs and barriers to entry – by diversifying the range of service providers and fostering moderate market competition.
The investment of private capital in railway construction and operations will be encouraged, and locally controlled railway companies will be granted autonomy to determine their operational models.
Financial institutions and private investors will also be encouraged to fund the construction of transport infrastructure and establish investment funds for the sector.
The guideline follows the release of a seven-part action plan by the State Council late last month that aims to create a “unified, efficient and well-ordered logistics market” by reducing logistics costs from 14.4 per cent of gross domestic product last year to 13.5 per cent by 2027.
The ultimate goal is to achieve savings of over 1 trillion yuan (US$137 billion) in the logistics chain, which would help strengthen China’s manufacturing industries and reinforce the chain’s role in driving domestic demand amid heightened external uncertainties.
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By Alice Li
China is encouraging private sector participation in its railways as part of efforts to enhance the integration and openness of the transport industry amid a logistical revamp aimed at improving supply chain efficiency.
According to a guideline released by the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Monday, the world’s second-largest economy plans to reform natural monopolies in the transport sector – caused by high infrastructure costs and barriers to entry – by diversifying the range of service providers and fostering moderate market competition.
The investment of private capital in railway construction and operations will be encouraged, and locally controlled railway companies will be granted autonomy to determine their operational models.
Financial institutions and private investors will also be encouraged to fund the construction of transport infrastructure and establish investment funds for the sector.
The guideline follows the release of a seven-part action plan by the State Council late last month that aims to create a “unified, efficient and well-ordered logistics market” by reducing logistics costs from 14.4 per cent of gross domestic product last year to 13.5 per cent by 2027.
The ultimate goal is to achieve savings of over 1 trillion yuan (US$137 billion) in the logistics chain, which would help strengthen China’s manufacturing industries and reinforce the chain’s role in driving domestic demand amid heightened external uncertainties.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
