Diet pills in the time of rice shortage
Hi, boys and girls, it's no longer that cool to talk about dieting and staying thin.
Myth the market can do without
If you have got nothing better to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon, get onto the Internet and read the stock comments. They can be most entertaining, provided you do not have any money in the stock market at this point in time.
Low-cost airlines can still fly high
We all have a soft spot for budget airlines. They offer us a choice, which is rare in an industry ruled by intricate sets of inter-government agreements that tend to favor the few dominant players, many of which are government-owned.
No need to tamper with HK currency
Whenever the Hong Kong dollar peg is seen to be under pressure because of an unusually large movement of the US dollar either way, there is no shortage of economists and commentators calling for the scrapping of the 24-year-old currency arrangement.
Shanghai lacks road courtesy
On a rainy morning in Shanghai, I saw an old woman, stooped with age, standing precariously in the middle of a zebra crossing at the busy Renmin Lu near Luxiangyuan Lu. None of the speeding cars and buses stopped for her. They did not even slow down.
Hasty actions could stifle innovation
China is making rapid progress in the development of new markets for a variety of financial instruments. The gold futures market began operations in January and the China Financial Futures Exchange is in the final stage of preparation for the launch of the long-awaited stock index futures market. Talks are reportedly underway for the introduction of stock options and other financial derivative products.
Scenic spots waiting to be developed
Shanghai does not need a Disneyland. All it needs are Disneyland-style management expertise and marketing savvy.
Healthcare seen as Hong Kong birthright
As expected, the Hong Kong government has put aside a lump sum to help bankroll the proposed healthcare reform.
What to do with our windfall
In Hong Kong tomorrow, all eyes will be on the budget. A record surplus amounting to more than HK$100 billion ($12.8 billion) has raised public expectations of benefits ranging from tax rebates to generous handouts and lavish spending on social programs.
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Li Xing
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