Hong Kong parents value grades over health: Survey

HONG KONG - MORE than two-thirds of Hong Kong parents value academic results over their child's health, a poll has found.

While 72.2 per cent of parents rated academic performance as 'extremely important", only 10.9 per cent cited 'health condition' as 'extremely important' according to a survey released on Sunday.

The findings follow Chinese-American author Amy Chua's bestseller earlier this year about her no-nonsense child-rearing style, which sparked a flurry of criticism over strict 'Chinese' parenting versus more relaxed Western methods.

In her book, Ms Chua recounts an ultra-strict regime of piano lessons and homework for her daughters, arguing that for Asian immigrant families in the United States, pushing children hard is the key to getting ahead.

Hong Kong is known for its pressure-cooker style examination system, with parents placing high emphasis on academic achievements. Local ten-year-old twins have sailed through British high school exams.

Estephe and his sister Perrine Corlin scored straight 'As' in maths papers that are normally taken by 16-year-olds, with their mother attributing their success to a gruelling schedule. Sunday's survey also found that Hong Kong parents are prone to pampering their children and catering to their every whim.

Eighty-seven per cent of parents said they had hired domestic helpers to take care of their children at home. -- AFP

Hong Kong bans Japanese dairy, vegetable imports

Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene department said on Wednesday that three samples of vegetables showed radiation contamination, while broadcaster RTHK reported that the readings were as much as 10 times above safe levels. -- PHOTO: AP

HONG KONG - HONG Kong said on Wednesday it is slapping a ban on a wide variety of Japanese food imports after radiation contamination was found in vegetables shipped from the quake-stricken country.

Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene department said on Wednesday that three samples of vegetables showed radiation contamination, while broadcaster RTHK reported that the readings were as much as 10 times above safe levels.

'Three samples of vegetables were found to have been contaminated,' a department spokesman said without elaborating.

The Hong Kong ban applies to dairy products, fruit and vegetables from five prefectures near the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was hit by a powerful quake and tsunami on March 11, followed by a series of explosions and fires.

The Chinese territory is the first Asian government to impose such a ban, after the United States blocked imports of dairy and other produce from areas near Fukushima.

France has urged the European Union to impose 'systematic controls' on Japanese food imports, while South Korean officials said they're considering banning food shipments from areas near the quake-damaged plant. -- AFP

Thousands march in Hong Kong over budget

A police officer falls down with a barricade as they scuffle with protesters at a demonstration against the government's revised Budget proposals at the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong Sunday, March 6, 2011. -- PHOTO: AP

HONG KONG - THERE were minor scuffles between police and protesters as over 10,000 people demonstrated in Hong Kong on Sunday over the government's budget plan, with some calling it a 'Bauhinia revolution'.

At least one protester and one policeman were slightly injured in small confrontations between the two sides, an AFP photographer said.

The demonstration comes days after a U-turn by Financial Secretary John Tsang on the budget, with protesters demanding more public expenditure on retirement protection schemes, public housing and environmental protection.

Chanting slogans and waving placards, political parties and citizens marched to government headquarters, accusing the administration of failing to address problems including runaway property prices and a widening wealth gap. 'Shame on you, John Tsang!", 'Step down now!", 'Say no to a budget without a vision!' they chanted repeatedly, pumping fists into the air, as a heavy police presence looked on.

'This is a Bauhinia revolution,' James To, a Democratic Party lawmaker, told AFP, referring to the floral emblem of the southern Chinese city.

The protest was inspired by anti-government rallies in other parts of the world, organisers said, estimating about 10,000 people had turned out. -- AFP

Two die after H1N1 infection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said a total of 35 people were being treated for H1N1 in intensive care units in the city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

HONG KONG - TWO men have died in Hong Kong after contracting H1N1, health authorities said on Monday, a year-and-a-half after an outbreak of the disease killed 80 people in the city.

Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said a total of 35 people were being treated for H1N1 in intensive care units in the city, with four critical cases confirmed in the last two days.

The southern Chinese financial centre, home to around seven million people, is nervous about infectious diseases, following an outbreak of the Sars virus in 2003, which killed 300 people in the city and a further 500 around the world.

The latest H1N1 fatalities were aged 62 and 53 and died on Sunday due to what the Hospital Authority called 'continued deterioration of clinical condition'.

A 27-year-old woman died in Hong Kong on Jan 25 after contracting the A(H1N1) virus, which is commonly known as swine flu.

H1N1 has killed more than 18,400 people and affected practically all parts of the world since it was uncovered in Mexico and the United States in April 2009, according to the World Health Organization. -- AFP

Hong Kong democracy icon Szeto Wah dies at 79

One of Hong Kong's most influential democracy campaigners, Szeto Wah, has died at 79. -- PHOTO: AFP

HONG KONG - ONE of Hong Kong's most influential democracy campaigners, Szeto Wah, has died at 79.

Known by many in Hong Kong as Uncle Wah, the veteran activist had been in hospital for several months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Recent media reports had suggested his condition was deteriorating rapidly, and Cable News said that he died on Sunday morning.

In a statement on Sunday, Hong Kong's chief executive Donald Tsang said he was 'deeply saddened' at the death of the outspoken campaigner.

'Passionate about China and Hong Kong, Mr Szeto Wah was devoted in promoting democracy. Upright, industrious and unwavering in the pursuit of his ideals, Mr Szeto earned great respect from across the community,' he said. 'He will be dearly missed,' Mr Tsang added.

Szeto was re-elected in November as chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, which routinely criticised Beijing for human-rights abuses and pushed for political reforms in the former British colony. An Alliance spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment. -- AFP