The Correspondent, April 2025

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members,

In this issue of The Correspondent you’ll find the results of the FCC’s latest Press Freedom Survey—our regular pulse check on the state of press freedom in the city. This is the Club’s third survey of its Correspondent and Journalist Members since the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020, and the first since the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (known as Article 23) came into effect last year.

The results reflect what we see on the ground every day. Sources are less willing to be quoted, some journalists continue to practise self-censorship and several newsrooms are downsizing their Hong Kong operations. Over 62 percent of respondents believe that the working environment for journalists has changed for the worse since we conducted our last survey in July 2023.

It’s natural to feel despondent, even frustrated, upon reviewing the survey results. But this isn’t the time for inertia; it’s the time to get to work and chart the way forward. The results are a reminder that while our work as a press club has perhaps never been more challenging, it has also never been more vital.

The data indicates a continued deterioration of media freedoms, but it also reminds us that there’s still a lot to preserve. To quote Maria Ressa, our duty is to hold the line—to defend the enshrined freedoms that have long been a key driver of Hong Kong’s prosperity—and to stand up for what we still have.

This will be my last letter as your President. In my policy statement two years ago, I pledged to lead with pragmatism. I vowed to resolutely work in service of our mission to advocate for press freedom and support journalists in Hong Kong, while ensuring that we are still here tomorrow to fulfil that mission.

Approximately 60 civic society organisations have shut down since the imposition of the National Security Law almost five years ago. As long as we remain free to work in service of our mission, it is my steadfast belief that Hong Kong journalism, and Hong Kong as a whole, is better for having the FCC doors remain open.

In the last two years, the volume of FCC press freedom statements covering Hong Kong affairs has significantly increased compared to the two years prior; we brought back the FCC’s Journalism Conference after a five-year hiatus; we have hosted important conversations on the biggest local issues, from the District Council reforms to Article 23; and we have continued to organise workshops for early career journalists. At a time when a host of global news organisations are either exiting the city or downsizing their Hong Kong operations, our number of Correspondent and Journalist Members has actually increased—testament to a restored confidence in the direction and credibility of our Club.

But this is no time for a victory lap; substantial challenges lie ahead. One of my final honours as President will be to preside over the Club’s next Journalism Conference. This year’s theme couldn’t be more apt: The Way Forward.

With unity, confidence and a shared purpose we will continue to find the way forward for our Club. Our next President will have my full support as we chart this path together.

With gratitude,

Lee Williamson President president@fcchk.org

This will be my last letter as your President. In my policy statement two years ago, I pledged to lead with pragmatism. I vowed to resolutely work in service of our mission to advocate for press freedom and support journalists in Hong Kong, while ensuring that we are still here tomorrow to fulfil that mission.

PHOTO: BEN MARANS

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong

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Tel: (852) 2521 1511

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The Board of Governors 2024-2025

President Lee Williamson

First Vice President Morgan Davis

Second Vice President Tim Huxley

Correspondent Member Governors

Karly Cox, Jennifer Jett, Karen Koh, Kristie Lu Stout, Dean Napolitano, Peter Parks, Laura Westbrook, William Zheng

Journalist Member Governors Zela Chin, Joe Pan

Associate Member Governors

Liu Kin-ming, Lynne Mulholland, Christopher Slaughter, Barbara Yu Larsson

Club Treasurer Tim Huxley

Club Secretary Liu Kin-ming

CONTRIBUTORS

John Batten

John comments, broadcasts and writes on art, culture, urban planning, heritage and policy issues. He is also a director of the arts education group Rooftop Institute and currently President of AICAHK.

Morgan M. Davis

Morgan is First Vice President at the FCC and Convenor of the Charity and Communications Committees. She works full time as a financial journalist for IFR in Hong Kong.

Professional Committee

Conveners: Lee Williamson, Jennifer Jett, Karen Koh, Joe Pan, William Zheng

Journalism Conference Sub-Committee Convener: Dean Napolitano

Press Freedom Committee

Conveners: Lee Williamson, Morgan Davis, Jennifer Jett, Karen Koh

Constitutional Committee

Conveners: Liu Kin-ming, Peter Parks

Membership Committee

Conveners: Karly Cox, Jennifer Jett, Zela Chin, Dean Napolitano

Communications Committee

Conveners: Zela Chin, Morgan Davis, Dean Napolitano

Finance Committee

Treasurer: Tim Huxley Conveners: Karen Koh, Lynne Mulholland

House/Food and Beverage Committee

Conveners: Lynne Mulholland, Barbara Yu Larsson

Building – Project and Maintenance Committee

Conveners: Liu Kin-ming, Christopher Slaughter

Wall Committee

Conveners: Kristie Lu Stout, Peter Parks

Charity Committee

Convener: Morgan Davis

Christina Pantin

Christina is a Malaysia-born, U.S. citizen who is fluent in financial journalism and corporate communications. She is the Founder of communications consultancy Toot and a founding member of Global Commtrepreneurs Network and Web3 Women.

Editor Ann Tsang Email: editor@fcchk.org

Publisher Artmazing! Noel de Guzman Email: artmazingcompany@gmail.com

Cover image AFP PHOTO/MUSTAFA OZER

Printing Elite Printing: Tel: 2558 0119

Advertising Enquiries FCC Front Office: Tel: 2521 1511

Aaron Busch

Aaron’s career has included radio journalism, print and radio announcing. He currently runs one X account for Hong Kong news, a nightly Substack newsletter and is the X social media manager for the Kowloon Cricket Club.

Hugo Novales

Hugo is the FCC’s in-house journalist, covering events for the website and social media, contributing to The Correspondent, and helping organise and promote workshops for early/midcareer journalists.

Kate Whitehead

Previously on staff at the SCMP and then editor of Discovery magazine, Kate now writes for local and international publications. She is a former FCC Correspondent Governor and a qualified and practicing psychotherapist. Kate is the author of two non-fiction crime books and Pandemic Minds, her book on the pandemic in Hong Kong, released by HKU Press in April 2024.

The Correspondent ©2025

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong

TheCorrespondent©2025ispublishedfourtimesayearbyTheForeignCorrespondents’Club, HongKong.Allviewsexpressedinallarticlesarethoseoftheauthorsandarenotnecessarily thoseofTheForeignCorrespondents’Club.AllcontentcontainedwithinTheCorrespondent magazinemaynotbereproducedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithoutauthorisation.

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Next time you’re in the Club, cast your gaze downward as you step into the Main Lounge & Bar and take a moment to admire the beautiful tiled floor. Like some of our most steadfast regulars propping up the bar, those charming Victorian tiles – slightly worn around the edges – have their own fascinating story to tell.

35 Years and Counting

The FCC staff, visible and invisible, are integral to powering the engines that keep our venerable club running. Keeping the books and serving with a smile respectively, Fanny Chan and Jacky Ku between them have clocked up 70 years working at the Club. The Correspondent pays tribute to these two longserving employees.

Türkiye’s most revered photographer, the late Ara Güler, began his photographic career at the city’s Yeni Istanbul newspaper in 1950. He went on to work for the Turkish daily, Hürriyet, and from there for international titles and to worldwide acclaim. For many, it is his iconic black and white photographs of his hometown, its inhabitants, streets and its docks, which comprise his greatest body of work.

FCC JOURNALISM CONFERENCE UPDATE

By Dean Napolitano

The FCC Journalism Conference on Saturday, 3 May, 2025 coincides with World Press Freedom Day.

Following last year’s successful event, with the theme ‘Let’s Get to Work’, this year’s theme will carry that message to its next step: ‘The Way Forward’.

The one-day event at the FCC will include panels, workshops and networking opportunities for established reporters and editors, as well as early-career journalists.

Panels will include talks on the changing nature of news organisations, mental health, and a discussion with newsroom leaders.

Workshops will focus on honing journalism skills and finding a career path, including: how to network; how to find a job; and how to freelance.

Other workshops will address the dos and don’ts of artificial intelligence; how to navigate through a rising tide of disinformation and misinformation; how to make reporting more inclusive; and developing a career in Hong Kong.

Representatives from local and international media outlets and freelance journalists will serve as speakers, including Laurel Chor, an Emmy-nominated freelance journalist, photographer and filmmaker from Hong Kong.

VOTE FOR THE BOARD

The FCC Annual Nomination Meeting was held on Wednesday, 9 April for the purpose of accepting oral nominations for the Board of Governors for the 2025 – 2026 Term. A reminder that the ballot voting deadline is on 22 May, 2025 at 3:00pm. The Annual General Meeting will be held on 29 May, 2025 at 6:00pm.

Ballot voting deadline 22 May, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Laurel has covered the war in Ukraine and recently completed a Masters in Biodiversity, Conservation & Management at Oxford.

A full list of panelists, moderators, and speakers will be announced soon on the FCC website.

Registration for the conference, which is free of charge, will open in early April.

SHARE THE LOVE!

Do you have travel-size toiletries or hotel amenities that you no longer need? Instead of letting them gather dust, we can put them to good use. The FCC is excited to partner with The Toiletries Project by The Amber Foundation by setting up a collection point to gather these small essentials and ensure they reach those who will benefit from them. A drop off box is located at the entrance through the guest lavatories. Please assist us in this initiative and help those who need it most. Every little bit counts!

Laurel Chor

IMAGE: PATRIK WALLNER

GENERATION F PODCASTS

WOMEN TALKING #IWD2025 AND THE ‘M FACTOR’

We’re starting a tradition of recording and publishing podcasts to mark International Women’s Day at the FCC. This year we gathered an intergenerational team of FCC Member Journalists to talk about what has changed, what’s changing and what still needs to change in the journalism industry for women.

Multiplatform broadcast journalist Laura Westbrook sat down bright and early on a Saturday morning downstairs at Bert’s with fellow journalists and Members of the FCC: Zela Chin, Journalist Governor on the FCC Board, broadcast journalist and President of the Asia Chapter of the Asian American Journalist’s Association and Kriti Gandhi, a recipient of this year’s FCC Claire Hollingworth Fellowship and video producer at the South China Morning Post.

They speak of the achievements made and the things yet to change for women in journalism; the women in journalism who inspire them, and the deep need for older women in the news media industry to share and mentor those at the beginning of their careers. Also discussed are the threat of the “tech bros” and their global backlash against DEI, women and minorities.

Chin recaps the panel and FCC podcast that she was part of last year, when the anthology ‘The Stories Women Journalists Tell’ was launched, and examines the experiences of women facing pressures after marriage or childbirth, and workplaces not able to offer flexibility still being an issue.

The FCC has also published a podcast version of the panel discussion following the screening of the documentary film The M Factor which focuses on the often ignored health issues faced by millions of women worldwide as they navigate menopause.

Karen Koh chaired a panel with Christine Deschemin of Evercalm, Maria Chau of The Women’s Foundation and Brian Henderson of Whole Business Wellness in a discussion about the need for awareness (with a special note for men to be aware) as well as how companies can better support employees who are entering menopause. The conversation with women from diverse ages, cultures and professions offered an opportunity to openly bring up experiences and frustrations that are too often considered taboo for media discussion.

Both episodes are available in The Correspondent on your favourite podcast platform.

FCC PARTNER CHARITIES PUT MENTAL HEALTH IN FOCUS

By Morgan M. Davis

Mental health has become a hot button issue in Hong Kong, as awareness and sensitivity around mental health and related stigmas has grown, particularly in the wake of isolation during the pandemic.

The FCC has partnered with three charities that focus on this important issue in an effort to further bring wider attention to the topic and offer support through the help of Member volunteers.

The Samaritans Hong Kong, which has been in the city for more than half a century since 1974, offers non-religious, non-profit emotional support for people who are suicidal or in distress. Throughout its existence, the group has answered innumerable anonymous phone calls and emails to talk people through loneliness, addiction issues, suicidal thoughts, academic concerns and other common problems.

The Samaritans’ long term work in Hong Kong shows how consistently prevalent mental health issues are in the city, but data also shows that conditions exist at higher rates than previously estimated. In 2024, another local organisation, MindHK, called mental health a “major public health concern”, reporting that less than 30% of people in Hong Kong affected by common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, actively seek support, with youth mental health being a particular concern, with one in four experiencing problems.

The KELY Support Group, another FCC partner charity, has been working since 1991 to support youth mental health

through a preventative approach. The group works to equip students with the tools and training to better help them to thrive throughout their education and early adulthood. KELY’s programmes include education to destigmatise mental health problems, as well as peer-to-peer support. KELY also employs drug and alcohol awareness strategies to avoid or reduce abuse, as well as to help curb self-harm in a non-judgmental environment.

A third FCC partner charity, Teen’s Key, takes yet another approach to the local mental health situation through its work to address young women’s sexual health in a holistic way.

Teen’s Key plays an important role in providing women access to information, community support and empowerment through programmes including an emergency helpline, consent education and judgement-free counselling. Young mothers have access to a support group, and women working in the sex industry are also offered free advice.

The FCC’s other partner charities also aim to better mental health across the city through their work with domestic workers, migrants and the homeless, creating a network and arsenal of resources that can help tackle what can often be sensitive issues. n

To learn more about the FCC’s charity partnerships and our One Day’s Work call for volunteers online, please visit fcchk. org/charity

THE ROAD TO PEKING… CONTINUED GLOBAL PREDICTIONS FOR 2025

On 6 January, the penultimate episode of the ‘The Road To Peking’ documentary series was shown at the Club with cocreator Liu Yi participating in a post-screening discussion with FCC Correspondent Board Governor William Zheng.

The series examines the lives of five Westerners - Robert Hart, Thomas F. Wade, William A.P. Martin, George E. Morrison and John L. Stuart, each of whom had an impact on China’s modernisation. Morrison was the first resident correspondent of The Times newspaper in Beijing and later became a political adviser to Yuan Shikai. He was also an idealist who pledged to devote his life to China’s progress. The fourth episode focused on the Revolution of 1911 in China, during which Morrison took the lead in reporting the events that took place at the time.

HONG KONG’S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

A Club Lunch was held on 12 February with a panel of experts who discussed the topic of ‘Tackling Hong Kong’s Mental Health Crisis’, which has become an increasingly important issue. According to Mind HK, an estimated 1 in 7 people in the city will experience a common mental health disorder at any given time, but three-quarters of these individuals will not seek help. Younger people in the city are the most vulnerable: 24% are facing mental health issues, and the suicide rate for 15 to 24 year-olds has doubled in the past decade. Dr. Scarlett Matolli, a registered chartered clinical psychologist; Brenda Scofield, a past Chairwoman of the Samaritans in Hong Kong; and Dr. Paul Wong, an accredited clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at HKU explained the factors at play in the local mental health crisis, and what actions should be taken to confront it. The discussion was moderated by FCC Charity Committee Member Jenny Hsieh.

At a sold-out Club Lunch discussion on 15 January moderated by Correspondent Board Governor and NBC News’ Asia Digital Editor Jennifer Jett, an expert panel including Michael Bociurkiw, a former journalist and current Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council; Juliana Liu, Senior Business Editor at CNN International; and Wang Xiangwei, a former Editor-in-Chief of the SCMP who now teaches journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University, shared their predictions for the next 12 months.

To watch the discussion, please visit the FCC’s YouTube channel.

RACIAL EQUITY IN HONG KONG: REALITY OR MYTH?

At a Club Dinner on 18 March journalist and FCC Clare Hollingworth Fellow Jay Ganglani hosted a panel discussion entitled ‘Racial Equity in Hong Kong: Reality or Myth?’

The panel included Jeffrey Andrews, Hong Kong’s first ethnic minority social worker; Innocent Mutanga, the founder of the Africa Centre Hong Kong; and journalist Kathryn Giordano, who during her time working at the SCMP has written numerous articles about Hong Kong’s ethnic minority community. n

Listen to the full discussion on The Correspondent podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/the-correspondent/ episodes/67de43dbfa98b54cfaef2511

THE ART WORLD: WHERE DOES HONG KONG STAND?

At a Club Lunch on 25 February, SCMP Arts Editor and FCC Member Enid Tsui spoke with FCC President Lee Williamson about her new book Art in Hong Kong: Portrait of a City In Flux, which delves into the local art world’s past, present and the potential paths forward as the city strives to maintain its position an international art hub.

By Hugo Novales

Over the past several years, Hong Kong has been putting in more effort to boost its art scene. With the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Tai Kwun, and M+ all opening within the past five years, along with major auction houses doubling down on their operations in the city, Hong Kong has become a more welcoming and vibrant home for local and international art.

Still, the idea that the city is a “cultural desert” persists.

FCC Member and Arts Editor at the SCMP, Enid Tsui, shared her insights and predictions for the city’s art scene alongside FCC President Lee Williamson at a Club Lunch promoting her latest book Art in Hong Kong: Portrait of a City In Flux (2025). The event was also held in anticipation of Hong Kong Art Week, which took place from 26-30 March.

Tsui first explained that the idea of Hong Kong not being a cultural desert stems from a proclamation by Chinese satirist Lu Xun who in the 1920s wrote that “Hong Kong is not a cultural desert.”  According to Tsui, most people only remember the last two words of this quote, leading many to believe that Hong Kong lacks an artistic ecosystem.

“This trope is still being rehashed over and over again, and you still see it occasionally in press releases [that say] ‘Hong Kong is no longer a cultural desert,’” noted Tsui.

With her firm stance that the city does in fact have a unique cultural identity, Williamson asked Tsui to paint a picture of what the next 10 years would look like for Hong Kong’s art scene. “The roller coaster ride that is Hong Kong’s art scene will continue,” she responded, while citing certain cancellations that have occurred despite the city’s push for more arts-related events.

The most recent of these took place on 23 February when the Digital Art Fair released a statement on its website saying: “Due to reasons beyond our control, we are forced to cancel the fair.” The fair was originally to take place during Art Week in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The government’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said the

next day that the fair had not secured funding from the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund.

According to Tsui, situations like this are likely to reoccur in the next 10 years as resources become “more selective”, with a plethora of Hong Kong’s art organisations all competing for financial support from limited government resources.

In addition to funding constraints, Tsui mentioned another factor that may also affect the trajectory of the art world in Hong Kong’s - the shifting “red lines” under the National Security Law (NSL).

“Art practitioners, artists, curators and people who work at major venues are continuing to negotiate and discover what this actually means,” said Tsui. “Censorship and the rules are not specific.”

Despite financial and political challenges, Tsui remains firm that Hong Kong art scene isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. In fact, she postulated that the city could actually become home to more artists based on jurisdictions around Asia that have greater restrictions imposed on artistic freedom.

Tsui specifically cited the queer art fair Myth Makers - Spectrosynthesis III that took place in Tai Kwun from December 24, 2022 to April 10, 2023. She explained that such an event promoting LGBTQ+ artwork would be censored in places like the Middle East, and even in Singapore, where same-sex relations between men were decriminalised in 2022 but same-sex marriage is still not recognised by the government.

“More diversity and perhaps more international talents, may choose to come to Hong Kong, [or to come] back to Hong Kong,” she concluded. n

To watch the full discussion, please visit the FCC’s YouTube channel.

THE FCC PRESS FREEDOM SURVEY 2025

The FCC’s Press Freedom Committee again conducted its annual anonymous survey of the Club’s Correspondent and Journalist members, in order to take a snapshot of their perceptions of press freedom in Hong Kong and the overall sentiment of the Club’s media professionals.

By Morgan M. Davis

Annual survey of industry members

Article 27 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law states that “Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, of the press and of publication…” As with any legal framework, differences arise between the interpretation of the law and its enforcement, as well as how this is perceived by individuals in their everyday lives, particularly by professionals who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of their profession. After the enactment of Hong Kong’s National Security Law in 2020, the FCC has conducted surveys on Correspondent and Journalist Members’ perceptions and sentiments visa-vis the intricate and evolving relationship between legal interpretation, enforcement and their own working lives.

At the end of 2024, the FCC invited its 334 Correspondent and Journalist Members (an increase of 6.4% from last year) to anonymously complete a press freedom survey, repeating an exercise that the Club undertook in 2023 and 2021. The survey, which took place between December 2024 and February 2025, had 69 respondents - a 21% response rate.

operations,” notes FCC President Lee Williamson. “The overall impression is that the working environment for journalists has changed for the worse since we conducted our last survey.”

Sentiment around press freedom in Hong Kong has undoubtedly changed, whether or not there have been tangible changes in the day-to-day work of journalists.

“Although my area of coverage is much less affected by the political environment, I have been very aware of what not to write for the safety of myself and my family members in China,” said one survey respondent. “I think this will remain the case in the foreseeable future.”

National security law top of mind Notably, 62% (43) of the respondents in the 2025 survey said that their working environment as a journalist in Hong Kong had changed for the worse since July 2023, the time of the last press freedom survey. Less than 9% (6 respondents) said it had changed for the better. Respondents mentioned the

In comparison, the Club had 314 Correspondent and Journalist Members in 2023, 66 (also 21%) of whom responded to the survey that year. In 2021, the first year of the press freedom survey, 99 members responded.

“This survey reflects what we see on the ground every day. It appears that sources are less willing to be quoted, some journalists continue to practice self-censorship, and many newsrooms are downsizing their Hong Kong

National Security Law and related trials in their comments about the working environment, as well as the perceived exodus of international news organisations.

“More journalists have left the profession,” said one respondent. “Factors such as Article 23 [are] making people, in general, more cautious about what they do in public and even in private.”

Another respondent pointed to the Stand News verdict

Are you concerned about the possibility of arrest or prosecution in connection with your reporting or opinion articles, or work that you have edited?

noting it “has shown just how broad the offence of sedition can be interpreted when it comes to what would elsewhere be considered standard journalistic practice.”

Last year, two Hong Kong journalists were convicted of a crime for articles they published. Chung Pui-kuen, the ex-Chief Editor, and Patrick Lam, the Acting Chief Editor of non-profit digital news outlet Stand News, were handed prison sentences of 21 months and 11 months, respectively, although Lam was released on medical grounds. Since then, local and international journalists in newsrooms around Hong Kong alike have sought to understand the implementation of the National Security Law and how it may affect their work.

“The court’s judgment that 11 articles on the Stand News website were ‘seditious’ will invariably force journalists

How would you say the working environment has changed for you as a journalist in Hong Kong since July 2023?

Have you experienced, or are you concerned about, changes to your job following the implementation of Article 23, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, following its implementation in March 2024?

working in Hong Kong to think twice about what they write and further entrench a climate of fear in the city, fueled by a succession of repressive national security laws,” said Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks in August.

Shortly after the judgment was delivered, a spokesman for the HKSAR Government said in a press release; "We have emphasised time and again, and it is necessary to

Experienced direct changes to my job

reiterate that Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. In fact, the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.“

The press release went on to state: “Like all other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. Journalists, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws. Their freedom of commenting on and criticising government policies remains uninhibited as long as they do not violate the law. The court, in its reasons for verdict, has analysed in detail the duties and responsibilities of the media, specifically highlighting that, according to Article 19(3) of

How would you describe the willingness of sources in Hong Kong to be quoted or to discuss sensitive subjects?

the ICCPR, when the media and relevant personnel publish opinions, information and articles, they must observe and discharge 'special duties and responsibilities', including protection of national security or public order.”

Many journalists have found sources unwilling to share opinions, with nearly 64% (44 respondents) saying sources are less willing to be quoted or discuss sensitive subjects.

“This survey reflects what we see on the ground every day. It appears that sources are less willing to be quoted, some journalists continue to practice self-censorship, and many newsrooms are downsizing their Hong Kong operations”

Lee Williamson, FCC President

“The range of ‘sensitive subjects’ continues to broaden with each passing year it seems,” said a respondent. “People increasingly couch their language around topics that wouldn't have been sensitive even 18 months ago.”

Another said, “I sometimes don't even try any more as I know in advance that they won't accept to talk, let alone to be quoted.”

Reporters Without Borders ranking Reporters Without Borders ranked Hong Kong 135 out of 180 in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, up 5 points from 2023 (mostly attributed to changes in other jurisdictions). The organisation writes on its website that the National Security Law has “ambiguous phrasing”, going on to say, “the law looks as though it could apply to any journalist covering

Hong Kong, whether they reside in the territory or not.” The group also revealed last year that one of their representatives was detained and deported from Hong Kong.

Self-censorship on the rise since 2021

The number of journalists who noted they had self-censored in the last 18 months was the same as in 2023, around 65% (45 persons), with nearly 18% (12 persons) saying they had self-censored “considerably”. In 2021, those numbers were 56% (55 persons) and 16% (16 persons), respectively. Respondents noted self-censoring their social media posts, being cautious around word choices and opting to forgo a byline.

“There is no freedom of speech or political opposition left in Hong Kong,” stated one respondent. “If the government

To what extent have you encountered censorship by your news organisation, either in content or by avoiding covering certain subjects?

In the last 18 months, have you deleted images either that you have published online or from your devices out of concern about their sensitivity?

Do you have a clear sense of what subjects are sensitive? Please elaborate.

To what extent do you feel confident knowing what is permitted when it comes to taking photos or videos of sensitive subjects in Hong Kong?

I don't think there are any subjects that are especially sensitive

opposes what you're reporting, they can attack you and either force you into exile or imprison you.”

Another wrote that commercial interests are overriding editorial judgements. “That's what my department is coming up against, rather than direct political pressure. At the same time, we are producing more uncritical, soft pieces about China and Chinese culture.”

The number of those who noted censorship by their news organisations dropped to just over 50% (34 persons) in 2025, compared to 58% (38 persons) in 2023.

Awareness has increased

That number may be helped along by a growing awareness or comfort in knowing what is sensitive, as more than 78% (54 persons) of the 2025 respondents said they had a clear sense of what subjects are sensitive, up from 67% (44 persons) in 2023 and 52% (51 persons) in 2021. Likewise, almost 64% (44 persons) of 2025 respondents said they were "confident" or "somewhat confident" knowing what is permitted when it comes to taking photos or videos in the city. That compares to 56% (37 persons) in 2023 and 52% (51 persons) in 2021.

83% reported experiencing no interference while reporting Additionally, nearly 83% (57 persons) of 2025 respondents said they had not experienced any interference while reporting in Hong Kong, showing a rise from 77% (51 persons) in 2023. About 16% (10 persons) said they had experienced minor interference, and one person said they had experienced significant interference.

The number of those concerned about the possibility of arrest or prosecution from their reporting or opinion articles or work they have edited was down in 2025, with about 6% (4 persons) being “very concerned”, compared to 17% (11 persons) in 2023 and 10% (10 persons) in 2021. About 52% (36 persons) said they were “slightly concerned”, down from 56% (37 persons) in 2023.

Reporting of actual surveillance has decreased

Still, nearly 90% of respondents (62 persons) said they were concerned about digital and physical surveillance, although they had not experienced it, showing a rise from the 82% (54 persons) with similar concerns in 2023. The number of those reporting actual surveillance decreased, with one person reporting experiencing digital surveillance and two

Have you experienced, or are you concerned about the possibility of, digital or physical

while reporting in Hong Kong?

Have you experienced interference, harassment or violence while reporting in Hong Kong? (in the last 18 months)

Are you planning on or considering leaving Hong Kong because of concerns over press freedom?

experiencing physical surveillance, compared to nine people experiencing surveillance in 2023, although respondents noted that they may not be aware of digital surveillance as it happens.

The FCC’s press freedom statements

In 2024, the FCC issued nine press freedom statements, with seven of the those covering Hong Kong affairs, from the Stand News verdict to reports of journalist harassment. The Club also filed a submission on the Consultation

How has your organisation’s staffing in Hong Kong changed over the last 18 months?

line and defend these enshrined freedoms, to stand up for what we still have,” he adds.

Sentiment around press freedom in Hong Kong has undoubtedly changed, whether or not there have been tangible changes in the day-to-day work of journalists.

Looking

ahead

The FCC intends to repeat its press freedom survey exercise in 12 months time as the Club continues to take the pulse of Members who are working journalists.

If your organisation has downsized, please specify the reason:

Document of Article 23 of the Basic Law, which was published as an open letter, as well as submitting it to the Security Bureau.

“As this survey demonstrates, Hong Kong does not enjoy the freedoms of the press that it once did,” says Williamson. “But that doesn’t mean we should stop our advocacy work. There are still many freedoms available to journalists that are not enjoyed in mainland China or elsewhere in the regionthere is a lot still to preserve.”

“As Maria Ressa famously said, our duty is to hold the

“The city’s rule of law and freedom of the press have long been a key driver of its continued prosperity,” concludes Williamson. “For over 80 years, the FCC has played a role in helping to defend those enshrined freedoms that make Hong Kong so special. Our success in defending press freedom will be Hong Kong’s success.”

Later this year, a verdict will be handed down in the national security trial of Apple Daily ’s Jimmy Lai. The longawaited end of the case is expected to affect sentiment for journalists in Hong Kong. n

NIGHTS ON VICTORIAN TILES

Next time you’re in the Club, cast your gaze downward as you step into the Main Bar & Lounge and take a moment to admire the beautiful tiled floor. Like some of our most steadfast regulars propping up the bar, those charming Victorian tiles – slightly worn around the edges – have their own fascinating story to tell.

By Kate Whitehead Images: Lakshmi Harilela and Simpson Wong

One of the delightful quirks of our Club is that despite being founded during the wartime years in China and weathering plenty of upheaval throughout its history, we don’t adapt to change particularly well.

Founded in 1943, the FCC has called 2 Lower Albert Road home for more than half of its existence. Before that, we bounced around Mainland China – from Chungking to Nanjing and Shanghai – and spent time in a mix of less flash accommodations (Kotewall Road) and truly glamorous ones (a mansion at 41a Conduit Road). It was the then-Governor of Hong Kong, Murray MacLehose, who proposed that we lease the old Dairy Farm building on Lower Albert Road.

At the time, the premises were serving as a godown for Hongkong Land’s old air conditioners and doubling as a car park for some of the company executives. Understandably, the Hongkong Land folks weren’t thrilled about being uprooted, but MacLehose smoothed the way, and the Club quickly got to work transforming the space into its new home.

Architect Eddy Khoe was brought onboard to oversee the project with the Architectural Services Department. His task was straightforward: clean up the building, clear out the clutter and restore the interiors. Thick orange-red Canton tiles, made of clay, were laid across the ground floor. Once the renovations were complete, the Club threw open the doors and celebrated its new home in true style – with an all-night party.

In 2002, it was decided that the Club was overdue for a refurbishment. After 20 years of chain-smoking, the ceiling was not so much yellow with nicotine as chocolate brown, crying out for cleaning and a proper ventilation system.

“Everyone smoked back then. I’d go in with two-anda-half packets on a Friday night and have to buy more on the way home. We sold more cigarettes than we did beer or whisky,” quips Chris Slaughter, a former Club President and current Co-Convenor of the Building – Project and Maintenance Committee.

The decision was made to move the bar, which ran parallel to the windows on the left of the lounge, as it was narrow and difficult for the bartenders to pass each other. Shifting the bar to its current position not only meant that staff had more space to move around and serve Members, but it also allowed natural light from the windows to brighten the Main Bar & Lounge. The move revealed a surprising discovery: beautiful historic tiles lying beneath the slabs of cheap Canton tiles.

Not everyone embraced the find with enthusiasm.

“I thought the tiles were brilliant, but there were some disparaging remarks. They said it made the Club look like a Victorian lavatory – a public restroom straight out of the 1890s. The FCC has never done change well,” opines Slaughter.

Predictably, the loudest critics were those who had been involved in the 1982 renovation, which had sought to cover up the tiles. Over time however, opinion shifted. Today, most Members – when they take a moment to look down – appear to admire the tiles.

For years, little was known about the history of these tiles, beyond the fact that they were old and visually striking. That changed a couple of months ago when the Club was approached by Simpson Wong, a writer and researcher dedicated to uncovering Hong Kong’s tangible heritage. Wong, who has spent the last five years exploring the city’s

architectural past, made a fascinating discovery: the tiles in the Club’s Main Bar & Lounge are similar to those found at Hong Kong University and at the Fringe Club next door. On a recent Saturday morning, he visited the Club with a local TV crew to film the historic floor for a heritage programme.

In March, Wong published Hong Kong Totem, a book exploring the patterns and symbols that define the city’s visual and cultural identity. One chapter focuses on Hong Kong tiles from 1910 until World War II and includes a section on the FCC.

The first block of the Dairy Farm Building was built in 1892 with further expansions in 1913 (now the Fringe Club) and 1917 (the FCC). Wong’s research into the history of the building focused on its flooring.

“Dairy Farm used the ground floor of what is now the FCC for sterilising and bottling milk. They needed to have a very clean floor for bottling, so they laid encaustic tiles. The first floor was used as the head office and covered with wooden planks,” explains Wong.

“The building now housing the Fringe Club functioned as Dairy Farm’s retail shop, selling sausages, cold cuts and meat. You can see the same floor tiles there, but they are in better condition. Perhaps the machinery from the Dairy Farm bottling process caused some damage to the tiles in the FCC.”

Hong Kong University, Main Building, Foyer

Hong Kong University, Main Building, tile detail

Next time you’re waiting for a taxi outside the Club, take the opportunity to check out the tiles that peek from under the door of the Fringe Dairy, the Fringe Club’s jazz and cabaret space. You’ll spot the tiles that mirror those in the FCC’s Main Bar & Lounge. And if you visit the main building at Hong Kong University, you’ll see tiles with a similar motif in the public areas.

Wong’s investigations traced the origin of these tiles to Minton and Co., a renowned pottery manufacturer in Stokeupon-Trent.

What makes these Victorian Minton tiles so remarkable is their expectational durability, a result of their unique production process. Herbert Minton, who inherited his father’s pottery manufacturing business in 1936, revived the lost art of making encaustic (or inlaid) tiles. Rather than painting patterns on the surface of a tile, the designs are crafted by layering different colours of clay.

The process of creating encaustic tiles was intricate and labour-intensive. It began with carving a ‘negative mold’ out of plaster to form the pattern. Small pieces of clay were then pressed into the mold until it was fully compacted, before being turned out to become a ‘positive tile’. Dyed liquid clay was carefully poured into the concave sections of the tile until the surface was flat. Once the clay was half dry, it was meticulously ground by hand to make the pattern reappear and then fired in a kiln at about 1,000 degrees Celsius.

The defining feature of encaustic tiles – an inlaid pattern of about 1/8 of an inch thick – gives them their remarkable durability. This feature ensures that the vibrant patterns and colours of Minton tiles remain intact, even after over a century of foot traffic.

Minton collaborated with his friend, the architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, who was a prominent

figure in the Gothic Revival movement. Pugin, who was also working on the design of the Houses of Parliament in London, began specifying Minton tiles for the Parliament buildings as well as his many other prestigious projects both in the U.K. and internationally.

Minton’s tiles became a global sensation when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert commissioned an encaustic pavement for Osborne House, their home on the Isle of Wight. Orders subsequently poured in from all around the world.

Vast encaustic tile pavements still grace the floors of iconic buildings, including the Palace of Westminster in London, the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, the Law Courts in Old Bombay, India and Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, New York.

Wong’s research uncovered the earliest official written record of the use of encaustic tiles in Hong Kong. According to the minutes of a Legislative Council meeting held on May 26, 1905, the then Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Matthew Nathan, supported a Sanitary Board proposal that all licensed Opium Divans located in upper storeys must be fitted with non-absorbent encaustic tiles, or constructed with smooth and tightly inlaid hardwood.

On a personal note, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that when Herbert Minton retired, he bought a villa in Higher Woodfield Road in Torquay – just around the corner from where my father now lives. It’s a small world, and the more we examine the finer details – sometimes right beneath our feet –the more we realise how interconnected we truly are.

So, next time you’re in the Main Bar & Lounge, take a moment to look down and admire the Victorian tiles. Thanks to their ingenious design and craftsmanship, these tiles have retained their bold colours and charm for over 100 years. n

Minton and Co. of Stoke-upon-Trent original tile renderings

IMAGES: SIMPSON WONG

35 YEARS AND COUNTING

The FCC’s staff, visible and invisible, are integral to powering the engines that keep our venerable club running. Keeping the books and serving with a smile respectively, Fanny Chan and Jacky Ku between them have clocked up 70 years working at the Club. The Correspondent pays tribute to these two long-serving employees.

By Christina Pantin

Additional reporting by Amy

Sood

The year was 1989. The FCC, newly ensconced at its current location of 2 Lower Albert Road, had just seven years prior, welcomed two new employees – Fanny Chan Yuet Ying and Jacky Ku Lui – in the accounting and dining teams respectively.

Perhaps, dear reader, you weren’t even born then, and even if you were around and kicking (and perhaps even an FCC Member), 35 years is a good chunk of time. It’s certainly a significant period to spend your working life in a single function, with a single employer.

Unless of course that employer is the FCC, which at the annual staff party in February handed out recognitions of long service not only to Fanny and Jacky, who lead the league in their employment records, but also to 18 others, starting from tenures of five years. In addition, General Manager

David Brightling honoured station chef William Lo, who retired in 2024 after an impressive 42 years.

Occupying a Grade 1 historic building that is more than 100 years old, it’s hard to not pay attention to longevity. But the FCC is more than just its distinctive “bandaged brickwork” façade; it hums with the collective history of its members and its nearly 100 staff.

The stories of our Members form a mighty mosaic of the FCC and so do the stories of the staff, many of whom are rarely seen, working in the “back of the house” and helping to keep one of Hong Kong’s most important institutions ticking along.

Beginning with this issue, we will bring readers a Staff Spotlight in each edition of The Correspondent. Kicking this off are snapshots of Fanny and Jacky.

L-R: FCC President, Lee Williamson; Fanny Chan; Jacky Ku and General Manager, David Brightling

JACKY KU LUI

Assistant Head Waiter, Main Bar & Lounge

How did you join the FCC and why?

I was initially in the F&B industry and after a few years I became a storekeeper, but the salary wasn’t very good. Then I saw a newspaper ad for a waiter job at the FCC and applied, even though I knew nothing about the FCC at the time.

What has kept you at the FCC for 35 years?

The camaraderie with colleagues and a competitive salary. We have also enjoyed staff trips out of town with family. It feels like a warm-hearted place.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen over the years at the FCC?

The architecture is one. Previously, during the rainy season, there would be leaks and we’d have to put buckets everywhere. Also, there has been constant upgrading of technology, so learning how to use different POS systems. The furniture has

also improved! We’ve had a number of General Managers over 35 years, but I’m happy that each one has treated me very well.

What about changes in membership?

I’ve met so many good people; sadly some have passed away. More recently, I’ve noticed that there are more local Members and younger people. We used to have a lot of lawyers and bankers, and now it’s more diverse. Also, I need to brush up on my Mandarin because there are more Mandarin speakers.

Your main working area is the Main Bar & Lounge. What’s your favourite menu item?

Fish and chips! The recipe has never changed since I joined, except in those early days they used to wrap it in newspaper. It tastes the same because we have so many long-serving kitchen staff who are part of the original team.

FANNY CHAN YUET YING

Accountant

When and why did you join the FCC?

Before the FCC, I worked at a merchandising and trading company, but my mother wanted me to find a new job, so as soon as we saw an ad for an accounting job at the FCC, I applied immediately.

Why accounting? And why did you continue in the same field?

When I started, I actually didn’t know much about accounting, but I took a course at the Hong Kong School of Commerce. I learned through studying the subject and then through my work experience. I am also grateful to have received such helpful guidance from the people with whom I have worked.

Why have you stayed at the FCC for so long?

I’ve enjoyed it, of course, or else I wouldn’t have stayed for over 30 years! I think the most important thing is to enjoy what you do and appreciate the people you work with. You should always try to be happy and forget about any minor problems. Once you join the FCC and become a part of it, you don’t feel like leaving. It’s like a big family.

How has the FCC changed over the years?

My team moved to another building (near the FCC) and we have our own warehouse. There have also been renovations and changes – the Main Bar, the kitchen and The Verandah. Also, the membership has expanded – when I first started, there were only a few hundred Members and now there are around 2,300! I love it; the place just keeps growing.

What are your favourite memories of the FCC?

Bonding with colleagues and becoming buddies with them.

What does a typical work day entail for you?

Like most people, I first go through emails (of course I remember when there wasn’t such a thing!). The rest of the day is spent replying to Members’ queries, checking the status of supplier payments, issuing cheques, settling payments, and other routine tasks.

What do you do for fun?

I love hiking, and my favourite trail is the Shing Mun reservoir. My husband and two children also enjoy hiking in the Kowloon area. My other hobby is watching Netflix –especially Korean dramas.

CELEBRATING MORE THAN 300 YEARS OF SERVICE

By David Brightling

At this year’s annual staff party, we honoured employees who have achieved significant milestones in service and two recent retirees, who combined have worked at the FCC for more than three centuries! Highlights included recognising Fanny Chan (Accounts) and Jacky Ku (Main Bar/Lounge) for

35 years of service, and William Lo, who retired from the kitchen after 42 years of service to the Club!  All of our staff deserve recognition for being part of the friendly, welcoming and dedicated team who create memorable experiences for our Members every day. n

5 Years 10 Years 15 Years

Ng Tung Shing/Chinese Cook III; Li Kam Wa/Chinese Cook I; Yip Wing Yu/Chinese Cook II; Zhen Shike/Housekeeping Attendant; Eric Ho/Commis II; Chan Wai Ming/Chinese Cook III; Chan Kan Ying/Housekeeping Attendant; Tsui Kwai Wan/Housekeeping Attendant

Jackson Wan/Assistant Captain; Katelyn Kan/Senior Administration Officer & Board Secretary; Liao Caihua/Housekeeping Attendant; Andrew Ng. Captain

Mary Iu/Housekeeping Supervisor, Amanda Kwok/Assistant Restaurant Manager Tony Yu/Demi Chef; Terence Lai/ Captain

William Lo/ Former Chef De Partie

Gaddi Gilbert Joy Perfecto F./Former Bar Supervisor

A VISUAL HISTORIAN

Türkiye’s most revered photographer, the late Ara Güler, known famously as ‘The Eye of Istanbul’, began his photographic career at the city’s Yeni Istanbul newspaper in 1950. He went on to work for the Turkish daily, Hürriyet, and from there for international titles and to worldwide acclaim. Over his career Güler photographed a host of famous artists and political figures, but for many, it is his iconic, and at times melancholic, black-and-white photographs of his hometown, its inhabitants, streets and its docks, that form his greatest body of work.

By Ann Tsang

Images: Ara Güler courtesy of the Ara Güler Archives and Research Centre

In his own unique way, Ara Güler documented everyday life and captured moments of change both big and small in the only city in the world that sits astride two continents…the power of Ara Güler’s images of his city and his photographs documenting important political events of recent history clearly illustrate the decisive role he has played in the evolution of 20th century photography,” said Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International in 2016, when Güler, at the age of 87, was bestowed with the Leica Hall of Fame Award.

Ara Güler indeed relentlessly and impressively portrayed life in the city of Istanbul, his birthplace and home, for over six decades. His no-holds-barred, black-and-white images of the metropolis that straddles Europe and Asia from the 1950s and 1960s are the most recognised of their time and beyond, leading him to be inextricably linked with his native city and earning him the moniker of ‘The Eye of Istanbul’.

IMAGE: ARA GÜLER

“Ara Güler is one who has succeeded in penetrating the secret of the people and culture of Anatolia and the richness and variety of its natural setting. Throughout his life he has devoted himself to the richness of Anatolia,” wrote Yaşar Kemal, one of Turkey’s leading writers, in his introduction to Güler’s book ‘The World In Their Faces’. “For a full 50 years the Anatolian soil, and that includes Thrace and Istanbul, has never slackened its hold on Ara Güler, nor has Ara Güler ever slackened his hold on the soil of Anatolia. They are passionately attached, the one to the other. They will remain faithful to each other to the very end.”

Güler viewed himself as a “visual historian” who “captures what happens around him”, and was averse to

being described as an “artist”, stating: “Photography is not an art, it is more important than art.”

“Photography is an art,” argued Kemal. “Without true creativity one can never penetrate the mystery or truth of either mankind or nature. Ara is one of the greatest creators of our time. Photography is a dangerous art, and it is only though the indefatigable and persistent efforts of great, creative artists that it has been transformed into an art.”

Indeed Güler was both indefatigable and persistent in his photographic pursuits, as evidenced possibly most clearly in his accidental discovery in the autumn of 1958 of the ancient site of Aphrodisias - a Roman-period city which was famous in antiquity for its sanctuary of Aphrodite and its marble sculptors - in the Turkish village of Geyre, which he visited “20 or 30 times and worked there for days on end.”

Güler had been sent on a photographic assignment by the popular Hayat magazine to photograph the Kemer Dam, which had just been opened by then Prime Minister Annan Menderes, which after a long wait for his desired perfect light, he did. But his immediate return to Istanbul to process his film was derailed as darkness fell and Güler and his driver found themselves lost, having mistakenly taken a wrong turn. Completely shrouded in darkness, Güler eventually spotted a dim light in the distance. “I walked towards the light and

found myself at a door. I pushed it open and went inside. It was a coffee house with a beaten earth floor. In the centre was a wood burning stove made of sheet iron whose fire was low and about to go out,” wrote Güler in a 2008 recollection of his surreal experience. “A kerosene lamp hung from the ceiling, giving out a weak light. Evidently the coffee house was about to shut for the night. As my eyes began to adjust to the gloom, I noticed three Roman column capitals on the floor. Then as they adjusted further, a Roman spiral column in the centre of the coffee house, holding up the ceiling.”

At that time (1958) there was as yet no electricity in these villages. When a man whom Güler guessed to be the coffee house owner noticed their arrival, he unhooked the kerosene lamp from the ceiling, placed it on one of the broad benches along the wall and began to pump it. The light brightened and Güler began to see his surroundings more clearly. The Roman column capitals were clearly serving as tables on which the coffee house customers were playing dominoes and cards. Güler was struck by the incongruity of Roman period civilisation on the one hand, and card games on the other. “Astonishing images floated before my eyes. A Roman shuffling a pack of cards as he prepared to play a game with me. Some men sitting on the verandah were preparing to leave. I turned to greet them and they returned my greeting,

placing their hands on their breasts, and merhabas were exchanged all round.”

Güler subsequently requested accommodation for the night and what unfolded before his eyes the following morning were, as he was to later discover, the ruins of an ancient city which was part of the Roman Empire in about 500 BC.

“The children took me to places where there were ruined buildings and toppled heads of statues, and finally to the place which today is known as the hippodrome. This was the largest hippodrome I had ever seen,” said Güler. One of the villagers had tied his donkey to the highest tier of steps in the theatre, and he and his wife and children were gathering some green plants that were growing in the hippodrome. In another place, the capitals of columns protruded from the ground as if declaring “we are here!”. Behind was the summit of the theatre, its stones visible at intervals. “I saw toppled columns between haystacks and faces of Medusa that seemed to call out to me to rescue them. And on top of all these was the village where we had stayed last night; the village of Geyre, an Ottoman village living in the midst of history,” recalled the photographer.

“The village had long since woken up and was going about its daily life. That morning I photographed everything I saw

until I had used up all my film. That is how I first made the acquaintance of this extraordinary village of Geyre, whose name I had never even heard of in 1958.”

It wasn’t until two years later in 1960, even with the constant persistence on the part of Güler to draw attention to what he had discovered on that journey in 1958, that a Turkish archaeologist by the name of Kenan Erim - a lecturer at Princeton University in New York - embarked on an initiative to begin official excavations in the village of Geyre.

What transpired over the next three decades of work by Erim were the remains of the city of Aphrodisias, a place built predominantly from marble, once inhabited by a population of approximately 10.000 people and which was part of the Roman Empire.

The site became a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2017.

Aphrodisias is just one place and one story in the extraordinary life of Ara Güler.

Born in Istanbul on August 16, 1928, Güler was strongly influenced by the cinema during his childhood, and his early ambition was to become a theatre director and playwright.

In 1951, he entered the Faculty of Economics at Istanbul University; but having resolved to pursue a career in photojournalism, he left without completing the course and following his military service, began to work for the Yeni

İstanbul (‘New Istanbul’) newspaper. This was followed by work for leading magazines of the day including Devir (The Age), Resimli Hayat (Illustrated Life) and Hayat (Life).

Up until 1961, Güler was Head of Photography for Hayat, and that same year, the British Journal of Photography Yearbook proclaimed him one of the seven best living photographers. Endless awards and prestigious assignments followed from both domestic and international organisations.

During his lifetime, Güler photographed many prominent politicians, artists and luminaries, amongst them Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, Alfred Hitchcock, Willy Brandt, Maria Callas, Bertrand Russell, Pablo Picasso, Indira Gandhi and Winston Churchill. He also captured portraits of famous Turks, including writer Yaşar Kemal, ceramicist Füreya Koral and artist Fikret Mualla.

But within this photographer’s incomprehensibly large

body of work (his archive contains an astounding 800,000 images) it is his collection of photographs of his beloved city of Istanbul that truly remain as outstanding and testament to his immense talent.

“Ara Güler’s Istanbul is my Istanbul,” wrote Orhan Pamuk, Turkish novelist, screenwriter, academic, and recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature, in the Foreword to the book

‘Ara Güler’s Istanbul ’. “It is the city where I live; the city I know and think I know; the city I see as a single world and as an indivisible part of myself. The Istanbul of the 1950s and 1960s - its streets, pavements, shops and dirty, neglected factories; its ships, horse carts, buses, clouds, private taxis, shared taxis, buildings, bridges, chimneys, mists and people; and the soul in all these things, so difficult to recognise at first sight - is nowhere as well documented, preserved and protected as it is in the photographs of Ara Güler.” n

THE FCC , WHERE IT ALL BEGAN... WARTIME CHUNGKING AS OBSERVED BY MELVILLE JACOBY

Inspired by the book ‘A Danger Shared’ by Bill Lascher

Exhibition curated by Carsten Schael

Text by Bill Lascher

Melville Jacoby — or “Mel” — was an American freelance journalist, United Press stringer, and foreign correspondent for TIME and LIFE magazines who covered World War II in China, present-day Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Mel was also an early part of the tight-knit community of international journalists who lived, worked, and socialised at the famed “Press Hostel” in wartime Chungking (Chongqing), China. These reporters, who devoted their lives to covering a war largely overlooked by the rest of the world in their time and ours, despite its global, long-lasting consequences, formed the nucleus of the organisation that became the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Chungking (the precursor to the current FCC Hong Kong).

These correspondents understood what many fellow journalists, scholars, politicians, and activists seemed to

ignore (and, in many cases, still do): what happened in China and Asia more broadly mattered to the West in a way it never had before, and the fate of what took place in China and Japan, as well as in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Guinea, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, was intertwined with the fate of the United States. They didn’t yet know, but may have imagined, that what happened in these places at that time would give rise to the dramatic, worldshifting events and stories that would follow the war’s end and unfold over the decades to follow.

After first coming to Canton (Guangzhou) in 1936 as an exchange student at Lingnan University — then located in at what is now Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University — Mel witnessed the outbreak of war between Japan and China the following summer. He returned to China in late 1939 as a

Chungking city map

freelance reporter in Shanghai, but soon found himself drawn to Chungking, China’s wartime capital. There, Mel moved into the Press Hostel, where he balanced his developing journalism career with work organising radio broadcasts and writing press releases and other English language copy for China’s information ministry. After leaving Chungking in the fall of 1940 to cover Japan’s push into French Indochina (presentday Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) — where he’d run afoul of French colonial officials, Japanese envoys, and agents of Japan’s puppet regime in China — and briefly returning to the U.S. in early 1941, Mel came back to Chungking that May. On the way there he met — and impressed — Henry Luce, who quickly hired Mel as a correspondent for TIME and LIFE.

That fall, shortly after Mel proposed to fellow reporter Annalee Whitmore, TIME transferred him to become its bureau chief in Manila. Annalee arrived just in time to marry

Mel before covering the outbreak of war between the U.S. and Japan at his side. Together, aware there was a mark on Mel’s head because of his previous work, the pair fled Manila just before midnight on December 31, 1941, leaping together onto a small freighter as docks and warehouses exploded around them. They would spend their next six weeks reporting from the fortress island of Corregidor before a perilous escape through enemy waters.

Drama aside, Mel’s life was short but impactful, capped by a career a close friend called “as brilliant as it was brief” and devoted to documenting the war while bridging the distance between two physically- and culturally distant lands: the United States and Asia. He foresaw the conflict’s weighty implications for the United States and Asia and how they could impact the entire world. The images in this exhibition provide a glimpse of what Mel saw. n

Mel was also an early part of the tight-knit community of international journalists who lived, worked, and socialised at the famed “Press Hostel” in wartime Chungking (Chongqing), China.

Chungking’s Press Hostel felt like home to reporters from around the world

ERIC WISHART JOURNALISM ETHICS –21 ESSENTIALS FROM WARS TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Hong Kong University Press, 2024, 223 pages

Reviewed by John Batten

Eric Wishart, former President and Member of the FCC, began working as a journalist in regional Scottish newspapers in 1972, gaining all-round news gathering and reporting experience, but he recalls in those early years, “At no point was the word ‘ethics’ ever used.” He joined Agence France-Presse (AFP) in 1984, and held senior correspondent positions between 1992 to 1999 in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, including covering the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. In 1999, he was appointed editor-in-chief of AFP, the first non-French journalist to hold the position.

Wishart returned to live in Hong Kong in 2005 as AFP’s Asia-Pacific director and since 2022 has been the agency’s first standards and ethics editor. After researching many similar codes from around the world, he wrote “from scratch” AFP’s three core guiding documents: the AFP Charter, outlining the agency’s editorial principles; AFP Editorial Standards and Best Practices, its new ethics code; and 20 Principles of Sourcing, on the ethical use of sources. His research found that most newspapers and news agencies’ guidelines on ethical journalism similarly shared:

“…the universal values of accuracy, seeking the truth, impartiality and fairness, transparency in correcting errors, independence, duty of care, accountability, avoiding conflicts of interest, and not profiting by taking cash or gifts in exchange for coverage.”

Wishart’s Journalism Ethics uses these values as the basis of his book and its arrangement by topic into 21 chapters. Each chapter has excellent end-summaries, with hypothetical examples of news incidents as exercises to test the reader’s approach to ethical journalism.

As he acknowledges, apart from good ethical behaviour, many ethical codes of practice were text-focused, but as a worldwide news agency, AFP also provides photographs, videos and graphics (such as statistics and maps). The book also covers the ethical use of these tools.

Recent topics and issues are also well covered – including how ethical journalism should report climate change; gender and sexual orientation; disability and mental health; medicine and health; and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence when preparing stories and images. Reflecting

recent concern about AI, Wishart succinctly reminds us: “For images, news photography captures a moment of reality, and AI creates an artificial version of reality.”

The book presents ‘ideal’ ethical guidelines for both professional journalists and those that post on social media. It also expertly offers insight into the ethical issues of news reporting and online fake news and manipulated videos and photography. For the general reader, the book “will also equip non-journalists to make informed decisions about the

PHOTO: JOHN BATTEN

trustworthiness of their sources of news.”

The advantage of the book’s arrangement in a ‘primer’ style, topic-by-chapter format, is that a working journalist can easily refer to it as an authoritative source of best ethical practice. Outlining ‘ideal’ approaches to ethical journalism, the book is a solid, but at times, academic read. In the real world, journalism does stray from its ethical values as Wishart pointedly states in the book’s final chapter devoted to conflict; even now, “The adage that truth is the first victim of war is as valid today as always, and all official statements must be seen from this perspective.” Publishing official versions of incidents during war without verifying the facts is unethical.

Likewise, the systemic toxic work culture seen during News Corporation’s News of the World phone hacking scandal uncovered in 2011 saw serious cases of unethical journalism condoned by management. To complement Journalism Ethics, an exposé such as written by the BBC News’ World Affairs Editor John Simpson’s Unreliable Sources: How the 20th Century was Reported (2010) tells stories of historically underhand and unethical news reporting.

Journalism Ethics uses an impressive range of outside sources and references, including from the Financial Times, The Guardian, Reuters and the Associated Press and a range of professional organisations, with advice given by The Samaritans (on ethically reporting on suicide and murdersuicide); the UNHCR (on refugees); the WHO (on sexual

violence); PEN America (online harassment) and MIND UK (on trauma).

Wishart is also responsible for AFP’s writing and style guidelines and explains that such terms as ‘terrorist’ have become highly politicised and emotive. For example, he references his public clarification on behalf of AFP explaining its use of the term ‘terrorist’ after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, 2023 as an example of a consistent guideline: “In line with its mission to report the facts without passing judgment, AFP does not describe movements, groups, or individuals as terrorists unless it is in direct quotes or with attribution.”

“Without passing judgment” is a core value of the newsroom. An opinion writer, however, does make judgments, outlines analysis and gives personal opinions. It is outside the main focus of Wishart’s book, but a wider discussion of the differing ethical approaches between hard news reporting and editorial and opinion writers would add another layer to this excellent primer on ethical journalism. Indeed, Eric Wishart took both a personal and ethical stance by resigning his membership of the FCC in 2022. He believed, despite the introduction of Hong Kong’s National Security Law, that the cancellation of that year’s Human Rights Press Awards - which had historically been jointly organised by the FCC, Amnesty International Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Journalists Association – was wrong. n

MICHELLE GARNAUT: THE ORIGINAL M PLUS

Story and

image

by John Batten

Agood restaurant is like a public living room,” Michelle Garnaut tells me. “It also needs to be welcoming, convivial, good value for money, and not snobby.” For over three decades, FCC Member and entrepreneur Michelle Garnaut’s M Restaurant Group upheld these simple values. Her three restaurants were the pioneering M at the Fringe, next door to the FCC (operating 1989–2009), the celebrated M on the Bund in Shanghai (1999-2022) and Beijing’s Capital M overlooking Tiananmen Square (2009-2017).

The eldest in a large Catholic family growing up in 1960s Melbourne, Australia, Garnaut cared for her younger brothers and sisters and helped run a busy household. Hard work and accepting responsibility were instilled early, as were the essential skills for later running a large restaurant business: being organised, working long hours and late nights, careful attention to detail and, most importantly, caring.

Garnaut likes the diverse company of people, their stories, conversations and varied personalities - working in restaurants fitted her sociable and enquiring personality. Learning to cook, as a student and on the job, and further experiences travelling in Europe eventually led to her arrival in Hong Kong working for the busy 97 Group in Lan Kwai Fong in the 1980s. The inklings of the ‘M’ style of fine dining were gestated amidst Hong Kong’s can-do vibrancy of those years. Gregarious, young and inquisitive, Garnaut embraced the pace of the city and its nightlife, working in a team of similarly enthusiastic colleagues. They ran 97’s bar and restaurant (then known as The Brasserie), cooking and working in the kitchen and/or front of house; planning, marketing and hosting special events, often with theatrical flair and distinct touches of artistry.

Themed nights, music and art shows were organised, including two exhibitions by Luis Chan (1905–1995), Hong Kong’s best modernist painter, described as an “eccentric Hong Kong genius.” Chan’s paintings reflected the city’s post-war boom, Hong Kong as a melting-pot of cultures and characters - brightly dressed, or undressed; a painted landscape of people fused into the contours of the city’s dramatic sea and mountains. For a time, the women seen in Chan’s paintings strongly resembled Garnaut, with her strong jaw, quick eyes, prominent nose, welcoming and enigmatic smile. She nonchalantly agreed, “I think he was fixated on me for a while.” No doubt about it.

If there was a little of Garnaut in Chan’s paintings, there was also something of Chan in her distinctively styled restaurants. Garnaut’s favoured colours matched Chan’s bright orange, yellow, pinks and greens. His psychedelic world of painted oversized fish, animals and carnival

characters floating through a fantasy landscape could equally have flitted through an M establishment. Her restaurant interiors hinted of literary salons and stylish practical comfort that an arty aunt might arrange: flowers; lots of mirrors and reflections; roomy chairs; strong but tasteful art; table linen (or, as an aunt of a certain vintage might correctly say, “the napery”); solid sensible crockery (Garnaut: “I can’t stand stupid-shaped plates!”); old-handled cutlery; and bone china cups and saucers embossed with her signature curly ‘M’. Her restaurants always had style. “I like beautiful things,” she says in simple explanation. There were also personal small-touch surprises. The restaurants’ corner table lamps looked French circa 1930 but were recent, with the lampshades hand-beaded by Garnaut herself using glass and other reflective materials. For unsuspecting guests entering M on the Bund for the first time, a red neon mouse running up the entrance wall could surprise or shock!

In the 2000s, Garnaut and I were sitting at the back of M on the Bund’s Glamour Bar having a Saturday night drink before heading out for dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant. Whilst chatting, she ordered some snacks. After a few bites, she looked at me and said, “These are not right, let’s stay, we’ll taste some dishes” Over the next hour or so we tasted small portions on the menu, discussing them and their presentation. When the night was a little quieter, the chef and Garnaut critiqued the food together: slowly, methodically; with great care each dish was discussed, its taste, the ingredients, how it could be better prepared by staff. Notes were taken, a dish came out again, cooked slightly differently. I listened, beholden, by the quiet care of professionals discussing solutions on how their served food could taste better, be better.

Many customers visit a restaurant to eat, or (to use that overly-used marketing buzzword) ‘experience’, its food and menu. Garnaut’s hands-on care was seen in the varied and eclectic M menus served over the years and built around permanent favourite dishes (e.g. the crispy suckling pig). For over three decades, the menus reflected her curiosity about food and its history, of personal experiences and encouraging her chefs to be bold cooks, and, exploring her large collection of cookbooks and recipes. After an inspirational trip to Iran, the sharing traditions of Persian food often became a feature on the M menu. And, the “famous M’s pavlova” harked back to rich - probably too rich (Garnaut is not a big sweet eater)Australian desserts.

Garnaut believes that the success of her restaurants and retaining customer support “was by always being affordable,” despite rising costs and pressure from similar businesses. She recalls being asked to meet the head of a large luxury French

jewellery company that was soon to open a ground floor boutique nearby on the Shanghai Bund. He advised her that M on the Bund was “too cheap and should triple its prices….” He wanted similar high-price businesses to be located near his company’s new boutique, “…as the Bund would soon become the Champs-Élysées of Shanghai.” Garnaut dismissed such ideas. “It’s always been my philosophy that we be affordable for many people, not only for a small percentage. Otherwise people will only come to the restaurant once a year, for a special occasion, like Christmas or a birthday.”

Return visits by customers and spontaneous communities of people who developed personal friendships were encouraged by the atmosphere of the ‘M living room’. Literature played a central role in how this happened. Since her childhood, Garnaut has been an avid reader, especially of such writers as Patrick White, Colm Tóibín, Claire Keegan, Pakaj Mishra, and more recently, Bernadine Evaristo. Hong Kong’s M at the Fringe pioneered the tradition of active participation in cultural activities - it could claim to be Hong Kong’s first M with a plus! A supporter of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, the restaurant hosted writers and book launches. Its literary lunches and dinners, explains Garnaut, “brought different people together and interesting conversations and friendships happened.”

Shanghai’s much-larger M on the Bund and its Glamour Bar enabled an expanded programme of M-organised cultural events. On weekend afternoons – “entry RMB50, including a glass of bubbly” – activities ranged from an author talking about their latest book, an expert discussing a specialised topic, or a small concert by a classical chamber group. Co-founded by Garnaut and organised by her and the

M team, the Shanghai International Literary Festival and the Capital Literary Festival in Beijing, alongside the M Literary Residencies for writers, were annual landmark events.

A snapshot of the vibrancy and bustle of the restaurant, its staff and customers, and the variety of happenings hosted in Shanghai has been captured in the documentary M on the Bund, produced by filmmakers LostPensivos Films, recently screened at the FCC and seen at international film festivals this year. The film follows Garnaut and her team in the final months before M on the Bund’s closure in 2022. Capturing the passion, sadness for its closure and optimism for the future, the film is an uplifting story of a restaurant that closely followed China’s own social awakening and economic growth over the last 25 years.

“I closed the restaurant because it was time. After the hard years of continuing during COVID, and a lease renewal soon to be renegotiated, I couldn’t see myself running the business for another five years.” The sign-off on the M Restaurants’ website is typically humorous: “….between the start of 1999 to 2022 – 8,338 days – M was on the Bund. Sorry if you missed it.”

Asked if she would open another restaurant. It’s an adamant “no”. And visiting restaurants? Her reply is characteristically honest: “I couldn’t care less about (fine) restaurants anymore! I like to eat good food, but I can’t bear the pretentiousness!” Always the entrepreneur, Garnaut’s current enthusiasm is channelled towards the idea of starting a small literary festival in rural France. And, her well-known kindness and friendliness always has time for creativity, especially that of young people in Hong Kong and Shanghai, both places that are her home. n

IMAGE: JOHN BATTEN

LA VIE EN ROSE

The Hong Kong community is once again preparing to celebrate French culture in its many forms through the French May Arts Festival, which for more than three decades has evolved to become one of the largest cultural events in Asia, showcasing a diverse range of visual arts, music, dance, theatre and gastronomy.

By Michael Chan

Throughout its rich and colourful history, the FCC has supported the appreciation of art, culture and cuisine as part of its own storied heritage, and this May the Club is once again participating in French GourMay, the only major festival in Hong Kong and Macau dedicated to gastronomy à la Française, organised under the umbrella of the French May Arts Festival.

Chef Johnny and his team present a selection of traditional and popular French dishes for your enjoyment alongside suggested wine pairings. A selection of Frenchinspired cocktails will also be on offer during the month of May.

Appetisers

French Charcuterie Platter

Recommended wine pairing: Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV Champagne

Champagne’s acidity and effervescence can cut through the fattiness and saltiness of the meats, providing a refreshing contrast.

Escargots à la Bourguignonne (Baked French Snails in Garlic Butter)

Recommended wine pairing: Louis Latour Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy

The buttery and garlicky flavours of the escargots go wonderfully with this crisp, mineral-rich Burgundy Chardonnay.

Recommended wine pairing: Louis Moreau Chablis, Burgundy

This lightly oaked Burgundy Chardonnay perfectly complements the creamy texture of the Comté and the earthy flavours of the mushrooms.

Soups

Bouillabaisse

Recommended wine pairing: Mirabeau Classic Rosé, Provence

This rosé’s intense bouquet of redcurrant, blackcurrant and raspberry, complemented by delicate peppery notes give it the versatility to enhance the complex flavours of the bouillabaisse without overpowering them.

Normandy Creamy White Onion Soup with Cheese Twist

Recommended wine pairing: Louis Latour Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy

A fantastic match! The wine’s buttery texture complements the creamy soup, while the toasty and nutty flavours harmonise beautifully with the caramelised onions, and the balanced acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese twist.

Salad

French Bistro Salad

Recommended wine pairing: Louis Moreau Chablis, Burgundy

A crisp Chablis is an excellent choice for pairing with a French Bistro Salad. Its acidity and hints of apple and pear complement the fresh ingredients and vinaigrette in the salad.

Wild Mushroom Stew on Toast with Melted Comté

Main Courses

Boeuf Bourguignon

Recommended wine pairing: M. Chapoutier Belleruche, Côtes-du-Rhône

The rich savoury flavours of Boeuf Bourguignon are fully brought out with the complex earthy and fruity characteristics of this juicy, powerful and fruity (red fruits notes) wine, which on the palate, has lovely roasted notes.

Crispy Duck Leg Confit

Recommended wine pairing: Pierre Chainier Les Calcaires

Pinot Noir, Loire Valley

A classic pairing. With fresh red berries, cranberry and a slight earthiness on the nose, this robust and full-bodied Pinot Noir offers a well-balanced finish on the palate and complements the rich, savoury flavors of the duck.

Roasted French Cod Fillet Meunière

Recommended wine pairing: Eric Louis Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley

This charming wine that has a beautiful freshness with aromas of passionfruit and a natural and well-balanced acidity gently complements the lemony butter sauce of the Meunière.

French Guinea Fowl Crépinette

Recommended wine pairing: Pierre Chainier Les Calcaires

Pinot Noir, Loire Valley

The delicate flavours of guinea fowl are complemented by this smooth and supple Pinot Noir bursting with juicy red berry fruit flavours, which on the palate is well balanced with a hint of warm spice and a soft yet fresh finish.

Dessert

Apple Tarte Tatin

Recommended wine pairing: Chateau La Rouquette 2011 AOP Monbazillac

A truly lush and balanced dessert wine from the Monbazillac vineyards in the Dordogne valley which perfectly enhances the caramelised apples and buttery pastry of the Tarte Tatin. n

2 courses HK$288/3 courses HK$388/4 courses

HK$468/5 courses HK$538

All prices are per person and include coffee or tea

FIRST DRAFT MAKES ITS DEBUT

The FCC’s third house draught beer was unleashed at a launch event in the Main Bar on 11 March. Brewed by the Hong Kong Beer Co. and branded by Harry Harrison, First Draft has officially joined the Club.

By Christina Pantin

PBY HARRY HARRISON

erhaps it was only natural that the FCC’s first house beer, ‘Headline Pilsner’ would be followed by ‘Byline’ and now, ‘First Draft’. In the structure of a news story, that’s the natural order, from top to bottom.

“It was a clear favourite,” said FCC President Lee Williamson, noting that the name won the most votes from the F&B Committee after a number of journalism and journalism-related names were thrown into the mix. Ponder some of the other nominations: FCC Gold, Deadline Draft, Gonzo Golden Ale, and this merciful rejection – Journ-alelist.

Brewed by the Hong Kong Beer Co., the challenge was to formulate a beer that “everyone can drink but be impressed by,” says Phil Rankmore, the Head Brewer. The alcohol content - 4.6 percent - also had to be at the right level, knowing that many FCC Members have constant work deadlines.

Rankmore describes First Draft as a “British-style” golden ale that is light and “easy to approach”. It includes American and New Zealand hops, which imbue the ale with citrus and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc-type notes, respectively.

On 11 March, an energetic, cheering crowd welcomed the first pulls of the newest house draught beer at the Main Bar. Williamson made it official by raising his pint glass and declaring: “It is my pleasure to declare this beer officially open!”

First Draft’s tap logo brought back the talents of legendary South China Morning Post cartoonist Harry Harrison, who previously designed the logo for Byline, featuring what he describes as “an old-school journalist dragon at an old-fashioned typewriter.” For the latest brew, Harry went with the creature of the moment, the panda. This one is thirsty and wears a “press” hat.

Harrison said that even though he is a lager man, “I’ll certainly be giving First Draft a go.”

So here’s to First Draft and to the other kind of first drafts. As writers and would-be writers know, producing that initial copy can be painfully difficult, even if they are (as attributed to the late publisher of The Washington Post Phil Graham) the “first rough draft of history.”

First Draft’s addition surely solidifies beer as the Main Bar’s top-selling beverage. Go on, give it a go (to paraphrase Harry). First Draft is on tap Club-wide, priced at HK$53 a pint and HK$30 for a half pint.

ILLUSTRATION

MINTED AT BERT’S

The use of mint in beverages can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In Egypt, mint was revered for its medicinal properties and was often infused into teas and tonics to aid digestion. Similarly, the Greeks and Romans incorporated mint into their wine and water, believing it to have uplifting and restorative qualities. While these early uses were primarily functional, they laid the groundwork for mint’s starring role in the art of mixology.

Mint, with its bright, herbaceous aroma, has been used in beverages for centuries. From ancient medicinal concoctions to modern craft cocktails, this humble herb has evolved into a flavour synonymous with refreshment and sophistication.

When basic cocktail culture began taking shape in Europe and the Americas in the 18th century, mint found its way into the hearts of drinkers with the rise of the Mint Julep, a Southern classic that became a symbol of American hospitality. Originally crafted with brandy, sugar, water and fresh mint, the Mint Julep evolved into its bourbon-based form during the 19th century, cementing its place as a staple of Kentucky Derby parties and Southern social gatherings. Meanwhile, the Mojito was gaining popularity in Cuba. A descendant of the 16th century ‘El Draque’ (a lime, sugar, and aguardiente concoction named after Sir Francis Drake), the Mojito added fresh mint to the mix, creating a vibrant drink that became a global beverage icon.

The 20th century saw the rise of other mint-based

cocktails, such as the Southside, a Prohibition era favourite blending gin, lime juice, and mint, and the Grasshopper, a creamy, minty cocktail. The versatility of mint has kept it constantly popular amidst fleeting trends, from the tiki craze of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s to today’s craft cocktail movement.

Mint continues to inspire mixologists and Bert’s Bar Supervisor Diwash Gurung brings the results of his experimentation with unconventional pairings to Bert’s throughout the month of April. From his Lychee & Mint Martini (vodka, lychee, Crème de Menthe, cranberry and citrus) to a sweeter Pineapple Grasshopper (Crème de Menthe, Crème de Cacao and Crossip Blazing Pineapple foam) and a Hibiscus Strawberry Collins (gin, fresh mint, fresh strawberries, lemon and Crossip Pure Hibiscus), as well as a duo of mocktails, if you’re in the mood for mint, head down to Bert’s. n

Cocktails: HK$65 each / Mocktails HK$55 each

THE UNION CLUB, LONDON

The latest addition to the FCC’s expanding roster of reciprocal clubs is The Union Club in London’s buzzing Soho. Second Vice President Tim Huxley recently paid a visit and found a place with a similar vibe to our beloved FCC.

By Tim Huxley

Located at 50 Greek Street in the heart of Soho, anyone entering The Union Club who is familiar with the FCC will immediately feel at home. The friendly welcome from Charlotte on the front desk sets the tone for a place where you immediately know that convivial company in a relaxed and warm setting awaits.

The ground floor bar is the perfect place for meeting friends either for post-work drinks or a bite to eat before heading to the nearby theatres, but it is very much a place where once you are inside, its allure tempts you to settle in for at least a few hours.

The FCC’s own Honorary Life Member Michael Palin said of The Union: “Whatever it is they do at The Union, they have got it right.” High praise indeed.

The staff in the ground floor bar made you feel instantly welcome and within fifteen minutes of arriving, Chairman Tim Cookson had suggested he bring half a dozen of The Union’s top backgammon players out to Hong Kong for a Union Club/FCC backgammon tournament. This is a club with whom we can certainly form a strong bond.

Skilled bartenders were producing an extensive and enticing array of cocktails for the early evening crowd and the small but comprehensive menu of unpretentious British food is very appealing. Any establishment which features a ‘Pie of the Day’ gets a thumbs up from me. The menu changes every month, but is supplemented by daily specials such as grilled quail and roast duck, which looked very appetising. Even better, everything is made freshly on site.

The bar’s walls are covered with an array of photographs,

prints and paintings, whilst special blue plaques pay homage to some of the many characters who have made The Union their home away from home.

In addition to the lively bar, there is a restaurant, a number of private rooms and even a roof terrace. The upstairs jazz bar, Alfie’s, stages performances three times a week. During the day, the venue doubles as a workspace - the use of laptops is mercifully banned in the bar, but if you need somewhere to work in central London, The Union is hard to beat.

The Union also prides itself on its events such as their regular Writing Salon meetings where writers of all levels of experience engage in lively discussion, whilst many well-known writers use the venue for book launches.

This 17th century Georgian townhouse oozes character and is a wonderful refuge from the bustle of the surrounding streets. Whether it be for a private event or just a unique place to meet for a drink, The Union Club should now be high on your list of places to visit in London. Accounts are settled at the end of each visit and any enquires should be directed to Membership Manager Catherine ‘Cat’ Una, who graciously showed me around - she can be reached on membership@unionclub.co.uk and more details can be found at unionclub.co.uk. n

The Union Club

50 Greek St, London W1D 4EQ

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 7437 4002

Images: Courtesy of The Union Club

NEW ON THE BLOCK

The FCC extends a warm welcome its new Members who come from a wide range of sectors, further adding to the diversity of the Club. Here’s a summary of who they are and what they do.

CORRESPONDENT

PETER GUO

Asia Desk Fellow

NBC News

My name is Peter Guo, and I am currently the 2024-2025 Asia Desk Fellow at NBC News, with a reporting focus on China. Previously, I graduated with distinction from the Master of Journalism programme at the University of Hong Kong. I’m also a certified, award-winning translator. I speak Mandarin, Cantonese and English, and enjoy hiking, travelling and stand-up comedy.

CORRESPONDENT

JACKY LIN TING TING

Reporter

TVB

Hong Kong-raised and Manila-born to Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Singaporean parents, with most of my family members residing in Canada, I love all these places in equal measure. Why TV news? My dad wove stories on celluloid during the heyday of Hong Kong cinema as a producer. Hoping to carry on with that visual narrative legacy with news lenses, I chase the pulse and paradoxes of this city that never stops rewriting itself. When not in the studio or out reporting, you can find me around Hong Kong or abroad with a camera and some sugar-deficient boba at hand, looking for good food — and good stories to document in my own projects.

http://linkedin.com/in/jackylintingting

CORRESPONDENT

JESSICA WONG

Senior Reporter

Infralogic / Mergermarket

Hi! I’m a reporter covering infrastructure. I like to travel and see the world. I am fascinated by development work and projects that make a tangible difference. I’m following the energy transition and can’t wait to see how it plays out in Asia. I’m a classically trained musician with a diploma in piano recital and I also sing with the Evensong Choir at St. John’s Cathedral. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with my own style using electronic sounds. I dabble in dragon boating too, which has taken me to the World Championships (in the honourable position of drummer). I spend my weekends playing records and tasting natural wine. If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll be exploring mountains and peculiar corners of China. Otherwise, you’ll find me at the FCC bar.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-wong-625a7671/

JOURNALIST

TIANTIAN HU

Senior Reporter

Wen Wei Po

I’m a political correspondent dissecting power plays on Hong Kong’s front line. My playbook? Years crafting narratives in Mainland China’s media trenches, plus running an MCN empire that turned influencers into assets. When the Hinrich Foundation bet on me in 2022, I traded board meetings for lecture halls at HKBU’s grad school. Let’s swap war stories: Whether it’s decoding media chess games or engineering the next viral storm - I’ve got data, contacts and a whisky cabinet ready!

https://www.facebook.com/venus.hu.12 www.linkedin.com/in/venus-hu

JOURNALIST

EDMOND NG

Teaching Assistant

The University of Hong Kong

I am Edmond Ng, a teaching assistant at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and a freelance journalist. After graduating from HKU with a Master of Journalism degree, I started to focus on visual storytelling and have freelanced at various outlets including Reuters, Goldthread, the SCMP and other platforms. I am also an aspiring documentary filmmaker. Juggling between tasks and gigs, I have become a Member to seek more opportunities, connections and support. See you all around the Club!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmondngcm/

JOURNALIST

GRACE SHAO

AI Proem

I grew up in Canada, frequently relocating throughout my formative years. Following university, I was drawn to Asia to learn more about my heritage - a rewarding journey that led me through Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and ultimately, Hong Kong. For many years, I have been driven by the mission to build bridges between my two worlds, telling stories of business and technological innovation through the nuanced lens of cultural understanding and geopolitical context. Today, I am the founder of AI Proem, where I deliver reports and analyses on AI and its intersections with energy, innovation and society, with particular emphasis on China’s AI landscape and China-U.S. dynamics. My career began as a business and technology journalist before I transitioned into corporate PR, primarily serving the technology sector. Now, I am leveraging the expertise developed across both industries to provide deep, insightful analyses for business professionals and investors seeking to understand the complex global AI ecosystem.

JOURNALIST

QUENTIN YEUNG

Senior Editor

Ming Pao Newspapers Limited

I started my career in journalism about 10 years ago at Ming Pao and I am still grateful for the opportunity to work for a newspaper that accompanied me throughout my youth. Being responsible for the op-ed section, it is both challenging and rewarding to stay up to date with local, regional and global affairs. This is what makes journalism fascinating. Outside work, I am an amateur runner hoping to complete the seven Marathon Majors. Last year I barely managed to survive and finish my first ever 42 km run in Tokyo. It was truly a great experience. As one saying goes, “A marathon is a journey, not a destination. It’s about pushing yourself beyond your limits.”

ASSOCIATE

GEORGE ADKINSON

Financial Planner

Private Capital Limited

Born and raised in Hong Kong and back from boarding school in the U.K., I’m enjoying life as a financial planner at Private Capital Limited, working closely with my Dad Rick and Mat Bate, who are both FCC Members. I spend my free time playing football, cricket, squash and running, as well as working out in the gym with friends. I have a keen interest in a variety of music and sports which I like to chatter about over a beer in the Main Bar, where you will see me on most Friday evenings after work.

https://private-capital.com.hk/our-team/george-adkinson/

ASSOCIATE

PUNIT BEDI

Banker

Citigroup

I arrived in Hong Kong in January 2010, on what was meant to be an initial one year work secondment. 15 years later, this great city has firmly become my new home. My career throughout has been in banking/finance, spanning over 20 years, starting in London, moving to Hong Kong, and with a stint in the Philippines as well. Outside of work I enjoy watching most sports, travelling and spending time with my family. I am married, having met my wife in Hong Kong through work, and we have one daughter.

I was introduced to the Club a few years ago by a friend and have enjoyed many a great evening here. It’s an absolute pleasure and honour to become a Member and I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of the next few years.

ASSOCIATE

JOSEPHINE CHAN

Counsellor/Educator

I am an ex-banker turned counsellor. In my early career, I worked with private clients to manage investment portfolios. This experience led me to explore the complexities of human hierarchical needs stemming from the pressures associated with personal and family wealth management. It then sparked my interest in furthering my studies in Theology, Psychological Counselling, and becoming a Doctor of Education. I now assist clients in developing stress coping mechanisms, selfcoaching skills, and improving their overall well-being. I also conduct strength-based workshops for individuals in collaboration with various colleges, schools, organisations and NGOs.

How do I manage my own stress and improve my overall well-being? I enjoy immersing myself in nature and staying active, hence, in my leisure time, I regularly go hiking and play table-tennis and pickleball. I also find joy in reading, singing and listening to music, which allow me to unwind and inspire my creativity. These passions not only enrich my life, but also enhance my ability to connect with and help those I serve.

www.linkedin.com/in/josephine-chan-56408452

ASSOCIATE

VALLOIS CHOI

Director of Marketing

Hotel Icon

I’m allergic to bad food - both on the plate and in life. As a hotelier, marketer and artist, I care about creating things that matter. Whether it’s crafting a memorable guest experience, spinning a story that sticks, or painting something that speaks, I’m happiest when I’m helping. Words? I think they’re pure magic! They can spark ideas, build bridges, and make the ordinary extraordinary. I believe life, like a great meal, should be savoured, not rushed. So let’s take our time, enjoy the richness, and maybe even share a laugh or two along the way. After all, why settle for bland when you can have bold?

https://hk.linkedin.com/in/valloischoi Instagram @vallois

ASSOCIATE

GEORGE HUNG

Architect

Studio YH Limited

Greetings! When you hear giggling kids in the lobby, it’s probably me with my three boys who love the bread pudding and pizza at the FCC. Other than being a professional Dad, 20 years ago, I was the youngest authorised person and registered architect in Hong Kong. My specialty is architectural and interior design, construction contract law and Buildings Ordinance. I am the principal director of Studio YH Limited which is an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio providing consultancy services covering building design and government submissions, project management, heritage conservation and expert opinion for arbitrations. I believe that good architecture is the perfect balance of commercial value, state-of-the-art technology and aesthetic pursuit. I look forward to meeting you all at the FCC.

ASSOCIATE

MARIA LAM

Writer/ Weekly Columnist of Orange News/Practicing Graphologist/Forensic Handwriting Examiner

A-Star Consulting Services Ltd

My career has been a diverse and fulfilling adventure. I began as an auditor and then transitioned into the commercial sector as a Chief Financial Officer. As the first Chinese individual to qualify as a graphologist from the British Institute of Graphologists, I now practice graphology, where I analyse handwriting to infer personality traits. This intriguing work enhances self-understanding, communication, relationship compatibility and career selection. I have authored six books in Hong Kong to share my knowledge of graphology. Additionally, I serve as a Forensic Handwriting Examiner, verifying the authenticity of handwriting and signatures - a role distinct from my graphologist duties. I’m eager to share my experiences with anyone interested. Looking forward to connecting with you all!

Website: www.marialam.asia IG: https://www.instagram.com/marialam444/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-lam-97b4319/

ASSOCIATE

DICKIE MOK

Lecturer

The University of Hong Kong (Faculty of Law)

Facebook: https://facebook.com/g4Graphology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maria6644

Born in Canada and raised in Hong Kong, I am a counsellor, lecturer, lawyer and mindfulness teacher. I have been through a few careers over the years, and these days I am grateful for the opportunity to work with clients in counselling to bring awareness and insight to their experience, as well as teaching students at the Faculty of Law of The University of Hong Kong. A highlight of the last year was co-founding Mindful Lawyers, a mindfulness practice group for lawyers in Hong Kong. In my spare time, I enjoy ikebana, wine, travelling, and the occasional quiz night. I am a proud dad to three dogs, Paco, Toro and Gonzalo.

ASSOCIATE

PREETI SAIRA SUJANANI

Founder

Vertues Jewelry

I’m Preeti Saira Sujanani, an entrepreneurial jewellery designer and founder of Vertues Jewelry. After 16 years in high jewellery, I set out to create a more accessible line - one that resonates with the modern woman’s evolving values. I also specialise in reimagining heirloom pieces and crafting bespoke designs that tell unique stories. Born in Taiwan, raised in Hong Kong, and a Columbia University Political Science graduate, my journey spans cultures and deeply influences my artistry. A lifelong learner, I have always appreciated the enriching experiences at the FCC. With my family’s roots in Hong Kong for 70 years, the FCC isn’t just a landmark, it’s a place that is woven into my childhood memories. www.vertuesjewelry.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/vertuesjewelry/

ASSOCIATE

LAUREN VAS

Sanctions Compliance Officer

Société Générale

Growing up in Hong Kong, I have many fond memories of visiting the FCC with my grandparents, where they met up with friends and were taken care of well into their senior years. Though they have since passed on, I’m happy to continue their support of the Club.

I sit within Société Générale’s Asia compliance function and specialise in sanctions compliance. One of the fascinating parts of the role is analysing geopolitical and regulatory change; I’m very much hoping to engage with the FCC’s events and communities on this.

Prior to my current role, I worked in London in privacy and cyber security risk consulting, where one of my favourite clients was a certain large public broadcaster. Outside of work, I can be found taking tennis lessons (as a beginner), enjoying the outdoors with my dogs (two adopted mongrels) and trying to find the best pain au chocolat in Hong Kong. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-v-37618575/

ASSOCIATE RICHARD

M. WALKER

Chair Professor Lingnan University

Hong Kong has been a home to my family since the mid-1980s, though we moved here two decades ago. I recently joined the FCC after first having a drink here nearly 40 years ago, when my brother and I wandered around the bar asking people if they would buy us a beer and one kind member obliged! I work at Lingnan University, and prior to this at CityUHK, HKU and Cardiff University. I am Head of the Department of Government and International Affairs and Director of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study. My wife, Marion and I split our time between living in Hong Kong and Penang.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-walker-15669baa/

ASSOCIATE

ZACHARY WILLIAMS

CEO

Baco Group Ltd.

I’ve been walking past the FCC since the mid 1980s, but was only ever invited in twice; once by a friend whose father was a journalist (we had burgers and fries in the Main Dining Room), and once for a few too many drinks at the bar when I was 19 or so (I can’t remember who invited me in then!). I’ve been back in the city for 10 years now, having spent 15 years in Shanghai, and I am pleased to have been invited in again, this time as a Member. I own a manufacturing business based outside Hangzhou. I’m interested in all things news, business and the arts, and I look forward to chatting and getting to know my fellow Members of the Club.

ASSOCIATE

RICHARD WONG

Software Engineer

Being born and raised in Hong Kong, I am proud to call such a uniquely diverse and scenic city my home. After obtaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University, I transitioned into the finance industry, where I now work as a software engineer. I enjoy playing basketball and travelling around the world, and have recently started experimenting with photography. As a beer lover, I will most definitely be spending a good amount of time (and money) at the FCC bar. I’m really happy to be joining the Club!

OTHER NEW MEMBERS

Yu Wai Kin, Vincent Freelance - Photographer Correspondent

Steve Nicholas Kite Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd Civil Engineer Associate

Raymond Fan Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C

Sandra Wong A-World Consulting Ltd.

John Michael Eyres Typhoon Consulting Limited

Samuel Williams Anglo Chinese Corporate Finance Ltd

Michelle Vickers Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Ng Chui Yiu Jennifer Marshall-Karson Construction & Engineers

Lu Jiaxin AFP

Robert Neal Beatty Control Risks Pacific Ltd

Anton Wong BNP Paribas

Bernard Cheung Motic Hong Kong Ltd

Executive Director Associate

CEO Associate

CEO Associate

Banker Associate

Counsel Associate

Chief Executive

Associate

Video Stringer Correspondent

Consultant Associate

Managing Director, Head of Wealth Mgmt. Taiwan Market Associate

Technical Engineer Associate

MEMBER MOVEMENTS

FULL NAME COMPANY

REPLACEMENT

Jun Miura

Charles Edwin Reeves

Consulate-General of Japan

Consul-General (Ambassador) Diplomatic

Consulate General of Canada Diplomat Diplomatic

Laurel Ann Beckett Rasmus Consulate General of Canada Diplomat (Consul) Diplomatic

ABSENT

Loi Tsz Fan, Linda Botta Group Limited

Peter Stuart Messervy China Light & Power (CLP)

Michael Johan Buhre Harneys Fiduciary (Cayman) Limited

Peter Michael Budd Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd

Elisabeth Kay Hunter St. John’s Cathedral Counselling Service

Director Associate

Director - Group Security Associate

Global Chief Operating Officer Associate

Commercial Manager Associate

Counsellor Associate

Christian Andre Valentini Gillioz Dorsaz & Associes Partner Associate

Anastasia Gordeeva Charltons

Philip Seth Krichilsky Innovative Directions

Chris Chan River Production Limited

Chan Sing Ho, Joseph Haven Capital Advisors

Moray John Taylor-Smith The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Joseph Clarence Kainz Star News Asia

Hon Yuen Ping, Ruby Estate Agents Authority

and Road Director Associate

Associate

Associate

Associate

Executive Director, Security, Integrity and Information Security Associate

/ Reporter / Presenter Correspondent

Associate

Hung John Terence - Retired Associate

Johan Nylander Dagens Industri (Sweden’s business daily) Asia Correspondent Correspondent

Jonathan Graham Katz Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Executive Director Associate

Valentina Giannella - Freelance Journalist

Peter Boczar Mobi Show Ltd.

Executive Producer Correspondent

Zhou Yinuo Localiiz Video Producer/ Editor Journalist

REACTIVATED

Melanie Jane Nutbeam H Capital Limited

William S. Kaye The Pacific Group Ltd

Associate

Managing Director Associate

Marguerite Anne Walker - Retired Associate

Law Eric Hon Dick Goldman Sachs(Asia)L.L.C

Executive Director Controllers Associate

Paul Barry Tait Agence France-Presse Senior Editor Correspondent

James Buchanan Hughes Buchanan Capital Ltd

Associate

Lai Pui Yee Carol - Freelance Correspondent

CHANGE OF CATEGORY - ACTIVE MEMBER

Lambert Heuvelmans - Deceased

PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CARSTENSCHAEL.COM – Award-winning

Photographer. People - Corporate - Stills - FoodArchitecture - Transport. Tel: (852) 9468 1404

Email: info@carstenschael.com

CHRISTIAAN HART PHOTOGRAPHY, providing professional sports, commercial, corporate and aerial photography in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Studio portrait sessions available, for more information visit www.christiaanhart.com or call +852 96878282

SOOTHE YOUR SOUL, LIGHTEN YOUR SPIRIT, GLADDEN YOUR HEART

HOUR OF LOVE - AM 1044 METRO PLUS Prison Visitation on the Air Every Sunday 7:30 - 10:00pm l Live on Facebook

ENGLAND SPARKLES!

As a part of the Club’s Sparkling Wine Promotion, Members were invited to participate in a Sparkling Wine Blind Tasting on 27 January. All the wines were within the same price range and offerings came from England, France, Germany, Spain, Tasmania and the United States. Ultimately, it was the Roebuck Classic Cuvée 2017 from Sussex, England, that scored the highest among participants. “England is a force to be reckoned with in sparkling wine,” said General Manager David Brightling, who has hosted many blind tasting events in the course of his career. “Blind tastings always present surprises because people can’t be seduced by the label, the country or the region. They just simply choose what they like!”

WELCOMING THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE

The Year of the Wood Snake was ushered in at the Club as First Vice President Morgan Davis, Second Vice President Tim Huxley and Club General Manager David Brightling led the traditional rituals which culminated in our annual Chinese New Year lion dance, always a colourful and auspicious event.

IN HARMONY

For the first time in their 80+ year history, on 9 January, The Colgate Thirteen, one of the United States’ longest running collegiate all-male a capella groups, visited the Club for an evening performance. Most of the current members of The Thirteen had never travelled outside the U.S. before, making this trip a new and unique experience for the entire group.

LOVE IN THE AIR

Hearts and flowers were the order of the day as Cupid paid her annual visit to the Club on St. Valentine’s Day on 14 February. Couples cosied up and enjoyed a romantic dinner prepared with FCC love by our kitchen team.

JAPANESE CUISINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

On 18 February, the FCC hosted a special Japanese Guest Chef Dinner featuring Chef Satoru Mukogawa. Guests enjoyed a meticulously crafted multi-course menu, expertly paired with exquisite sake, showcasing a perfect harmony of taste and presentation. In addition, from 17 February to 8 March, Members had the opportunity to savour an exclusive Japanese Fusion promotion menu curated by Chef Satoru, who combines his international training with a passion for Japanese cuisine.

SPORTS FEVER AT THE STAFF PARTY

On 15 February, the FCC held its Annual Staff Party, this year themed ‘Sports Fever’. The event was filled with party games and the beloved best costume catwalk. A touching highlight of the night was honouring two incredible colleagues for 35 years of dedicated service to the FCC. Two team members who retired in 2024 also attended the party where their invaluable contributions to the Club were also celebrated (see also page 20).

A special highlight saw Second Vice President Tim

Huxley crowned the God of Wealth, who shared wishes for a prosperous year ahead for everyone. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Club’s amazing staff and Board Members for joining us in celebrating another year of hard work and achievement. This wonderful night was not just about marking time, but about the dedication, resilience and passion that drive us forward. Here’s to our extraordinary team and the beautiful memories we continue to create! n

ROBIN HOWES (1947–2024)

By: Christopher Slaughter

Robin Howes, a distinguished building surveyor, loving husband, devoted stepfather, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with illness. He was 77 years old.

Robin’s life was marked by adventure, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to those he loved. His legacy stretches across continents, from the streets of Hong Kong, across the waters of the Pacific Ocean, to the hills of Cyprus. He leaves behind treasured memories for his family, a wide circle of friends, and numerous colleagues and protégés.

Robin was born on October 9, 1947 to Thelma Doreen Howes (née Sinclair), a pharmacist, and George Morris Howes, OBE DFC DPA, a Squadron Leader who flew Lancaster bombers during the Second World War. “Robin and I were very proud of our father,” his sister Jacky recalled, “although he rarely spoke of his experiences.”

Raised in Ruislip, Middlesex, Robin and Jacky both attended Coteford Primary and Junior School in Eastcote before passing the 11+ exam. Robin then moved on to St. Nicholas Boys Grammar School, where he played the trumpet and tried his hand at rugby.

Jacky remembers their parents’ struggle to make Robin study: “I don’t know what results he got when he left school, but he ended up in London studying surveying — and somehow, it stuck.” He attended Hammersmith College of Art and Building on a part-time day-release basis while working for the Greater London Council (GLC) and claimed to have been surprised at qualifying on his first attempt in 1971. Jacky further recalls, “He had a variety of flats while he was in London and drove around in an ex-American Army jeep,” perhaps the first in a series of his idiosyncratic choices in conveyances.

After qualifying and completing his contract with the GLC, Robin felt the call of adventure overseas. He left to work in a beach bar in Gibraltar for a year — as you do — followed by a trip to Mexico, where he did some sort of casual work (details remain conveniently hazy).

Then in January of 1975, Robin moved to Hong Kong to join the Buildings Ordinance Office, where as he described it, “served in most divisions while enjoying a bachelor’s life.” Former colleague and good friend Patrick McCoun recalls, “Robin was known as the well-dressed Senior Building Surveyor who drove around in a Cadillac — a most unlikely car for Hong Kong. He was a bit of a lad, well-groomed and a bit full of himself.”

“Robin quickly gained a reputation for integrity and professionalism, as well as for his not-always-entirelywelcome inquisitiveness,” McCoun recounts. “He was considered a bit of a loose cannon by the senior members of staff who were a bit stuffy. They found him enough of a handful that when the Kowloon Walled City needed someone to oversee its demolition, he was considered to be the man for the job – and he loved it!” Far from viewing it as the “worst job on the docket” or any form of punishment (he claimed it helped him avoid the politics of a large office), Robin embraced the project with vigour and enthusiasm, grappling with its complexities and fully appreciating its impact on Hong Kong’s urban history.

Once the Walled City demolition was complete, Robin was assigned to open and run the multi-disciplinary Office of the Licensing Authority, responsible for approving and issuing licenses to Hong Kong’s hotels and guesthouses, where he amassed expertise that would later serve him well in his work with various clubs around town, in particular the FCC. After his early retirement from government in 1996 (an option he chose “rather than return to the Buildings Department”), he took the next two years off to design and supervise the building of his house in Cyprus before the Asian Financial Crisis, “forcing me to return to real work,” as he put it.

Robin met his future wife Sandy Hui Ting at a dinner party hosted by Patrick and Vicky Macoun, shortly after returning from a trip to Mongolia. Their first date at a Chinese restaurant revealed Robin’s down-to-earth nature when he began tapping his chopsticks on his chest to level them and then wolfed his rice straight from the bowl — table manners he’d picked up from his lunch breaks with construction workers at open-air dai pai dongs. “Behind this rough façade,” Hui Ting recalled, “I came to discover there was a gentle, sensitive, caring and honest man.” Robin proposed in Cyprus in 1997, and the couple married in Hong Kong on 20 April, 1998.

That same year, Robin opened the Hong Kong office of Fire Safety Engineering Consultants and later took over Kenward Consultancy Ltd. (which later became KCL FiSec Ltd.), continuing to shape the industry with his expertise and steady hand. It was around this time that Robin became involved as a consultant with the FCC, providing his expertise with heritage buildings (he had always done much more than just knock old buildings down!) and helping the Club navigate the corridors of government as we proceeded with renovations and lease renewals. His invaluable contribution was acknowledged by the Board, which awarded him an Honorary Membership in 1998.

Robin subsequently continued to provide his wisdom and guidance to the Club’s Building and Maintenance Committee for more than 20 years, serving as the very

definition of a “qualified person”. Even when his illness made it impossible for him to attend meetings in person, Robin would dial in remotely, often with an oxygen mask nearby, stoically continuing to participate with his characteristic dedication, precision and attention to detail.

Hui Ting’s previous marriage was to photographer and longtime FCC Member Neil Farrin. The couple had a daughter, Rachael, and Robin embraced his role as a stepfather with grace and dedication. In particular, he became deeply devoted to Rachael’s son Sun Lok, whose accomplishments Robin followed with pride and joy.

Neil and Robin first met at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend, the late FCC Member Bill Barker, and Neil recalls their friendship developed from that initial meeting. “To say that Robin was one of life’s genuine characters is an understatement,” says Neil. “Although I didn’t share his love of country music, he had numerous other qualities that were to be admired.” (Neil was unsurprised that Dolly Parton was played at Robin’s remembrance at the FCC.)

In particular, Neil was moved by Robin’s remarkable devotion to his blended family and their shared grandson. “He was like a father figure to Sun Lok. During his illness, he was more worried about Hui Ting and Sun Lok’s future than his own health,” adds Neil, recalling Robin’s stoicism during his treatments. “He faced it with true grit and determination, never letting it affect his positive nature.”

Robin’s other interests reflected his deep curiosity and appreciation for craftsmanship. He was an avid collector of silverware, copperware and wooden boxes, transforming his home into a small museum. Patrick McCoun recalls many good times on board Robin’s sailboat ‘Windshift’. “We would regularly go out and anchor outside the harbour and look back at the bright lights of an evening, prior to setting sail for places further afield, particularly Mirs Bay.”

Robin is survived by his wife Sandy Hui Ting Howes, stepdaughter Rachael, grandson Sun Lok, sister Jacky, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues whose lives he enriched. His legacy lives on in the people he mentored, the family he loved, and the Club he helped to maintain. n

NANCY NASH (1943 –2025)

Conservationist, Photojournalist, Environmental Visionary

By Karin Malmstrom

Nancy Lee Nash was born in Kansas City, USA on 7 May, 1943, the eldest of four siblings. According to her niece Sara Galant, “Nancy was drawn to animals and nature from pre-school years.” In Nash’s own words, recalling her youth from her sickbed, “My earliest beloveds were my mother and a brown and white puppy named Queenie. I grew up with this critter and remember taking some of my first steps by holding onto her back. Queenie was father’s favourite hunter Pointer and my best pet since I was not allowed what I really wanted – a kitten.” One of a number of hunting dogs, “they all had very soft mouths, but they were forever bringing terrified animals home with them. I don’t know how many I liberated.”

Nash’s love for animals was deeply rooted when the urge to leave her prairie home came in 1964. She dropped out of high school, headed to Frankfurt, Germany and worked as an insurance agent for 18 months. She kept moving, first returning home long enough to earn an airfare to Japan, where she stayed for a year writing a children’s book about what would become her life’s work - a girl and her animals.

Nash’s next stop was by ship to Hong Kong, arriving in 1966, where she became a wildlife columnist and freelance photojournalist for Asia Magazine. With media skills and conquering charm, she was appointed the Hilton hotel’s (now site of the Cheung Kong Centre) PR head, staying for eight years. On one occasion while in her office at the Hilton, she was alerted that “ there is a famous movie star and she’s got some monkeys in her room.” Nancy duly followed up to discover it was Yvette Mimieux who was baby-sitting her two South American pet monkeys that had roles in a film being shot in Asia. Meeting over monkeys turned into a lifelong friendship of travel and adventure for Nash and Mimieux.

During 1975 and 1976, a once-a-century blooming of arrow bamboo in China decimated the endangered giant panda’s food supply, killing off 10% of the already small population. Through a series of serendipitous encounters

with a cast of unlikely characters, including an old friend the humourist S.J. Perelman, and T.C. Wu, a jailed leftist in Hong Kong, Nancy travelled to China for the first time in 1978. While in Beijing, she started to think that there may be an opportunity to help the Chinese government with their panda crisis by asking them to allow foreigners into China to study pandas.

The following year, Nancy was working at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) headquarters in Switzerland, and with their blessing wrote a proposal. The WWF had by then adopted the panda as its logo. Nash asked, “You’ve got the panda symbol, why don’t you have a panda project?” The organisation’s response: “It’s impossible.” Nancy’s response was “I’ll do it then.”

Nancy’s proposal was submitted to the Environmental Protection Bureau and approved with unprecedented speed. An agreement between the WWF and the Chinese government was signed in May 1980.

Nancy accompanied Sir Peter Scott, founder of the WWF and George Schaller, then conservation director of the New York Zoological Society, into panda territory, the

The initial visit to China of WWF founder Sir Peter Scott along with George Schaller, then conservation director, New York Zoological Society, 1980. Photo: Nancy Nash

Nancy Nash and Yvette Mimieux

first foreigners to be invited. This initial visit spurred the creation of a series of panda habitat reserves, research centres and China’s extensive breeding programmes that still thrive today.

Nancy continued acting upon her first love - saving wildlife - throughout her life. She spearheaded conservation initiatives through education, integrating respect for nature, religion and culture into her blueprints, which she envisioned could be adapted and implemented on a global scale. Recognising the potential to reach over 500 million people in Asia through Buddhist teachings, Nancy created The Buddhist Perception of Nature: A New Perspective for Conservation Education, for which she received the prestigious Rolex Award for Enterprise in 1987.

I bumped into Nancy in 1982 rounding a boulder in the Stone Foresti in Yunnan Province while working for Lindblad Travel as a tour escort. She was lost and hitched a ride with our group back to Kunming.

Being Nancy’s generous self and knowing everyone in town from her Hilton PR years, she introduced me to the FCC and the pertinent characters required to accept me as a Journalist Member. Sitting at the bar, we masterminded much mischief that took the form of China escapades in

tourism, business and wildlife projects.

By the mid-80s, I was stationed in Beijing, and Nancy would visit while working on the WWF project in Sichuan’s Wolong Nature Reserve. Our joint and individual exploits led us to conclude that foreigners trying to get anything done in China were required to manoeuvre ‘The Great Wall of Language’ in order to make headway. Everything was bewildering, obfuscated by ‘Bu Tai Qing Chu’s’ and ‘Mei You Men Ti’s’. We tried figuring out how to negotiate the terrain

into a game - that materialised into a book – The Man With The Key Is Not Here: A Key To What They Really Mean In China. We laughed too much while writing the ‘Little Red Book’ to notice that by the time we finished it, it actually made some sense.

The elegantly tenacious, petite powerhouse Nancy attracted goodness, beauty and art. Even real birds nested in her fake tree in the living room – her balcony doors were always open to nature. She was one of the dwindling ranks of the FCC old guard who shaped and paved the way for present and future FCC Members.

During an early interview Nancy said, “Conservation and world peace are probably linked in more profound ways than have been recognised.”

Her niece Sara: “She had the most amazing life. She changed the world. People will remember Nancy Nash. Her contributions are well known and she was loved by the most amazing people. n

Nancy and a beloved panda

Nancy and a Chinese scientist at the Wonlong Nature Reserve

Nancy with Karin Malmstrom at the Qing Dynasty Imperial Summer Palace Chengde - 1980s

FOLIE À DEUX

It’s been a tough start to March for the brunch set in Hong Kong. Firstly, their go-to dinner option when the helper gets that one day off a week, Deliveroo, has pulled the pin on the city. And who is going to feed the starving children of the 852 when mum and dad are three sheets to the wind after a big day at Zuma?

The death of Hong Kong’s third (out of three) favourite food delivery apps was a shock to the system, as people must now figure out what “Keeta” is.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, Lady Gaga has announced she’s snubbing everywhere in Asia, including Hong Kong, for…wait for it…SINGAPORE!

Singapore? Over Hong Kong? It’s like choosing a white wall over a vibrant mural. What utter Mayhem!

One must wonder, did Gaga’s team even consult a map? Did they mistake Singapore for some sort of futuristic, avantgarde haven? Has Singapore pulled off the Perfect Illusion? Sadly, the reality is far more…beige. It’s a city where chewing gum is a criminal offence, a place where individuality is politely discouraged. What an utterly Bad Romance this is.

Imagine: Gaga performing against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, the city’s raw energy amplifying her already electrifying stage presence. Instead, Singapore gets her in a sterile, predictable environment, where the only surprise may be whether the audience will break into a spontaneous synchronised Applause.

I’m putting on my Poker Face here. Singapore is the land of curated perfection, where even the rebellious graffiti is probably pre-approved by a committee. It’s a city state designed for those who find excitement in meticulously manicured gardens and the gentle hum of air conditioning. Gaga, a woman who once jolted us into paying attention to her with a meat dress, has opted for a venue where the most daring fashion statement is likely a slightly ruffled collared shirt. Even the Paparazzi are polite.

Given it is Singapore, the chances are if I were to go and watch Gaga, as I stroll in the humidity towards the National

Stadium, the weather is so unpredictable it’d probably Rain on Me

It might sound a bit Shallow, but one suspects that beneath the shimmering façade of artistic choice lies the cold, hard reality of cold, hard cash. Whispers abound that the Singapore government, ever eager to cultivate a veneer of cultural sophistication, may have offered Gaga an irresistible financial incentive. Exclusive rights, perhaps? A tidy sum to ensure she graces their meticulously clean shores and only their shores? Then just like that, Abracadabra , Singapore has four exclusive concerts.

Did no one from the Hong Kong government even pick up the Telephone?

It wouldn’t be the first time a performer has chosen profit over passion, and Gaga, while a visionary, is also a shrewd businesswoman. I’m sure she was offered a Million Reasons (in cash) to head to Singapore. After all, even a Lady needs to pay the bills, and what better way than a governmentsponsored payday in a city that treats entertainment as a lucrative commodity? So, while Hong Kong mourns its missed opportunity, Gaga is likely counting her Singapore dollars, another calculated move in her ever-evolving empire.

We can’t Just Dance around this issue. If Hong Kong keeps losing out on big international concerts, people are going to Remember Us This Way.

Come on Singapore, You and I are supposed to be friends. At least we can pretend we’re in a Love Game. This is all giving me Judas vibes though. Sure, it just looks like we’re sucking on Sour Candy, but we were Born This Way

The Lion City notches up another win in the always amusing fight between Singapore and Hong Kong, as we here just sit around, sipping on a Bloody Mary, waiting to Die with a Smile as we are destined to do our own supermarket shopping.

Aaron can be found online on Twitter/Threads/Instagram at @tripperhead, and at tripperhead.com

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