LSESU HKPASS: PASS-On Monthly - February 2016

No. 5 - February 2016

MONTHLY

The online edition.

LSE Forum 2016

真。香港人

Fishball Revolution

繁簡。煩揀

See the roundup of UK’s largest Chinese debating competition

Thoguhts on the ceremony everyone’s talking about

Thoughts and feelings on such an important event

Reflecting on TVB’s new channel J5 and their subtitles

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

contents 03 04 06 08 10 12

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16 18 24 26 28 30 32 34 35 36

Editor’s Note Last and Next Event 真・香港人之毛記分獎典禮有感 一場鬧劇?

Happy New Year... Or Not. Fishball Revolution: What Are We Ignoring?

Espectro Fashion Show LSE Forum 2016 我聽島國總統說氣候災難 繁簡。煩揀 The Dawn of Newspeak Change is Inevitable, Progress is Optional 相遇國會綠椅子 HKMP Thoughts Help Clean The Thames this March Fitness Challenges for March

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

EDITORIAL Hi Readers!

It’s been a busy month all the way on the other side of the world back home in Hong Kong, as well as over here at HKPASS, as we round up the year with our two main flagships,.

Many topics have been at the forefront of the minds of HongKongers. Everyone was buzzing about a new awards ceremony that incorporated many political issues. Then, not long after the previous issue was published, came Chinese New Year as well as an event that we will not forget for a very long time - Fishball Revolution.

Then came the arrival of a new TV Channel and its subtitles.

Our sub-committee members had been working day and night this month on two of the most successful flagships in HKPASS’ history.

The Espectro Fashion Show brought amazing talent as well as an enjoyable show, and the LSE Forum 2016 was successfully held with the introduction of a friendly debate which brought a lot of laughter.

I’m pleased to say that this last official issue of the year is one of the most jam-packed, wide-ranging, and thought-provoking issues yet!

Zoe Liu

(Publications Officer 2015-16) Page 3

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

..... ‘pass’ed EVENT

LSE FORUM 2016 Saturday 20th February 2016 Clements’ House, LSE

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

‘on’ to the next .....

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & COMMITTEE ELECTIONS Tuesday 8th - Friday 11th March 2016 PAR 2.03, CLM 3.02, NAB 2.16, TW2 2.04

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

毛記分獎典禮有感 真·香港人之

January 31st, 2016 By 真・香港人 Design by Zoe Liu (PO) 歷時兩個幾鐘嘅頒獎典禮， 最勾筆者心弦嘅，莫過於睇 住澳洲籍嘅河國榮唱出同rap 出真的・香港地呢首歌。為 咗台上真係只係一兩分鐘嘅 演出，河國榮坦言將成首歌 嘅歌詞練咗四百次，熟到可 以將歌詞調轉嚟唱都冇問題 嘅時候先敢上台。筆者自問 都係土生土長嘅香港人，由 細到大都係講慣廣東話，你 叫我照住張啲歌詞讀一次兩 次三次甚至四次，每次都要 咬文嚼字，將每個字都正確 無誤咁讀出，我敢肯定仲有 唔少錯誤。何況係rap出嚟， 又要跟住節奏又要記啱歌 詞，真係談何容易，而河國 榮本身仲要係一位外國人， 要比我地花更多嘅時間去學 習點樣讀啲歌詞，點樣係幾 十萬觀眾啲焦點下都係正確 咁唱出真・香港地呢首歌。 或者，佢比我地好多人更香 港人。由佢三十年前拎住一 張單程機票，隻身由澳洲飛 到嚟香港，一留就留咗係異 鄉奮鬥咗三十年，終於憑呢 首歌唱出一條血路，從此街 知巷聞。河國榮嘅故事或許 就正正活出咗香港人引以為 傲，獅子山下嘅精神。佢可 能比好多香港人，更香港 人。 希望呢首歌可以鼓勵所有香 港人，無論係好無聊睇緊呢 篇嘅你，定係冇咩諗過自己 將來嘅你，甚至係覺得就算

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香港地震都唔關你事嘅係 你。縱使我地可能暫時都睇 唔到香港嘅將來會係點，就 算你問我香港幾年之後會變 成點，我真係答唔到你，因 為香港嘅未來實在存在太多 變數。但係就正正係因為樣 樣唔同嘅事都有可能發生嘅 時候，我地更加唔可以對呢 個家徹底失望同放棄。如果 要捍衛到香港嘅每一件，每 一樣，好需要大家留守係呢 個家園，咁樣香港先有機會 有你同我所盼望嘅「美好將 來」。「真香港人至叻，唔 使靠人個個靠自己」，咁我 地自己嘅香港，就要靠我地 自己救架啦！共勉之！

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

真・香港地 歌詞 呢首歌 送俾我既香港 唔理事情有幾困難 環境有幾亂 你都仲係我屋企 之前係 而家係 將來都係 同熱愛這片土地 大家刻骨銘記 愁或喜 生與死 也是香港地 對於呢個地方 我同你同一個同感 同一個諗法 我同你同一種人 雖然你有你忙 我有我忙 佢有佢忙 各有各行業 但係聽過同一首王傑 廣東道旁北京道旁 啲喼塞爆同一個海港 大把小店摺埋就係 我地呢一個香港 右面有好多金行 左面有好多藥房 面目全變 仲係唔係我地嗰一個香港 經過幾多風暴啲樓價仍然屹立不倒 慈雲山下馬鞍山下 依舊死做爛做

新機場唔再新 但係話想整多條跑道 舊車廂唔再用 但新車廂有故障訊號 新老總 新報紙 新TV 新主持 邊個話事我唔懂事 基本上唔再係白紙黑字 經過幾多清洗真港仔仍然係真港仔 見過幾多瘋狼真港人仍然係真港人 同熱愛這片土地 大家刻骨銘記 愁或喜 生與死 也是香港地 同熱愛這片土地 大家一句到尾 由自己 生與死 也在香港地 喺得呢個地方出世 就預左係呢個地方度死 有人會痾到黃金片地 搞到有陣黃金味 有人會睇到唔一樣 樣樣野怪塊土地 有人會屈人宿娼嫖妓 有人會選擇離地 有人會認為呢個係六八同九既問題 呢度既官員一齊吹水點會居安思危 七百萬隻螞蟻 唔容易走晒一齊 向住同一個電視睇 一定會鍾意梁烈唯 係真香港人 當然會識英雄輝 係真香港人 可以睇埋同一篇潮文 你一崇拜馬雲 就表示你係第二種人 I Rap the Police I Rap the Government 跌得起輸得起 搵首歌笑下自己 真港人至叻 唔駛靠人個個靠自己 唔怕攬住飛唔起 駛乜怕要同人地比 要有訂企 首先要企硬自己 同熱愛這片土地 大家刻骨銘記 愁或喜 生與死 也是香港地 同熱愛這片土地 大家一句到尾 由自己 生與死 也在香港地 同熱愛這片土地 大家刻骨銘記 愁或喜 生與死 也是香港地 同熱愛這片土地 大家一句到尾 由自己 生與死 也在香港地

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

February 1st, 2016 By 真・香港人 Design by Zoe Liu (PO)

一場鬧劇?

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毛記電視上月舉辦的十大勁 曲金曲分獎典禮引起社會各 界的熱烈討論。從贊助商， 到分獎典禮的內容，每一首 改編的歌曲，也成為了網上 的一時佳話。筆者想借此機 會向大家分享些少「看後 感」。 首先，不得不佩服這群自稱 「廢青」的一群「藝術 家」。從幾年前堅持只是用 一張紙來諷刺時弊的「黑 紙」，到早一兩年只能在網 上生存的網上平台100毛，成 功發展到現在擁有一整個 「電視台」的毛記電視。當 中的困難辛酸，恐怕筆墨也 難以形容。這群「廢青」成 功打響名堂！或許他們的成 就能一反大眾對現今香港社 會上所存在對所謂「一無事 處」的年輕人的看法。所謂 「一無事處的年青人」，簡 稱「廢青」，其實是主流社 會對無所事事，終日只懂得 把臉貼近螢光幕的年青人。 而毛記電視的創立，也許反 眏了「廢青」也會有出頭 天；終日只懂得在網上尋樂 趣，在高登討論區留下足印 的這群年青人，也能幹出一 番「事業」來。先不說社會 各界對毛記電視的看法，尚 且只看看從100毛年代時所創 造的每一首改編歌曲。你或 許會說分獎典禮所引用的每 一首歌，全都是所謂的「二 次創作」，毫無創意可言。 但能將原有的歌詞，改編成 諷刺時弊的「惡搞歌詞」，

單單是這份創意，就已值得 我們分數分鐘去欣賞。而這 些「二次創作」之所以能引 起比想像中大的共鳴，正正 因為改編者成功地透過歌 詞，反映出一個又一個現今 社會的風氣和問題：廣東道 旁北京道旁 啲喼塞爆同一個 海港 大把小店摺埋就係 我地 呢一個香港 右面有好多金行 左面有好多藥房 面目全變 仲 係唔係我地個一個香港 經過 幾多風暴啲樓價仍然屹立不 倒 慈雲上下馬鞍山下 依舊死 做爛做…當政府對主流媒體 加以影響時，試圖用權力同 化小眾時，這個新的網上平

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

台和電視台發揮了為小眾發 聲的作用，藉此希望能挑戰 一台獨大所帶來的危機。 再說說贊助這次分獎典禮的 贊助商。具爭議性的地方在 於，儘管小眾多努力去擺脫 主流社會的觀念，也不得不 屈服於大財團裙下。儘管理 想多遠大多美好，沒有資金 的支援恐怕只是紙上談兵。 可是，從另一方面觀看這件 事，你也許會有另一番體 會：現實社會裏，願意高姿 態地支持一股那麼強大的反 政府聲音的商業機構實在寥 寥可數。說到底，支持反對

派談何容易，別忘記香港政 府只是中央政府的一個「傀 儡」。強如美國這個世界第 一大國也得忌祖國三分的時 候，反對派的角色，可以逆 境求存嗎？ 也許你一向也是政治冷感； 也許你或會認為就算當權者 再無能，也不能施以對抗； 或許你一向也對激進民主路 線極度反感，就算行動背後 的動機多偉大，你也會反 對。筆者在此當然希望正在 細心閲讀這篇後感的你並不 是以上幾類人。如果上述的 正是你，請你好好體諒一下

為何近年社會上會流行多股 強烈的反政府聲音。激進份 子某程度上也只是這個政治 體制下的「副產品」。當當 權者嚴重漠視民意，忽略一 個又一個社會問題和強行推 出自以為受歡迎的政策時候 ，受欺壓的小眾惟有挺而走 險，希望能借誇張的言行舉 止，以引起社會的強烈迴響 為目標，對當權者施加壓力 。你或許並不認同他們的激 進和批評當權者的手法，但 無可否認，這似乎是小眾能 逆境求存，能自保的惟一方 法。

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016 February 10th 2016 Chinese New Year is meant to be a day of happiness and fortune.

By Janice Leung Designed by Janice Leung

And yet, this happens. Mong Kok up in flames, bloodshed, tear gas, and gunshots.

Happy New Year...

I am very aware that there is very limited information about the situation at the moment, and for the most part it is restricted to firsthand accounts and video footage from various individuals and media outlets. I am also aware that none, if any, of these accounts are completely impartial or accurate.

However, I saw in a number of videos that police officers were wielding guns and heard gunshots. Looking back on our experience with Occupy Central and the Umbrella Revolution, can I say that the police definitely fired shots into the crowd tonight?

No, I cannot. But can I say that the police definitely used appropriate and proportional violent measures for peacekeeping? Well, also no.

Just to clarify, I think that the police are justified to retaliate with violence against violent protestors. However, the key word here is “retaliate”; the first shot is not theirs to fire. Violent retaliation is only justified if it is necessary for self-defence, and is proportional to the initial violence against them. Given this, were their actions tonight justified? Again, I don’t have all the information, but I don’t think I need to spell my answer out to you.

On the other hand, I have one major question for the protesters: Why? How on earth is this going to help their cause? In my opinion, this is probably the worst thing they could have done. Not only have they lost what little legitimacy as representative of the Hong Kong people they had, they have also alienated all who would possibly have backed them.

Nobody wants to be associated with rioters.

Speaking as a generally uninvolved person who doesn’t especially like the government, I certainly wouldn’t. I don’t think the “silent majority” everyone speaks of would either.

In addition, by being so rash and reckless, the only people they are hurting are the civilians they claim to be fighting for – who’s going to shoulder the policies that are aimed to combat forces like them? How is that going to motivate the average Hong Kong voter to come out in support for greater democratic reform?

It’s like shooting themselves twice in the foot.

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I am deeply saddened and angry that this is what Hong Kong has become. Neither side of the violence tonight is in the right (then again, when is any perpetrator of violence innocent?). This is stuff that would have been unthinkable before 2014. It still doesn’t quite make sense in my mind (and I honestly never want it to accept it as reality).

But, more than anything, I am tired. Tired of seeing the blues bash the yellows and vice versa. Tired of reading comment after comment online filled with swear words and little to no reasoning. Tired of hearing one-sided statements, “only way forward”s and “last resort”s. Why can’t we all just be a little less stubborn, a little less emotional, and face this problem as a community?

Hong Kong’s political reform is not any old reform, it’s practically a foreign policy issue. The “last boss” we have to deal with isn’t each other, it’s our neighbor up north. But until we fix this internal issue that is pretty much a (almost bloodless) civil war, there is no way we can stand up to the Mainland and bargain for what we want.

I fear that this will not be the last incident of its kind. To me, the future from here is nothing but doom and gloom, violent escalation and bloodshed if the political environment in Hong Kong does not change fundamentally. As much as I hate to admit it, no matter how united the Hong Kong people are, if the government refuses to budge there is nothing that can be done. So, the government needs to realize that after the Umbrella Revolution, things have not and will not return to the pre-UR state where moderate economic and social reforms were all that was needed to keep the people content (or quiet, at least). The underlying rifts that these reforms once managed to cover up are now very much visible, and widening. At its core is the fundamental opposition between Beijing’s (and Hong Kong government’s as its proxy) desire to bring Hong Kong back into the fold, and the Hong Kong people desire for freedom they believe is their right. As long as the people remain cynical and suspicious about the government’s motivations, radicalism, localism and populism will grow. The only way to bring peace back to public life is to face these rifts and actually do something about them. What that something is, I have no idea. 不 過 ， 未 試 過 ， 又 點 知 唔 得 到 ？ (Originally written February 9th, 2016)

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

1. On police violence: I would like to amend my stance on the police reaction towards the protesters. When faced with a much larger group of armed, violent people who do not seem to be listening to warnings, I believe it is justified for each police officer to deploy greater force, so long as it is a) in retaliation, not in attack, and b) the total of each officer’s response is proportionate to the aggregate violence against them. I understand that b) is extremely difficult to gauge, and on the individual level probably impossible to decide how much violence is enough or too much. However, I believe with more transparent and clear police regulations on how to deal with situations like these, we will be able to avoid further split between authority and the public. Of course, the likelihood of this is slim, but one can only hope.

...Or Not.

Some additions to the original:

3. On political division: I know I sound like an idealist when I say “why can’t we all just get along?” I know full well why we can’t - vested interests, prejudice, balance of power... The list goes on. And I think I can speak for some of the “silent majority” when I tell you that question is a plea that I know will be heard but not answered with a “yes, we’ll try”. This is the atmosphere we live in - it’s despairing, it doesn’t produce anything new apart from more division, and we don’t know how to stop it. It’s a cycle that feeds on itself: the government does something, the yellows and the blues do something against/for it, the situation escalates, the police are called in, LegCo turns into a battlefield, and the government does something again. (Very simplified, but you get my point.)

4. On media: As both new media and traditional media release more coverage of last night’s events, it becomes both easier and harder for the public to see “what really happened”. It becomes easier in that more stuff is available; harder in that there’s more time for the material to be edited, and for the most part it looks more impartial. At this time, it is even more important for us to be vigilant: ask “what’s missing?” instead of just “what can I see?”

(Amended February 10th, 2016)

2. On protesters: I am aware that the majority of the protesters were not involved in the violence, and that many were only peacefully protesting against the excessive food hawker regulations.

However, this raises a question: how on earth did something like this turn into last night’s tragedy? I believe we have to point the finger at certain radical localist groups’ opportunism. When seeing the people “rise up” against authority, who wouldn’t take that occasion and turn it into a platform for themselves? Not saying that opportunism is inherently bad, but this kind of opportunism is when it ends with bloodshed. This is just the extreme shortterm, dealing only with the events of last night. The underlying cause of conflict (of any recent and future HK conflict, really) is probably the sociopolitical division that has grown wider and more visible since the UR.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Fishball Re What are February 9th, 2016

By A PASSerby Design by Zoe Liu (PO) As 香港記者變成戰地記者, and reporters are being attacked as well, we must ask ourselves whether, at this stage, the two shots fired are still the biggest and only cause for concern. We must be wary of ourselves focusing too much and blaming everything on a number of inappropriate acts by the police and overlooking or even forgiving an even larger number of even more reprehensible acts by the

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citizens.

True, although citizens have a duty to behave in a certain way, the police have an even higher duty to be conscious of what they do, but as those who should be demonstrating the rules break out of them, surely the others should, not only not follow in their footsteps, but have all the more reason to keep to the values of which they complain were not being followed.

Moreover, if we look at the whole picture, sure, the police may have kickstarted this sad affair by ‘making a fuss of people eating

fishballs’ but the true focus is on the two shots fired which is now being used to mislead people into thinking that that was what kickstarted the whole thing when, in fact, they were shot during when the protesters were already charging and throwing large objects at the police. This means that the main problem of this calamity – which was the violence – was already happening before the shots. Thus, in response to those who justify the violence with the fact that the police should not have used a gun, it can be shown that so many people are being blinded by hatred of past

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

evolution: we blinded by hatred of past events and their own beliefs, and may jump to conclusions without even observing the background to something that they seem so passionate about. Sure, the police may have started this fiasco but, biases aside, that does not justify the gross violence towards police officers. (http://www.bastillepost.com /hongkong/3/1014557) Headlines on news articles are all focused on the two shots fired, whilst the display photos being showed on news feeds are also focused on the policeman pointing the gun, but how many

as well as throwing large objects and plant pots that the shots rang out. Those who have imagined themselves being in that situation could say that they would have also felt that they were in a life-threatening situation. Of course, I’m not saying that, even so, he was right in firing those shots. I’m just merely saying that those two shots are not the be all and end all of this event.

When we are criticising something, we should also see whether there are other things just as worthy of criticism.

On the other end of the

?

spectrum, those who disapprove of the protesters’ actions seem to be inclined to leaping to the defence of the police. The same thought-process should be applied here. Just because the protesters were acting in an unacceptable way, why then does that automatically mean that the police are right in firing their guns? The citizens place their trust in the police force by allowing them to carry such weapons, but no matter how much the police’s trust in the citizens to behave is broken, the citizen’s trust in the police not abusing their power to

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

wield such weapons should never be broken.

The picking of sides is exactly what is the biggest problem here, by picking a side, you not only rightly disapprove of the clearly erroneous values and attitudes of the other side, but you also blindly approve of similarly defective principles on your own side.

As social media grows, the impact it has is becoming even bigger than news reports itself. As everyone is becoming a reporter in some way by sharing or posting about an event, we should all be careful in what information we pass on. Sure sharing and criticising the police’s actions is welcome,

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but do also pause to share the other side of the story.

Social media is a place for free speech and personal opinions but we must still think about the impact we have on others. Many people only looked towards social media as a source of information about last night’s events and thus may have only seen one side of the story. When criticising how this or that news channel is not neutral enough, we should also be careful of how biased we ourselves are when we turn into reporters ourselves by sharing information, and not be selective just as news channels should not be

ignoring information.

important

When we post criticism, we should try to understand the whole picture. Why did he fire those shots? Sure he shouldn’t have done that; but if he hadn’t, would we have also criticised the large group who were attacking the small number of police that were there at that time?

We criticised him for firing his gun, but did we also criticise those people who cornered some policemen and tried to beat the hell out of them?

We’ve all seen lots of posts from one side of the story, here’s one of the few who may show you the other side of the story.

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Just as the protesters shouldn’t be using violence in retaliation to the police’s violence, we shouldn’t be selective of information we share in retaliation to some biased reporting that may be taking place. We should put aside our hatred and look to what we are ignoring as well as what we are focusing on.

To believe there is good in the world, you must be the good in the world.

(PS It’s ironic and disappointing to think how this article – of which the sole purpose is to promote neutrality – may actually be quite controversial to some…)

This appeared on my newsfeed.

I totally agree with this, but then a glaring new hole stands right out. Where is the post that says:

Photo source: Apple Daily, inusanews.com

曾經，市民集會已經好大件事， 然後，市民做到盲目了。 曾經，市民侮辱他人已經好大件事， 然後，市民做到盲目了。 曾經，市民擾亂秩序已經好大件事， 然後，市民做到盲目了。 市民今日刑事毀壞、放火、襲警及暴力行為， 然後，你們已經盲目了 ？

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Tiffany Yau (PIC) “Every day is a fashion show and the world is your runway.

So always dress your best and walk with confidence.�

February 27th, 2016 Design by Zoe Liu (PO)

Steph Lee (PIC) The moment when the background music slowly faded into the celebratory laughters from my crew, standing at the end of the runway, I finally came to a realisation that the show was finally over. 11 weeks, or 74 days, or 1770 hours since the organising team election looking back, not a single breath has been spared without having preparations of the show in mind. Now that it has ended, the sudden overflow of emptiness becomes foreign to me.

Showcasing 47 garments, 6 sets of collections from UK student fashion designers, our show was more than just an amature attempt. Having selected each piece of garments carefully, the audiences were invited to appreciate not only the refined details of the garments presented, but also the heart and dedication of their designers. With the inclusion of music and dance Page 16

performances, we also combined arts with fashion in the show. Above all, all that we aimed was to provide an extravagant but relaxing evening to our audiences, as an escape from the hectic school life in London.

For the past three busy months, the workload and pressure as a PIC was much more than I could ever expected. From inviting designers to creating garments lineup, and auditioning models to rehearsing with all performers, nothing could have been made possible with my sole power. Tiffany Yau, my co-PIC, has been supportive throughout the preparation and the event. I could not be more thankful to her and PASS team, the committee members, for giving us a chance to challenge our potentials through organising a fashion show, and subcommittee members, for investing their time and effort in this production, in the expense of their personal commitments. This show, that has now officially ended, will forever remain as one of my proudest achievements in my LSE life.

Espectro has been a challenging yet fruitful experience. This event was certainly one of the highlights throughout my first year at LSE. I am truly blessed with the opportunity to organise a fashion show.

Every responsibility that I was entrusted with was delivered with gratitude and joy. I have also gained practical insights into every meticulous detail of the logistics behind organising an event. From all the preparation up till the show day, it has never been easy. Thus, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood by me throughout this whole amazing journey. Thank you for all the PASS committee members for their continual support and encouragement in all our endeavours. I also wish to extend my sincerest of thanks to all my dedicated colleagues, who worked hand in hand with great enthusiasm to make this show a vibrant event.

Without each and every one of them, this show could not have been held as successfully.

As an ending note, I would like to thank all the guests in coming to this event and I truly hope that everyone have enjoyed the show!

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

February 26th, 2016

By Janice Leung Design by Zoe Liu (PO) On the 20th of February, LSESU HKPASS hosted the UK’s largest Chinese debating competition, the LSE Forum. The LSE Forum aims to promote awareness and critical discussion of both global and Hong Kong-specific contemporary issues, and provide a platform for students across the UK to express their views.

16 universities participated in the competition, consisting of three intense preliminary rounds, a friendly debate and the Grand Final.

The motions for the preliminary rounds were: Round 1: 歐盟應推行難民配 額政策 Round 2: 香港立法會應／不 應修改議事規則限制拉布行 為 Round 3: 香港商業代孕應合 法化 Page 18

After the Grand Final participants were announced, representatives from the universities that ranked 3-10 participated in the friendly free debate. The motion was 愚公應移山／愚 公應搬屋. After the intensely competitive preliminary rounds, the friendly debate was a great way to have a laugh and get to know each other better.

of Economics as proposition and the University of Warwick as opposition. Both teams in the Grand Final performed to a very high standard, with solid arguments and impressive presentation.

Ultimately, the University of Warwick emerged as the champions of this year’s LSE Forum, winning 4:1 against the London School of Economics.

The motion for the Grand Final was 本港街頭抗爭主義 極端化對香港民主發展利多 於弊, with the London School

Here are the PICs and Team LSE’s thoughts on the event!

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

PICs:

John Yu and Christine Chan

This year, being the tenth year anniversary since its inception in 2007, LSE Forum 2016 has continued to provide a platform for stimulating debates on controversial and topical issues. We were very pleased to have 16 participating universities with us, and we would like to thank you all participating teams, adjudicators and our guest adjudicator, Ms Cherie Yeung, in preparing and contributing to this event.

From releasing motions and sides to preparing impromptu debates on the day, it was intense and hard work for all involved. There

were over three rounds of competitive debating, as well as the entertaining friendly debates, from which we witnessed some of the finest debating minds and skills. I am sure that everyone who came benefitted from the heated discussions and I hope everyone found the event enjoyable and worthwhile.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

TEAM LSE: KANYIN CHAN

It has been an amazing experience to be a participant in LSE Forum.

There is a huge variety of motions from filibustering in HK LegCo to the recent EU refugee crisis. It was a great opportunity for me to debate with debaters from other universities in UK, including Imperial College, University of Exeter and University of Nottingham. The impromptu debate in round 3 was challenging as we were only given 30 minutes to prepare for it. It really tested our ability to cooperate with our teammates in such a short preparation time. In the end, we are lucky to be able to get into the Grand Finals. I enjoyed being one of the debaters representing Team LSE and it was definitely a rewarding experience for me and my teammates.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

TEAM LSE: JASON YAN

如果要我對LSE Forum作感想 我會話 辯論 從來都不是一件容易的事 台下的觀眾望着台上的辯員 字字鏗鏘唇槍舌劍 簡直是: 型 但正所謂台上一分鐘台下十 年功 究竟風光背後的努力又有幾 多人了解 有人話 人生是一場賭博 辯論也不外如是 無論辯員在比賽前數天怎樣 日夜準備 最後都有機會輸掉的時候 不禁會反問自己，一切值得 嗎?如果有得重新開始你還 會賭嗎？

是你們令我重拾當日打辯論 的快感 回憶當日比賽我們表演‘關關 難過，關關過’live version.

Round 1 臨開始前10分鐘才 有主辯稿。 Round 2, prep 左 成晩都未prep rebuttals.

Round 3, 冇主線冇比較標準 咁上台。回想返30分鐘prep

一條motion真係幾chur幾甘能 夠跟你們一起燃燒青春, chur d 又有咩所謂 回應文首的問題 縱使最後沒有完美句號 我們贏了認同 贏了掌聲 贏了最寶貴的東西 真正的贏家我相信大家都有 目共睹 因此答案好明確 打辯論根本就唔係為左贏咁 簡單 而係為一種表演，一種藝術 ，一種心態。

我希望大家能以新角度看辯 論這一回事 雖然辯論對我來說不是一件 完全陌生的事，但我絕對稱 不上一位出色的辯員 所以我想在此多謝LSE Forum 的兩位隊位 KanYin 和 Claudia 辯技和經驗都比我高 但沒有嫌棄我 也許是上天注定Team協喇拔 的誕生 你們是我遇過最好也是最強 的隊友 作為你們的戰友我真的....很 大壓力（哭笑）當然亦都好 好玩因為你們會為我解決所 有難題而我就可以 free個靚 ride

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Thank you to all teams for putting on such quality performances, all the adjudicators for lending your skills to the event, and all the organisers for making this competition possible. We would especially like to thank Ms. Cherie Yeung, Deputy Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) London for taking time out of her schedule to adjudicate the Grand Final.

We hope to see you again next year!

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

我聽島國總統 February 25th, 2016 By 良月 Design by Zoe Liu (PO) Photos by 良月 氣候峰會去年底在巴黎召 開，全球一百八十多國共同 制訂具約束力的環保政策。 太平洋島國基里巴斯（ Kiribati）總統湯安諾（ Anote Tong）在參與巴黎峰 會後，來了倫敦政治經濟學 院演講，細訴氣候災難如何 令其走向亡國絕境。 基里巴斯是太平洋中部的島 國，總統是我們的校友。講 座開始之前，投影機播放著 基里巴斯的風景照，一個個 絕美的珊瑚礁散佈在湛藍的 大洋上，每個小島外圍都有 一圈白沙。當觀眾看得入神 之際，總統猛然說道有兩個 無人小島已於十六年前從海 平面上消失，在一個世紀內 全國的可耕地將會鹽化，並 大部分遭淹沒。這裡的土地 最高只有海拔兩米，而今年 三月，一個熱帶氣旋摧毀了 幾個島國的大量村落。說氣 候暖化是基里巴斯的國難， 絕不是危言聳聽。 當人們問及基里巴斯有何對 策，湯安諾答道政府去年已 為每家安裝太陽能電燈，

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「我們有太多陽光了，真想 帶一點來倫敦！」也許陽光 小島的人都特別開朗，湯安 諾也懂得苦中作樂。總統堅 拒讓國民成為氣候難民，他 要他們有尊嚴地遷居。為 此，他制訂政策讓國民得到 職業訓練，到紐西蘭、澳洲 等鄰國成為有貢獻的新力 量。除了活人要離開之外， 連他們的祖墳也要移到高 處。 「我向聯合國說我的國民已 成氣候難民了，卻沒得到多 大回應；直至有一天我借用 了《國家地理雜誌》一篇關 於北極熊的文章，人們才開 始關心。」在氣候災難面 前，原來人類還不如可愛的 北極熊。這個例子令我想起 英國塗鴉藝術家Banksy去年 於戰亂後的加沙地帶，在一 幅破牆上繪畫巨型的卡通小 貓，諷刺部分讀者只喜歡「 報喜不報憂」的消息。我 想，藝術家希望人們關注地 球一角的災難苦痛，不過社 交媒體的多數讀者只喜歡可 愛小動物的照片、影片，對

別人的困境卻眼不見為淨。 「從未有如此多人的命運， 掌握在如此少人的手裡，可 是這群少數只關心下屆選 舉。」國際政治是國家的角 力，實踐環保談何容易，弱 小島國說他們從未感受過平 等。雖然總統口中的災難對 我而言仍是遠在天邊，但從 今天起，我更真切地感受到 這些最無辜的氣候難民的心 情：他們沒排放多少溫室氣 體，卻要目睹家園永遠消 失。

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

統說氣候災難

環保團體「綠色和平」

基里巴斯總統湯安諾演講，

於倫敦氣候遊行的展車

背後是該國人民生活照片

倫敦氣候遊行，

遊行者的音樂表演，

人們自製有趣道具表達訴求

主辦方估計有七萬人參與 Page 25

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

繁簡。 February 27th, 2016

By Marc Design by Zoe Liu (PO) J5台採用簡體字幕再度引起 繁簡之爭。傳統漢字（繁體 字）是現代標準漢語書寫的 最基本單元，是上古時期各 大文字體系中唯一傳承至 今、連續使用時間最長的主 要書寫系統，至少已有三千 年以上的歷史。 那麼簡體字是什麼時候出現 的？內地自一九四九年成立 文字改革協會著手文字改 革，在漢字簡化方案下，直 到一九八六年國務院批准廢 除第二次漢字簡化方案後， 曾個文字改革大致底定，凡 經內地簡化過的文字一半成 為簡化字。還有一些漢字未 簡化，繼續沿用，成為傳承 字。 現在我們所指的簡體字其實 是簡化字，經人工修改刪 替，強調簡化；真正的簡體 字則強調異體。「簡體字」 這一名稱，最早見於1935年 民國教育部總結的一批古已 有之、歷代通行的筆劃較少

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的異體字。這批「簡體字」 全部是蒐集自民間的，沒有 創造字或類推字。因此， 「簡體字」可以理解爲是「 筆劃較簡單的異體字」的簡 稱。 香港考評局批准學生考試時 用繁體、簡體（簡化）、或 兩者混合答題，而我的高中 中文老師一直強調只准全部 用繁體或全部用簡體，不然 不批改我們的作文。所以我

到也不會寫簡體字，這也未 嘗不是一件好事。 一個在加拿大讀書的朋友告 訴我，在當地的學校學中文 都是教簡化字的，她當時得 到老師批准以繁體應試。可 是，升上大學後，選修中文 課程的學生必須使用簡體 字，一寫繁體字就會扣分， 令她十分不習慣。現在，她 寫繁體時偶爾會寫了簡化 字，例如「學」字。只怕有

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

。煩揀

天當她習慣了寫簡化字會忘 記了那些字的繁體寫法，可 能有人會覺得沒什麼大不 了，但繁體字代表著的，是 一種歷史、文化精神。隨著 簡體字越來越普及，越來越 少人懂得寫繁體字，只怕有 天繁體字這種屬於三千多萬 人的集體回憶要絕跡。 教育局於去年 12 月展開中文 科課程公眾諮詢，當中重申 中小學生「應具備認讀簡化

字能力」，引起社會廣泛關 注。教育局局長吳克儉兩週 前在面書專頁澄清，引用局 方公告指「學生應掌握認讀 簡化字的能力」的要求，早 在 2002 年的《中國語文教 育學習領域課程指引》清楚 列出，又強調當局「從來沒 有倡議以簡化字取代繁體 字」。我不反對學生在學好 繁體字的基礎上建立閱讀簡 化字的能力，但這種能力不 應妨礙學生學習繁體字，認 讀簡化字只是附加課題，不 應以客為主，在香港的通用 的始終是繁體字。懂繁體字 的人大多看得懂簡化字，但 平常用簡化字的人不一定看 得懂繁體字。普通話再普 及，也不會取代上海話、客 家話、廣東話等，它們可以 並存，為什麼簡化字與繁體 字不可以呢？繁體字雖然相 對上較少人使用，這並不能 否定它的價值與簡化字是從 它演變出來的。有些人說文 字也需要與時並進，可是演 變、進化不等於取代。 前語文中心副教授胡燕青表 示以懂得繁體字為榮，強調 繁體字無可取代的重要性， 直言：「繁體字是歷史，簡 體字是工具。」全世界七十 二億人當中只有幾千萬人懂 得繁體字，包括你和我，這 是多麼值得自豪的一件事。

沒有繁體字，哪有簡化字？ 繁體字筆劃多，但每個字的 部首和部件都代表著歷史的 演化，從象形文字開始，一 代接一代流傳下來；每個部 件也有它的意思。我不反對 簡體字的存在，但它不能取 替繁體字，親不見（亲）、 愛無心（爱）已是個充分理 由。繁體字的地位無可替代 ，一定要一直傳承下去。

‘幹部乾杯’成了‘干部干 杯。

想像’成了‘想象’，‘人 像’、‘像人’成了‘人 象’、‘象人’，那是人 否？

会（會）上人云我亦云，读 讲说谈（讀講說談）不開 口，听（聽）声（聲）須用 口？

Come on, make sense啲好唔 好？

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

The Dawn of

Newspeak

February 28th 2016

By C.C. Party Designed by Janice Leung Huge waves of complaints reaching 13 thousands have made its way to the city’s broadcasting monopoly since the evening of 22nd February. TVB’s J5 channel invigorated fierce criticisms from the public by adopting simplified Chinese subtitles as the only subtitles option available during its news report at eight thirty. The screen caption has then been spread out via social media, flaring up a new round of debate on the use of simplified Chinese in Hong Kong. In an age when any opinion could be conveniently labelled as a fruit of politicisation by adding a pinch of ‘conspiracy’, ‘suspicious motive’ or ‘foreign influence’, the Education the mainland Chinese minority’ and denouncing them as distorting and exaggerating the facts of this incident.

providing English or traditional Chinese subtitles a more reasonable option? Using subtitles of the language that is already being spoken on the programme just doesn’t make much sense to me, just as I would certainly have filed a complaint if TVB had broadcasted Fullmetal Alchemist in its original language with Japanese subtitles as the only option.

The response coming from TVB has just made the company policy sound even more ridiculous as it claimed that the simplified Chinese subtitles are there because Hong Kong is an international city, TVB should therefore tailor to a more diverse audience. Wait I am confused, is Simplified Chinese the international language at the moment or am I living in a different era? Because the last time I checked, English is still considered the ‘international’ language and LSE still regards itself as a university with an international student body while teaching in English and English only.

Before moving to the muddled puddle of the Traditional vs Simplified Chinese debate, allow me to get ‘practical’ as the CEO of TVB seems to be advocating. What I don’t seem to understand is the simple question of logic and common practice on television broadcasting.

Given that almost 100% of native Mandarin speakers read and use simplified Chinese, isn’t

The subtitles incident triggered the broader and more sensitive topic on the slow integration of simplified Chinese and mandarin in the Hong Kong education system. Regardless of the fact that the nature of this debate is classified as an educational one, it is impossible to ignore the inherent political controversy embedded in the society’s resistance towards this subtle change.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016 To understand why even language is susceptible to politicisation, one needs to familiarise himself with the so-called Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. The linguistic relativity principle suggested by the two academics establishes the argument that language encodes identity, a language’s function extends beyond the instrumental sphere and can be regarded as an embodiment of culture and cognitive inheritance. The elimination of a language by means of banning its usage is a manifestation of cultural and political dominance, this is not a novel concept and was once a common practice on territories occupied by both Nazi Germany and the imperialist Japanese during the Second World War. At this point you might be putting up a strict face and calling my words as groundless exaggerations, thank you for your reminder and I will steer my arguments towards the practicality of promoting the use of simplified Chinese in schools. Almost all of us have experienced the struggle of cramming in as much words as possible in a timed Chinese writing exam, it was pragmatic for us to learn some simplified Chinese characters for examination purposes and this is likely to be our first encounter with writing simplified Chinese. Have we done that because the Education Bureau has told us to do so?

No. At a certain age, we have a conscious choice over whether or not we should learn simplified Chinese yet the current trend of Chinese education is to deprive younger generations of that choice. With policies such as giving additional grants to schools practising ‘Chinese taught in Mandarin’ and the recent consultation paper on incorporating simplified Chinese into the subject curriculum, do we truly believe the government is aspiring to conserve the linguistic heritage of our city? With the citizen’s average English proficiency facing an embarrassing decline compared to other Asian cities, has the EDB been advocating on policies improving students’ English standard with the same determination and tenacity as manifested in its recent attempts to promote simplified Chinese? The irony becomes stark when we see phrases such as ‘aims to strengthen overseas communication’ in the EDB’s consultation paper. Overseas communication?

More like over-the-Shenzhen-river communication.

As a side note also relating to languages and media in general, President Xi has recently paid visits to the three communication giants in mainland China, namely the CCTV, Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily. By the end of his visit in CCTV, he announced that the media must have its surname as the ‘Party’, an illustrative way of demanding absolute loyalty from the mainstream media. Eager to win a pet on the head, CCTV had the following slogan on its screen during Xi’s visit: 央视姓党 绝对忠诚 请您检阅.

When a news agency is so earnestly degrading itself to a Ministry of Propaganda, the so-called journalists are also giving up their title and embarking on the road of creative writing. I may as well share a recent piece of work from an editor in Xinhua News Agency. For the ultimate reading experience, the following poem is in simplified Chinese. ‫׼ܐׇ‬땹ԛϡࣇ‫ٳ‬ϣϡ‫ؕݦ‬ ӛ땻ᛉ᷎п �����般的�声 正淹没宣武门如潮的车辆 今天�我们����� 听您大哥般语重心长 您���手��大� 新�快������ ����您的�影我的目光 我的目光催生这首诗 我的手指正让手机滚烫 这首诗我酝酿了很久 快要刮肚搜肠 它拥堵了我的血管与神经 它起伏在黄河长江 它奔跑在万里长城 它伴随一带一路的驼铃 以及巨轮高铁暖风浩荡 ������没有 我写诗熟悉的星夜 ��大�����目光� 可诗句环跳在我任督二脉上 �����的�影我的目光 今天有大片向您问好声 今天有诗撕开我的胸腔 ����您的�影我的目光 您步履矫健昂首向前 我们会继续声音高亢 疾走在小康征程 越来越接近那个梦想 沿途也会有困扰和阴影 ���如�这个�� 雾霾挡不住天清气朗 ����您的�影我的目光 我和众多新华人崇敬的目光 Thank you Xinhua for saving my diet, my appetite for midnight snacks has completely vanished after admiring such an impressive work of yours. Maybe after several decades of transforming the Chinese curriculum and adopting simplified Chinese, Hong Kong will be so blessed by the Party to have gifted ‘journalists’ like this.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Change is Inevit Progr

February 27th, 2016

By ScoobyDoosh Design by Zoe Liu (PO)

Back in the old days, the notorious Facebook page ‘school secrets’ always made my friends and I ending up giggling over nonsense posts that were hardly inspiring yet oddly entertaining at the time. That became part of my daily routine after lifting off the heavy rucksack off my back when school was over. High school life in England was so purposeless, but the simplicity was something I have long been yearning for.

It is currently 11p.m. No sign of housemasters stomping in the corridors to signal it’s time for lights off; no sign of my neighbors tuning down their dubstep music to avoid getting told off by housemasters. There is no form of similarity nearby. I am so numb, and there is one reason behind: life has changed.

If you are a frequent reader of my unconventional article (as you may aware I have

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different codenames all with reference to ‘doosh’), you may realize my desperate attempt to play ‘try to be different from others’. By all means, my intention to come up with the laid-back approach when writing these sorts of articles for Pass-On may well be my cheeky little ways to hinder my lack of public affairs knowledge however, isn’t this change kind of refreshing? Especially when you lots are all too busy for some cheeky nandos-like banters, which is understandable after learning the fact that we studying at the few if not the one and only university to have their first-year exam counting towards final grade.

These are, essentially a change we have been embracing, regardless of the degree of how much you enjoying it. If I have to be honest, I ain’t the best person when we talk about adaptability, or more like, I

am afraid of change. That said, what disgust me the most about changes is the change of my self-value among others in a new environment. With a bunch of new schoolmates emerging, never have I ever had so many options to blend into different friend circles in my life, and there goes the problem: I am beginning to define my

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

table, ress is Optional inner-self, as to care more about how people would view me if I befriend with the other groups of people.

Undeniably, I was once a popular figure in high school, while being nominated as senior school prefect and Deputy of head of house.

This probably had made me trapped inside a self-esteem bubble, as if my inner-demon were telling me to only bind

with high-profile people and ignore the relatively inferior and minor ones in the group of new students. I recognized this issue quickly; being someone who I don’t want to be, and pleasing people, that are when life becomes miserable.

I have to step out of my own shadow; all thanks to a close friend of mine who cleared up my mind, I can’t change what’s going on around me until I change what’s going on within myself. No one else could burst the bubble I’m stuck within. If there is no struggle, there is no change; this cliché actually became one of my favorite quotes.

What’s even more amusing is that my previous articles were all about declining English standard, the anti-social, bullying; these are all unwanted phenomenon that calls for changes, and more importantly, progresses, are

urgent. Whilst I was capable to pinpoint these social issues, I have been refusing to accept to the need of change to my self-value. This is paradoxical. Sometimes the things we can’t change end up changing us. If that’s the case, why not open up your mind, we cannot become what we want by remaining what we die, so be brave to embrace changes in the unforeseeable, and live a life you will remember.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

相遇國會 February 29th, 2016 By 良月 Design by Zoe Liu (PO) 筆者不時觀看英國電視BBC的 「國會台」，欣賞現場直播 的國會辯論，有時議員們唇 槍舌劍，頗有趣味。我一直 都想親臨英國的權力中心， 由二月到四月，國會就舉辦 了一個名為「由請願到首 相：女性在國會的歷史」的 導賞團，旨在讓觀眾透過參 觀國會同時，聆聽女權分子 爭取政治權利的來龍去脈。 在我參加的導賞團中，二十 七人裡連同我在內只有六個 男性，導遊笑說：「難道只 有女人才關心這段歷史 嗎？」 簡單來說，英國國會的首領 為英國君主，分為上議院和 下議院。上議院多是委任議 員，而下議院則由民主選舉 產生。上議院以紅色為主 調，而下議院則是綠色，電 視播出的多是下議院的會 議，而它也是國會中最具影 響力的機構，所以綠色椅子 是最常見的國會代表。 導賞員是一位斯文的婆婆， 把女性參與英國政治的歷史 娓娓道來。她由一八三零年 代開始說起，那時國會在大

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火後開始重建，維多利亞女 皇也於此時登基。新國會、 新女皇，令一直提交請願要 求女性投票權的人以為有轉 機，但維多利亞女皇對此嗤 之以鼻，還說「她們應受到

好好的鞭打」。 往後數十年，婦女一直以收 集簽名、提交請願書等方式 懇求國會聆聽，但即使國會 幾次修法放寬不同階層的男

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

會綠椅子 而 暴 力 的 「Suffragette」。

則

叫

這時導賞員指著下議院閣樓 一列狹窄的玻璃窗，原來以 前的女人就坐在那裡聽政， 有資格入場的多是議員妻 子。可是，有次女權分子偷 偷進入，把自己鎖在閣樓的 欄杆上，守衛被迫要把整個 欄杆鋸斷。還有一次在人口 普查的晚上，女權分子呼籲 女子不要歸家參與統計，高 呼「反正女人不重要，那就 不要計女人吧！」有位名叫 埃米莉・戴維森的女子更潛 入國會地下室躲藏起來，以 此把自己的地址登記為「國 會大樓」，以示男女應有同 等權利。現時該處立了一塊 牌匾以紀念此事。兩年後， 這位女子在賽馬日上衝出跑 道，與國皇的馬迎頭相撞而 死，引起轟動，加上一戰後 婦女地位有所提高，在一九 一八年，英國三十歲以上的 婦女終可投票，還可成為議 員。

性的存在。婦女投票權的概 念在英國提倡了約八十年， 仍沒有任何實質進展，令女 權人士覺得只是交交意見、 舉舉標語是無法成事，便展 開一連串暴力行動，迫使當

權者與之對談，並吸引大眾 注意。部分女權分子炸郵 筒、砸破玻璃櫥窗，暴力方 式令有同樣訴求但主張和平 爭取的婦女與之劃清界線， 溫和派自稱「Suffragist」，

今天，身處下議院的一列列 綠椅子之中，導賞員婆婆感 歎道：「這張綠椅子，英國 女人不知爭取了多久，才有 資格坐上。英國首位女首相 戴卓爾夫人，更是由此一步 步登上首相之位。你們年輕 人永遠不要放棄希望，因為 堅持爭取總會帶來改變。」

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

HONG KONG MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 2016 CLIFF CHOW Cliff is an associate in Allen & Overy and a LSE alumnus.

He treated us a really delicious meal.

He introduced two more colleagues, who are also LSE alumnae and HKPASS ex-members to Terry, Fontanne, Naomi and me.

All of them are working in the litigation department.

Cliff is a really approachable and humble mentor, he is also very willing to teach and advice. He told us about his daily work as a litigation associate and the culture of the firm. He also offered career advices to us, regarding the difference between different types of firms and their usual practices, which assisted us to discover the type of firm that would be suitable for us.

All of us enjoyed talking about life at the LSE, especially on Law lectures and classes. We all agreed that criminal lectures were Page 34

Christmas Meeting Reflections

Rowena Lee First Year Law

interesting. They pointed out that Terry picked one of the most challenging modules, good luck Terry!

They told us about their regular visit to My Old Dutch few years ago, just like what we do now on the discounted dates.

We also discussed about the future Hong Kong Lawyer Qualification Exam. It would not enforce in the near future, but this raises the concern of a potentially

sudden increase in supply of lawyers, while it might provide alternatives for aspiring lawyers to be qualified, and it might improve quality of lawyers.

There are many uncertainties but these will reveal once the exam is enforced.

It was a great pleasure to meet Cliff and his colleagues, and we are looking forward to the next meeting!

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Volunteer To Help Clean The Thames This March You can help tidy up the Thames with Thames21 this spring.

In March, volunteers will be heading to two of the river's litter hotspots, Newcastle Draw Dock on the Isle of Dogs (12 March), and Queen Caroline Draw Dock, Hammersmith Bridge (19 March) and embarking on a clean-up operation.

They'll also be running a count to uncover where all the rubbish is coming from, which is the most common form of rubbish on the foreshore, and trying to determine how to stop the waste getting into the river in the first place.

We thoroughly recommend getting stuck in: there's no need to book, and all the equipment and training is provided.

Not only will you get that feel-good glow from doing something really productive to help your local environment, you're guaranteed a stunning new perspective of our fair river, and you might make a few new friends along the way.

Isle of Dogs Litter Count and Clean Up, 9am-11.30am, 12 March, meet at Saunders Ness Road by the Great Eastern pub, Isle of Dogs, E14 3BW Hammersmith Litter Count and Clean Up, 2pm-4.30pm, 19 March, meet at Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, W6 9BX

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

Must-Try Fitness Cha Hot Yoga Society Big Weekender Four days of mind and body goodness — the very best of Hot Yoga Society's classes, workshops and teachers — plus special guests, including Jessamyn Stanley. There'll be something for everyone: Bikram masterclasses, warm power pilates, nutrition workshops, and even Broga: yoga with American Football player and Superheavyweight bodybuilding champ, Matt Miller.

3-6 March, Hot Yoga Society, 1A Magdalen Street, SE1 2EN

March Mayhem White Water Centre Get an adrenaline rush for less this March, as prices at the White Water Centre in Lee Valley are discounted for the month. Rafters can have a go for just £35 each, reduced from the standard price of £50. The special offer applies every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday in March.

From 4 March, Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB

Flow in the Dark returns If you missed last month's opportunity to glow and flow in the dark, there's another blacklit vinyasa yoga class planned for this March. Don't forget your whitest and brightest gear; there'll be glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark body paint to add to the secret, stretchy luminescence.

11 March, secret location in Little Venice, £36.50

Big London Night Walk Join this epic night walk through London in support of the Big Issue. Starting at St John’s church, Waterloo at 8.30pm (home to one of The Big Issue magazine's distribution points), the route will take you on 12-mile tour of London's best-loved sights. Hot drinks and light snacks are provided along the way.

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11 March, St John's church, Waterloo, start between 8.30 and 10. Predicted finish times between 2am and 5am. Registration fee: £25.

PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

allenges For March London flagship Swimathon Get involved in Sport Relief with this Swimathon at the London Aquatics Centre. You can take part on your own, or in a team of between two and five people; distance options include 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k.

18-20 March, London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ZQ. £12/£9

City dash Work together with your mates to uncover secrets, crack cryptic clues, and outwit or outrun patrols in this high-energy 60-minute run around London.

19 March, 1pm; 20 March, 2pm, Liverpool Street. £15

Boom Cycle's UrbanTRI Take on Boom Cycle's three-pronged challenge: a 45 minute vinyasa yoga session followed by a scenic 10k tour of London, finishing with another 45 minute session, this time on your fixed-wheel bikes, with a soundtrack to keep even the most exhausted participants feeling ready to party.

There are healthy snacks and treats included in the price, to replenish you when you're done.

20 March, starts at lululemon, 38-42 King’s Road, SW3 4UD. £40

Where’s Wally fun run Walk, jog or run around Clapham Common dressed as everyone's favourite Wally and raise money to help disadvantaged kids improve their literacy skills. There's a 1k route for under 12s too.

22 March, Clapham Common, registration is at 8.45am.

Adults: £22 with costume/£19 without. Kids: £12 with costume/£9 without.

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PASS-On Monthly | Feb 2016

The ďŹ rst step towards change is awareness.

- Nathaniel Branden

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LSESU HKPASS is a politically neutral society and any views expressed belong entirely to the author themselves.