If Hong Kong is to shake itself out of its malaise, the government must show the boldness and creativity it demands of the private sector.

Words can kill. While political violence cannot be condoned, we need to recognise that it’s not only the drawing of the gun that we condemn.

Survey results suggest the desire to avoid exhausting, stressful jobs and toxic workplaces is far from unique to young people.

If we know critical thinking skills and the quality of students’ schoolwork are important, we must make the educational system reflect that.

Unless the public sees the value of John Lee’s KPIs and relates them to the government improving their lives, they will have little impact.

If the main takeaway from the results is Hong Kong scoring lower than Singapore on creative thinking, we have completely missed the point.

Recent power outages provide an opportune time for the government to reassess its relationship with Hong Kong’s electricity providers.

Amid high post-retirement expenses, the rising cost of living and a mental health crisis, the city’s smile campaign misses the mark.

If the government wants Hong Kong to be a hub for mega events, it would do well to take lessons from the recent Doraemon exhibitions in the city. There is an art to building hype, linking multiple events and creating memorable experiences, something the organisers did with aplomb.

The public and Hong Kong’s taxi drivers have long had a strained relationship, something that won’t be helped by an impending fare increase. Instead of dragging its feet, the government should clear up any legal grey areas over Uber and better regulate taxi.

The government finds itself facing calls for civil servants’ pay to rise when it is trying to curb a ballooning budget deficit. This may be hard to swallow for Hongkongers amid a sluggish economy with small local businesses struggling.

Despite governments around the world fretting over falling birth rates, society still puts up many barriers to mothers returning to the workforce. This Mother’s Day, let’s work to help mothers feel truly supported rather than penalised for choosing to have children and also wanting to work.

Turning spectacular displays into something more mundane is not how to make Hong Kong an attractive destination for mainland and foreign tourists, and the government needs to go back to the drawing board.

Can the postal service be both a public service and a business? That’s the question the government needs to answer. It might be too much to expect Hongkong Post to have the business acumen to tackle revenue challenges.

Xia Baolong, the top official on Hong Kong affairs, is daring the city to say and do new things. The central government is expecting no less than courage from the city’s leadership.

Latest fire at New Lucky House broke out after building owners were allowed to ignore safety orders for 16 years. Inspections and advisory letters are not enough. There must be real enforcement

Factoring the rail operator’s property profits into the fare adjustment formula looked like a win for commuters last year. But when a company with billions in profits is allowed to hike prices in the current economic climate, it leaves the public feeling short-changed.

The pilot programme was supposed to show Hongkongers how the waste charging scheme works, but a tiny trial run and multiple delays inspire little confidence. This is bad for public perception and adds fuel to the fire of speculation whether the government will actually implement the scheme in full on August 1.

As the government continues to promote Hong Kong as an art and cultural hub in the region, it has much to learn about what truly constitutes art. Jin Yong’s wuxia novels, with their wide appeal, manage to be both escapist entertainment and a vast cultural phenomenon.

After years of posting pandemic-related losses, Cathay Pacific reporting a net profit of HK$9.79 billion in 2023 is a welcome bit of good news for the city. If our flag carrier is to recover its status as the pride of Hong Kong, the city’s people need to give it their support and celebrate a good Hong Kong story.

Hong Kong officials need to take the political will shown in enacting Article 23 legislation and direct it towards the delayed waste charging scheme. Without more efforts to provide recycling facilities and educate the public, the scheme is a disaster in the making.

Paul Chan had the unenviable task of delivering a budget with little good news for regular Hongkongers, in particular the end of many popular support schemes. If few other good ideas are forthcoming, it’s still better to take the time to think things through rather than rush off in the wrong direction.

A pro-establishment lawmaker’s criticism of a former Legco president’s questions about certain aspects of the proposed Article 23 legislation is troubling. The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, who is visiting the city, could clarify how patriotism and constructive criticism can coexist.

The giant heart-shaped balloons installed around the city, like the giant rubber ducks in Victoria Harbour before them, are more than a seasonal display. They evoke emotions ranging from childlike delight to nostalgia, and are an opportunity to practise gratitude – especially for the city we call home.

Forget the humiliation of Messi, mainland jibes and economic disappointments. We need to get back to basics, leave the government to do its job and rediscover the Hong Kong spirit for ourselves.

Whatever the reasons the Amazon Prime Video series, which includes scenes of the 2014 protests, is not available for viewing in Hong Kong, officials should take the opportunity to reflect on the role they play in any misperceptions of the city

Beyond a public-relations nightmare, recent comments by government officials show they appear just as confused about the reason for the scheme as the public.

Fear of missing out on the latest trend or a great bargain may be motivating Hongkongers to make a beeline for big-box retailers across the border. However, the wider economic and environmental impact of this style of retailing deserves attention.

If the Hong Kong government is going to ease the pressure on the city’s A&E departments, it would do well to learn from the failures of Cathay Pacific. In both cases, the flu season that exacerbated the staffing shortage can’t be blamed.

The sight of thousands of mainland visitors left stranded after attending New Year’s Eve celebrations was disappointing and preventable. The government’s inability to prepare for and respond to issues inspires little confidence in planned mega projects and visions for Hong Kong’s future.