The Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong

Electric cars, driverless vehicles, and subscriptions: How Volvo plans to stay ahead of the curve

The future of automobiles is electric – and driverless – according to Volvo Cars president Håkan Samuelsson, whose company recently signed a contract to supply 24,000 ‘robotaxis’ to Uber.

Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars CEO, discussed the company’s success under Chinese ownership. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC

And from 2019, the Swedish car maker, which was bought by Chinese firm Geely Holdings in 2010 after suffering losses as a result of the financial crisis two years before, will only produce hybrid and electric cars, ditching the combustion-propelled vehicles it has made since it was founded in 1927.

FCC members and guests were given a glimpse of the future as Samuelsson outlined the company’s ambitious plans during the January 23 club lunch, made possible since it was bought by Geely, a move that gave Volvo record sales last year.

“We have a very motivated workforce right now,” Samuelsson said, giving his thoughts on what has driven the company’s record sales. “A big part of the growth is coming from China, which it should as it’s the largest car market in the world.”

Indeed, five years ago, according to Samuelsson, Volvo sold under a thousand cars in China. Last year, 114,000 were sold – manufactured at its Chengdu factory. But China is not the only foreign soil to be producing the world’s safest car: it is set to open “the most sustainable automotive plant in the United States” in Charleston, South Carolina, this year. Pre-production of the new Volvo S60 will start in the first half of 2018 and serial production in the third quarter.

However, when asked why Geely had recently bought a major stake in truck manufacturer AB Volvo, and what the long term plan was for that arm of the company, Samuelsson declined to answer.

The company has also introduced a subscription car service, allowing motorists to get a new vehicle for a flat monthly fee which includes insurance, maintenance and service. “With our subscription, you have one flat price in the whole country,” he said.

Samuelsson, who joined the company seven years ago, was in Hong Kong attending the around-the-world Volvo Ocean Race as it made its first ever stop in the city. However, the event has been overshadowed by tragedy following the death of a fisherman in Hong Kong waters after a fishing vessel collided with a boat taking part in the race. When Samuelsson was asked about the tragedy, he said: “Of course we have to find out how this happened, but it’s really tragic. I feel a lot for these people being out, trying to make their living fishing. We will of course try to learn from it and see it should never happen again.”

We’re keeping an eye on it: Macau journalists’ association on its fight to safeguard press freedom

Journalists in Macau still enjoy a level of press freedom despite incidents such as the barring of Hong Kong reporters into the enclave following Typhoon Hato in 2016, says the president of the Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM).

José Carlos Matias spoke about press freedom in Macau on January 18, 2018. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC

And while publications in the Special Administrative Region receive government subsidies, this has not affected the integrity of the Portuguese or English language newspapers, said AIPIM president José Carlos Matias, emphasising that this was his opinion. He added that he was unable to comment on Chinese language publications.

The 30 square kilometre former Portuguese colony, has the highest concentration of media in the world, with a staggering 18 daily newspapers (in Chinese, Portuguese and English) to serve the 648,000 population. Additionally it has 19 weeklies, two TV and radio stations.

In recent years, Macau has been the focus of fears over press freedom. In August 2016, four journalists – one from HK01, one from South China Morning Post and two from Apple Daily – were denied entry to Macau in the wake of the devastating Typhoon Hato. The government cited that they ‘posed a threat to the stability of the territory’s internal security’.

“The explanation by the authorities we found particularly hard to understand to say the least,” Matias told FCC guests. “We have to keep an eye on this problem that is becoming relatively common.”

In a separate incident, Portuguese-language weekly, Plataforma, was ordered by the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) to remove from its online edition an interview with a candidate of the Legislative Assembly elections. Matias explained that in Macau there is a period between publication of candidate lists and the start of the campaign during which electoral propaganda is banned. However, AIPIM issued a statement at the time that said: “AIPIM deplores this situation, stressing that it is perplexing that news content, such as an interview, can be considered electoral propaganda.”

Soon after, AIPIM conducted a survey among around half of its journalist members that highlighted a growing trend among authorities to limit access to information to reporters. Matias said that part of the issue was the shortage of bilingual translators working in the judiciary and government departments, where the predominant language is Chinese.

The survey, analysed by an independent third party committee of experts, also found that 80% of journalists believed there was press freedom in Macau; 70% didn’t face violation of press freedom rights; and 76% dealt with different types of restraint.

Matias said that future aims of the AIPIM include conducting new surveys to go deeper into the challenges faced by journalists; and to deepen ties with Chinese journalists’ associations to promote press freedom and access to information.

The Correspondent Magazine is looking for an editor

We are looking for an editor for the club’s magazine, The Correspondent.

We are confident that we will find an excellent editor from among the ranks of the club’s freelance journalists.

If you are a freelance editor with solid editorial experience then we are interested in hearing from you.

The Editor will be responsible for:

Coming up with ideas for stories
Commissioning freelance writers
Producing fresh content
Editing stories
Sourcing images
Liaising with the club’s social media editor
Working with the production editor
Managing a budget

If this is something that interests you and you have a strong editorial background please send a cover letter with your resume to [email protected] or leave it at the front desk to the attention of the Communications Committee.

Please note that beginning with the next issue the magazine will switch from being published every two months to quarterly.

What makes an MMA world champion? Resilience, determination… and 5,000 calories per day

As a child Alain Ngalani was bullied at school. As an adult he’s a Mixed Martial Arts world champion, his journey to the top triggered by the abuse suffered at the hands of older, bigger children.

MMA world champion Alain Ngalani revealed his gruelling daily regime during his talk to the FCC. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC

A mix of resilience, determination and passion for the sport has won Ngalani, known as The Panther, world titles in Jiu Jitsu, Karate and Muay Thai. He is also the owner of Impakt Gym in Hong Kong.

His daily routine sees him rising at 4.30am to meditate before beginning his high-intensity circuit training. “By eight o’clock in the morning, when everybody else is coming out, I’m gone,” he said – and that’s just the first training of the day. So what does he do with the rest of his time? “I eat every two-and-a-half hours,” Ngalani said, adding that he consumes 5,000 calories per day to maintain his 105kg physique.

The 42-year-old was guest speaker at the FCC on January 11 where he discussed his rise to the top. Hailing from Cameroon, he recalled the advice his mother gave him when he fell victim to the bullies: “Stand up for yourself.”

Ngalani, who knocked out opponent Hideki “Shrek” Sekine last September in a record 11 seconds, said the bullying motivated him to take up martial arts, adding that he’s now grateful to those who picked on him: “If they were sitting here today I would say you know, I forgive you,” he said. “What you did made me what I am today because it gave me the drive, passion and resilience. That incident woke something in me.”

Despite his early success at Judo, then Karate, his mother wanted him to become a doctor. Ngalani said his mother struck a deal with him: he could continue to train as long as he excelled at his studies. The moment his grades suffered, his training had to stop.

“I studied (sciences) until I went to university but it was not my passion, I felt I had to do it,” he said.

After his mother became ill and unable to pay the tuition fees, Ngalani decided to switch to sports science and pursue his dream of becoming a world champion. “I feel like I am a doctor myself because I’m still helping people. I have clients I meet every day to help them maintain a better lifestyle throughout their training,” he added.

So would Ngalani want to be a doctor if he weren’t a world champion MMA fighter? No, he said – dancing is his other passion: “I love dancing. As soon as I finish fighting I will be a dancer,” he said.

One sport he won’t take up is golf. When asked by a guest whether he had sustained any injuries in such a “dangerous” profession, Ngalani joked: “I don’t see it the way you see it. You say it’s a very dangerous sport but for me it’s a safe sport. Perhaps I am lucky, but when I watch other sports like rugby or golf… I saw someone twisting their hip!”

Hong Kong Media Moves: January 2018

Find out who’s moving where in Hong Kong’s busy media landscape, in association with Telum Media. Also, see job listings for the region.

Gerry Doyle now with Reuters in Singapore

Having relocated from Hong Kong to Singapore, Gerry Doyle is now a Top News Editor for Asia at Reuters, where he will work on the region’s biggest and most globally relevant stories in a variety of subject areas, but with a particular interest in security and defence. He brings 20 years of experience having worked in the United States, the Middle East and Hong Kong, and was most recently the Deputy Business Editor for Asia at The New York Times.

BBC Chinese welcomes Heather Yang

Heather Yang is now with BBC Chinese in Hong Kong as Social Media Reporter, where she works on Chinese-language stories across various channels. She was the Social Media Editor for Initium Media and previously covered news across Greater China for Ming Pao.

Ming Pao welcomes Grace Lam

Grace Lam joined Ming Pao this week as a Senior Reporter with a heavy focus on innovation and technology. She previously worked at unwire.hk as a Reporter.

Navin G. Ahuja joins Hong Kong Lawyer

Having recently joined Reuters as the Lead Editor for Hong Kong Lawyer, Navin G. Ahuja now oversees the content of the company’s monthly magazine which provides the Hong Kong legal community with news and insights to keep abreast of the latest legal trends and developments. He was previously with Asian Dispute Review. He completed his Master of Laws and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Law at City University of Hong Kong.

To notify Telum about your move, or to sign up for Telum’s free alerts, please visit www.telummedia.com

CHINA JOBS

British Medical Journal – Freelance writers

We are looking for writers who are based in, or travel regularly to, China who would like to write short features (1000-2000 words) for The BMJ on a freelance basis to delight and educate our global readership of practising doctors with stories from the country. We have a broad readership and are looking for pieces as you might find in a serious newspaper or magazine like The Economist: fact based, authoritative, and written in plain English. Ultimately, we want great stories that keep the medical audience in mind and refer back to the evidence. I’d be happy to consider pitches. Please get in touch via email: [email protected]

Variety – China correspondent

Variety, Hollywood’s oldest industry trade magazine, is seeking an experienced, versatile, reporter to cover the film, TV, and media sectors in China. The position is full-time, based in China, and comes with a J-visa. The mission is to break news and develop enterprising features for Variety’s website and weekly magazine (in English). Proficiency in Chinese strongly preferred; knowledge of the entertainment industry preferred but not imperative. Applicants should send CV and clips/links to Variety International Editor Henry Chu ([email protected]) and Asia Bureau Chief Patrick Frater ([email protected])

The Economist – News Assistant

The Economist seeks to hire a full-time Chinese news assistant in the Beijing bureau. The basic requirements and responsibilities are: fluent English; research skills; extensive reading about current events, academic research, high politics and social trends; pitching story ideas; identifying interview candidates and arranging reporting trips; translation during interviews; some office management.

Competency and enthusiasm in all the above areas is necessary for the job, but not sufficient. We’d like to see how you think about stories in China: what sorts of stories should we be doing, and why? We are not asking you for a list of ideas–you can tell us what you’ve read that you like or don’t like about coverage of China, and what you feel has been neglected. To that end, in addition to a one-page CV, your application should consist of a cover letter, in English, of no more than 500 words.

Interested applicants please send a CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by the end of business on January 12th.

Belgian/Dutch correspondent – News Assistant

As China correspondent for the Dutch newspaper Trouw (忠诚报) and some Belgian and Dutch weeklies, I am looking for a full-time news assistant in Beijing. Your main job will be to follow up on news in the Chinese media, contact sources, arrange interviews and reporting trips, conduct research and translate/interpret interviews.

Qualifications:

– Native speaker of Mandarin, good level of English (or Dutch)

– Good communication skills, an understanding of European media

– Journalistic values: a critical sense, curious nature and outstanding integrity

– Flexibility / stress resistant / quick problem solving skills / willing to go the extra mile for a good story

– Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism or media studies, is a plus

– Former experience in (foreign) media, with references, is a plus (junior position)

I have over thirteen years experience in journalism and can offer you an interesting job experience with lots of travelling in China and opportunities for learning on the job. If you’re interested, send your curriculum vitae and a motivation letter to Leen Vervaeke, [email protected], with ‘news assistant’ in the subject line.

S&P – Reporters

S&P Global Market Intelligence’s real-time, subscription-based news service is looking to add two journalists to its Hong Kong bureau. The dynamic newsroom is looking for: a senior reporter to cover financial institutions in China (more information here); and an associate editor/reporter to cover Asian media, entertainment, communications and technology sector (more information here). Interested candidates please email their CV to [email protected] and indicate in subject header the role of interest; or they can apply online via the links above.

Women’s Wear Daily – News Assistant

Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) is looking for a part-time news assistant for its newly-set up Beijing bureau. The assistant will be responsible for scanning daily headlines, monitoring social media, transcribing and light admin work, and can be done remotely. WWD is the global leader covering the business of fashion and beauty. Coverage scope includes retail trends, fashion shows, ceo and influencer profiles, textiles, sourcing and manufacturing. For more background please see: https://pmc.com/our-brands/wwd/. Email Tiffany Ap at [email protected] to get in touch.

Considering an investment in Bitcoin? Expert Bobby Lee gives this advice

Don’t be indecisive over investing in Bitcoin – and buy as much as you can, says an expert in the high-value digital cryptocurrency.

Bobby Lee, Co-Founder and CEO, BTCC, gives his tips for investing in Bitcoin. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC

Bobby Lee revealed four common mistakes when buying the currency when he spoke to a packed first floor at the FCC on January 3. Lee, owner of cryptocurrency exchange BTCC, pointed out that the longer procrastinators hesitated in buying Bitcoin, the more it increased in value. He cited his own experience, when in 2011 he heard about Bitcoin but decided against investing until a few years later, by which time its value had massively increased.

Another common mistake when investing in Bitcoin was selling the moment it made a small gain – and by small Lee was talking about up to 300%, which, when looked at in the context of the currency’s performance in the last year alone is a drop in the ocean. Long-term gain is worth waiting for, he said.

Lee also advised buyers not to sell during a panic crash. Such a young currency is prone to volatility, he said, so hanging on to it through thick and thin will produce yields.

Despite the mountain of publicity around the cryptocurrency in recent months, during which its value soared to almost US$20,000 then settled back down just over US$15,000 at the time of writing, there remains uncertainty over whether it can actually be used to make everyday purchases. Although a small number of businesses are beginning to accept the digital currency, it still cannot be used, for example, to buy a cup of coffee or groceries due to its exceptionally high value.

Lee explained that the cryptocurrency – so called because it is encrypted when units of it are transacted or “mined” – has introduced three new concepts to the world and society, the first being that it is the only currency to have a limited supply. Its secretive founder, Satoshi Nakamoto – probably a pseudonym – imposed a limit that means only 21 million bitcoins will ever be mined.

It was also unique in that for the first time the world has a currency that is “not organised or controlled by any single entity, individual or government”. This means owners of bitcoins can move it around as they please.

Thirdly, it’s an asset that is untraceable to the owner. Whereas purchasing a house or car requires ownership under identity, obtaining Bitcoin does not due to its encryption.

While the currency is now being embraced globally, some countries, including China, have cracked down on it by closing Bitcoin exchanges. Lee’s company, BTC China, was the first Bitcoin trading platform in China. In September 2017, China cracked down on cryptocurrencies after the People’s Bank of China said trading could pose major financial risks to the country.

“What do Chinese regulators think of Bitcoin? For them it’s very challenging,” explained Lee, adding that authorities were reluctant to regulate the currency because they considered it not real money, and because it violated foreign currency controls. They also believed it to be a security risk open to hacking, he said. Since the crackdown, its value has increased by five times, Lee added.

Other Asian countries such as South Korea are following suit, although Japan has responded positively, allowing the opening of exchanges.

Pictures: The FCC’s New Year’s Eve party 2017

FCC members and guests packed the club on December 31 to welcome the new year.

With a little help from DJ Keith, members danced the night away and, as is tradition at the club, they all raised a glass as a piper played at midnight.

See our rogues’ gallery below.

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22nd Human Rights Press Awards open for entries from January 1, 2018

Asia’s most prestigious honours recognising outstanding human rights reporting will be open for entries from 1 January 2018 to 9 February 2018.

Last year’s winner of the Photography Feature was Agence France-Presse’s Noel Celis for his pictures of Quezon City jail. Photo: Noel Celis/AFP

The Human Rights Press Awards, now in their 22^nd year, are organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong, Amnesty International and the Hong Kong Journalists Association. The awards aim to increase respect for people’s basic rights and to focus attention on threats to those freedoms.

Submissions must have been reported from the Asia region and been published or broadcast during the past calendar year between 1 January and 31 December 2017. Entries must be in either English or Chinese. Categories include Spot News, Features, Multimedia, Television/Video, Radio and Photography.

Each entry must cite the specific article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that the work seeks to address. This landmark document, which marks its 70^th anniversary next year, set out the alienable rights to which every human being is entitled. The full text is available here: www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

Please mark your calendars and be ready to submit your work!

The online entry form will be open on 1 January 2018 at:

https://humanrightspress.awardsplatform.com/

For further information, please visit:

http://humanrightspressawards.org

Stay up to date with the latest news – follow us on Twitter and Facebook

For queries, please contact the awards administrator:

Cintia Huen

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

School of Journalism and Communication

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (852) 3943 8705

Who are the winners and losers in the war for China’s wallet?

The war for China’s wallet is being won through consumerism as industries like manufacturing and finance find it increasingly difficult – and costly – to do business there, according to the founder of a top market research group.

Shaun Rein gave insights into how to do business in China at the FCC club breakfast. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC

Additionally, protectionism and nationalism are driving mainland Chinese consumers to buy domestic goods rather than foreign made products, said Shaun Rein, author of the new book The War For China’s Wallet which aims to help companies understand how to profit from China’s outbound economic plans.

At the centre of this domestic boom is President Xi Jinping, who has consolidated Communist Party power by taking firmer control of business and overseas investment. The world’s largest or second largest trading partner for most countries, China is seen as the obvious destination for foreign investment. But President Xi’s campaigns, such as the crackdown on corruption, and the economic punishment of countries that speak out against China, has created an environment of mistrust among those trying to do business in the country.

“I think it’s clear that not everyone will make money in China,” said Rein, managing director of CMR China, adding: “If you’re on the consumer side, there’s lots of money.

“China is no longer a cheap place to do business. The cost of doing business is crazy high,” he said at the December 12 club breakfast.

Rein pointed out that foreign brands including KFC and Starbucks make a huge profit in China. But he warned that multinationals were increasingly adhering to the political goals of Beijing in order to operate there. Publicly backing the One Belt, One Road initiative – President Xi’s development strategy to establish trade routes between Eurasian countries – is one way of staying in favour with the Communist Party. Those who speak out against China, said Rein, risk economic punishment or outright banishment. He gave the example of the Philippines, whose mango imports to China were blocked after an international tribunal on territorial disputes ruled in favour of the Philippines. The block was lifted once Rodrigo Duterte came to power in the Philippines and declared allegiance to China over America.

“The theme of the book is that China punishes and rewards countries,” Rein said. But he added that now China has also started punishing foreign companies for the actions of their countries’ governments, citing South Korea’s Lotte Group, which provided land in South Korea for the U.S. THAAD missile system.

Rein said the “methodical, systematic plan” to garner support for the One Belt, One Road initiative was the result of a “divide and conquer” strategy on the part of the Chinese government.

He predicted that multinational financial services would continue to suffer in China, but that foreign insurance companies would flourish, as would wealth management.

How North Korea’s burgeoning middle class is painting a new picture of life in the DPRK

The traditional picture painted by the media of North Koreans as an impoverished people is outdated thanks to a burgeoning middle class – but the dark days of starvation may not be far away if sanctions continue to be imposed on the world’s most isolated nation.

Author Nick Bonner showed graphics from his new book, Made in North Korea: Graphics from Everyday Life. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC

That was the opinion of Nick Bonner, author, filmmaker and founder of a North Korean tour group who shared his insights into the DPRK having spent the last 25 years traveling to and from it.

Bonner’s new book, Made in North Korea: Graphics from Everyday Life, uses an extensive collection of graphics and North Korean propaganda artwork to tell the story of how the country has evolved over the last two decades.

Through slides showing various graphics and products, like cigarette packets, he explained how colour illustrated eras the country was going through: vibrant primary colours in the 1970s to promote the country’s virtues, against the greys and browns of the 90s during North Korea’s economic crisis which resulted in widespread famine.

The landscape architect first visited North Korea in 1993, which then inspired him to start Koryo Tours – a Beijing-based travel agency specialising in travel to North Korea. Bonner has produced three award-winning documentaries about the country, as well as North Korea’s first ‘girl power’ movie — ‘Comrade Kim goes Flying’ — which became the first-ever North Korean film to be shown to a public audience in South Korea.

But today’s North Korea – particularly its capital, Pyongyang, paints a different picture. Using his own photographs – one showing a child on a shiny red bicycle carrying a dried fish – Bonner showed the wealth element in the country’s everyday life. Some of this influence came from China, he said.

“Shops in the Metro are full of Chinese (made) rubbish – things that glow, things that are shiny,” he said, adding that market reform in 2002 meant that the import of foreign products brought about greater prosperity. “With products coming in from abroad…it’s given North Korea a kick to make their own products and repackage them.”

However, sanctions imposed as a result of leader Kim Jong-un’s ongoing spat with United States President Donald Trump could see a return to the North Korea of old, Bonner warned, adding that it would be more productive to engage the country rather than isolate it further.