Letters | With or without Taylor Swift, Hong Kong has enough to offer
- Readers discuss what Hong Kong should focus on in trying to attract tourists, and the proposal to have a monthly firework display over Victoria Harbour
I attended two totally different programmes during the Hong Kong Arts Festival this month – one was an original Cantonese musical about a young man who aspires to be a lion dance master, the other Bright & Black by the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, an unconventional orchestra playing heavy metal music. Both played to full houses and, judging by the audience response, were much enjoyed. The latter had the audience on their feet like at a rock concert.
I thought to myself that night, “Who needs Taylor Swift? Hong Kong has class and diversity in the arts.” We have the Arts Festival, a world-class philharmonic orchestra, the Hong Kong Ballet, Art Basel, Art Central, M+, the Palace Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, not to mention the different art programmes and installations indoors and outdoors all year round. We should forge our own path and play to our strengths, instead of trying to follow others.
We have something going on all year round. On our websites, besides the activities and lists of places to visit, it would be helpful for potential visitors to have a calendar of what’s happening in each month, so that they can better plan their trip to the city, and consider a longer stay if they would like to attend different events.
It may also be helpful when visitors pass through immigration if they are slipped an attractive and well-designed card with a QR code that shows what’s happening in the city for that month.
Hong Kong has so much to offer, we just need to let the world know.
B. Kwan, North Point
Consider impact of monthly fireworks on health
As an oncologist who has dedicated his career to treating patients with lung cancer and as the founding chair of the Asia Pacific Coalition Against Lung Cancer, I am writing to express my deep concern about the government’s plan to proceed with monthly fireworks over Victoria Harbour.
Fireworks have a significant impact on air quality due to the release of fine particles known as PM2.5. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing health risks such as respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems and adverse effects on lung development in children.
Studies have shown that the mass concentrations of PM2.5 can increase dramatically during and after firework displays. Specifically, a study conducted around a New Year’s event in Slovenia published in 2021 found that the mass concentration of black carbon and the number of nanoparticles increased shortly after midnight due to fireworks. The average daily mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 doubled on the day of and remained high three days after the event. Moreover, the highest average daily mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in the entire year were recorded on the day of the fireworks.
The use of fireworks was also associated with an increase in the mass concentrations of heavy metals in the air. There was a 10-fold increase in aluminium, barium and copper, and a 140-fold increase in strontium. These substances are commonly used in pyrotechnic devices, and can have toxic effects on human health and contribute to diseases like asthma and potentially cancer.
Hong Kong has been battling air pollution for decades. Our numerous high-rise buildings already make dispersion of particulates and other pollutive substances difficult. The rash, unilateral decision to launch this extravaganza without comprehensive consultation with stakeholders including health professionals and the Hong Kong population at large is blatant disregard of the health and well-being of our city’s population.
I urge the authorities to make the health of the population the top priority.
Herbert Loong, chair, Asia Pacific Coalition Against Lung Cancer
