Lai See | Occupy has shown us a car-free Central

One thing we will miss once the occupation of Central is over is the absence of vehicles and the noxious fumes that pervade the streets. Admittedly it is a bit eerie wandering around Central with so few cars but so much more enjoyable and a completely different experience from trudging around half-drugged on nitrous oxide and other chemical nastiness.

Perhaps our planners could see their way to making Central vehicle free at some point in the future or at least slash the number to essential users like delivery trucks. "Essential", naturally, would not include transporting tai tais to and from their favourite handbag stores. Indeed, this could reintroduce them to the art of walking.

A European reader has written of his disquiet at the arrangements for the farewell cocktail party for Fred Lam, executive director at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Lam has resigned from the HKTDC, where he has worked for 28 years. This has apparently prepared him for his next job as CEO of the Hong Kong Airport Authority. The event was attended by some 600 government officials and business leaders which included a significant number from a Western background. This is possibly why the MC used English for the occasion.

However, the speeches by HKTDC chairman Jack So and Lam were in Cantonese, but there was no English translation. This was considered by many to be poor form and not a little ironic as Lam was praised in a video that was shown at the event for having numerous friends from around the world. So it was considered a tad disrespectful not to have some English translations on hand since it is the language of trade and the event, paid for out of taxpayer's money, was supposed to be more than just a private party for Lam and his chums. If you don't want to use English then just say the event is Cantonese-only.