Yuen Chan
@yuenchan.bsky.social
"Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky"
Was @xinwenxiaojie on the app formerly known as Twitter.
Hongkonger, South Londoner.
Teaching journalism at City St George's, University of London.
Was @xinwenxiaojie on the app formerly known as Twitter.
Hongkonger, South Londoner.
Teaching journalism at City St George's, University of London.
A few takeaways from my reporting Hong Kong lecture:
Context is everything.
Talk & listen to local people (not just your taxi driver).
But always consider their safety.
Give credit where you can.
Know what you don’t know.
Acquiring In-depth local knowledge requires time, experience & humility.
Context is everything.
Talk & listen to local people (not just your taxi driver).
But always consider their safety.
Give credit where you can.
Know what you don’t know.
Acquiring In-depth local knowledge requires time, experience & humility.
I hope the Western media uses the same standard of investigation and reasoning of the Grenfell Tower fire when they explain the catastrophic residential blocks fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong. 1/
November 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
A few takeaways from my reporting Hong Kong lecture:
Context is everything.
Talk & listen to local people (not just your taxi driver).
But always consider their safety.
Give credit where you can.
Know what you don’t know.
Acquiring In-depth local knowledge requires time, experience & humility.
Context is everything.
Talk & listen to local people (not just your taxi driver).
But always consider their safety.
Give credit where you can.
Know what you don’t know.
Acquiring In-depth local knowledge requires time, experience & humility.
Reposted by Yuen Chan
A must-read account of a Wang Fuk Court resident who escaped the deadly blaze: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/28/i...
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 AM
A must-read account of a Wang Fuk Court resident who escaped the deadly blaze: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/28/i...
Grassroots. Spontaneous. Mobilisation. Ad hoc. Organisation.
What I'm seeing on Hong Kong social media.
All volunteer stations in Tai Po fully 'manned'. All supplies distribution stations, sufficiently supplied. Blood donations, fully sufficient. 'Buddy' support, almost 1-on-1.
This is Hong Kong 🧡
What I'm seeing on Hong Kong social media.
All volunteer stations in Tai Po fully 'manned'. All supplies distribution stations, sufficiently supplied. Blood donations, fully sufficient. 'Buddy' support, almost 1-on-1.
This is Hong Kong 🧡
November 27, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Grassroots. Spontaneous. Mobilisation. Ad hoc. Organisation.
What I'm seeing on Hong Kong social media.
All volunteer stations in Tai Po fully 'manned'. All supplies distribution stations, sufficiently supplied. Blood donations, fully sufficient. 'Buddy' support, almost 1-on-1.
This is Hong Kong 🧡
What I'm seeing on Hong Kong social media.
All volunteer stations in Tai Po fully 'manned'. All supplies distribution stations, sufficiently supplied. Blood donations, fully sufficient. 'Buddy' support, almost 1-on-1.
This is Hong Kong 🧡
Reposted by Yuen Chan
He rescued 9 cats and 1 dog from the Hong Kong fire 🥺
November 27, 2025 at 10:17 AM
He rescued 9 cats and 1 dog from the Hong Kong fire 🥺
I was in Hong Kong very briefly a few weeks ago and spent an afternoon in Tai Po. It's a great place. Like any Hong Kong urban centre, it has its share of high rises. But also green spaces, two rivers running through it, a great market and a harbour. RIP and justice for the victims.
大埔是個好地方
大埔是個好地方
November 27, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I was in Hong Kong very briefly a few weeks ago and spent an afternoon in Tai Po. It's a great place. Like any Hong Kong urban centre, it has its share of high rises. But also green spaces, two rivers running through it, a great market and a harbour. RIP and justice for the victims.
大埔是個好地方
大埔是個好地方
The @the-independent.com particularly bad. A commentary by an editor (in Delhi?) calling for a ban on bamboo scaffolding and article interviewing experts in Australia. HK media reporting widely about the use of sub-standard plastic netting, and officials have mentioned styrofoam boards on windows.
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
November 27, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The @the-independent.com particularly bad. A commentary by an editor (in Delhi?) calling for a ban on bamboo scaffolding and article interviewing experts in Australia. HK media reporting widely about the use of sub-standard plastic netting, and officials have mentioned styrofoam boards on windows.
Reposted by Yuen Chan
On Bregman, I was there in the audience and I can’t see what the BBC have gained by removing this line except more bad publicity. I will say that no such edits or censorship occurred when I gave the Reith Lectures and free-speech defenders might want think about whether this is the world they want.
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
On Bregman, I was there in the audience and I can’t see what the BBC have gained by removing this line except more bad publicity. I will say that no such edits or censorship occurred when I gave the Reith Lectures and free-speech defenders might want think about whether this is the world they want.
Thank you for sharing this.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Thank you for sharing this.
Grim.
Possibly the stupidest idea I've heard in the last few months, which is saying something. Shows utter ignorance around practicalities regardless of the ethics/desirability.
Trevor Phillips proposes banning "remittances" (ie: imposing currency/exchange controls on international cash transfers by foreign nationals from Britain). He says this would disincentivise immigration, in a Times piece saying the Home Secretary needs to go [much] further
archive.ph/RlXPj
archive.ph/RlXPj
November 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Grim.
Wow. So incredibly proud of Jun Li, who has won Best Director at the Golden Horse Awards.
Managed to fleetingly catch up a few weeks ago and read him the note he wrote in his first News Writing class where he said he hoped he'd be a scriptwriter in 20 years time.
You made it with years to spare!
Managed to fleetingly catch up a few weeks ago and read him the note he wrote in his first News Writing class where he said he hoped he'd be a scriptwriter in 20 years time.
You made it with years to spare!
I saw Jun Li's Queer Panorama earlier this week, in which a young gay man in Hong Kong searches for connection, tries on different identities and finds love. I found it funny, melancholic and ultimately sweet and low-key hopeful. Hope it gets a wider distribution
www.hkff.uk/full-program...
www.hkff.uk/full-program...
Queerpanorama 眾生相 — HKFFUK25
23 Sept 2025 (Tue) 6.30pm—Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
www.hkff.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Wow. So incredibly proud of Jun Li, who has won Best Director at the Golden Horse Awards.
Managed to fleetingly catch up a few weeks ago and read him the note he wrote in his first News Writing class where he said he hoped he'd be a scriptwriter in 20 years time.
You made it with years to spare!
Managed to fleetingly catch up a few weeks ago and read him the note he wrote in his first News Writing class where he said he hoped he'd be a scriptwriter in 20 years time.
You made it with years to spare!
Reposted by Yuen Chan
Whenever “engagement” is rewarded with payments, many people will create schemes to churn out more content that gets more engagement. Studies have shown that hate and anger generate the most shares on social media. What results is obvious and logical — and horrible.
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Whenever “engagement” is rewarded with payments, many people will create schemes to churn out more content that gets more engagement. Studies have shown that hate and anger generate the most shares on social media. What results is obvious and logical — and horrible.
Reposted by Yuen Chan
Please hear me when I say that
1) these anti-medical woo birth movements have been a primary feeder into anti-vaxx eugenic movements
2) they pre-date the age of social media
3) they exist because we have not addressed medical sexism and specifically obstetric violence
1) these anti-medical woo birth movements have been a primary feeder into anti-vaxx eugenic movements
2) they pre-date the age of social media
3) they exist because we have not addressed medical sexism and specifically obstetric violence
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
As Esau Lopez was asphyxiated for the first 17 minutes of his life on Earth, the atmosphere in the room remained serene, even ecstatic. Acoustic music crooned from a speaker in a modest two-bedroom apartment in a suburb of Pennsylvania. “You are a queen,” murmured one of three friends in the room.
Only Esau’s mother, Gabrielle Lopez, felt something was wrong. She was pushing hard, but her son would not be born. “Can you help [him] out?” she asked, as Esau crowned. “Baby is coming,” the friend replied. Four minutes later, Lopez asked again, “Can you grab [him]?” Another friend murmured, “Baby is safe.” Six minutes passed. Again, Lopez asked, “Can you grab [him]?” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Please hear me when I say that
1) these anti-medical woo birth movements have been a primary feeder into anti-vaxx eugenic movements
2) they pre-date the age of social media
3) they exist because we have not addressed medical sexism and specifically obstetric violence
1) these anti-medical woo birth movements have been a primary feeder into anti-vaxx eugenic movements
2) they pre-date the age of social media
3) they exist because we have not addressed medical sexism and specifically obstetric violence
Wasn't "things happen" what Trump said about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?
Trump: “I want members of Congress executed.“
Karoline Leavitt: “Trump does not want to execute members of Congress.“
Press Pool: “….“
Karoline Leavitt: “The Dear Leader would prefer not to do the executing himself. Look, ‘things happen to bad people‘ is all he‘s saying.“
Karoline Leavitt: “Trump does not want to execute members of Congress.“
Press Pool: “….“
Karoline Leavitt: “The Dear Leader would prefer not to do the executing himself. Look, ‘things happen to bad people‘ is all he‘s saying.“
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
November 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Wasn't "things happen" what Trump said about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?
Hard to argue with this.
"Sir, did you just abuse and insult a journalist for asking a question? And did you publicly call a woman a piggie? Is this the way a U.S. President behaves?"
A reporter who so spoke loses WH credentials, maybe his job if his agency is gutless. But absent such, the entire WHPC is without honor.
A reporter who so spoke loses WH credentials, maybe his job if his agency is gutless. But absent such, the entire WHPC is without honor.
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Hard to argue with this.
When they show you who they are ...
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
When they show you who they are ...
And is now doing nothing to mitigate a mass disabling event while mandating presenteeism in schools and workplaces.
BREAKING: UK did "too little, too late" in early response to Covid, leading to thousands more deaths, inquiry says
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
Covid inquiry live updates: UK did 'too little, too late', leading to thousands more Covid deaths, says inquiry
The inquiry says an earlier lockdown could have saved 23,000 lives in the first wave in England - and lockdown could have been avoided altogether with earlier interventions.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
And is now doing nothing to mitigate a mass disabling event while mandating presenteeism in schools and workplaces.
Reposted by Yuen Chan
An independent bookstore owner has been accused of managing an unregistered school after holding a Spanish class earlier this year. In full: buff.ly/5QiJJvx
Hong Kong independent bookstore owner charged with running unregistered school after Spanish class | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
The owner of a Hong Kong independent bookstore has been accused of managing an unregistered school after holding a Spanish class at the shop earlier this year. Book Punch owner Pong Yat-ming appeared...
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
An independent bookstore owner has been accused of managing an unregistered school after holding a Spanish class earlier this year. In full: buff.ly/5QiJJvx
Hear me out: store-bought tomato and mozzarella tortellini with Chekiang vinegar, Lao Gan Ma chili crisp and szechuan pepper powder.
Hits the spot.
Hits the spot.
November 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Hear me out: store-bought tomato and mozzarella tortellini with Chekiang vinegar, Lao Gan Ma chili crisp and szechuan pepper powder.
Hits the spot.
Hits the spot.
About time. Well past time, in fact.
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
About time. Well past time, in fact.
Reposted by Yuen Chan
"From today anyone who becomes a company director or person with significant control (PSC) will need to verify their identity with Companies House.
"This change will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"This change will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Notice served on bogus directors as Companies House changes come into force
Identity verification for directors and PSCs brings a fairer and safer business environment closer.
www.gov.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
"From today anyone who becomes a company director or person with significant control (PSC) will need to verify their identity with Companies House.
"This change will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"This change will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
That notification is perfect horror.
"THINGS HAPPEN"
not sure how many folks who knew Khashoggi are still left at WaPo, but they're surely incensed right now
not sure how many folks who knew Khashoggi are still left at WaPo, but they're surely incensed right now
November 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
That notification is perfect horror.
Wow.
Her background is impressive on individual, familial (and therefore political) levels.
And the hubris and vileness of these men are next level.
Decision to name her in this article is questionable though.
Her background is impressive on individual, familial (and therefore political) levels.
And the hubris and vileness of these men are next level.
Decision to name her in this article is questionable though.
The Harvard Crimson has ID'ed and published the name of a well-known economist who was the subject of emails between Larry Summers and Epstein.
Born in China, she did her B.A. – Ph.D. at Harvard.
The code name that Summers and Epstein used in their emails about her was "peril." What a vile pig.
Born in China, she did her B.A. – Ph.D. at Harvard.
The code name that Summers and Epstein used in their emails about her was "peril." What a vile pig.
As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ | News | The Harvard Crimson
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: convicted sex offender Jef...
www.thecrimson.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Wow.
Her background is impressive on individual, familial (and therefore political) levels.
And the hubris and vileness of these men are next level.
Decision to name her in this article is questionable though.
Her background is impressive on individual, familial (and therefore political) levels.
And the hubris and vileness of these men are next level.
Decision to name her in this article is questionable though.
This piece makes me realise that the NYT now reminds me of (better paid version of) Ming Pao from some years back. Ostensibly the paper of record. Some great, dedicated journalists producing solid, important reporting, alongside increasingly questionable/cowardly, even reactionary editorials/opeds.
The cost of Trump's immigration surge: Stalled investigations into child sexual abuse, Iranian oil smuggling and human trafficking, among others. My latest piece is a big team effort on how DHS has been transformed into the Department of Deportation.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Homeland Security Missions Falter Amid Focus on Deportations
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
This piece makes me realise that the NYT now reminds me of (better paid version of) Ming Pao from some years back. Ostensibly the paper of record. Some great, dedicated journalists producing solid, important reporting, alongside increasingly questionable/cowardly, even reactionary editorials/opeds.
Reposted by Yuen Chan
Hypermobility is a common, overlapping condition with Long COVID. Upcoming guidelines may make it easier for people to be diagnosed with the syndrome.
A new feature by Margot Armbruster in @thesicktimes.org
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/g...
A new feature by Margot Armbruster in @thesicktimes.org
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/g...
Getting diagnosed with hypermobility can help some people with Long COVID. Upcoming guidelines may make it easier. - The Sick Times
Current diagnostic criteria for hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a common comorbidity of Long COVID, are restrictive. The Ehlers-Danlos Society is developing new hEDS criteria that will be r...
thesicktimes.org
October 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Hypermobility is a common, overlapping condition with Long COVID. Upcoming guidelines may make it easier for people to be diagnosed with the syndrome.
A new feature by Margot Armbruster in @thesicktimes.org
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/g...
A new feature by Margot Armbruster in @thesicktimes.org
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/g...
Reposted by Yuen Chan
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Just some British patriots in Benidorm, taking over a street in Spain to shout in their own language about unwanted foreigners. It’s a blessing that they are too thick to understand irony.
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.