It’s official. The Hong Kong government has invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance (ERO) to implement an anti-mask law to ban protesters from wearing face masks.
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Facial Recognition – Pros & Cons
October 8th, Tue 19:15 | Salon No. 10, Arbuthnot Road, Central (map) | Sign up on Facebook or Eventbrite
Critics say facial-recognition cameras and automatic license-plate readers can gather images constantly and store them indefinitely, making surveillance cheap and invisible. What this type of technology may imperil is the space for disobedience built into any humane system of laws. Some may shrug, believing that since their phones already track them, and their social media accounts provide a record of their preferences, travel, and in many cases, political beliefs, one more incursion on their privacy does not amount to much. Many already accept lots of surveillance like being monitored by CCTV cameras in shops, hotel lobbies and office floors. How should society weigh the pros and cons of facial recognition technology and its application?
This is a non-speaker event. Please read the following articles before attending the meeting.
Required material to read prior to attending the event:
– Why San Francisco banned the use of facial-recognition technology (The Economist) https://www.economist.com/democracy-in-america/2019/05/16/why-san-francisco-banned-the-use-of-facial-recognition-technology (REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES)
Suggested additional material:
– Medium – Towards Data Science – How Ethical Is Facial Recognition Technology?https://towardsdatascience.com/how-ethical-is-facial-recognition-technology-8104db2cb81b
– Economist Video – China: facial recognition and state control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2gMNrUuEY
Fee: It’s free to attend, but we would buy a drink as a courtesy to the venue.
RSVP via Facebook or Eventbrite | October 8th, Tue 19:15 | Salon No. 10, Central
Russia & China – An Uneven Partnership
October 22nd, Tue 19:15 | Salon No. 10, Arbuthnot Road, Central (map) | Sign up on Facebook or Eventbrite
According to many analysts, China dominates every aspect of the two countries’ partnership. Its economy is six times larger (at purchasing-power parity) and its power is growing, even as Russia’s fades. China is a vital market for Russian raw materials, especially fossil fuels. As Russia seeks to evade the hegemony of the dollar, the yuan is becoming a bigger part of its foreign-currency reserves. Based on the above there seems to be a contradiction between Mr Putin’s claim to be restoring Russian greatness and the increasingly obvious reality of its subordinate role to China. What does this partnership entail for Asia and the rest of the world?
This is a non-speaker event. Please read the following material before attending the meeting:
– Partnership is much better for China than it is for Russia (The Economist) https://www.economist.com/leaders/2019/07/27/partnership-is-much-better-for-china-than-it-is-for-russia (REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES)
Suggested additional material:
– How Vladimir Putin’s embrace of China weakens Russia (The Economist) https://www.economist.com/briefing/2019/07/25/how-vladimir-putins-embrace-of-china-weakens-russia
– The Diplomat: Putin in Beijing: What Drives China-Russia Relations? https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/putin-in-beijing-what-drives-china-russia-relations/
– World Economic Forum – Issue Briefing: China and Russia, Deepening Ties?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mZi5q3BvEs
Fee: It’s free to attend, but we would buy a drink as a courtesy to the venue.
RSVP via Facebook or Eventbrite | October 22nd, Tue 19:15 | Salon No. 10, Central
Meeting Format:
The host will welcome you at the venue and start with an introduction about the community and the topic of choice. Depending on how many people will attend, we split into sub-groups of 4-5 people for more detailed discussions. Within each subgroup, we will introduce ourselves (name, profession, hobby and fun fact) and begin a free-flowing discussion on the theme. That’s why it is important to prepare and read the suggested materials prior to the meeting. Questions, new paths for discussion, personal experience, and opinions are highly encouraged. We conclude the event with everyone sharing their takeaways on the subject.
The Economic Club of Hong Kong is a community of intellectually curious people. Events are organized by a group of passionate volunteers.
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Best Regards,
The Economic Club of Hong Kong Team
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(Newsletter: Geoffrey Cheng / The Economic Club of Hong Kong.)
Geoffrey Cheng 