Jarrod Watt
@jaywatt.bsky.social
Australian journo in Hong Kong; podcast editor/producer; Aus news correspondent RTHK3; journalism lecturer HKBU; ex SCMP, ABC, PBSFM, RRR; reformed music journo and bartender - https://jarrodwatt.com/
New year, same old same old for Mrs Zhang and thousand of others in Hong Kong: Harry Harrison’s cartoon
February 19, 2026 at 2:07 AM
New year, same old same old for Mrs Zhang and thousand of others in Hong Kong: Harry Harrison’s cartoon
So while the FCC intervenes to stop US viewers from seeing a Texas candidate speak on national TV with Colbert, it’s providing a platform for Europeans to see banned terrorist propaganda. Wow.
Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters reut.rs/4cySsA6
Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere
The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal that will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propagan...
reut.rs
February 19, 2026 at 2:03 AM
So while the FCC intervenes to stop US viewers from seeing a Texas candidate speak on national TV with Colbert, it’s providing a platform for Europeans to see banned terrorist propaganda. Wow.
I have come to the conclusion heavy metal has failed us with any proper song referencing ‘fire horses’ to coincide with this Lunar New Year - nope, Metallica, Motörhead & Iron Maiden not close enough - it’s up to Mongolia’s finest to saddle up and get us into a canter…
youtu.be/3aguZjkVLaE?...
youtu.be/3aguZjkVLaE?...
THE HU - Black Thunder Part 1 (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by The HU
youtu.be
February 17, 2026 at 4:42 AM
I have come to the conclusion heavy metal has failed us with any proper song referencing ‘fire horses’ to coincide with this Lunar New Year - nope, Metallica, Motörhead & Iron Maiden not close enough - it’s up to Mongolia’s finest to saddle up and get us into a canter…
youtu.be/3aguZjkVLaE?...
youtu.be/3aguZjkVLaE?...
“Visa, Mastercard.. the urgent issue is our payment system. Trump can cut everything off.. I urgently request that the commission organise a European Airbus for payment systems: you can’t say you weren’t warned.”
Not just China building an alternative to the US www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Not just China building an alternative to the US www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears
Exclusive: First meeting to be held over domestic payments system aimed at reducing reliance on US networks
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:08 PM
“Visa, Mastercard.. the urgent issue is our payment system. Trump can cut everything off.. I urgently request that the commission organise a European Airbus for payment systems: you can’t say you weren’t warned.”
Not just China building an alternative to the US www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Not just China building an alternative to the US www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Alice Wu holds the Hong Kong government accountable for 2025: drinking water safety, Kai Tak dramas, premium taxis debacle, the Tai Po tower fire horror. "The government’s processes and practices need a major overhaul to reverse a growing public confidence crisis." www.scmp.com/opinion/hong...
Opinion | Government must reflect on its failures as we enter Year of the Horse
The past year has been a difficult one and it is important for the administration to assess its performance and embrace change.
www.scmp.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Alice Wu holds the Hong Kong government accountable for 2025: drinking water safety, Kai Tak dramas, premium taxis debacle, the Tai Po tower fire horror. "The government’s processes and practices need a major overhaul to reverse a growing public confidence crisis." www.scmp.com/opinion/hong...
I know we are at peak season for horse-based imagery to greet the new Lunar New Year of the Horse... this seems to be the most representative of the sentiment for what lies ahead, given the last two months of global events
February 15, 2026 at 11:50 PM
I know we are at peak season for horse-based imagery to greet the new Lunar New Year of the Horse... this seems to be the most representative of the sentiment for what lies ahead, given the last two months of global events
It’s a game of good superpower/bad superpower as Europe talks security at Munich: “China is predictable and will work to preserve and maintain the status quo, even if the US wants to dismantle it…”
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence
For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.
www.scmp.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:59 PM
It’s a game of good superpower/bad superpower as Europe talks security at Munich: “China is predictable and will work to preserve and maintain the status quo, even if the US wants to dismantle it…”
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
It’s Kung Hei Fat Choi and a big giddy-up from Hong Kong for the Year of the Horse: Harry Harrison’s cartoon
February 15, 2026 at 10:07 PM
It’s Kung Hei Fat Choi and a big giddy-up from Hong Kong for the Year of the Horse: Harry Harrison’s cartoon
"Jon Kudelka loved his beautiful family and was fiercely intolerant of greed and hypocrisy." Comix #journalism as obituary as #cartoon. Is heart-breaking and lovely. Here's to the legacy of Jon Kudelka and @firstdogonthemoon.bsky.social
February 13, 2026 at 5:57 AM
"Jon Kudelka loved his beautiful family and was fiercely intolerant of greed and hypocrisy." Comix #journalism as obituary as #cartoon. Is heart-breaking and lovely. Here's to the legacy of Jon Kudelka and @firstdogonthemoon.bsky.social
Harry Harrison has a brush with the viral video sensation this week in Hong Kong: today's cartoon
February 12, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Harry Harrison has a brush with the viral video sensation this week in Hong Kong: today's cartoon
Just astonishing... after a MONTH of reports - "Between January 18 and Thursday, the centre recorded 45 cases affecting 135 people, with nearly 87 per cent linked to norovirus" - "Hong Kong health authorities have urged diners not to eat raw oysters for the time being" www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
February 12, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Just astonishing... after a MONTH of reports - "Between January 18 and Thursday, the centre recorded 45 cases affecting 135 people, with nearly 87 per cent linked to norovirus" - "Hong Kong health authorities have urged diners not to eat raw oysters for the time being" www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
China's new car price wars "...caused an estimated loss of 471 billion yuan ($68bn USD) in output value across the whole industry in the past three years..." & 20% drop in 2026 sales
BUT
"China's exports of passenger cars jumped 49% year-on-year to 589,000 in January." kiripost.com/stories/chin...
BUT
"China's exports of passenger cars jumped 49% year-on-year to 589,000 in January." kiripost.com/stories/chin...
China Issues New Rules To Curb Auto Price War After January Passenger Car Sales Drop 20%
HONG KONG (AP) — China moved Thursday to curb a fierce price war among automakers that has caused massive losses for the industry, after passenger car sales dropped nearly 20% in January from the year...
kiripost.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM
China's new car price wars "...caused an estimated loss of 471 billion yuan ($68bn USD) in output value across the whole industry in the past three years..." & 20% drop in 2026 sales
BUT
"China's exports of passenger cars jumped 49% year-on-year to 589,000 in January." kiripost.com/stories/chin...
BUT
"China's exports of passenger cars jumped 49% year-on-year to 589,000 in January." kiripost.com/stories/chin...
Race is on to find a cover band in Wan Chai to cover an old UB40 hit for the story going viral in Hong Kong...
"There's a Rat In Mi Sushi Fridge" - whoah-whoa-whoa-whoahh-yeaaah... youtu.be/7ac0tksJfKo?...
"There's a Rat In Mi Sushi Fridge" - whoah-whoa-whoa-whoahh-yeaaah... youtu.be/7ac0tksJfKo?...
February 12, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Race is on to find a cover band in Wan Chai to cover an old UB40 hit for the story going viral in Hong Kong...
"There's a Rat In Mi Sushi Fridge" - whoah-whoa-whoa-whoahh-yeaaah... youtu.be/7ac0tksJfKo?...
"There's a Rat In Mi Sushi Fridge" - whoah-whoa-whoa-whoahh-yeaaah... youtu.be/7ac0tksJfKo?...
"A Chinese sea captain of a Hong Kong-flagged vessel accused of damaging undersea cables and a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea in 2023 pleaded not guilty Wednesday in a Hong Kong court. Around 18 witnesses could be called to testify, the court heard Wednesday." apnews.com/article/balt...
Chinese sea captain pleads not guilty in Hong Kong court to damaging Baltic Sea cables
A Chinese sea captain of a Hong Kong-flagged vessel has pleaded not guilty to damaging undersea cables in the Baltic Sea in 2023.
apnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:05 AM
"A Chinese sea captain of a Hong Kong-flagged vessel accused of damaging undersea cables and a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea in 2023 pleaded not guilty Wednesday in a Hong Kong court. Around 18 witnesses could be called to testify, the court heard Wednesday." apnews.com/article/balt...
Reposted by Jarrod Watt
One step closer to taikonauts on the moon... "These advancements in China’s reusable rocket and lunar exploration programs come as NASA prepares to launch a crew of four astronauts on a loop around the far side of the Moon as soon as next month..." arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
China showcases new Moon ship and reusable rocket in one extraordinary test
The test marks a significant step in China's push to land humans on the Moon by 2030.
arstechnica.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:02 AM
One step closer to taikonauts on the moon... "These advancements in China’s reusable rocket and lunar exploration programs come as NASA prepares to launch a crew of four astronauts on a loop around the far side of the Moon as soon as next month..." arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
I was today years old when I learned Cathay Pacific used Barry White's Love's Theme as boarding music in the 1980s - this has forever changed what's in my headphones when I go to fly. Too much to imagine staff in these outfits to be conducting passengers as they board? youtu.be/v8Hw6yAaeBw?...
Barry White Love´s Theme
YouTube video by faustomx
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 4:05 AM
I was today years old when I learned Cathay Pacific used Barry White's Love's Theme as boarding music in the 1980s - this has forever changed what's in my headphones when I go to fly. Too much to imagine staff in these outfits to be conducting passengers as they board? youtu.be/v8Hw6yAaeBw?...
Not too long now... "I support the new one in, one out legislation (long as I'm not next in line...)"
February 12, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Not too long now... "I support the new one in, one out legislation (long as I'm not next in line...)"
Reposted by Jarrod Watt
"Government social workers supporting survivors of Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po fire are struggling to manage their 'indefinite' duties, with poor communication about new initiatives compounding the stress of their already heavy caseloads."
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Social workers in Tai Po fire relief warn of burnout after colleague dies
Lack of communication by government on aid plans often adds stress to heavy workload, they say.
www.scmp.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:24 AM
"Government social workers supporting survivors of Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po fire are struggling to manage their 'indefinite' duties, with poor communication about new initiatives compounding the stress of their already heavy caseloads."
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Do read this on the present/future of Hong Kong #journalism by local #journalist Holmes Chan for @en.afp.com - beyond the verdict for Jimmy Lai, publisher, to the journalists jailed for sedition, quotes two prominent local journalists on current newsroom vibes www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02...
Hong Kong journalists face ‘precarious’ future after Jimmy Lai jailed
Media bosses 'increasingly see themselves as an extension of the government propaganda arm,' said Selina Cheng, chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.
www.japantimes.co.jp
February 12, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Do read this on the present/future of Hong Kong #journalism by local #journalist Holmes Chan for @en.afp.com - beyond the verdict for Jimmy Lai, publisher, to the journalists jailed for sedition, quotes two prominent local journalists on current newsroom vibes www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02...
Gundam, Godzilla, Japanese and Hong Kong anime, boy bands - the best name they came up for this event is “Con-Con”, which stands for Convention for Connection… designed as a cross-sector platform with intellectual property”
Will there be an otaku queue?
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Will there be an otaku queue?
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Gundam, Godzilla to headline Asian IP festival Con-Con in Hong Kong
Two-day event will also showcase Japanese musicians including festival ambassador Cocomi, daughter of actor Takuya Kimura.
www.scmp.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Gundam, Godzilla, Japanese and Hong Kong anime, boy bands - the best name they came up for this event is “Con-Con”, which stands for Convention for Connection… designed as a cross-sector platform with intellectual property”
Will there be an otaku queue?
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Will there be an otaku queue?
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
One fine day in the Hong Kong mid levels, with the expat ladies who lunch: Harry Harrison’s cartoon
February 12, 2026 at 12:01 AM
One fine day in the Hong Kong mid levels, with the expat ladies who lunch: Harry Harrison’s cartoon
China’s property slump predicted to worsen this year, only a strong central government intervention can fix it… what will Beijing do? “This is a downturn so entrenched that only the government has capacity to absorb the excess inventory…” www.cnbc.com/amp/2026/02/...
S&P is already predicting China's property slump will be worse than it expected this year
S&P Global Ratings said China's primary real estate sales will likely drop by 10% to 14% this year, steeper than the decline predicted back in October.
www.cnbc.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:10 PM
China’s property slump predicted to worsen this year, only a strong central government intervention can fix it… what will Beijing do? “This is a downturn so entrenched that only the government has capacity to absorb the excess inventory…” www.cnbc.com/amp/2026/02/...
Harry Harrison on the joy trickling down to the lowest paid workers in Hong Kong - offered one whole dollar per hour for a payrise - today’s #cartoon
February 10, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Harry Harrison on the joy trickling down to the lowest paid workers in Hong Kong - offered one whole dollar per hour for a payrise - today’s #cartoon