Ryan Ho Kilpatrick 何松濤
@ryanhk.blue
Freelance writer/editor/translator | Last seen managing the China Media Project | Before that: TaiwanPlus, The Washington Post, Hong Kong Free Press, TIME, dpa
📍 Hong Kong / Hualien
📍 Hong Kong / Hualien
Gotta push this one on the main timeline. Go see 世外 Another World!
#33: Another World
Totally blown away by this Hong Kong animated film. The story is steeped in Buddhism and Eastern philosophy but explores universal concepts of grief, resentment, and strength. It plumbs the depths of human darkness but somehow remains optimistic. It’s also beautifully hand-drawn.
Totally blown away by this Hong Kong animated film. The story is steeped in Buddhism and Eastern philosophy but explores universal concepts of grief, resentment, and strength. It plumbs the depths of human darkness but somehow remains optimistic. It’s also beautifully hand-drawn.
November 19, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Gotta push this one on the main timeline. Go see 世外 Another World!
In the 1950s, a Danish freighter captain became an unlikely international celebrity when he encountered monster storms but refused to abandon ship, commanding singlehanded until it sunk beneath his feet.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
They Told Him to Abandon Ship. He Said No.
YouTube video by Oceanliner Designs
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
In the 1950s, a Danish freighter captain became an unlikely international celebrity when he encountered monster storms but refused to abandon ship, commanding singlehanded until it sunk beneath his feet.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
It’s a great story I got to tell in my first YouTube script, a minidoc for Oceanliner Designs.
I’ve been listening to podcasts lately marking the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. One of the things I’ve learnt is how veneration for Queen Elizabeth I was an indirect method of condemning the policies of her Stuart successors — just like how mourning Elizabeth II was used in HK. History rhymes.
Hongkongers Find Emotional Vent in Mourning Their Former Queen | TaiwanPlus News
YouTube video by TaiwanPlus News
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I’ve been listening to podcasts lately marking the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. One of the things I’ve learnt is how veneration for Queen Elizabeth I was an indirect method of condemning the policies of her Stuart successors — just like how mourning Elizabeth II was used in HK. History rhymes.
Chinese-language media would never
New Control Yuan report auditing #TaiwanPlus condemns the hiring process for an English-language TV channel for prioritizing English writing and speaking abilities?
Claims that T+ needs to broadcast in "Taiwanese English" and not discriminate against local accents?
www.cy.gov.tw/CyBsBoxConte...
Claims that T+ needs to broadcast in "Taiwanese English" and not discriminate against local accents?
www.cy.gov.tw/CyBsBoxConte...
November 7, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Chinese-language media would never
TBF, it’s very likely Tsang was using “grassroots” (基層) in its CCP sense: not bottom-up movements but low-level Party organs. That’s how you get campaigns for “grassroots autonomy” (基層自治) — they don’t mean local self-governance but empowering neighbourhood committees to enforce political discipline.
“[Perfecting the electoral system] will further increase the voices representing grassroots interests, better embodying [the Legislative Council’s] broadly representative nature and balanced participation [in the body].”
- Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, 2021
- Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, 2021
November 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
TBF, it’s very likely Tsang was using “grassroots” (基層) in its CCP sense: not bottom-up movements but low-level Party organs. That’s how you get campaigns for “grassroots autonomy” (基層自治) — they don’t mean local self-governance but empowering neighbourhood committees to enforce political discipline.
“[Perfecting the electoral system] will further increase the voices representing grassroots interests, better embodying [the Legislative Council’s] broadly representative nature and balanced participation [in the body].”
- Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, 2021
- Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, 2021
November 6, 2025 at 7:52 AM
“[Perfecting the electoral system] will further increase the voices representing grassroots interests, better embodying [the Legislative Council’s] broadly representative nature and balanced participation [in the body].”
- Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, 2021
- Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, 2021
Very proud to have contributed a few chapters to this book on the past, present, and future of neon in HK. The process showed me how it’s so much more than just sappy sentimentality to mourn HK’s lost lights — and that despite everything… neon’s not dead.
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
A Book: Neon Is Not Dead: The Future of a Hong Kong Icon
It's about the rise, fall, and rebirth of Hong Kong’s living light
www.kickstarter.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Very proud to have contributed a few chapters to this book on the past, present, and future of neon in HK. The process showed me how it’s so much more than just sappy sentimentality to mourn HK’s lost lights — and that despite everything… neon’s not dead.
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
Consider backing our Kickstarter campaign ⬇️
The Taiwanisation of New York’s election
This isn't a closing election argument, it's Vidkun Quisling explaining why surrender is better than resistance.
November 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The Taiwanisation of New York’s election
Reposted by Ryan Ho Kilpatrick 何松濤
The lack of action on poor road safety and political dysfunction it represents is one the most depressing parts about Taiwan. Deadlock caused by political polarization and dark money is a global issue, but Taiwan's lack of care and will around road safety feels particular.
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
Last year, an unlicensed elderly driver killed two children in central Taiwan when he drove his SUV 77kph down a narrow side street outside their school.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
無照翁撞死彰化姊妹判1年2月 祖父：太輕盼上訴 | 社會 | 中央社 CNA
74歲蕭姓男子去年於彰化縣伸港鄉無照駕駛撞擊陳姓3姊弟遭判刑1年2月，3姊弟的祖父今天告訴中央社記者，2孫女相繼過世，這樣判太輕，實在不公平，希望檢察官提上訴。
www.cna.com.tw
November 1, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The lack of action on poor road safety and political dysfunction it represents is one the most depressing parts about Taiwan. Deadlock caused by political polarization and dark money is a global issue, but Taiwan's lack of care and will around road safety feels particular.
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
bsky.app/profile/ryan...
Last year, an unlicensed elderly driver killed two children in central Taiwan when he drove his SUV 77kph down a narrow side street outside their school.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
無照翁撞死彰化姊妹判1年2月 祖父：太輕盼上訴 | 社會 | 中央社 CNA
74歲蕭姓男子去年於彰化縣伸港鄉無照駕駛撞擊陳姓3姊弟遭判刑1年2月，3姊弟的祖父今天告訴中央社記者，2孫女相繼過世，這樣判太輕，實在不公平，希望檢察官提上訴。
www.cna.com.tw
November 1, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Last year, an unlicensed elderly driver killed two children in central Taiwan when he drove his SUV 77kph down a narrow side street outside their school.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
The tragedy and public outrage were an opportunity to finally improve Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell.” Instead, he’s been sentenced to just 14 months.
It gets even more dismal when you consider how the legislators who voted “no” only once did so to reject a same-sex equality bill.
FEATURE: The "patriots only" legislature in data: hongkongfp.com/2025/10/29/h...
Among the 89 sitting lawmakers, 17 lawmakers never opposed a government motion, while 56 voted "no" only once.
Among the 89 sitting lawmakers, 17 lawmakers never opposed a government motion, while 56 voted "no" only once.
October 29, 2025 at 7:50 AM
It gets even more dismal when you consider how the legislators who voted “no” only once did so to reject a same-sex equality bill.
In case this news was a bit too local to reach interested parties abroad, Senseito recently participated in a Charlie Kirk memorial on a Taiwanese campus where student protesters were jumped and then labelled “terrorists” by the organisers.
October 27, 2025 at 4:41 AM
In case this news was a bit too local to reach interested parties abroad, Senseito recently participated in a Charlie Kirk memorial on a Taiwanese campus where student protesters were jumped and then labelled “terrorists” by the organisers.
IG’s favourite new thing to advertise to me is apparently AI-generated cozy Ghibli zombie apocalypse van life games featuring vesicles with the most nonsensical layouts imaginable.
October 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
IG’s favourite new thing to advertise to me is apparently AI-generated cozy Ghibli zombie apocalypse van life games featuring vesicles with the most nonsensical layouts imaginable.
“Why is this place so ugly?” was not one of my first thoughts arriving in Taipei, when I was too grateful to have escaped political crackdowns and covid chaos to turn a critical eye to the city.
But it is very much one of my parting thoughts, and one that immediately hits me every time I head back.
But it is very much one of my parting thoughts, and one that immediately hits me every time I head back.
Ugly Taiwanese cities? Unique window grilles prompt reflection on urban environment
Such window cages took off from the 1950s, as Taiwan developed economically and home security became a concern. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“Why is this place so ugly?” was not one of my first thoughts arriving in Taipei, when I was too grateful to have escaped political crackdowns and covid chaos to turn a critical eye to the city.
But it is very much one of my parting thoughts, and one that immediately hits me every time I head back.
But it is very much one of my parting thoughts, and one that immediately hits me every time I head back.
A common trajectory for law enforcement agencies that antagonise the people they’re meant to serve.
Since 2019, Hong Kong police have lowered their weight and height thresholds, residency requirements, and expectations for eyesight, age, and exam results — yet still fail to hit recruitment targets.
Since 2019, Hong Kong police have lowered their weight and height thresholds, residency requirements, and expectations for eyesight, age, and exam results — yet still fail to hit recruitment targets.
Lecturing active soldiers about being too fat while dropping standards so low for the ICE deportation force that a third of their recruits can't handle the easiest PT test I've ever heard of www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
October 21, 2025 at 4:55 AM
A common trajectory for law enforcement agencies that antagonise the people they’re meant to serve.
Since 2019, Hong Kong police have lowered their weight and height thresholds, residency requirements, and expectations for eyesight, age, and exam results — yet still fail to hit recruitment targets.
Since 2019, Hong Kong police have lowered their weight and height thresholds, residency requirements, and expectations for eyesight, age, and exam results — yet still fail to hit recruitment targets.
An interesting report from Ming Pao which suggests that the Liberal Party is, in effect, Hong Kong’s new “opposition” in the patriots-only legislature. LP legislators dominate the rankings for most votes against the government and abstentions.
自由黨成新「反對派」 易志明邵家輝李鎮強頭三 news.mingpao.com/pns/%e6%b8%a...
自由黨成新「反對派」 易志明邵家輝李鎮強頭三 news.mingpao.com/pns/%e6%b8%a...
自由黨成新「反對派」 易志明邵家輝李鎮強頭三 - 20251016 - 港聞
【明報專訊】改制後的立法會「反對派」不再，本報統計今屆立法會記名投票的政府法案及政府提出的擬議決議案，以三讀投票結果計算，自由黨成為新一代「反對派」，記名反對次數最多是已宣布不參選的航運交通界易志明，25次表決有8次反對；自由黨正副主席邵家輝和李鎮強僅隨其後，各有7次反對。
news.mingpao.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:35 AM
An interesting report from Ming Pao which suggests that the Liberal Party is, in effect, Hong Kong’s new “opposition” in the patriots-only legislature. LP legislators dominate the rankings for most votes against the government and abstentions.
自由黨成新「反對派」 易志明邵家輝李鎮強頭三 news.mingpao.com/pns/%e6%b8%a...
自由黨成新「反對派」 易志明邵家輝李鎮強頭三 news.mingpao.com/pns/%e6%b8%a...
Beware of how this language is used to excuse the failures of some and punish the successes of others.
In HK, the gov’t has arrested people calling for boycotts and instructed all departments to make natsec their top concern, resulting in the harassment and intimidation of pro-democracy businesses.
In HK, the gov’t has arrested people calling for boycotts and instructed all departments to make natsec their top concern, resulting in the harassment and intimidation of pro-democracy businesses.
October 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Beware of how this language is used to excuse the failures of some and punish the successes of others.
In HK, the gov’t has arrested people calling for boycotts and instructed all departments to make natsec their top concern, resulting in the harassment and intimidation of pro-democracy businesses.
In HK, the gov’t has arrested people calling for boycotts and instructed all departments to make natsec their top concern, resulting in the harassment and intimidation of pro-democracy businesses.
Reposted by Ryan Ho Kilpatrick 何松濤
“Apple made similar claims in 2019 when it removed HKMap, an app that allowed Hong Kong protesters to trace the movements of law enforcement … At the time, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle spoke out against ‘Apple’s censorship of apps.’”
Apple pulls ICEBlock from the App Store
ICEBlock reportedly has 1.1 million users.
www.theverge.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:28 AM
“Apple made similar claims in 2019 when it removed HKMap, an app that allowed Hong Kong protesters to trace the movements of law enforcement … At the time, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle spoke out against ‘Apple’s censorship of apps.’”
Hongkongers did this in 2020 before the history museum’s permanent exhibition “Hong Kong Story” closed for an extensive revamp. Slated to take 2 years but still ongoing, many fear it will rewrite the city’s past through a “patriotic” lens — fears only deepened by the new “National Security Gallery.”
September 29, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Hongkongers did this in 2020 before the history museum’s permanent exhibition “Hong Kong Story” closed for an extensive revamp. Slated to take 2 years but still ongoing, many fear it will rewrite the city’s past through a “patriotic” lens — fears only deepened by the new “National Security Gallery.”
Don’t usually have a problem with “anti-government” but it could be misleading here. We don’t have to wonder what drove the protests — they had 5 clear demands.
You could say HK’s housing is symptomatic of the system they opposed but this is just a wire piece. “Pro-democracy” might’ve been clearer.
You could say HK’s housing is symptomatic of the system they opposed but this is just a wire piece. “Pro-democracy” might’ve been clearer.
September 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Don’t usually have a problem with “anti-government” but it could be misleading here. We don’t have to wonder what drove the protests — they had 5 clear demands.
You could say HK’s housing is symptomatic of the system they opposed but this is just a wire piece. “Pro-democracy” might’ve been clearer.
You could say HK’s housing is symptomatic of the system they opposed but this is just a wire piece. “Pro-democracy” might’ve been clearer.
Early in my career, I wrote a lot of “netizens say” stories. In my defence, the context was different. China’s internet was freer than it is now, and online comments were a windows on unofficial discourse. But with the state of the internet now, these stories should probably be consigned to history.
September 27, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Early in my career, I wrote a lot of “netizens say” stories. In my defence, the context was different. China’s internet was freer than it is now, and online comments were a windows on unofficial discourse. But with the state of the internet now, these stories should probably be consigned to history.
Treating the gov’t as a protected group and dissent as violence against it is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.
In HK, criticism of Beijing has been recast as “inciting hatred against the central gov’t” under national security legislation introduced after the expulsion of the opposition.
In HK, criticism of Beijing has been recast as “inciting hatred against the central gov’t” under national security legislation introduced after the expulsion of the opposition.
September 26, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Treating the gov’t as a protected group and dissent as violence against it is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.
In HK, criticism of Beijing has been recast as “inciting hatred against the central gov’t” under national security legislation introduced after the expulsion of the opposition.
In HK, criticism of Beijing has been recast as “inciting hatred against the central gov’t” under national security legislation introduced after the expulsion of the opposition.
Just realised allpoetry.com now has AI "analysis" at the bottom of every poem and the insights are mindblowing
September 23, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Just realised allpoetry.com now has AI "analysis" at the bottom of every poem and the insights are mindblowing
The funny thing about the “yacht economy” is that pro-democracy DCs called for more berths for years — there are only enough for 1/3 of HK’s boats.
Suddenly, CCP-aligned politicians are all on board now that it’s for foreign billionaires instead of locals’ access to water sports and boat ownership.
Suddenly, CCP-aligned politicians are all on board now that it’s for foreign billionaires instead of locals’ access to water sports and boat ownership.
Hong Kong tourism secretary Rosanna Law said building berths for yachts will attract high-end tourists.
• She said tourists coming on a yacht would consume various products and services in the city, which would be beneficial to the economy
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
• She said tourists coming on a yacht would consume various products and services in the city, which would be beneficial to the economy
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
'Yacht economy will attract luxury tourists' - RTHK
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said building berths to accommodate luxury yachts across several l...
news.rthk.hk
September 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The funny thing about the “yacht economy” is that pro-democracy DCs called for more berths for years — there are only enough for 1/3 of HK’s boats.
Suddenly, CCP-aligned politicians are all on board now that it’s for foreign billionaires instead of locals’ access to water sports and boat ownership.
Suddenly, CCP-aligned politicians are all on board now that it’s for foreign billionaires instead of locals’ access to water sports and boat ownership.
Prosecuting journalists for acquiring “unauthorised information” is common in China. Document No. 9 is a textbook example.
Last year, Article 23 also made this all-encompassing definition of “state secrets” law in HK, giving the CE authority to certify whether any materials involve state secrets.
Last year, Article 23 also made this all-encompassing definition of “state secrets” law in HK, giving the CE authority to certify whether any materials involve state secrets.
September 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Prosecuting journalists for acquiring “unauthorised information” is common in China. Document No. 9 is a textbook example.
Last year, Article 23 also made this all-encompassing definition of “state secrets” law in HK, giving the CE authority to certify whether any materials involve state secrets.
Last year, Article 23 also made this all-encompassing definition of “state secrets” law in HK, giving the CE authority to certify whether any materials involve state secrets.