- SUN
- Feb 8, 2015
- Updated: 8:00am
NEWS›HONG KONG
POLITICS
Chinese authorities seize thousands of rolls of toilet paper printed with Hong Kong leader's face
Democrats left scrambling to find replacement products to sell at Lunar New Year fair booths
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 07 February, 2015, 12:14am
UPDATED : Saturday, 07 February, 2015, 3:21pm
The Democratic Party's Kelvin Lai with the Leung Chun-ying toilet paper and tissues.Photo: Dickson Lee
Mainland authorities yesterday confiscated some 7,600 rolls of toilet paper featuring the face of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, which the Democratic Party had planned to sell at this year's Lunar New Year fair.
They also seized 20,000 packets of tissues bearing more images of Hong Kong's top official.
Democrats last year grossed about HK$100,000 by selling 4,000 rolls of toilet paper decorated with the chief executive's face, which were manufactured by the same company.
But Kelvin Lai King-wai, the head of the Democrats' creative media division, expressed surprise that the authorities were able to track down their latest order. He said Democrats had placed it under the name of someone who was not a member of the party, and had not revealed their identity in the process.
"The stocks had been packed and were to be shipped to Hong Kong today, but the mainland officers suddenly inspected the factory and took away all the boxes," Lai said yesterday, adding that they also sealed the factory.
Last year's fair was the first time the Democrats had sold the novelty loo paper. It proved a hit but yielded little profit. This year, it was hoped the toilet rolls would be a good money-earner.
"Apparently Beijing has escalated its attack on the Democratic Party after the Occupy movement in all ways. They hope to mute our voice with such suppression and eventually allow only pro-government voices in the city," Lai said. "But I am sure these attempts will not succeed as we will only be more vocal on the democracy cause in future."
The confiscation puts the party in a tricky financial position as the fair is only a week away.
Lai said the party spent HK$70,000 to secure two booths in Victoria Park, where the fair will be held, and another HK$20,000 on a deposit for the toilet paper and tissues. He said the party was trying to line up a local manufacturer for a last-minute run of replacement rolls.
Lai said the factory had printed toilet paper depicting former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and United States President Barack Obama without any problems.
"Leung Chun-ying is the main culprit behind the city's political impasse over the past two years and he should step down because of this," Lai said. "We hope to spread this message to Hongkongers through the products in the Lunar New Year fair."
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Authorities wipe out big order of CY toilet paper
ttsangwkFeb 7th 2015
10:43am
10:43am
My god, who is running the Democratic party? What sort of message and what sort of role model are you trying to show to Hong Kong.
By extension, if a Democrat actually got into office as became chief executive, would Hong Kong start building an industry of printing competitors faces on toilet paper?
Seriously, the democrats really need to grow up, and show real leadership and statemanship.
And please do not say it is just a bit of fun, it is showing real lack of respect. You may not agree with the polices of the government, but you don't start personal attacks.
As the saying goes, if you want respect, give respect.
By extension, if a Democrat actually got into office as became chief executive, would Hong Kong start building an industry of printing competitors faces on toilet paper?
Seriously, the democrats really need to grow up, and show real leadership and statemanship.
And please do not say it is just a bit of fun, it is showing real lack of respect. You may not agree with the polices of the government, but you don't start personal attacks.
As the saying goes, if you want respect, give respect.
cheekyFeb 7th 2015
12:17pm
12:17pm
Distasteful. Not surprised the Pan Dems are capable of this kind of things.
Chinese people are a desperate specie, no real leaders. A couple of hundred years ago, the US had the good fortune of having Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln ... and many many more selfless men and women.
And here in HK today, we have these Pan Dems who are only capable of inciting disharmony by creating mainland mother issue, maid applying for PR issue, delay of the bridge issue and many more.
Surprisingly, the majority of the pretty educated HK people support them.
Wake up all. Supporting opposition of your choice is your right, but have some style, stop supporting this bunch of Pan Dems. They don't behave like leaders.
Chinese people are a desperate specie, no real leaders. A couple of hundred years ago, the US had the good fortune of having Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln ... and many many more selfless men and women.
And here in HK today, we have these Pan Dems who are only capable of inciting disharmony by creating mainland mother issue, maid applying for PR issue, delay of the bridge issue and many more.
Surprisingly, the majority of the pretty educated HK people support them.
Wake up all. Supporting opposition of your choice is your right, but have some style, stop supporting this bunch of Pan Dems. They don't behave like leaders.
superronFeb 7th 2015
2:43pm
2:43pm
If the democrats really want change and to win people's hearts and minds, they need to step up their game with real compelling debates, positions and arguments rather than this low-brow toilet humour.
lovemeagainpls@******Feb 7th 2015
1:30pm
1:30pm
OC idiot dont understand the difference between
freedom of speech and making personal attack., insult, degrading comment.
freedom of speech and making personal attack., insult, degrading comment.
lovemeagainpls@******Feb 7th 2015
5:11pm
5:11pm
this is biggest difference between a first world parliament and a third world parliament.
freedom of speech in hk
making personal attack, insulting statement, degrading reputation of politician's wife, children, family ,loved one, private lives of politician, hobby
nothing to do with competence, ability, and policy.
freedom of speech in hk
making personal attack, insulting statement, degrading reputation of politician's wife, children, family ,loved one, private lives of politician, hobby
nothing to do with competence, ability, and policy.
John AdamsFeb 7th 2015
11:16pm
11:16pm
I 100% agree with ttsangwk @ 10.43 !
.
What childish and moronic behavior on the part of the pan-dems
.
If this is now the extent of the pan-dems "efforts" to show some genuine leadership and sensible electoral policies they have failed even before they left the starting line.
.
I guess that the next thing the pan-dems will do will be to advertise their party on soft-p o r n sites or arrange for a few bikini-clad girls to be photographed next to Albert Ho !
.
What childish and moronic behavior on the part of the pan-dems
.
If this is now the extent of the pan-dems "efforts" to show some genuine leadership and sensible electoral policies they have failed even before they left the starting line.
.
I guess that the next thing the pan-dems will do will be to advertise their party on soft-p o r n sites or arrange for a few bikini-clad girls to be photographed next to Albert Ho !
Paradox314Feb 7th 2015
8:56am
8:56am
Could it could be headed for Zhongnanhai for use in their executive toilets?
Daniel LeeFeb 7th 2015
9:24pm
9:24pm
Making toilet paper printed with Hong Kong leader's face shows that the pan-democrats have already stooped so low that they have totally lost their morality and sanity. This what happens when their ploys for power and money through OC failed! Hongkongers will certainly have the pan-democrats flushed down the toilet!
