It's also common knowledge that a building in Hong Kong collapse
earlier this year. 
But I guess you are too busy making money from your scholarly
job to notice.
(AFP) –
Jan 29, 2010
HONG KONG — Rescue workers Saturday pulled a fourth body
from the rubble of a rundown housing block that collapsed in Hong
Kong as the government ordered urgent checks on all buildings more
than 50 years old.
The five-storey building, built in the 1950s, collapsed in
seconds on Friday afternoon in Kowloon district, witnesses told
local television.
Rescuers retrieved a fourth body -- that of a woman -- early
Saturday following an overnight search, the government said in a
statement.
"She was certified dead at the scene," it said. "So far, four
persons died and two (were) injured in the collapse."
Rescue workers ended their search after a fifth person thought
to have been trapped in the rubble was located elsewhere,
broadcaster RTHK said.
Reports said renovation work was being carried out on the
building but the cause of the collapse was unclear.
Several nearby buildings were closed for safety reasons and
about 100 people affected by the collapse spent the night in two
community centres.
Au Choi-kai, director of buildings, said a repair order had been
served on the owners of the block this month. But he added that its
condition was not bad enough to order its closure, RTHK
reported.
Development Secretary Carrie Lam has ordered checks on all
buildings more than 50 years old, it said.
The South China Morning Post described it as "the worst incident
of its kind in the city in decades".
Reports said the building collapsed in a matter of seconds.
"I saw bits and pieces of earth and tiles sliding down the wall
at the beginning... a woman was trying to climb out through the
window. About 15 seconds later, the building fell like dominoes," a
passer-by told Cable TV.
Decades-old, rundown residential blocks are often interspersed
with high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, an international financial
hub famous for its high population density and fast pace of
redevelopment.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hkV2zgztgphg_TVvRtH2HL2p3HAA
That brings us to this very curious question.
WHY HDB sell us a 99 year lease ??????
Why are we paying interest for 49 years worth of nothingness
?
