The Task Force on Economic Challenges was established in October 2008 to address the challenges of the financial tsunami and take Hong Kong out of the economic doldrums.

The majority of the members came from the banking, financial, business and professional communities, with Mathias Woo, a cross-media culturist and director of renowned local political drama East Wing, West Wing, being the "odd man".

"I don't know why the chief executive appointed me. I only knew the names of other members when the government announced the list," he said. "To me, I joined to fulfill my civic obligation. I voiced my opinions at the meetings and it was up to the government to accept my suggestions or not."

Woo further explained it was not strange for him as a culturist to join the task force.

"All over the world, there are culture workers taking part in discussions related to the knowledge-based economy," he said. "In my view, if cultural development is not sustainable, then economic development will not be sustainable either. We must at the same time pursue both economic development and cultural development, which are not mutually exclusive."

Woo, who was trained as an architect, had hardly worked in the architectural field. "There is no job for me," he said in a helpless manner.

In his view, the buildings built in Hong Kong in the past decade or two are "garbage" because they not only failed to comply with his ideals, but also with the principles of architecture.

The ideal layouts of buildings should have good views and good air ventilation, he said. Yet these elements are sadly missing in Hong Kong.

"Buildings in Hong Kong lack good taste," he commented. "They are just like cupboards with curtains hanging in front of them."

(HK Edition 11/13/2009 page4)