Talking of first hand perspectives, there are Hong Kongers both vehemently pro-govt and anti-govt, both are living there with opinions 180 degrees apart
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Hong Kong protests - USA v China standoff
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Talking of first hand perspectives, there are Hong Kongers both vehemently pro-govt and anti-govt, both are living there with opinions 180 degrees apart
All said, while I can agree with the protestors fear, violence cannot be justified, be it from brick throwing protestors, or from police.
What I would not want to do is a knee jerk support of China just because the "CIA funded the protestors".
There are plenty of cases where the CIA supported a group, that does not make the other party angels.
Be it the Uighur oppression or the Bosnian genocide, or Assad, just because the US claims to be against one side for its own selfish reasons, does not mean the other side is right.
What I would not want to do is a knee jerk support of China just because the "CIA funded the protestors".
There are plenty of cases where the CIA supported a group, that does not make the other party angels.
Be it the Uighur oppression or the Bosnian genocide, or Assad, just because the US claims to be against one side for its own selfish reasons, does not mean the other side is right.
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I’ve no doubt that the criminal element will exploit legitimate protest against oppression to cause harm, this always happens.
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Protesters occupying a university in Hong Kong have been firing arrows and launching petrol bombs at police with catapults as they seek to keep control of a barricaded university.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-50452277
A media liaison officer was wounded in the leg with an arrow as violence once again flared in the Chinese territory.
Images showed the arrow embedded in the officer's leg outside the campus of the Polytechnic University (PolyU).
Months of anti-government protests have caused turmoil in the city.
Protests were triggered by a now-withdrawn plan to allow extradition to mainland China but have since expanded into wider demands for greater democracy and for investigations into the actions of police.
The government recently confirmed the city had entered its first recession for a decade.
How is Hong Kong run? and what is the Basic Law?
Most recently, Hong Kong's university campuses have been the scenes of pitched battles between police and demonstrators.
On Sunday, riot police fired tear gas and used water cannon against protesters at the PolyU, who launched bricks and petrol bombs at them. Protesters took cover behind umbrellas on a footbridge and set light to debris there, causing a huge fire.
The blaze triggered a number of small explosions, witnesses said, and fire crews eventually moved in to douse the flames.
Police have told students in the university campus that they must leave immediately. Dozens have reportedly been arrested but hundreds remain barricaded inside.
Pro-democracy lawmakers are trying to enter the campus to communicate with those inside, the South China Morning Post newspaper reports. There are fears of bloodshed should police move in to quell what they have now declared a riot.
A reporter with the Reuters news agency at the campus says there are "grave fears of a bloody showdown".
In a statement the university urged those occupying the campus to leave ..
"Universities are venues for advancing knowledge and nurturing talents. Universities are not battlegrounds for political disputes and should not be drawn into violent confrontations" it read.
There have been heavy clashes on a bridge above the Cross Harbour tunnel, which links Kowloon and Hong Kong island.
A police truck on the bridge was set on fire and forced to retreat.
Protesters armed with bows and arrows have been seen on the PolyU campus
Police said the wounded officer had been on duty near the PolyU when he was hit by the arrow on Sunday afternoon.
"Such acts are life-threatening to everyone on the scene," a statement on Facebook said.
"The force strongly condemns the violent acts of rioters and is carrying out its dispersal and arrest actions now. We call on citizens not to head towards the PolyU area as the situation is sharply deteriorating."
On Saturday, Chinese soldiers in shorts and T-shirts took to the streets to help clean up debris and remove barricades. It was the first time since the protests erupted that Chinese soldiers, who very rarely leave their barracks in Hong Kong, had taken to the streets.
Why are there protests?
Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".
Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.
The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
Many feared this bill would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.
The bill was eventually withdrawn but the protests continued, having evolved into a broader revolt against the police, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.
Images showed the arrow embedded in the officer's leg outside the campus of the Polytechnic University (PolyU).
Months of anti-government protests have caused turmoil in the city.
Protests were triggered by a now-withdrawn plan to allow extradition to mainland China but have since expanded into wider demands for greater democracy and for investigations into the actions of police.
The government recently confirmed the city had entered its first recession for a decade.
How is Hong Kong run? and what is the Basic Law?
Most recently, Hong Kong's university campuses have been the scenes of pitched battles between police and demonstrators.
On Sunday, riot police fired tear gas and used water cannon against protesters at the PolyU, who launched bricks and petrol bombs at them. Protesters took cover behind umbrellas on a footbridge and set light to debris there, causing a huge fire.
The blaze triggered a number of small explosions, witnesses said, and fire crews eventually moved in to douse the flames.
Police have told students in the university campus that they must leave immediately. Dozens have reportedly been arrested but hundreds remain barricaded inside.
Pro-democracy lawmakers are trying to enter the campus to communicate with those inside, the South China Morning Post newspaper reports. There are fears of bloodshed should police move in to quell what they have now declared a riot.
A reporter with the Reuters news agency at the campus says there are "grave fears of a bloody showdown".
In a statement the university urged those occupying the campus to leave ..
"Universities are venues for advancing knowledge and nurturing talents. Universities are not battlegrounds for political disputes and should not be drawn into violent confrontations" it read.
There have been heavy clashes on a bridge above the Cross Harbour tunnel, which links Kowloon and Hong Kong island.
A police truck on the bridge was set on fire and forced to retreat.
Protesters armed with bows and arrows have been seen on the PolyU campus
Police said the wounded officer had been on duty near the PolyU when he was hit by the arrow on Sunday afternoon.
"Such acts are life-threatening to everyone on the scene," a statement on Facebook said.
"The force strongly condemns the violent acts of rioters and is carrying out its dispersal and arrest actions now. We call on citizens not to head towards the PolyU area as the situation is sharply deteriorating."
On Saturday, Chinese soldiers in shorts and T-shirts took to the streets to help clean up debris and remove barricades. It was the first time since the protests erupted that Chinese soldiers, who very rarely leave their barracks in Hong Kong, had taken to the streets.
Why are there protests?
Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".
Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.
The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
Many feared this bill would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.
The bill was eventually withdrawn but the protests continued, having evolved into a broader revolt against the police, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.
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Several protesters have been arrested while trying to run from a Hong Kong university campus surrounded by police.
A group of around 100 people tried to leave Polytechnic University, but were met with tear gas and rubber bullets.
It is the third time protesters have tried to leave, following a fiery overnight stand-off with police.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-50455727
A group of around 100 people tried to leave Polytechnic University, but were met with tear gas and rubber bullets.
It is the third time protesters have tried to leave, following a fiery overnight stand-off with police.
In the past week, the campus has turned into a battleground as long-running anti-government protests become more violent.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong's High Court ruled that a ban on protesters wearing face masks was unconstitutional. The colonial-era emergency law was invoked in October, but protesters largely defied the ban.
The violence is some of the worst seen during months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. The protests started over a controversial extradition bill, and have now evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.
At a news conference in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: "No-one should underestimate China's will to safeguard its sovereignty and Hong Kong's stability."
Hong Kong is a part of China, and the protests are, in part, about the fear that the special freedoms the territory enjoys as a former British colony are being eroded.
Hong Kong's government said the weekend's events had "reduced the chance" of district elections being held on Sunday as planned, public broadcaster RTHK reports. Postponing or cancelling the vote could further inflame the protests.
The UK's Foreign Office has expressed concern, saying: "We need to see an end to the violence, and for all sides to engage in meaningful political dialogue ahead of the district council elections."
What is happening?
The police are continuing to lay siege to the Polytechnic University where several hundred protesters are thought to be trapped. Officers have ordered those inside to drop their weapons and surrender.
Earlier, dozens tried to break out of the campus and through police lines. Some escaped while others were arrested.
A protester inside the university told the BBC that the situation was calm, but there was an underlying tension. He said supplies, including first aid equipment, were running low.
PolyU has been occupied by protesters for several days. On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 local time to leave the campus, saying they could use live ammunition if the attacks continued.
On Sunday, the university said it had been "severely and extensively vandalised".
A number of protesters left inside in the university have identified themselves as current students in media interviews. But it is unclear exactly how many of them are, in fact, university students.
Campuses remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests but, last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground.
Police said protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes.
The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term. Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university.
On Monday afternoon, the city's Hospital Authority said 24 people aged between 16-84 were injured, with four in serious condition across Hong Kong.
Some 13 people, aged between 22 and 57, were injured on Sunday, with one in serious condition. It is unclear how many of the injured were protesters at the university.
Protests have also been held at other locations in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong's High Court ruled that a ban on protesters wearing face masks was unconstitutional. The colonial-era emergency law was invoked in October, but protesters largely defied the ban.
The violence is some of the worst seen during months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. The protests started over a controversial extradition bill, and have now evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.
At a news conference in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: "No-one should underestimate China's will to safeguard its sovereignty and Hong Kong's stability."
Hong Kong is a part of China, and the protests are, in part, about the fear that the special freedoms the territory enjoys as a former British colony are being eroded.
Hong Kong's government said the weekend's events had "reduced the chance" of district elections being held on Sunday as planned, public broadcaster RTHK reports. Postponing or cancelling the vote could further inflame the protests.
The UK's Foreign Office has expressed concern, saying: "We need to see an end to the violence, and for all sides to engage in meaningful political dialogue ahead of the district council elections."
What is happening?
The police are continuing to lay siege to the Polytechnic University where several hundred protesters are thought to be trapped. Officers have ordered those inside to drop their weapons and surrender.
Earlier, dozens tried to break out of the campus and through police lines. Some escaped while others were arrested.
A protester inside the university told the BBC that the situation was calm, but there was an underlying tension. He said supplies, including first aid equipment, were running low.
PolyU has been occupied by protesters for several days. On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 local time to leave the campus, saying they could use live ammunition if the attacks continued.
On Sunday, the university said it had been "severely and extensively vandalised".
A number of protesters left inside in the university have identified themselves as current students in media interviews. But it is unclear exactly how many of them are, in fact, university students.
Campuses remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests but, last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground.
Police said protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes.
The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term. Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university.
On Monday afternoon, the city's Hospital Authority said 24 people aged between 16-84 were injured, with four in serious condition across Hong Kong.
Some 13 people, aged between 22 and 57, were injured on Sunday, with one in serious condition. It is unclear how many of the injured were protesters at the university.
Protests have also been held at other locations in Hong Kong.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-50455727
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US Senate unanimously passes Hong Kong rights bill, sending legislation to House
The U.S. Senate, in a unanimous vote, passed legislation on Tuesday aimed at protecting human rights in Hong Kong amid a crackdown on a pro-democracy protest movement that has gripped the Chinese-ruled financial center for months.
Following the voice vote by senators, the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act” now goes to the House of Representatives, which approved its own version of the measure last month. The two chambers will have to work out their differences before any legislation can be sent to President Donald Trump for his consideration.
The Senate passed a second bill, also unanimously, that would ban the export of certain crowd-control munitions to Hong Kong police forces. It bans the export of items such as tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns.
Under the first Senate bill, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would have to certify at least once a year that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to qualify for special U.S. trading consideration that bolsters its status as a world financial center. It also would provide for sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong.
You cannot be a great leader — and you cannot be a great country — when you oppose freedom, when you are so brutal to the people of Hong Kong, young and old, who are protesting.
Sen. Chuck Schumer
There was no immediate response from the White House, which has yet to say whether Trump would approve the Hong Kong Human Rights bill. A U.S. official said recently that no decision had been made, but the unanimous Senate vote could make a veto more difficult for the Republican president.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said if the measure gets to Trump’s desk there would likely be an intense debate between Trump aides worried that it could undermine trade talks with China and those who believe it is the time to take a stand against China on human rights and Hong Kong’s status.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pompeo said on Monday that the United States was gravely concerned about the deepening unrest and violence in Hong Kong and urged the city’s government to address public concerns and China to honor the promises it made to maintain liberties after taking back the territory from British rule in 1997.
Pompeo addressed the issue again on Tuesday while talking to reporters before leaving the United States for a NATO meeting in Brussels.
“We continue to urge everyone to do this peacefully,” he said. “There is a political resolution of this that is achievable, we hope that’ll be the path forward.”
At the start of the brief Senate debate, Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused Beijing of being behind the “violence and repression” in Hong Kong.
“The people of Hong Kong see what’s coming — they see the steady effort to erode the autonomy and their freedoms,” he said.
Demonstrators are angry at what they see as Chinese meddling in the freedoms promised to Hong Kong when Britain handed it back to China.
Senate aides said they expected the legislation eventually would move forward as an amendment to a massive defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, expected to pass Congress later this year.
Demonstrators in Hong Kong have been protesting in the streets amid increasing violence and fears that Beijing will ratchet up its response to stop the civil disobedience.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said following passage of the bill: “We have sent a message to President Xi (Jinping): Your suppression of freedom, whether in Hong Kong, in northwest China or in anywhere else, will not stand. You cannot be a great leader — and you cannot be a great country — when you oppose freedom, when you are so brutal to the people of Hong Kong, young and old, who are protesting.”
Xinjiang, in northwest China, is home to many mostly Muslim Uighurs, large numbers of whom have been detained in what China says are vocational training centers, but which some U.S. officials have called “concentration camps.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said this month that China had lodged “stern representations” with the United States about the legislation and urged that it not be passed into law, saying it would not only harm Chinese interests and China-U.S. relations, but the United States’ own interests too.
It said China would “inevitably take vigorous measures to firmly respond, to staunchly safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests.”
Trump prompted questions about his commitment to protecting freedoms in Hong Kong when he referred in August to its mass street protests as “riots” that were a matter for China to deal with.
Trump has since called on China to handle the issue humanely, while warning that if anything bad happened in Hong Kong, it could be bad for talks to end a trade war between the world’s two largest economies
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/20/us-senate-passes-hong-kong-rights-bill-sending-legislation-to-house.html
The U.S. Senate, in a unanimous vote, passed legislation on Tuesday aimed at protecting human rights in Hong Kong amid a crackdown on a pro-democracy protest movement that has gripped the Chinese-ruled financial center for months.
Following the voice vote by senators, the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act” now goes to the House of Representatives, which approved its own version of the measure last month. The two chambers will have to work out their differences before any legislation can be sent to President Donald Trump for his consideration.
The Senate passed a second bill, also unanimously, that would ban the export of certain crowd-control munitions to Hong Kong police forces. It bans the export of items such as tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns.
Under the first Senate bill, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would have to certify at least once a year that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to qualify for special U.S. trading consideration that bolsters its status as a world financial center. It also would provide for sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong.
You cannot be a great leader — and you cannot be a great country — when you oppose freedom, when you are so brutal to the people of Hong Kong, young and old, who are protesting.
Sen. Chuck Schumer
There was no immediate response from the White House, which has yet to say whether Trump would approve the Hong Kong Human Rights bill. A U.S. official said recently that no decision had been made, but the unanimous Senate vote could make a veto more difficult for the Republican president.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said if the measure gets to Trump’s desk there would likely be an intense debate between Trump aides worried that it could undermine trade talks with China and those who believe it is the time to take a stand against China on human rights and Hong Kong’s status.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pompeo said on Monday that the United States was gravely concerned about the deepening unrest and violence in Hong Kong and urged the city’s government to address public concerns and China to honor the promises it made to maintain liberties after taking back the territory from British rule in 1997.
Pompeo addressed the issue again on Tuesday while talking to reporters before leaving the United States for a NATO meeting in Brussels.
“We continue to urge everyone to do this peacefully,” he said. “There is a political resolution of this that is achievable, we hope that’ll be the path forward.”
At the start of the brief Senate debate, Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused Beijing of being behind the “violence and repression” in Hong Kong.
“The people of Hong Kong see what’s coming — they see the steady effort to erode the autonomy and their freedoms,” he said.
Demonstrators are angry at what they see as Chinese meddling in the freedoms promised to Hong Kong when Britain handed it back to China.
Senate aides said they expected the legislation eventually would move forward as an amendment to a massive defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, expected to pass Congress later this year.
Demonstrators in Hong Kong have been protesting in the streets amid increasing violence and fears that Beijing will ratchet up its response to stop the civil disobedience.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said following passage of the bill: “We have sent a message to President Xi (Jinping): Your suppression of freedom, whether in Hong Kong, in northwest China or in anywhere else, will not stand. You cannot be a great leader — and you cannot be a great country — when you oppose freedom, when you are so brutal to the people of Hong Kong, young and old, who are protesting.”
Xinjiang, in northwest China, is home to many mostly Muslim Uighurs, large numbers of whom have been detained in what China says are vocational training centers, but which some U.S. officials have called “concentration camps.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said this month that China had lodged “stern representations” with the United States about the legislation and urged that it not be passed into law, saying it would not only harm Chinese interests and China-U.S. relations, but the United States’ own interests too.
It said China would “inevitably take vigorous measures to firmly respond, to staunchly safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests.”
Trump prompted questions about his commitment to protecting freedoms in Hong Kong when he referred in August to its mass street protests as “riots” that were a matter for China to deal with.
Trump has since called on China to handle the issue humanely, while warning that if anything bad happened in Hong Kong, it could be bad for talks to end a trade war between the world’s two largest economies
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/20/us-senate-passes-hong-kong-rights-bill-sending-legislation-to-house.html
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And it begins, .. I love it.. 
JaDed
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US at it once again, world powers and their righteous hypocrisy.
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corneredtiger85292
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The U.S is behind this all, as they are behind basically all the troubles in the world. Please pray for us all here in Hong Kong..its been an unpleasent last few months !
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<iframe width="400" height="500" frameborder="0" src="https://www.bbc.com/news/av/embed/p07w2m9w/50556296"></iframe>
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-a...protests-i-was-born-here-i-m-a-hongkonger-too.
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Why have the chinese not built re - education centres for these peskey hong kong residents, like they have done for the poor muslim uighyurs?
Ah yes unlike the muslim world, who have shown no support for the uighyurs, the west have supported the hong kong people.
One of the reasons that the west is superior to the muslum world!
Ah yes unlike the muslim world, who have shown no support for the uighyurs, the west have supported the hong kong people.
One of the reasons that the west is superior to the muslum world!
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Pro-democracy councillors sweep the election.
Surely Carrie Lam’s position is now untenable?
Surely Carrie Lam’s position is now untenable?
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Rioting has wrecked Hong Kong’s economy. Some facts:
-Tourist numbers have gone down by 50%
-At least 500 restaurants have closed down
-At least 20000 F&B workers have been left homeless
-Economy had contracted by 2.5%
-Unemployment has risen significantly
-Hotel sector is in a massive crisis
-Billions of dollar of damages has been caused to road, transport and educational infrastructure
This is what happens when the U.S funds and supports violence abroad.
-Tourist numbers have gone down by 50%
-At least 500 restaurants have closed down
-At least 20000 F&B workers have been left homeless
-Economy had contracted by 2.5%
-Unemployment has risen significantly
-Hotel sector is in a massive crisis
-Billions of dollar of damages has been caused to road, transport and educational infrastructure
This is what happens when the U.S funds and supports violence abroad.
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Very well said !
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China is being too soft on these ingrates.
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What do you think of China's detention and indoctrination of perhaps a million Muslims in Xinyiang?
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I refuse to comment on your strawman.
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Hong Kong: High-profile democracy activists arrested
Police in Hong Kong have arrested 15 of some of the city's most high-profile pro-democracy activists.
The group includes 71-year-old media tycoon Jimmy Lai as well as a number of prominent lawmakers.
They are accused of organising, taking part in or publicising unauthorised assembles during last year's mass protests in the Chinese territory.
They are due to appear in court next month.
The government has not explained the high-profile arrests but they come days after Beijing's most senior official in the city called for a new security law to deal with dissent.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong had witnessed almost weekly demonstrations against a proposal to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.
While that was later abandoned, the protests morphed into demands for greater democracy and less control from Beijing, and anger against the government remains.
Who was arrested?
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai runs the Apple Daily newspaper, which is frequently critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese leadership.
Mr Lai, who was estimated by Forbes in 2009 to be worth $660m (£512m), was also arrested in February this year on charges of illegal assembly and intimidation.
Democratic Party founder and barrister Martin Lee, 81, was another prominent figure to be detained.
The 81-year-old - who is known as the father of Hong Kong democracy - said he was "very much relieved" by his arrest, according to AFP news agency.
"For so many years, so many months, so many good youngsters were arrested and charged, while I was not arrested. I feel sorry about it," he added.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52338493
Police in Hong Kong have arrested 15 of some of the city's most high-profile pro-democracy activists.
The group includes 71-year-old media tycoon Jimmy Lai as well as a number of prominent lawmakers.
They are accused of organising, taking part in or publicising unauthorised assembles during last year's mass protests in the Chinese territory.
They are due to appear in court next month.
The government has not explained the high-profile arrests but they come days after Beijing's most senior official in the city called for a new security law to deal with dissent.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong had witnessed almost weekly demonstrations against a proposal to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.
While that was later abandoned, the protests morphed into demands for greater democracy and less control from Beijing, and anger against the government remains.
Who was arrested?
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai runs the Apple Daily newspaper, which is frequently critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese leadership.
Mr Lai, who was estimated by Forbes in 2009 to be worth $660m (£512m), was also arrested in February this year on charges of illegal assembly and intimidation.
Democratic Party founder and barrister Martin Lee, 81, was another prominent figure to be detained.
The 81-year-old - who is known as the father of Hong Kong democracy - said he was "very much relieved" by his arrest, according to AFP news agency.
"For so many years, so many months, so many good youngsters were arrested and charged, while I was not arrested. I feel sorry about it," he added.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52338493
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HONG KONG (Reuters) - Suppressing Hong Kong’s democracy movement is a priority for China, even in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, a top pro-democracy leader said on Sunday, a day after police arrested him and 14 others in a surprise crackdown.
The United States and others criticised the arrest of the 15 on charges of organising and participating in anti-government protests last year, the biggest crackdown on the pro-democracy movement since the outbreak of the protests almost a year ago.
“This is all happening while we are in midst of a pandemic,” pro-democracy activist Avery Ng told Reuters by telephone.
“The world is dealing with this virus, but this signals that Beijing still sees a political crackdown in Hong Kong is a top priority.”
Those arrested included Democratic Party founder and barrister Martin Lee, 81, millionaire publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, 71, and former lawmaker and barrister Margaret Ng, 72.
Police said those arrested were charged with organising and participating in unlawful assemblies on Aug. 18 and Oct. 1 and 20 last year. Major and often violent demonstrations broke out across the former British colony on those days.
They were due to appear in court on May 18. Police said more arrests were possible. Avery Ng and some of the others arrested were released on bail late on Saturday.
The arrests prompted criticism from the United States and Britain, which both called for Hong Kong’s rule of law to be maintained.
“The United States condemns the arrest of pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong,” U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
“Beijing and its representatives in Hong Kong continue to take actions inconsistent with commitments made under the Sino-British Joint Declaration that include transparency, the rule of law, and guarantees that Hong Kong will continue to ‘enjoy a high degree of autonomy’,” he said.
Hong Kong returned to Beijing in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that guarantees it broad freedoms not seen in mainland China, and a high degree of autonomy.
China rejected the U.S. criticism.
“It serves as another evidence of their collusion with the local troublemakers, which deserves condemnation by the entire international community,” a spokesman for Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said a statement.
‘HAWKISH’
In Britain, a Foreign Office representative said the government expected any arrests and court procedures to be “conducted in a fair and transparent manner”.
The right to peaceful protest was “fundamental to Hong Kong’s way of life” and authorities should avoid inflaming tension and “focus on rebuilding trust through a process of meaningful political dialogue”.
The Hong Kong government defended the arrests. The city’s Security Bureau said were carried out in line with the law.
Hong Kong’s protest campaign has gone quiet as the coronavirus threat has grown. There have been no major demonstrations in the city since Jan. 1.
But nevertheless, Ng said he believed Beijing would not compromise and more activists were likely to be arrested.
“It is a very significant political decision and shows the direction that Beijing will take in dealing with Hong Kong,” he said. “They will be very hawkish ... we can expect there will be more crackdowns.”
In another sign of the growing power of Beijing over the city, Beijing’s Liaison Office, the Chinese government’s top representative office in the city, announced on Friday that it was not bound by a law that restricts interference by other mainland Chinese bodies.
The city government backed the announcement drawing the condemnation of 22 opposition members of the city’s legislature who accused Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s government of “betraying” Hong Kong by its “capitulation”.
The International Bar Association condemned the arrests of Lee and Margaret Ng, who have been active human rights and rule of law campaigners during their careers.
It was vital that justice was applied transparently in Hong Kong, especially while the world is gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, it said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-crackdown-as-priority-activist-idUSKBN221036
The United States and others criticised the arrest of the 15 on charges of organising and participating in anti-government protests last year, the biggest crackdown on the pro-democracy movement since the outbreak of the protests almost a year ago.
“This is all happening while we are in midst of a pandemic,” pro-democracy activist Avery Ng told Reuters by telephone.
“The world is dealing with this virus, but this signals that Beijing still sees a political crackdown in Hong Kong is a top priority.”
Those arrested included Democratic Party founder and barrister Martin Lee, 81, millionaire publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, 71, and former lawmaker and barrister Margaret Ng, 72.
Police said those arrested were charged with organising and participating in unlawful assemblies on Aug. 18 and Oct. 1 and 20 last year. Major and often violent demonstrations broke out across the former British colony on those days.
They were due to appear in court on May 18. Police said more arrests were possible. Avery Ng and some of the others arrested were released on bail late on Saturday.
The arrests prompted criticism from the United States and Britain, which both called for Hong Kong’s rule of law to be maintained.
“The United States condemns the arrest of pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong,” U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
“Beijing and its representatives in Hong Kong continue to take actions inconsistent with commitments made under the Sino-British Joint Declaration that include transparency, the rule of law, and guarantees that Hong Kong will continue to ‘enjoy a high degree of autonomy’,” he said.
Hong Kong returned to Beijing in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that guarantees it broad freedoms not seen in mainland China, and a high degree of autonomy.
China rejected the U.S. criticism.
“It serves as another evidence of their collusion with the local troublemakers, which deserves condemnation by the entire international community,” a spokesman for Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said a statement.
‘HAWKISH’
In Britain, a Foreign Office representative said the government expected any arrests and court procedures to be “conducted in a fair and transparent manner”.
The right to peaceful protest was “fundamental to Hong Kong’s way of life” and authorities should avoid inflaming tension and “focus on rebuilding trust through a process of meaningful political dialogue”.
The Hong Kong government defended the arrests. The city’s Security Bureau said were carried out in line with the law.
Hong Kong’s protest campaign has gone quiet as the coronavirus threat has grown. There have been no major demonstrations in the city since Jan. 1.
But nevertheless, Ng said he believed Beijing would not compromise and more activists were likely to be arrested.
“It is a very significant political decision and shows the direction that Beijing will take in dealing with Hong Kong,” he said. “They will be very hawkish ... we can expect there will be more crackdowns.”
In another sign of the growing power of Beijing over the city, Beijing’s Liaison Office, the Chinese government’s top representative office in the city, announced on Friday that it was not bound by a law that restricts interference by other mainland Chinese bodies.
The city government backed the announcement drawing the condemnation of 22 opposition members of the city’s legislature who accused Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s government of “betraying” Hong Kong by its “capitulation”.
The International Bar Association condemned the arrests of Lee and Margaret Ng, who have been active human rights and rule of law campaigners during their careers.
It was vital that justice was applied transparently in Hong Kong, especially while the world is gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, it said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-crackdown-as-priority-activist-idUSKBN221036
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- Mar 19, 2015
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Lam Wing-kee: HK bookseller who defied China opens shop in Taiwan
A Hong Kong bookseller who defied mainland China has reopened his bookshop in Taiwan.
Lam Wing-kee was one of five booksellers detained in 2015 after selling material critical of the political elite on China's mainland.
He fled to Taiwan last year for fear he would be sent back to China under Hong Kong's proposed extradition bill.
The authorities there say the reopening of the bookshop is a symbol of democracy and freedom in Taiwan.
"The reopening is very meaningful," Mr Lam told reporters in the new store in the capital, Taipei.
"Causeway Bay Books was destroyed by China through violent means. The reopening proves Taiwan is a place with freedom and democracy, and we still have the right to read books," he added.
Mr Lam had said he wanted a low-key opening because of Covid-19, but his small bookstore on the 10th floor of a building in a popular commercial district of Taipei was crowded with journalists and supporters, as well as flowers and a message from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, reports the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei.
He called on those who took to Hong Kong's streets last year and who thought their safety was at risk to come to Taiwan and continue their rebellion from outside. He said by opening his bookstore, he was also rebelling.
In 2015, Mr Lam was arrested during a visit to mainland China and held for more than 400 days.
He was among several bookshop owners and staff who disappeared and were later found to have been detained by Chinese authorities, as part of a crackdown on bookshops in the former British colony that sold publications critical of China's leaders.
His case fuelled fears of China's increasing encroachment on Hong Kong's freedoms, fears which led to the months-long mass protests in Hong Kong last year.
Months ago, he fled to Taiwan as Hong Kong considered a law that would have allowed extradition to mainland China.
Mr Lam's crowdfunding campaign to "reopen" the Causeway Bay bookstore - the name of his former shop in Hong Kong - raised more than T$3m on its first day.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52425350
A Hong Kong bookseller who defied mainland China has reopened his bookshop in Taiwan.
Lam Wing-kee was one of five booksellers detained in 2015 after selling material critical of the political elite on China's mainland.
He fled to Taiwan last year for fear he would be sent back to China under Hong Kong's proposed extradition bill.
The authorities there say the reopening of the bookshop is a symbol of democracy and freedom in Taiwan.
"The reopening is very meaningful," Mr Lam told reporters in the new store in the capital, Taipei.
"Causeway Bay Books was destroyed by China through violent means. The reopening proves Taiwan is a place with freedom and democracy, and we still have the right to read books," he added.
Mr Lam had said he wanted a low-key opening because of Covid-19, but his small bookstore on the 10th floor of a building in a popular commercial district of Taipei was crowded with journalists and supporters, as well as flowers and a message from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, reports the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei.
He called on those who took to Hong Kong's streets last year and who thought their safety was at risk to come to Taiwan and continue their rebellion from outside. He said by opening his bookstore, he was also rebelling.
In 2015, Mr Lam was arrested during a visit to mainland China and held for more than 400 days.
He was among several bookshop owners and staff who disappeared and were later found to have been detained by Chinese authorities, as part of a crackdown on bookshops in the former British colony that sold publications critical of China's leaders.
His case fuelled fears of China's increasing encroachment on Hong Kong's freedoms, fears which led to the months-long mass protests in Hong Kong last year.
Months ago, he fled to Taiwan as Hong Kong considered a law that would have allowed extradition to mainland China.
Mr Lam's crowdfunding campaign to "reopen" the Causeway Bay bookstore - the name of his former shop in Hong Kong - raised more than T$3m on its first day.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52425350
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China releases five prominent labour rights activists
SHENZHEN, China/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Five prominent labour activists have returned to their homes more than a year after they were arrested in coordinated raids in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to people close to them and a Hong Kong-based rights group.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...nt-labour-rights-activists-idUSKBN22L0JW?il=0
SHENZHEN, China/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Five prominent labour activists have returned to their homes more than a year after they were arrested in coordinated raids in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to people close to them and a Hong Kong-based rights group.
In a closed-door trial, Zhang Zhiru and Wu Guijun were sentenced to three years imprisonment, suspended for four years, while Jian Hui, Song Jiahui and He Yuancheng were sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years, according to the China Labour Bulletin.
While the five were released on April 24, they had to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before finally returning home on Thursday, it said.
Their families and friends only learned of their release and sentencing once they arrived home, two people close to Zhang and Wu told Reuters.
The five were originally arrested in January last year and charged with “gathering a crowd to disturb public order,” according to the China Labour Bulletin.
All five had been important advocates for factory workers’ rights during the 2010s, it said, with the state-run Global Times writing a feature praising Zhang’s efforts in September 2014.
Labour activists in China have long been under pressure from the ruling Communist Party, which is deeply suspicious of social organising that occurs outside of its control. Authorities have sharply intensified their efforts in recent years.
Despite the release of the five, worker groups and their former staff continue to be monitored closely, according to sources who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject.
A representative for the Shenzhen courts was unable to provide immediate confirmation or comment over telephone on Saturday.
Zhang’s ex-wife Xiao Hongxia said he seemed healthy and “in good spirits” when she visited him on Friday.
“I brought his two sons who haven’t seen him for more than a year,” she said. “They were very happy - what son wouldn’t be happy to see their father?”
While the five were released on April 24, they had to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before finally returning home on Thursday, it said.
Their families and friends only learned of their release and sentencing once they arrived home, two people close to Zhang and Wu told Reuters.
The five were originally arrested in January last year and charged with “gathering a crowd to disturb public order,” according to the China Labour Bulletin.
All five had been important advocates for factory workers’ rights during the 2010s, it said, with the state-run Global Times writing a feature praising Zhang’s efforts in September 2014.
Labour activists in China have long been under pressure from the ruling Communist Party, which is deeply suspicious of social organising that occurs outside of its control. Authorities have sharply intensified their efforts in recent years.
Despite the release of the five, worker groups and their former staff continue to be monitored closely, according to sources who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject.
A representative for the Shenzhen courts was unable to provide immediate confirmation or comment over telephone on Saturday.
Zhang’s ex-wife Xiao Hongxia said he seemed healthy and “in good spirits” when she visited him on Friday.
“I brought his two sons who haven’t seen him for more than a year,” she said. “They were very happy - what son wouldn’t be happy to see their father?”
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- Oct 2, 2004
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Hong Kong police arrest more than 200 as pro-democracy protests return
Hong Kong authorities said on Monday they arrested 230 people during pro-democracy protests on the weekend after a sing-along demonstration at a shopping mall spilled out on to the streets of the Chinese-ruled city.
Hong Kong authorities said on Monday they arrested 230 people during pro-democracy protests on the weekend after a sing-along demonstration at a shopping mall spilled out on to the streets of the Chinese-ruled city.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">China proposing new security laws for Hong Kong which opponents fear may restrict freedoms and spark new protests <a href="https://t.co/Gz8ZDgshE3">https://t.co/Gz8ZDgshE3</a></p>— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking/status/1263467683858743297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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China proposes controversial Hong Kong security law
China is proposing to introduce a new security law in Hong Kong that could ban sedition, secession and treason.
The move is likely to provoke strong opposition internationally and in Hong Kong, which last year saw months of pro-democracy protests.
China's delayed National People's Congress, its legislature, will debate the issue when it opens on Friday.
Hong Kong's mini-constitution requires it to bring in such a law but it failed to do so amid widespread opposition.
The so-called Basic Law was introduced when the UK handed back Hong Kong's sovereignty to China in 1997 and provides certain freedoms not available on mainland.
Beijing has always had the power to enact the national security law into the Basic Law but has so far refrained from doing so.
But Hong Kong is heading for elections to its own legislature in September and if last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could be blocked.
A mainland source told the South China Morning Post that Beijing had decided Hong Kong would not be able to pass its own security law and the NPC would have to take the responsibility.
The issue has now been introduced as item five on the NPC agenda, under the title of Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanism of Hong Kong. The opening of the NPC had been delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Hong Kong dollar dropped sharply on Thursday in anticipation of the announcement.
The move also comes as the US is considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges. It must decide by the end of the month. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday expressed concern over Hong Kong's autonomy.
On Monday, a number of pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong were dragged out of the chamber during a row about a Chinese national anthem bill that would criminalise disrespect of the anthem.
The incident showed that political tensions that had cooled amid the coronavirus outbreak were resurfacing.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52759578
China is proposing to introduce a new security law in Hong Kong that could ban sedition, secession and treason.
The move is likely to provoke strong opposition internationally and in Hong Kong, which last year saw months of pro-democracy protests.
China's delayed National People's Congress, its legislature, will debate the issue when it opens on Friday.
Hong Kong's mini-constitution requires it to bring in such a law but it failed to do so amid widespread opposition.
The so-called Basic Law was introduced when the UK handed back Hong Kong's sovereignty to China in 1997 and provides certain freedoms not available on mainland.
Beijing has always had the power to enact the national security law into the Basic Law but has so far refrained from doing so.
But Hong Kong is heading for elections to its own legislature in September and if last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could be blocked.
A mainland source told the South China Morning Post that Beijing had decided Hong Kong would not be able to pass its own security law and the NPC would have to take the responsibility.
The issue has now been introduced as item five on the NPC agenda, under the title of Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanism of Hong Kong. The opening of the NPC had been delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Hong Kong dollar dropped sharply on Thursday in anticipation of the announcement.
The move also comes as the US is considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges. It must decide by the end of the month. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday expressed concern over Hong Kong's autonomy.
On Monday, a number of pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong were dragged out of the chamber during a row about a Chinese national anthem bill that would criminalise disrespect of the anthem.
The incident showed that political tensions that had cooled amid the coronavirus outbreak were resurfacing.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52759578
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
The Chinese government is set to present a controversial Hong Kong security law at its congress, the most important political event of the year.
Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" says it must enact security laws to prevent "treason, secession and sedition".
But such laws have never been passed and now Beijing is now attempting to push them through.
The annual National People's Congress largely rubber-stamps decisions already taken by the Communist leadership.
The BBC's China correspondent, Robin Brant, says that what makes the situation so incendiary is that Beijing could, in theory, simply bypass Hong Kong's elected legislators and impose the changes.
Hong Kong is what is known as a "special administrative region" of China.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52762291
Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" says it must enact security laws to prevent "treason, secession and sedition".
But such laws have never been passed and now Beijing is now attempting to push them through.
The annual National People's Congress largely rubber-stamps decisions already taken by the Communist leadership.
The BBC's China correspondent, Robin Brant, says that what makes the situation so incendiary is that Beijing could, in theory, simply bypass Hong Kong's elected legislators and impose the changes.
Hong Kong is what is known as a "special administrative region" of China.
It has observed a "one country, two systems" policy since Britain returned sovereignty in 1997, which has allowed it certain freedoms the rest of China does not have.
Pro-democracy activists fear that China pushing through the law could mean "the end of Hong Kong" - that is, the effective end of its autonomy and these freedoms.
Last year, Hong Kong experienced a sustained wave of violent protest and public fury as well as demands for democratic reform.
The Chinese leadership believes this law is needed to prevent a repeat of those protests.
What is Beijing trying to do?
According to the Basic Law - the territory's mini-constitution - Hong Kong's government is required to pass national security legislation.
However, an attempt in 2003 failed after 500,000 people took to the streets in opposition.
So the latest attempt to push through the laws has caused outrage among pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
One legislator on Thursday called the laws "the most controversial [issue] in Hong Kong since the handover".
China could essentially place this law into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation, or decree.
Hong Kong has a far higher degree of democracy and free speech than mainland China.
But pro-democracy activists fear the law will be used to muzzle protests - as similar laws in China are used to silence opposition to the Communist Party.
Last year's mass protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
The bill was paused, then withdrawn - but the protests continued until the virus outbreak at the end of the year.
What do opponents say the dangers are?
A number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong have spoken out in despair essentially worried that this move spells out the end for Hong Kong's freedoms.
Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok said "if this move takes place, 'one country, two systems' will be officially erased. This is the end of Hong Kong".
Student activist and politician Joshua Wong tweeted that the move was an attempt by Beijing to "silence Hong Kongers' critical voices with force and fear".
The US also weighed in, saying the move could be "highly destabilising" and undermine China's obligations. President Trump said the US would react strongly if it went through - without giving details.
It is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges.
The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, called the move a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy"
Why is China doing this?
Sources at the National People's Congress (NPC) said Beijing can no longer wait for Hong Kong to pass its own law, nor can it continue to watch the growth of what it sees as a violent anti-government movement.
One source told the South China Morning Post: "We can no longer allow acts like desecrating national flags or defacing of the national emblem in Hong Kong."
Beijing may also fear September's elections to Hong Kong's legislature. If last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could potentially be blocked.
Announcing the move on Thursday, spokesman Zhang Yesui gave little away, saying the measure would "improve" on one country, two systems.
Mr Zhang said: "National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country. Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese, our Hong Kong compatriots included."
After debating the issue, the NPC will vote on it next week. The matter would then not advance until June, when it goes before China's Standing Committee.
An editorial in the state-run China Daily said the law meant that "those who challenge national security will necessarily be held accountable for their behaviour".
In Hong Kong, the pro-Beijing DAB party said it "fully supported" the proposals, which were made "in response to Hong Kong's rapidly worsening political situation in recent years".
What is Hong Kong's legal situation?
Hong Kong was under British control for more than 150 years up to 1997.
The British and Chinese governments signed a treaty - the Sino-British Joint Declaration - that agreed Hong Kong would have "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs", for 50 years.
This was enshrined in the Basic Law, which runs out in 2047.
As a result, Hong Kong's own legal system, borders, and rights - including freedom of assembly and free speech - are protected.
But Beijing has the ability to veto any changes to the political system and has, for example, ruled out direct election of the chief executive.
Hong Kong saw widespread political protests in 2019 but these became much smaller during the coronavirus outbreak.
But anger is still simmering, as chaotic scenes n Hong Kong's legislative chamber on Monday showed: a number of pro-democracy lawmakers were dragged out during a row about the Chinese national anthem.
The government on its part has signalled its determination to act and recently charged prominent pro-democracy activists over last year's protests.
Pro-democracy activists fear that China pushing through the law could mean "the end of Hong Kong" - that is, the effective end of its autonomy and these freedoms.
Last year, Hong Kong experienced a sustained wave of violent protest and public fury as well as demands for democratic reform.
The Chinese leadership believes this law is needed to prevent a repeat of those protests.
What is Beijing trying to do?
According to the Basic Law - the territory's mini-constitution - Hong Kong's government is required to pass national security legislation.
However, an attempt in 2003 failed after 500,000 people took to the streets in opposition.
So the latest attempt to push through the laws has caused outrage among pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
One legislator on Thursday called the laws "the most controversial [issue] in Hong Kong since the handover".
China could essentially place this law into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation, or decree.
Hong Kong has a far higher degree of democracy and free speech than mainland China.
But pro-democracy activists fear the law will be used to muzzle protests - as similar laws in China are used to silence opposition to the Communist Party.
Last year's mass protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
The bill was paused, then withdrawn - but the protests continued until the virus outbreak at the end of the year.
What do opponents say the dangers are?
A number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong have spoken out in despair essentially worried that this move spells out the end for Hong Kong's freedoms.
Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok said "if this move takes place, 'one country, two systems' will be officially erased. This is the end of Hong Kong".
Student activist and politician Joshua Wong tweeted that the move was an attempt by Beijing to "silence Hong Kongers' critical voices with force and fear".
The US also weighed in, saying the move could be "highly destabilising" and undermine China's obligations. President Trump said the US would react strongly if it went through - without giving details.
It is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges.
The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, called the move a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy"
Why is China doing this?
Sources at the National People's Congress (NPC) said Beijing can no longer wait for Hong Kong to pass its own law, nor can it continue to watch the growth of what it sees as a violent anti-government movement.
One source told the South China Morning Post: "We can no longer allow acts like desecrating national flags or defacing of the national emblem in Hong Kong."
Beijing may also fear September's elections to Hong Kong's legislature. If last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could potentially be blocked.
Announcing the move on Thursday, spokesman Zhang Yesui gave little away, saying the measure would "improve" on one country, two systems.
Mr Zhang said: "National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country. Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese, our Hong Kong compatriots included."
After debating the issue, the NPC will vote on it next week. The matter would then not advance until June, when it goes before China's Standing Committee.
An editorial in the state-run China Daily said the law meant that "those who challenge national security will necessarily be held accountable for their behaviour".
In Hong Kong, the pro-Beijing DAB party said it "fully supported" the proposals, which were made "in response to Hong Kong's rapidly worsening political situation in recent years".
What is Hong Kong's legal situation?
Hong Kong was under British control for more than 150 years up to 1997.
The British and Chinese governments signed a treaty - the Sino-British Joint Declaration - that agreed Hong Kong would have "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs", for 50 years.
This was enshrined in the Basic Law, which runs out in 2047.
As a result, Hong Kong's own legal system, borders, and rights - including freedom of assembly and free speech - are protected.
But Beijing has the ability to veto any changes to the political system and has, for example, ruled out direct election of the chief executive.
Hong Kong saw widespread political protests in 2019 but these became much smaller during the coronavirus outbreak.
But anger is still simmering, as chaotic scenes n Hong Kong's legislative chamber on Monday showed: a number of pro-democracy lawmakers were dragged out during a row about the Chinese national anthem.
The government on its part has signalled its determination to act and recently charged prominent pro-democracy activists over last year's protests.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52762291
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- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
NPC: China moves to impose controversial Hong Kong security law
China's ruling Communist Party has set in motion a controversial national security law for Hong Kong, a move seen as a major blow to the city's freedoms.
The law to ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" could bypass Hong Kong's lawmakers.
Critics say Beijing is breaking its promise to allow Hong Kong freedoms not seen elsewhere in China.
Pro-democracy activists have called for mass protests against what they see erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy.
Anger was already apparent on Friday, as a group of protesters descended on China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong.
The draft law was submitted at the annual National People's Congress (NPC), which largely rubber-stamps decisions already taken by the Communist leadership, but is still the most important political event of the year.
Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region and an economic powerhouse, was required to introduce security legislation after the handover from British control to Chinese rule in 1997.
After last year's wave of sustained and violent protest, Beijing is now attempting to push them through, arguing "law-based and forceful measures" must be taken to "prevent, stop and punish" such protests in the future.
On Friday, Hong Kong's government said it would co-operate with Beijing to enact the law, adding it would not affect the city's freedoms.
The law has rattled financial markets, causing Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) to drop by more than 5% on Friday.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52762291
China's ruling Communist Party has set in motion a controversial national security law for Hong Kong, a move seen as a major blow to the city's freedoms.
The law to ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" could bypass Hong Kong's lawmakers.
Critics say Beijing is breaking its promise to allow Hong Kong freedoms not seen elsewhere in China.
Pro-democracy activists have called for mass protests against what they see erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy.
Anger was already apparent on Friday, as a group of protesters descended on China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong.
The draft law was submitted at the annual National People's Congress (NPC), which largely rubber-stamps decisions already taken by the Communist leadership, but is still the most important political event of the year.
Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region and an economic powerhouse, was required to introduce security legislation after the handover from British control to Chinese rule in 1997.
After last year's wave of sustained and violent protest, Beijing is now attempting to push them through, arguing "law-based and forceful measures" must be taken to "prevent, stop and punish" such protests in the future.
On Friday, Hong Kong's government said it would co-operate with Beijing to enact the law, adding it would not affect the city's freedoms.
The law has rattled financial markets, causing Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) to drop by more than 5% on Friday.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52762291
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- Oct 2, 2004
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Nearly 200 senior political figures from around the world have added to growing condemnation of Beijing's planned new security law in Hong Kong.
Signatories from Europe, Asia, north America and Australia called the plans a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms".
China is seeking to pass a law that would ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in the territory.
It rejects criticism of the move.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the plans, which he described as a "death knell" for the city's freedoms. The UK, Australia and Canada have also expressed their "deep concern".
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who is seen as part of the pro-Beijing political establishment, has pledged full support for the proposed law and said the city's freedoms would remain unchanged.
The Chinese foreign ministry branch in Hong Kong dismissed fears it would harm foreign investors and lashed out at "meddling" countries.
Campaigners have called for protests on Sunday.
What is in the statement?
The statement was drafted by former Hong Kong Governor Christopher Patten and former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, and signed by 186 policy makers and politicians from 23 countries.
It describes Beijing's plans - which include setting up Chinese government intelligence bases in Hong Kong - as a "flagrant breach" of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, under which Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
"If the international community cannot trust Beijing to keep its word when it comes to Hong Kong, people will be reluctant to take its word on other matters," the signatories wrote.
They include 17 members of the US Congress, among them Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is acting chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and Senator Ted Cruz as well as Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who is the most senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Democratic Representatives to sign include Eliot Engel, head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Adam Schiff, chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. Some 44 UK MPs, including Tom Tugendhat, chair of the foreign affairs committee, and eight members of the House of Lords also signed.
Relations between the two Washington and Beijing are already strained over trade disputes and the coronavirus pandemic.
The US is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges. President Trump has also weighed in, saying the US would react strongly if the law went through - without giving details.
Why does Beijing want to bring in the law?
Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region and an economic powerhouse, was required to introduce such a law after the handover from British control to Chinese rule in 1997. But its unpopularity means it has never been done - the government tried in 2003 but had to back down after 500,000 people took to the streets.
Last year, Hong Kong was rocked by months of protests sparked by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
Now the Chinese government argues the law is necessary to "prevent, stop and punish" such protests in the future.
Beijing may also fear September's elections to Hong Kong's legislature. If last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could potentially be blocked.
The "draft decision" - as it is known before approval by China's National People's Congress - includes an article that says Hong Kong "must improve" national security.
It adds: "When needed, relevant national security organs of the Central People's Government will set up agencies in Hong Kong to fulfil relevant duties to safeguard national security in accordance with the law."
That means China could potentially have its own law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, alongside the city's own.
China could essentially place the draft law into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation, or decree.
The NPC is expected to vote on the draft law at the end of its annual session, on 28 May. It will then be forwarded to the NPC's Standing Committee, China's top legislature, which is expected to finalise and enact the law by the end of June.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52786734
Signatories from Europe, Asia, north America and Australia called the plans a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms".
China is seeking to pass a law that would ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in the territory.
It rejects criticism of the move.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the plans, which he described as a "death knell" for the city's freedoms. The UK, Australia and Canada have also expressed their "deep concern".
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who is seen as part of the pro-Beijing political establishment, has pledged full support for the proposed law and said the city's freedoms would remain unchanged.
The Chinese foreign ministry branch in Hong Kong dismissed fears it would harm foreign investors and lashed out at "meddling" countries.
Campaigners have called for protests on Sunday.
What is in the statement?
The statement was drafted by former Hong Kong Governor Christopher Patten and former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, and signed by 186 policy makers and politicians from 23 countries.
It describes Beijing's plans - which include setting up Chinese government intelligence bases in Hong Kong - as a "flagrant breach" of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, under which Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
"If the international community cannot trust Beijing to keep its word when it comes to Hong Kong, people will be reluctant to take its word on other matters," the signatories wrote.
They include 17 members of the US Congress, among them Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is acting chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and Senator Ted Cruz as well as Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who is the most senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Democratic Representatives to sign include Eliot Engel, head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Adam Schiff, chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. Some 44 UK MPs, including Tom Tugendhat, chair of the foreign affairs committee, and eight members of the House of Lords also signed.
Relations between the two Washington and Beijing are already strained over trade disputes and the coronavirus pandemic.
The US is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges. President Trump has also weighed in, saying the US would react strongly if the law went through - without giving details.
Why does Beijing want to bring in the law?
Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region and an economic powerhouse, was required to introduce such a law after the handover from British control to Chinese rule in 1997. But its unpopularity means it has never been done - the government tried in 2003 but had to back down after 500,000 people took to the streets.
Last year, Hong Kong was rocked by months of protests sparked by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
Now the Chinese government argues the law is necessary to "prevent, stop and punish" such protests in the future.
Beijing may also fear September's elections to Hong Kong's legislature. If last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could potentially be blocked.
The "draft decision" - as it is known before approval by China's National People's Congress - includes an article that says Hong Kong "must improve" national security.
It adds: "When needed, relevant national security organs of the Central People's Government will set up agencies in Hong Kong to fulfil relevant duties to safeguard national security in accordance with the law."
That means China could potentially have its own law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, alongside the city's own.
China could essentially place the draft law into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation, or decree.
The NPC is expected to vote on the draft law at the end of its annual session, on 28 May. It will then be forwarded to the NPC's Standing Committee, China's top legislature, which is expected to finalise and enact the law by the end of June.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52786734
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- 15,745
Hong Kong police fire tear gas as protesters decry China security law plan
Police in Hong Kong have fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters rallying against China's plans to impose a new security law on the territory.
Thousands of demonstrators have been marching through the city centre. Police say 120 have been arrested.
Earlier, 200 senior politicians from around the world issued a joint statement criticising China's plan.
Signatories called it a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms".
China is seeking to pass a law that would ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in the territory.
It has dismissed fears the legislation would harm foreign investors in Hong Kong, an important financial centre, and has lashed out at "meddling" countries.
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who is seen as part of the pro-Beijing political establishment, has pledged full support for the proposed law and said the city's freedoms would remain unchanged.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52786734
Police in Hong Kong have fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters rallying against China's plans to impose a new security law on the territory.
Thousands of demonstrators have been marching through the city centre. Police say 120 have been arrested.
Earlier, 200 senior politicians from around the world issued a joint statement criticising China's plan.
Signatories called it a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms".
China is seeking to pass a law that would ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in the territory.
It has dismissed fears the legislation would harm foreign investors in Hong Kong, an important financial centre, and has lashed out at "meddling" countries.
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who is seen as part of the pro-Beijing political establishment, has pledged full support for the proposed law and said the city's freedoms would remain unchanged.
How are the latest demonstrations unfolding?
Protesters gathered in the busy Causeway Bay and Wan Chai districts of the city on Sunday, chanting slogans against the government and waving banners.
Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at demonstrators, who were wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus.
The rally comes despite earlier warnings from authorities against unauthorised assembly and a ban on large public gatherings to enforce social distancing.
Some protesters threw objects such as umbrellas and water bottles at officers, and used bins and other debris to set up road blocks.
Reports say Sunday's protest followed a similar pattern to many of last year's demonstrations, many of which turned violent.
More than 8,400 people have been arrested in Hong Kong since pro-democracy protests erupted last year.
Protesters gathered in the busy Causeway Bay and Wan Chai districts of the city on Sunday, chanting slogans against the government and waving banners.
Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at demonstrators, who were wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus.
The rally comes despite earlier warnings from authorities against unauthorised assembly and a ban on large public gatherings to enforce social distancing.
Some protesters threw objects such as umbrellas and water bottles at officers, and used bins and other debris to set up road blocks.
Reports say Sunday's protest followed a similar pattern to many of last year's demonstrations, many of which turned violent.
More than 8,400 people have been arrested in Hong Kong since pro-democracy protests erupted last year.
BoomBoomCricket
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
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- 5,834
- Post of the Week
- 2
Hong Kong's security chief on Monday warned "terrorism" was growing in the city as the local government rallied behind Beijing's plan to impose national security laws on the restive territory and police fired tear gas and pepper spray at thousands of people who took to the streets to protest.
"Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as 'Hong Kong independence', become more rampant," Secretary for Security John Lee said in a statement.
"In just a few months, Hong Kong has changed from one of the safest cities in the world to a city shrouded in the shadow of violence," he said, adding that national security laws were needed to safeguard the city's prosperity and stability.
Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's sole delegate to China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, told the public broadcaster RTHK on Monday that said he did not expect any delay in the drafting of the national security law.
Tam said members would start work on it soon after the NPC votes on the resolution on Thursday, adding that the standing committee would hold a meeting at the end of June to discuss the matter.
Earlier, Ray Chan, a pro-democracy member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, wrote on social media: "Call us terrorists, whatever you want, after the Wuhan Virus outbreak, China has no more credibility in the world."
"Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as 'Hong Kong independence', become more rampant," Secretary for Security John Lee said in a statement.
"In just a few months, Hong Kong has changed from one of the safest cities in the world to a city shrouded in the shadow of violence," he said, adding that national security laws were needed to safeguard the city's prosperity and stability.
Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's sole delegate to China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, told the public broadcaster RTHK on Monday that said he did not expect any delay in the drafting of the national security law.
Tam said members would start work on it soon after the NPC votes on the resolution on Thursday, adding that the standing committee would hold a meeting at the end of June to discuss the matter.
Earlier, Ray Chan, a pro-democracy member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, wrote on social media: "Call us terrorists, whatever you want, after the Wuhan Virus outbreak, China has no more credibility in the world."
Romali_rotti
Senior ODI Player
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
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- 21,807
China is a threat to the whole world. Pakistanis need to be vary, especially the Pakistani homers who are singing the China Tune.. I dont think Pakistan has realized the danger they are in..
Oh and this is not a concern in regards to Pakistan from my end but just an observation..
Oh and this is not a concern in regards to Pakistan from my end but just an observation..
Romali_rotti
Senior ODI Player
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Runs
- 21,807
Where are the Indians ? They should be on that list, its only a matter of time before China becomes an unmanagable problem for India.... Come on PM Modi, join hands with the others to halt Chinese...
Adijazz1706
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2015
- Runs
- 4,891
Bro save the LAC first, #BanNDTV is trending because they published a story on it. People want their heads to stay in the sand for some reason
:
Knight_Rider
Tape Ball Captain
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2019
- Runs
- 1,073
Just to understand the context, whats wrong with China incorporating HK?
Its a genuine question and no sarcasm etc is intended. The reason I am asking is that HK was illegally colonised by Britain, HK local population is chinese, speaks the same language as in the rest of that part in China and has the same religion. The only difference seems like the preferential treatment HK residents got due to their economic conditions for being a port city.
It cant be 1 country 2 systems for eternity, so what’s principally wrong with china levelling the playing field for all of its citizens?
There is nothing wrong. These protesters who advocate HK independence are funded by foreign powers. A large number of youngsters have been brainwashed to hate China. They have utterly destroyed Hong Kong’s image as an international finance hub.
They say they are fighting for freedom of speech and greater democracy but they are not willing to tolerate opposing opinions. Do you know these rioters have burned down hundreds of shops that were deemed pro-China and pro-HK government?
When there is a protest, they go around looking for Chinese people to beat up!How appalling!
In one instance, a man from Shenzhen was dragged out of a bus and beaten so savagely that he required 42 stitches.
Local Hong Kongers have also not been spared. Dozens of them have been beaten up just for trying to stop mobs from vandalising and firebombing shops, trains, bus stops and other public facilities.
A guy was set on fire when he asked these rioters to stop vandalising his neighbourhood. The video is on Youtube for everybody to see!
Just yesterday, they beat up a lawyer and two other people who tried to remove road barricades.
Foreign media has demonise HK government and police.
Also, police have recovered 2500 kg of explosives since the protests started.
Knight_Rider
Tape Ball Captain
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Thanks for the info bro. Its the typical 2 faced british media coverage, who also dont let go any opportunity to malign Turkey (or any islamic country for that matter). I was watching the BBC documentary on Turkey by Simon Reeves and its quite surprising to see the propaganda they embedded in a travel & history related program.
On the other hand their own adventures in Falklands, Gibraltar and Hong Kong are all Kosher and morally justified.
On the other hand their own adventures in Falklands, Gibraltar and Hong Kong are all Kosher and morally justified.
JaDed
Test Star
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 39,100
That’s what my dad was telling me about BBC(hindi) and BJP, hope you realize that’s how it sounds when you are talking about above.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has said other countries "have no place" interfering in the territory, as she robustly defended a controversial national security law planned by China.
The law would ban treason, secession, sedition and subversion. Critics say it would limit the city's freedoms.
But in her first public comments, Ms Lam said it was a "responsible" move to protect the law-abiding majority.
She denied that the law would curtail the rights of Hong Kongers.
These rights - set out in the Basic Law which is Hong Kong's mini-constitution - have been in place since it was handed back to China in 1997 by the UK. The Basic Law guarantees certain freedoms to the territory, such as the right to protest, which do not exist on the mainland.
At the weekend, there was a brief return to the protests seen last year, with police firing tear gas as thousands of people took to the streets.
It is not actually a law yet but a proposal - being called a "draft decision" - that will be put to a vote at China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), this week.
Once that vote is passed, the proposal will be fleshed out into a draft law and could be in force by the end of June.
Ever since it was announced, it has faced fierce criticism internationally, but in her weekly press conference, Ms Lam said other countries had "no place in interfering with this arrangement".
No country would tolerate flawed national security legislation, she said, and Hong Kong, as part of China, was no different.
Opponents say the proposed law is a direct attempt to curtail the city's unique freedoms.
How did she address concerns?
Ms Lam repeatedly said there has been no detail yet, but that the text of China's "draft decision" should reassure the public.
She also spoke of the "positive response" from the public in the past few days, saying it "flies in the face of what those overseas politicians are saying".
The bill would target "a handful of people" involved in terrorism or subversion, she said, and anyone worried about it should wait for the full details to be released.
Hong Kong's freedoms, vibrancy and core values "will continue to be there", she said, but added: "Rights and freedoms are not absolute."
The law would enhance Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre, rather than damage it, she said, calling those fears "totally groundless".
There is also concern that the law could allow China to install its own law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, alongside the city's own.
Ms Lam said fears that this could lead to people being arrested retroactively for taking part in protests were "imagination".
Carrie Lam tried to assure the public that the law will only target "small groups of illegal criminals" - but could offer little when pressed for details.
That's also her primary line of defence. She repeatedly said the spirit of the resolution put forward by Beijing was no cause for concern and the city should wait for details of the actual law.
But the leader will have a hard time convincing critics.
The respected Hong Kong Bar Association has already warned that there is no assurance the new law will comply with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Sunday's protests, defying a ban on public gatherings of more than eight people, was the largest in months.
Despite Ms Lam's belief that the law has had a "positive response", there are already calls for more protests and nobody knows how big they could get.
What is the background?
Hong Kong saw months of increasingly violent protests last year, sparked by a bill which would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
The bill was eventually dropped but by that stage the protests had escalated to include calls for more democratic freedoms for Hong Kong.
Although those protests died away, in part after pro-independence groups made significant gains in local elections, anti-mainland sentiment remains high in the territory.
Under the Basic Law Hong Kong is responsible for its own internal affairs and security. It was always meant to have passed its own national security law but never could because such laws were so unpopular.
So critics see this as Beijing's attempt to impose its own version on Hong Kong after a tumultuous year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-52803500
The law would ban treason, secession, sedition and subversion. Critics say it would limit the city's freedoms.
But in her first public comments, Ms Lam said it was a "responsible" move to protect the law-abiding majority.
She denied that the law would curtail the rights of Hong Kongers.
These rights - set out in the Basic Law which is Hong Kong's mini-constitution - have been in place since it was handed back to China in 1997 by the UK. The Basic Law guarantees certain freedoms to the territory, such as the right to protest, which do not exist on the mainland.
At the weekend, there was a brief return to the protests seen last year, with police firing tear gas as thousands of people took to the streets.
It is not actually a law yet but a proposal - being called a "draft decision" - that will be put to a vote at China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), this week.
Once that vote is passed, the proposal will be fleshed out into a draft law and could be in force by the end of June.
Ever since it was announced, it has faced fierce criticism internationally, but in her weekly press conference, Ms Lam said other countries had "no place in interfering with this arrangement".
No country would tolerate flawed national security legislation, she said, and Hong Kong, as part of China, was no different.
Opponents say the proposed law is a direct attempt to curtail the city's unique freedoms.
How did she address concerns?
Ms Lam repeatedly said there has been no detail yet, but that the text of China's "draft decision" should reassure the public.
She also spoke of the "positive response" from the public in the past few days, saying it "flies in the face of what those overseas politicians are saying".
The bill would target "a handful of people" involved in terrorism or subversion, she said, and anyone worried about it should wait for the full details to be released.
Hong Kong's freedoms, vibrancy and core values "will continue to be there", she said, but added: "Rights and freedoms are not absolute."
The law would enhance Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre, rather than damage it, she said, calling those fears "totally groundless".
There is also concern that the law could allow China to install its own law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, alongside the city's own.
Ms Lam said fears that this could lead to people being arrested retroactively for taking part in protests were "imagination".
Carrie Lam tried to assure the public that the law will only target "small groups of illegal criminals" - but could offer little when pressed for details.
That's also her primary line of defence. She repeatedly said the spirit of the resolution put forward by Beijing was no cause for concern and the city should wait for details of the actual law.
But the leader will have a hard time convincing critics.
The respected Hong Kong Bar Association has already warned that there is no assurance the new law will comply with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Sunday's protests, defying a ban on public gatherings of more than eight people, was the largest in months.
Despite Ms Lam's belief that the law has had a "positive response", there are already calls for more protests and nobody knows how big they could get.
What is the background?
Hong Kong saw months of increasingly violent protests last year, sparked by a bill which would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
The bill was eventually dropped but by that stage the protests had escalated to include calls for more democratic freedoms for Hong Kong.
Although those protests died away, in part after pro-independence groups made significant gains in local elections, anti-mainland sentiment remains high in the territory.
Under the Basic Law Hong Kong is responsible for its own internal affairs and security. It was always meant to have passed its own national security law but never could because such laws were so unpopular.
So critics see this as Beijing's attempt to impose its own version on Hong Kong after a tumultuous year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-52803500
corneredtiger85292
Tape Ball Star
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- Sep 19, 2012
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- 940
China is trying to pass through a legislation that many other countries such as the U.S and U.K both have..so whats all the fuss about ?
Perhaps its due to the fact that the U.S, U.K and friends wont be able to make trouble in the city like they did basically all of last year and on and off since HK returned to China in 1997.
Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world and it belongs to China, the troublemakers in the U.S and the U.K will have to live with that fact. Any internal issues will be dealt with internally.
Perhaps its due to the fact that the U.S, U.K and friends wont be able to make trouble in the city like they did basically all of last year and on and off since HK returned to China in 1997.
Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world and it belongs to China, the troublemakers in the U.S and the U.K will have to live with that fact. Any internal issues will be dealt with internally.
Here are just some examples how these terrorists beat up people who have different opinions than them. These videos are just tip of the iceberg. They ENJOY SETTING PEOPLE ON FIRE!!There are hundreds of such videos!
Unfortunately, western media has brainwashed everybody into supporting terrorism in Hong Kong.
Unfortunately, western media has brainwashed everybody into supporting terrorism in Hong Kong.
JaDed
Test Star
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- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 39,100
Stay safe bro, US will interfere till China gives into whatever shady demands they have in backend.
Suddenly you will hear the POTUS say “I Spoke to Chinese prez I hear he is doing a good job”.
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- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
Hong Kong police arrest hundreds and fire pepper pellets amid fresh unrest
Police in Hong Kong have arrested about 300 people and fired pepper pellets amid new anti-mainland unrest.
Protesters were rallying against a bill on China's national anthem and Beijing's planned introduction of a national security law.
Police said most arrests were on suspicion of unauthorised assembly.
Protesters oppose the anthem bill, which would criminalise insulting it, and the security law, which they fear will strip Hong Kong of basic freedoms.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52816115
Police in Hong Kong have arrested about 300 people and fired pepper pellets amid new anti-mainland unrest.
Protesters were rallying against a bill on China's national anthem and Beijing's planned introduction of a national security law.
Police said most arrests were on suspicion of unauthorised assembly.
Protesters oppose the anthem bill, which would criminalise insulting it, and the security law, which they fear will strip Hong Kong of basic freedoms.
How did the protests play out?
The initial call by demonstrators had been to gather at the Legislative Council (Legco) building in the Central district. But it had been surrounded by riot police and blocked off by water-filled barriers and large protests there failed to materialise.
MPs there have been debating the second reading of the national anthem bill.
Protesters took to the streets, blocking traffic in both Central and Causeway Bay. Police said on a Facebook post they had arrested 180 people there.
They later added that another 60 had been arrested in the Mongkok district for blocking traffic, and 50 more in Wan Chai.
Other arrests were made for suspicion of possessing offensive weapons, including petrol bombs.
Marches and protests have taken place in a number of other districts.
One protester in Central told the South China Morning Post: "We want to protect our freedom of speech. It will no longer be Hong Kong, but will become just another Chinese city."
Another demonstrator told Reuters: "Although you're afraid inside your heart, you need to speak out."
What is the anthem bill?
If it becomes law, anyone who misuses or insults China's national anthem, the March of the Volunteers, would face a fine of up to HK$50,000 (£5,237; $6,449) and up to three years in prison.
If it passes the second reading in Legco on Wednesday, it could go to a third reading and a vote early next month.
Hong Kong does not have its own anthem and so the Chinese anthem is sometimes played at events like football matches.
In recent years, the anthem has been booed frequently. A 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier, for example, saw thousands booing.
What is the security law about?
Beijing has proposed imposing it in Hong Kong.
It would ban treason, secession, sedition and subversion and China says it is needed to combat violent protests that have grown in the territory.
The anti-mainland sentiment was fuelled last year by a proposed - and later scrapped - bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to China.
Critics say the security law is a direct attempt to curtail the freedoms given Hong Kong in the mini-constitution that was agreed when sovereignty was handed back to China in 1997.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam has denied that the law, which is set to go to a vote this week and could be in force as early as the end of June, will curtail the rights of Hong Kongers.
A group of 200 senior politicians from around the world have issued a joint statement criticising China's plan.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the US would announce a "very powerful" response to the proposed legislation before the end of the week. China's plans had already been condemned by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who described them as a "death knell" for the city's freedoms.
The UK, Australia and Canada have also expressed their "deep concern".
The initial call by demonstrators had been to gather at the Legislative Council (Legco) building in the Central district. But it had been surrounded by riot police and blocked off by water-filled barriers and large protests there failed to materialise.
MPs there have been debating the second reading of the national anthem bill.
Protesters took to the streets, blocking traffic in both Central and Causeway Bay. Police said on a Facebook post they had arrested 180 people there.
They later added that another 60 had been arrested in the Mongkok district for blocking traffic, and 50 more in Wan Chai.
Other arrests were made for suspicion of possessing offensive weapons, including petrol bombs.
Marches and protests have taken place in a number of other districts.
One protester in Central told the South China Morning Post: "We want to protect our freedom of speech. It will no longer be Hong Kong, but will become just another Chinese city."
Another demonstrator told Reuters: "Although you're afraid inside your heart, you need to speak out."
What is the anthem bill?
If it becomes law, anyone who misuses or insults China's national anthem, the March of the Volunteers, would face a fine of up to HK$50,000 (£5,237; $6,449) and up to three years in prison.
If it passes the second reading in Legco on Wednesday, it could go to a third reading and a vote early next month.
Hong Kong does not have its own anthem and so the Chinese anthem is sometimes played at events like football matches.
In recent years, the anthem has been booed frequently. A 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier, for example, saw thousands booing.
What is the security law about?
Beijing has proposed imposing it in Hong Kong.
It would ban treason, secession, sedition and subversion and China says it is needed to combat violent protests that have grown in the territory.
The anti-mainland sentiment was fuelled last year by a proposed - and later scrapped - bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to China.
Critics say the security law is a direct attempt to curtail the freedoms given Hong Kong in the mini-constitution that was agreed when sovereignty was handed back to China in 1997.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam has denied that the law, which is set to go to a vote this week and could be in force as early as the end of June, will curtail the rights of Hong Kongers.
A group of 200 senior politicians from around the world have issued a joint statement criticising China's plan.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the US would announce a "very powerful" response to the proposed legislation before the end of the week. China's plans had already been condemned by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who described them as a "death knell" for the city's freedoms.
The UK, Australia and Canada have also expressed their "deep concern".
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
China's parliament has approved a decision to move forward with national security legislation for Hong Kong that critics fear could undermine the city's autonomy.
The National People's Congress on Thursday voted 2,878 to 1 in favour of the decision to empower its standing committee to draft the legislation, with six abstentions.
The legislators gathered in the Great Hall of the People burst into sustained applause when the vote tally was projected onto screens.
China says the legislation will be aimed at tackling secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city but the plan, unveiled in Beijing last week, triggered the first big protests in Hong Kong for months.
The security law will alter the territory's mini-constitution, or Basic Law, to require its government to enforce measures to be decided later by Chinese leaders. The plans have prompted widespread condemnation and strained China's relations with the United States and Britain.
Al Jazeera's Katrina Yu, reporting from Beijing, said the Chinese move "is taking place without any consultation, any debate with Hong Kong's leaders or its government".
"China is taking advantage of a legal loophole that completely bypasses Hong Kong's legislative process."
Details of the law are expected to be drawn up in coming weeks, and Chinese authorities and the Beijing-backed government in Hong Kong say there is no threat to the city's autonomy and the new security law will be tightly focused.
But the US on Wednesday revoked its special status for Hong Kong, alleging the city was no longer autonomous from Beijing, paving the way for future sanctions and the removal of trading privileges in the financial hub.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, riot police were out in force as its legislators debated another piece of legislation, a bill that would criminalise disrespect of China's national anthem.
Dozens of protesters gathered in a shopping mall to chant slogans but there was no repeat of disturbances the previous day when police made 360 arrests as thousands took to the streets in anger over the anthem bill and the national security legislation proposed by China.
Last year, the city was rocked for months by often violent pro-democracy demonstrations over an unsuccessful bid to introduce an extradition law to China.
The national security legislation is the latest issue to fuel fears in Hong Kong that Beijing is imposing its authority and eroding the high degree of autonomy the former British colony has enjoyed under a "one country, two systems" formula since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Al Jazeera's Adrian Brown, reporting from Hong Kong, said: "There is deep resentment towards this law in Hong Kong. And I think the protests that we saw on Wednesday are going to continue, if not intensify, even though protesters know Beijing is not going to reverse course."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Hong Kong no longer qualified for special treatment under US law, potentially dealing a crushing blow to its status as a major financial hub.
The proposed security law was "only the latest in a series of actions" undermining Hong Kong freedoms, he told Congress.
"No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground," he said.
The security law could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in the city.
Relations between the two superpowers have been tense over China's claims in the South China Sea and trade. The coronavirus pandemic has also become an issue of acrimony.
"Already, international business is facing the pressure of increased tension between the US and China, but the enactment of China's security law for Hong Kong could take the tension to a whole new level," said Tara Joseph, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
"This is show time for Hong Kong," Joseph said in a commentary in the South China Morning Post.
US President Donald Trump has promised action over Hong Kong, with an announcement at the end of the week. More than 1,300 US companies have offices in the city, providing about 100,000 jobs.
China said it would take necessary countermeasures to any foreign interference into what it insists are its internal affairs.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...g-national-security-bill-200528073103358.html
The National People's Congress on Thursday voted 2,878 to 1 in favour of the decision to empower its standing committee to draft the legislation, with six abstentions.
The legislators gathered in the Great Hall of the People burst into sustained applause when the vote tally was projected onto screens.
China says the legislation will be aimed at tackling secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city but the plan, unveiled in Beijing last week, triggered the first big protests in Hong Kong for months.
The security law will alter the territory's mini-constitution, or Basic Law, to require its government to enforce measures to be decided later by Chinese leaders. The plans have prompted widespread condemnation and strained China's relations with the United States and Britain.
Al Jazeera's Katrina Yu, reporting from Beijing, said the Chinese move "is taking place without any consultation, any debate with Hong Kong's leaders or its government".
"China is taking advantage of a legal loophole that completely bypasses Hong Kong's legislative process."
Details of the law are expected to be drawn up in coming weeks, and Chinese authorities and the Beijing-backed government in Hong Kong say there is no threat to the city's autonomy and the new security law will be tightly focused.
But the US on Wednesday revoked its special status for Hong Kong, alleging the city was no longer autonomous from Beijing, paving the way for future sanctions and the removal of trading privileges in the financial hub.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, riot police were out in force as its legislators debated another piece of legislation, a bill that would criminalise disrespect of China's national anthem.
Dozens of protesters gathered in a shopping mall to chant slogans but there was no repeat of disturbances the previous day when police made 360 arrests as thousands took to the streets in anger over the anthem bill and the national security legislation proposed by China.
Last year, the city was rocked for months by often violent pro-democracy demonstrations over an unsuccessful bid to introduce an extradition law to China.
The national security legislation is the latest issue to fuel fears in Hong Kong that Beijing is imposing its authority and eroding the high degree of autonomy the former British colony has enjoyed under a "one country, two systems" formula since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Al Jazeera's Adrian Brown, reporting from Hong Kong, said: "There is deep resentment towards this law in Hong Kong. And I think the protests that we saw on Wednesday are going to continue, if not intensify, even though protesters know Beijing is not going to reverse course."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Hong Kong no longer qualified for special treatment under US law, potentially dealing a crushing blow to its status as a major financial hub.
The proposed security law was "only the latest in a series of actions" undermining Hong Kong freedoms, he told Congress.
"No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground," he said.
The security law could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in the city.
Relations between the two superpowers have been tense over China's claims in the South China Sea and trade. The coronavirus pandemic has also become an issue of acrimony.
"Already, international business is facing the pressure of increased tension between the US and China, but the enactment of China's security law for Hong Kong could take the tension to a whole new level," said Tara Joseph, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
"This is show time for Hong Kong," Joseph said in a commentary in the South China Morning Post.
US President Donald Trump has promised action over Hong Kong, with an announcement at the end of the week. More than 1,300 US companies have offices in the city, providing about 100,000 jobs.
China said it would take necessary countermeasures to any foreign interference into what it insists are its internal affairs.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...g-national-security-bill-200528073103358.html
King-Misbah
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Dominic Raab needs to mind his own business after his party terribly dealt with corona. More then that, I don't think the Chinese care.
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HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong told the United States to keep out of the debate over national security legislation being imposed by China, and warned that withdrawal of the financial hub’s special status under U.S. law could backfire on the U.S. economy.
FILE PHOTO: Anti-government demonstrators sit as they were detained during a lunch time protest as a second reading of a controversial national anthem law takes place in Hong Kong, China May 27, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
President Donald Trump is due to announce later on Friday his response to the Chinese parliament’s advancement this week of security legislation for Hong Kong, which many lawyers, diplomats and investors fear could erode the city’s freedoms.
The former British colony has been racked by civil unrest amid fears Beijing is curbing the high degree of autonomy it has enjoyed under a “one country, two systems” formula adopted when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
“Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the U.S.,” Hong Kong’s government said late on Thursday.
From 2009 to 2018, the U.S. trade surplus of $297 billion with Hong Kong was the biggest among all Washington’s trading partners, and 1,300 U.S. firms were based in the city, it said.
RELATED COVERAGE
Factbox: What China's tougher national security regime could mean for Hong Kong
China public security ministry pledges to 'guide and support' HK police
Beijing says the new legislation, likely to come into force before September, will tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city. It could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in Hong Kong.
China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said it would “guide and support Hong Kong police to stop violence and restore order”. Hong Kong’s police have been independent from China and the MPS has no enforcement powers in the city.
Riot police fired pepper pellets this week to disperse thousands of protesters in the city’s first major unrest since anti-government demonstrations paralysed it for months last year, and after the coronavirus dampened fervour this year.
INTERNATIONAL CONCERN
The Fitch ratings agency said it expected Hong Kong’s economy to contract by 5% this year, in large part because of the coronavirus, and the outlook for the operating environment for its banks was negative.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index .HSI, which has lost about 3% after the news of the security legislation, was down 0.711% in the early afternoon.
Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, warned that Hong Kong, which has enjoyed special privileges under U.S. law on the basis of its high degree of autonomy from Beijing, may now need to be treated like China on trade and other financial matters.
The State Department said it could “no longer certify that Hong Kong continues to warrant (differential) treatment” from Beijing.
Chinese authorities and Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government say the legislation poses no threat to the city’s autonomy and the interests of foreign investors would be preserved.
Many Hong Kong residents feel their city is on the cusp of historic change, however.
“No matter how it turns out, I’ll always stand on the people’s side,” said Samantha Tam, 27. The office worker said the uncertainty had made her put on hold plans to have a baby after she gets married next year.
“When Hong Kong really loses special status, China will see the consequences. I just want to burn together,” she said, paraphrasing a protest slogan aimed at Beijing: “If we burn, you burn with us.”
Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader, Carrie Lam, urged citizens to “join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences”, in a statement published in newspapers.
The legislation was needed because of a “terrorist threat”, she said, adding that organisations advocating “independence and self-determination” had challenged the authority of mainland and local governments and pleaded for foreign interference.
The five demands of last-year’s pro-democracy protest movement included universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, but not independence. A minority of protesters waved “Hong Kong independence” flags.
Independence is anathema for Beijing.
Protesters see the security legislation, along with a bill to criminalise disrespect for China’s national anthem, as Beijing’s latest attempt to tighten its control of the city.
Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States are among the nations that have condemned the proposed security legislation. Japan said it was “seriously concerned”.
Britain said it would give greater visa rights to British national overseas passport holders from Hong Kong unless China suspended its plans.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-status-is-a-double-edged-sword-idUSKBN23504O
FILE PHOTO: Anti-government demonstrators sit as they were detained during a lunch time protest as a second reading of a controversial national anthem law takes place in Hong Kong, China May 27, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
President Donald Trump is due to announce later on Friday his response to the Chinese parliament’s advancement this week of security legislation for Hong Kong, which many lawyers, diplomats and investors fear could erode the city’s freedoms.
The former British colony has been racked by civil unrest amid fears Beijing is curbing the high degree of autonomy it has enjoyed under a “one country, two systems” formula adopted when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
“Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the U.S.,” Hong Kong’s government said late on Thursday.
From 2009 to 2018, the U.S. trade surplus of $297 billion with Hong Kong was the biggest among all Washington’s trading partners, and 1,300 U.S. firms were based in the city, it said.
RELATED COVERAGE
Factbox: What China's tougher national security regime could mean for Hong Kong
China public security ministry pledges to 'guide and support' HK police
Beijing says the new legislation, likely to come into force before September, will tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city. It could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in Hong Kong.
China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said it would “guide and support Hong Kong police to stop violence and restore order”. Hong Kong’s police have been independent from China and the MPS has no enforcement powers in the city.
Riot police fired pepper pellets this week to disperse thousands of protesters in the city’s first major unrest since anti-government demonstrations paralysed it for months last year, and after the coronavirus dampened fervour this year.
INTERNATIONAL CONCERN
The Fitch ratings agency said it expected Hong Kong’s economy to contract by 5% this year, in large part because of the coronavirus, and the outlook for the operating environment for its banks was negative.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index .HSI, which has lost about 3% after the news of the security legislation, was down 0.711% in the early afternoon.
Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, warned that Hong Kong, which has enjoyed special privileges under U.S. law on the basis of its high degree of autonomy from Beijing, may now need to be treated like China on trade and other financial matters.
The State Department said it could “no longer certify that Hong Kong continues to warrant (differential) treatment” from Beijing.
Chinese authorities and Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government say the legislation poses no threat to the city’s autonomy and the interests of foreign investors would be preserved.
Many Hong Kong residents feel their city is on the cusp of historic change, however.
“No matter how it turns out, I’ll always stand on the people’s side,” said Samantha Tam, 27. The office worker said the uncertainty had made her put on hold plans to have a baby after she gets married next year.
“When Hong Kong really loses special status, China will see the consequences. I just want to burn together,” she said, paraphrasing a protest slogan aimed at Beijing: “If we burn, you burn with us.”
Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader, Carrie Lam, urged citizens to “join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences”, in a statement published in newspapers.
The legislation was needed because of a “terrorist threat”, she said, adding that organisations advocating “independence and self-determination” had challenged the authority of mainland and local governments and pleaded for foreign interference.
The five demands of last-year’s pro-democracy protest movement included universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, but not independence. A minority of protesters waved “Hong Kong independence” flags.
Independence is anathema for Beijing.
Protesters see the security legislation, along with a bill to criminalise disrespect for China’s national anthem, as Beijing’s latest attempt to tighten its control of the city.
Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States are among the nations that have condemned the proposed security legislation. Japan said it was “seriously concerned”.
Britain said it would give greater visa rights to British national overseas passport holders from Hong Kong unless China suspended its plans.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-status-is-a-double-edged-sword-idUSKBN23504O
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corneredtiger85292
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Looking forward to this bill being passed so these terrorists and there western handlers can face the music.
China, Russia, Pakistan and friends rise.
The west and friends are heading to their logical conclusion.
The global game has changed.
China, Russia, Pakistan and friends rise.
The west and friends are heading to their logical conclusion.
The global game has changed.
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China threatens 'countermeasures' against UK over Hong Kong crisis
Beijing has responded with defiance to international criticism of its Hong Kong national security law, threatening countermeasures against the UK and the US and describing Washington’s efforts to raise the issue at the UN security council as “pointless”.
One day after Beijing’s legislature approved plans to move ahead with sweeping anti-sedition legislation in Hong Kong, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned countries that Hong Kong is “purely an internal Chinese matter” and that “no other country has the right to interfere”.
In response to the vote, the British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said the UK would extend the rights of up to 300,000 British national overseas passport holders in Hong Kong if China persisted with the law.
Zhao said that if the UK “insists on unilaterally changing its practices” it will be in violation of international law and norms. “We firmly oppose this and reserve the right to take countermeasures,” he told a regular press briefing in Beijing.
China’s plan has prompted international condemnation, most vehemently from the US, which has asked the UN security council to hold a meeting on the issue.
Zhao said: “We urge the US to immediately stop such pointless political manipulation and do something useful for the international community.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...china-support-police-warns-us-interfere-trump
Beijing has responded with defiance to international criticism of its Hong Kong national security law, threatening countermeasures against the UK and the US and describing Washington’s efforts to raise the issue at the UN security council as “pointless”.
One day after Beijing’s legislature approved plans to move ahead with sweeping anti-sedition legislation in Hong Kong, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned countries that Hong Kong is “purely an internal Chinese matter” and that “no other country has the right to interfere”.
In response to the vote, the British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said the UK would extend the rights of up to 300,000 British national overseas passport holders in Hong Kong if China persisted with the law.
Zhao said that if the UK “insists on unilaterally changing its practices” it will be in violation of international law and norms. “We firmly oppose this and reserve the right to take countermeasures,” he told a regular press briefing in Beijing.
China’s plan has prompted international condemnation, most vehemently from the US, which has asked the UN security council to hold a meeting on the issue.
Zhao said: “We urge the US to immediately stop such pointless political manipulation and do something useful for the international community.”
China has said the legislation – aimed at criminalising separatism, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference – is necessary in the face of increasingly volatile protests that have rocked Hong Kong for the past year. But many say the laws will be used to target critics of the government, and threaten civil liberties as well as the city’s autonomy.
The legislation is also expected to enable Beijing to establish intelligence agencies in Hong Kong, including a domestic intelligence agency potentially involving the ministry of public security (MPS) and the ministry of state security, China’s main intelligence agency.
Late on Thursday, the MPS said it would use “all efforts to guide and support the Hong Kong police to stop violence and restore order”. Hong Kong’s police force is independent from China and the MPS has no enforcement powers in the former British colony.
Beijing’s defence of its plans came as the Hong Kong government warned Washington to stay out of its internal affairs. The US has signalled its intention to revoke Hong Kong’s special trade and economic status, under which the city is treated as separate from China on terms that have underpinned Hong Kong as a global financial hub. The US president, Donald Trump, was due to announce his response later on Friday.
Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, has said Hong Kong may now need to be treated like China on trade and other financial matters.
The Hong Kong government said: “Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the US.”
It added that from 2009 to 2018, the US trade surplus with Hong Kong was the biggest among all its trading partners, totalling $297bn of merchandise, and 1,300 US firms are based in the city.
In a separate statement published in several local newspapers, Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, urged “fellow citizens” to “join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences”.
She said the legislation was needed because of a “terrorist threat” and because organisations advocating “independence and self-determination” have challenged the authority of Beijing and local governments and pleaded for foreign interference.
The plan ignited the first big protests in Hong Kong for months, with thousands of people taking to the streets, prompting police to fire pepper pellets to disperse crowds in the heart of the city’s financial district.
The five demands of last year’s pro-democracy protest movement included universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, but not independence. A minority of protesters waved “Hong Kong independence” flags.
China has said it will not tolerate calls for independence, which Beijing has called its “red line”.
On Friday dozens of people protested in a mall in Hong Kong’s Central district, chanting slogans in the main atrium and draping banners over the balconies. Police waited in vans parked prominently outside but did not attempt to break up the gathering.
The security legislation, along with a bill to criminalise disrespect for China’s national anthem, is seen by protesters as the latest attempt by Beijing to tighten its control on the city.
European Union governments echoed criticism of the law by Australia, Canada, the UK and US on Friday, expressing their “grave concern”, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said following a video meeting of the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers. “We believe that this seriously risks undermining the one country, two systems principle,” Borrell said, referring to Hong Kong’s autonomy. “Our relationship with China is based on mutual respect and trust but this decision calls this into question.”
On Friday, Chinese state media lauded the decision in the National People’s Congress. An editorial from the Xinhua news agency said: “Safeguarding national security means safeguarding the ‘one country, two systems’.”
The editorial, defending China’s right to institute the law, warned all anti-China forces in Hong Kong to “immediately stop illegal and criminal acts” that endanger national security. “Do not continue misjudging the situation and never underestimate the Chinese government and the will of the Chinese people.”
The People’s Daily called the NPC approval of the plan the “resolute expression of 1.4 billion Chinese people”. “It sends a strong signal … to anti-China forces in Hong Kong desperately fighting like a cornered wild beast: your defeat has already been decided.”
Beijing also spoke out on Friday against Taiwan, which has promised to help fleeing Hongkongers, exacerbating tensions between the rival governments.
China warned it would use all means to prevent pro-independence forces separating Taiwan from China. Li Zhanshu, the head of China’s parliament, said non-peaceful action against the Chinese-claimed island would be a last resort.
The legislation is also expected to enable Beijing to establish intelligence agencies in Hong Kong, including a domestic intelligence agency potentially involving the ministry of public security (MPS) and the ministry of state security, China’s main intelligence agency.
Late on Thursday, the MPS said it would use “all efforts to guide and support the Hong Kong police to stop violence and restore order”. Hong Kong’s police force is independent from China and the MPS has no enforcement powers in the former British colony.
Beijing’s defence of its plans came as the Hong Kong government warned Washington to stay out of its internal affairs. The US has signalled its intention to revoke Hong Kong’s special trade and economic status, under which the city is treated as separate from China on terms that have underpinned Hong Kong as a global financial hub. The US president, Donald Trump, was due to announce his response later on Friday.
Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, has said Hong Kong may now need to be treated like China on trade and other financial matters.
The Hong Kong government said: “Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the US.”
It added that from 2009 to 2018, the US trade surplus with Hong Kong was the biggest among all its trading partners, totalling $297bn of merchandise, and 1,300 US firms are based in the city.
In a separate statement published in several local newspapers, Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, urged “fellow citizens” to “join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences”.
She said the legislation was needed because of a “terrorist threat” and because organisations advocating “independence and self-determination” have challenged the authority of Beijing and local governments and pleaded for foreign interference.
The plan ignited the first big protests in Hong Kong for months, with thousands of people taking to the streets, prompting police to fire pepper pellets to disperse crowds in the heart of the city’s financial district.
The five demands of last year’s pro-democracy protest movement included universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, but not independence. A minority of protesters waved “Hong Kong independence” flags.
China has said it will not tolerate calls for independence, which Beijing has called its “red line”.
On Friday dozens of people protested in a mall in Hong Kong’s Central district, chanting slogans in the main atrium and draping banners over the balconies. Police waited in vans parked prominently outside but did not attempt to break up the gathering.
The security legislation, along with a bill to criminalise disrespect for China’s national anthem, is seen by protesters as the latest attempt by Beijing to tighten its control on the city.
European Union governments echoed criticism of the law by Australia, Canada, the UK and US on Friday, expressing their “grave concern”, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said following a video meeting of the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers. “We believe that this seriously risks undermining the one country, two systems principle,” Borrell said, referring to Hong Kong’s autonomy. “Our relationship with China is based on mutual respect and trust but this decision calls this into question.”
On Friday, Chinese state media lauded the decision in the National People’s Congress. An editorial from the Xinhua news agency said: “Safeguarding national security means safeguarding the ‘one country, two systems’.”
The editorial, defending China’s right to institute the law, warned all anti-China forces in Hong Kong to “immediately stop illegal and criminal acts” that endanger national security. “Do not continue misjudging the situation and never underestimate the Chinese government and the will of the Chinese people.”
The People’s Daily called the NPC approval of the plan the “resolute expression of 1.4 billion Chinese people”. “It sends a strong signal … to anti-China forces in Hong Kong desperately fighting like a cornered wild beast: your defeat has already been decided.”
Beijing also spoke out on Friday against Taiwan, which has promised to help fleeing Hongkongers, exacerbating tensions between the rival governments.
China warned it would use all means to prevent pro-independence forces separating Taiwan from China. Li Zhanshu, the head of China’s parliament, said non-peaceful action against the Chinese-claimed island would be a last resort.
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In the latest sign of tensions between the United States and Beijing over trade, the coronavirus pandemic, human rights and the status of Hong Kong, the Trump administration may soon expel thousands of Chinese graduate students enrolled at universities in the US and impose other sanctions against Chinese officials.
President Donald Trump said he would make an announcement about China on Friday, and administration officials said he is considering a months-old proposal to revoke the visas of students affiliated with educational institutions in China linked to the People's Liberation Army or Chinese intelligence.
Trump is also weighing targeted travel and financial sanctions against Chinese officials for actions in Hong Kong, US officials told the Associated Press news agency.
"We'll be announcing what we're doing tomorrow with respect to China and we are not happy with China," Trump told reporters at an unrelated event on Thursday, referring mainly to COVID-19. "We are not happy with what's happened. All over the world people are suffering, 186 countries. All over the world they're suffering. We're not happy."
Although the student expulsions are not directly related to Hong Kong and China's move to assert full control over the former British territory, potential sanctions against officials involved in that effort would be a result of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's determination that Hong Kong can no longer be considered autonomous from mainland China.
Pompeo notified the US Congress on Wednesday that Hong Kong is no longer deserving of the preferential trade and commercial status it has enjoyed from the US since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. Under a joint Sino-British agreement on the handover, Hong Kong was to be governed differently than the mainland for 50 years under a "one country, two systems" policy.
Pompeo's determination opened the door to possible sanctions and the loss of special perks Hong Kong has received from the US. But neither Pompeo nor other officials were able on Wednesday to describe what action the administration might take, an uncertainty related to the impact that such sanctions would have on US companies that operate in Hong Kong and the city's position as Asia's major financial hub. Trump's comments sparked a drop in US financial markets.
Serious consideration of the visa revocation proposal has faced opposition from US universities and scientific organisations that depend on tuition fees paid by Chinese students to offset other costs. Those institutions also fear possible reciprocal action from Beijing that could limit their students' and educators' access to China.
In a nod to those concerns, the officials said any restrictions would be narrowly tailored to affect only students who present a significant risk of engaging in espionage or intellectual property theft. The officials could not say how many people could ultimately be expelled, although they said it would be only a fraction of the number of Chinese students in the country.
Still, the possibility that the proposal may be implemented has drawn concerns from educators.
"We're very worried about how broadly this will be applied, and we're concerned it could send a message that we no longer welcome talented students and scholars from around the globe," said Sarah Spreitzer, director of government relations at the American Council on Education.
"We don't have a lot of details about how they are going to define ties to Chinese universities, what type of universities are they going to target, what would constitute a university having ties to the Chinese military," she said. If the situation were reversed and another nation imposed limits on students from US universities that receive Defense Department funding, she noted it would affect a wide range of schools.
The US hosted 133,396 graduate students from China in the 2018-19 academic year, and they made up 36.1 percent of all international graduate students, according to the Institute of International Education. Overall, there were 369,548 students from China, accounting for 33.7 percent of international students who contributed nearly $15bn to the US economy in 2018.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...chinese-college-students-200529134018774.html
President Donald Trump said he would make an announcement about China on Friday, and administration officials said he is considering a months-old proposal to revoke the visas of students affiliated with educational institutions in China linked to the People's Liberation Army or Chinese intelligence.
Trump is also weighing targeted travel and financial sanctions against Chinese officials for actions in Hong Kong, US officials told the Associated Press news agency.
"We'll be announcing what we're doing tomorrow with respect to China and we are not happy with China," Trump told reporters at an unrelated event on Thursday, referring mainly to COVID-19. "We are not happy with what's happened. All over the world people are suffering, 186 countries. All over the world they're suffering. We're not happy."
Although the student expulsions are not directly related to Hong Kong and China's move to assert full control over the former British territory, potential sanctions against officials involved in that effort would be a result of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's determination that Hong Kong can no longer be considered autonomous from mainland China.
Pompeo notified the US Congress on Wednesday that Hong Kong is no longer deserving of the preferential trade and commercial status it has enjoyed from the US since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. Under a joint Sino-British agreement on the handover, Hong Kong was to be governed differently than the mainland for 50 years under a "one country, two systems" policy.
Pompeo's determination opened the door to possible sanctions and the loss of special perks Hong Kong has received from the US. But neither Pompeo nor other officials were able on Wednesday to describe what action the administration might take, an uncertainty related to the impact that such sanctions would have on US companies that operate in Hong Kong and the city's position as Asia's major financial hub. Trump's comments sparked a drop in US financial markets.
Serious consideration of the visa revocation proposal has faced opposition from US universities and scientific organisations that depend on tuition fees paid by Chinese students to offset other costs. Those institutions also fear possible reciprocal action from Beijing that could limit their students' and educators' access to China.
In a nod to those concerns, the officials said any restrictions would be narrowly tailored to affect only students who present a significant risk of engaging in espionage or intellectual property theft. The officials could not say how many people could ultimately be expelled, although they said it would be only a fraction of the number of Chinese students in the country.
Still, the possibility that the proposal may be implemented has drawn concerns from educators.
"We're very worried about how broadly this will be applied, and we're concerned it could send a message that we no longer welcome talented students and scholars from around the globe," said Sarah Spreitzer, director of government relations at the American Council on Education.
"We don't have a lot of details about how they are going to define ties to Chinese universities, what type of universities are they going to target, what would constitute a university having ties to the Chinese military," she said. If the situation were reversed and another nation imposed limits on students from US universities that receive Defense Department funding, she noted it would affect a wide range of schools.
The US hosted 133,396 graduate students from China in the 2018-19 academic year, and they made up 36.1 percent of all international graduate students, according to the Institute of International Education. Overall, there were 369,548 students from China, accounting for 33.7 percent of international students who contributed nearly $15bn to the US economy in 2018.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...chinese-college-students-200529134018774.html
Robert
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Extend passport rights, as in allow 300K Hong Kongers to emigrate to the U.K.?
Good for HM Gov!
Good for HM Gov!
Robert
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Because some Hong Kongers want to retain the liberal rights they enjoyed under the British.
Moreover China is breaching the agreement proposed by Deng Xiaoping and signed by both governments that one nation two systems will remain in force until 2047.
Josh
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The matter to be informally discussed in UNSC at the request of the USA and the UK
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President Donald Trump has announced that he will start to end preferential treatment for Hong Kong in trade and travel, in response to a new security law pushed by Beijing.
He described the Chinese government's moves to introduce the measure in Hong Kong as a "tragedy".
Mr Trump also said he was "terminating" the US relationship with the World Health Organization over Covid-19.
China has told the West to "stop interfering" in Hong Kong.
The territory, a former British colony, enjoys unique freedoms not seen in mainland China. But many people there see the looming security law as bringing an end to Hong Kong's special status, agreed under a 1984 agreement between China and the UK.
There are fears the proposed measure - which has sparked a wave of anti-mainland protests - could end Hong Kong's unique status and make it a crime to undermine Beijing's authority in the territory.
This week, Britain said that if China went forward with the law, it could offer British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship.
On Friday, the UK Home Office confirmed that up to three million people with BNO status could acquire citizenship in this way - as long as they applied for and were granted a passport.
What did President Trump outline?
Mr Trump said that he no longer considered Hong Kong to be separate from China.
"China has replaced One Country, Two Systems with One Country, One System", Mr Trump told reporters in the White House's Rose Garden, in a prepared statement that attacked China on several fronts.
"This is a tragedy for Hong Kong... China has smothered Hong Kong's freedom," he said.
Mr Trump said sanctions would be imposed on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who were believed by Washington to be involved in eroding the territory's autonomy. He did not outline what form these sanctions would take.
He added that the State Department would revise its travel advisory for Hong Kong in light of "increased danger of surveillance" from China.
The president also said the US would suspend the entry of foreign nationals from China identified by the US as potential security risks. There are fears that this could affect thousands of graduate students.
No further details were given on Mr Trump's announcement that he would "terminate" the US relationship with the WHO. In April, the US president said he would halt funding to the UN agency because it has "failed in its basic duty" in its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
He accused the WHO of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the virus after it emerged in China.
The Global Times newspaper - whose views are believed to reflect those of China's leaders- called the move towards revoking Hong Kong's special status with the US "recklessly arbitrary".
Hong Kong's Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng told the BBC's Chinese Service earlier on Friday that any threat of sanctions was unacceptable.
"Are the sanctions being imposed with a view to coerce another state to change their policy...? Any such sanctions are not going to benefit anyone," she said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52856876
He described the Chinese government's moves to introduce the measure in Hong Kong as a "tragedy".
Mr Trump also said he was "terminating" the US relationship with the World Health Organization over Covid-19.
China has told the West to "stop interfering" in Hong Kong.
The territory, a former British colony, enjoys unique freedoms not seen in mainland China. But many people there see the looming security law as bringing an end to Hong Kong's special status, agreed under a 1984 agreement between China and the UK.
There are fears the proposed measure - which has sparked a wave of anti-mainland protests - could end Hong Kong's unique status and make it a crime to undermine Beijing's authority in the territory.
This week, Britain said that if China went forward with the law, it could offer British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship.
On Friday, the UK Home Office confirmed that up to three million people with BNO status could acquire citizenship in this way - as long as they applied for and were granted a passport.
What did President Trump outline?
Mr Trump said that he no longer considered Hong Kong to be separate from China.
"China has replaced One Country, Two Systems with One Country, One System", Mr Trump told reporters in the White House's Rose Garden, in a prepared statement that attacked China on several fronts.
"This is a tragedy for Hong Kong... China has smothered Hong Kong's freedom," he said.
Mr Trump said sanctions would be imposed on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who were believed by Washington to be involved in eroding the territory's autonomy. He did not outline what form these sanctions would take.
He added that the State Department would revise its travel advisory for Hong Kong in light of "increased danger of surveillance" from China.
The president also said the US would suspend the entry of foreign nationals from China identified by the US as potential security risks. There are fears that this could affect thousands of graduate students.
No further details were given on Mr Trump's announcement that he would "terminate" the US relationship with the WHO. In April, the US president said he would halt funding to the UN agency because it has "failed in its basic duty" in its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
He accused the WHO of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the virus after it emerged in China.
The Global Times newspaper - whose views are believed to reflect those of China's leaders- called the move towards revoking Hong Kong's special status with the US "recklessly arbitrary".
Hong Kong's Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng told the BBC's Chinese Service earlier on Friday that any threat of sanctions was unacceptable.
"Are the sanctions being imposed with a view to coerce another state to change their policy...? Any such sanctions are not going to benefit anyone," she said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52856876
Robert
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Ah, it’s a 6 month visa not full passport. I guess a lot of HKers will come here and apply for British citizenship.
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Hong Kong officials lashed out on Saturday at moves by US President Donald Trump to strip the city of its special status in a bid to punish China for imposing national security laws on the global financial hub.
Speaking hours after Trump said the city no longer warranted economic privileges and that some officials could face sanctions, security minister John Lee told reporters that Hong Kong could not be threatened and would push ahead with the new laws.
"I don't think they will succeed in using any means to threaten the [Hong Kong] government, because we believe what we are doing is right," Lee said.
Justice minister Teresa Cheng said the basis for Trump's actions was "completely false and wrong", saying national security laws were legal and necessary for the former British colony.
Trump had announced the decision at a White House news conference on Friday, saying Beijing had broken its word over Hong Kong's autonomy.
He said its move was a "tragedy" for the people of Hong Kong, China and the world.
"We will take action to revoke Hong Kong's preferential treatment," he said, adding that Washington would also impose sanctions on individuals seen as responsible for smothering Hong Kong's autonomy.
Trump said he was directing his administration to begin the process of eliminating policy agreements on Hong Kong, ranging from extradition treatment to export controls.
He said he would also issue a proclamation to better safeguard vital university research by suspending the entry of foreign nationals from China identified as potential security risks - a move believed to be aimed at Chinese graduate students studying in the US.
"It is said that we are becoming 'one country, one system' and we've lost [our] autonomy," said Cheng, Hong Kong's pro-Beijing justice secretary.
"That is completely false and wrong... We are one country... and therefore, as far as national security is concerned, as in any other country in the world, this is a matter that belongs to the central authorities."
On Friday, representatives from the US and the United Kingdom raised concerns about China's Hong Kong plans at the United Nations Security Council, prompting protests from both China and Russia.
The 15-member council informally discussed Hong Kong in a closed virtual meeting after China opposed a US call on Wednesday for a formal open council meeting, arguing that it was not an issue of international peace and security.
US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft asked: "Are we going to take the honourable stand to defend the human rights and the dignified way of life that millions of Hong Kong citizens have enjoyed and deserve ... or are we going to allow the Chinese Communist Party to violate international law and force its will on the people of Hong Kong?"
"This legislation risks curtailing the freedoms that China has undertaken to uphold as a matter of international law," the UK's acting UN ambassador, Jonathan Allen, said after the council discussion. "We are also extremely concerned that ... it will exacerbate the existing deep divisions in Hong Kong."
Diplomats said Russia and China responded during the council discussion by criticising the US over the Minneapolis killing of an unarmed Black man - who was seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck - and its handling of growing unrest.
"Why US denies China's right to restore peace & order in Hong Kong while brutally dispersing crowds at home?" Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy posted on Twitter after the council discussion.
China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said in a statement after the meeting that the US and UK should "mind their own business," adding that: "Any attempt to use Hong Kong to interfere in China's internal matters is doomed to fail."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/protests-cop-charged-murder-george-floyd-200530074749991.html
Speaking hours after Trump said the city no longer warranted economic privileges and that some officials could face sanctions, security minister John Lee told reporters that Hong Kong could not be threatened and would push ahead with the new laws.
"I don't think they will succeed in using any means to threaten the [Hong Kong] government, because we believe what we are doing is right," Lee said.
Justice minister Teresa Cheng said the basis for Trump's actions was "completely false and wrong", saying national security laws were legal and necessary for the former British colony.
Trump had announced the decision at a White House news conference on Friday, saying Beijing had broken its word over Hong Kong's autonomy.
He said its move was a "tragedy" for the people of Hong Kong, China and the world.
"We will take action to revoke Hong Kong's preferential treatment," he said, adding that Washington would also impose sanctions on individuals seen as responsible for smothering Hong Kong's autonomy.
Trump said he was directing his administration to begin the process of eliminating policy agreements on Hong Kong, ranging from extradition treatment to export controls.
He said he would also issue a proclamation to better safeguard vital university research by suspending the entry of foreign nationals from China identified as potential security risks - a move believed to be aimed at Chinese graduate students studying in the US.
"It is said that we are becoming 'one country, one system' and we've lost [our] autonomy," said Cheng, Hong Kong's pro-Beijing justice secretary.
"That is completely false and wrong... We are one country... and therefore, as far as national security is concerned, as in any other country in the world, this is a matter that belongs to the central authorities."
On Friday, representatives from the US and the United Kingdom raised concerns about China's Hong Kong plans at the United Nations Security Council, prompting protests from both China and Russia.
The 15-member council informally discussed Hong Kong in a closed virtual meeting after China opposed a US call on Wednesday for a formal open council meeting, arguing that it was not an issue of international peace and security.
US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft asked: "Are we going to take the honourable stand to defend the human rights and the dignified way of life that millions of Hong Kong citizens have enjoyed and deserve ... or are we going to allow the Chinese Communist Party to violate international law and force its will on the people of Hong Kong?"
"This legislation risks curtailing the freedoms that China has undertaken to uphold as a matter of international law," the UK's acting UN ambassador, Jonathan Allen, said after the council discussion. "We are also extremely concerned that ... it will exacerbate the existing deep divisions in Hong Kong."
Diplomats said Russia and China responded during the council discussion by criticising the US over the Minneapolis killing of an unarmed Black man - who was seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck - and its handling of growing unrest.
"Why US denies China's right to restore peace & order in Hong Kong while brutally dispersing crowds at home?" Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy posted on Twitter after the council discussion.
China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said in a statement after the meeting that the US and UK should "mind their own business," adding that: "Any attempt to use Hong Kong to interfere in China's internal matters is doomed to fail."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/protests-cop-charged-murder-george-floyd-200530074749991.html
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