Hong Kong protests - USA v China standoff

[Firebat]

Carrie Lam: Hong Kong's leader says she has to keep piles of cash at home

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, has said in a TV interview that she has to keep "piles of cash" at home as she has no bank account.

This is because of sanctions imposed on her by the US Treasury, she said.

The sanctions on Ms Lam and other officials were in response to China's new security law for Hong Kong.

Her revelation has prompted social media quips about how the government manages to transport the leader's generous salary to her home.

In an interview broadcast on Friday night, she said she was "using cash every day for all the things".

"Sitting in front of you is a chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) who has no banking service made available to her," she told local English TV channel HKIBC.

"I have piles of cash at home, the government is paying me cash for my salary," she added.

She also added that it was "very honourable" to be "unjustifiably sanctioned" by the US government.

She is said to be one of the highest paid leaders in the world.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55113149

 

[Technics 1210]

Why would anyone leave Pakistan for this hell hole Hong Kong? I it's like jumping from the frying pan to an inferno!

 

[Firebat]

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong defiant as he is jailed over 13 months for protest

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Joshua Wong, 24, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent democracy activists, was jailed on Wednesday for more than 13 months over an unlawful anti-government rally in 2019, the toughest and most high-profile sentence for an opposition figure this year.

Wong’s sentence comes as critics say the Beijing-backed government is intensifying a crackdown on Hong Kong’s opposition and chipping away at wide-ranging freedoms guaranteed after the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, a charge authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong reject.

Reacting to the court ruling, Britain’s foreign minister Dominic Raab urged Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to stop their campaigns to stifle the opposition.

Wong had pleaded guilty to organising and inciting an unlawful assembly near the city’s police headquarters during the height of the sometimes violent demonstrations in June last year. He faced a maximum of three years in jail.

About 100 supporters gathered quietly inside the court ahead of the sentence, while a small group of pro-Beijing people rallied outside, calling for a hefty prison sentence.

“I know the coming days will be tougher. We will hang in there,” Wong, wearing a black sweater and surgical face mask, shouted after the sentence was read out.

“It’s not the end of the fight,” Wong said later through his lawyers.

“Ahead of us is another challenging battleground. We’re now joining the battle in prison along with many brave protesters, less visible yet essential in the fight for democracy and freedom for Hong Kong.”

Wong’s long-time colleagues Agnes Chow, 23, and Ivan Lam, 26, were jailed for a total of 10 and seven months, respectively, on charges linked to the same siege when thousands of protesters surrounded the police headquarters on June 21 to demand the government withdraw a now-shelved extradition bill.

Chow, who cried inside the court room on hearing her sentence, had pleaded guilty to incitement and participation in an unlawful protest, while Lam pleaded guilty to incitement.

A familiar face at democracy protests since he was a teenager, Wong was less than a year old when Hong Kong returned to Beijing 23 years ago with a guarantee of freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including freedom of speech and assembly.

China’s imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong on June 30 was seen as the latest blow to the city’s liberties, which are crucial for its status as a global financial hub.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...iled-over-13-months-for-protest-idUSKBN28C0SP

 

[Firebat]

Hong Kong court rules mask ban constitutional for all public meetings

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong’s highest court on Monday ruled the city’s government had the right to invoke colonial-era emergency powers last year to ban the wearing of masks at all public processions and meetings during the height of 2019’s protests.

During the anti-government protests which have largely died down, many demonstrators wore masks to hide their identities from authorities and to protect themselves from tear gas.

Surgical masks have also long been common in the financial hub for when people are sick and the ruling comes at a time when Hong Kong people are mandated to wear masks to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Court of Final Appeal went further than a lower-court decision in April which upheld the government’s right to impose emergency measures but ruled the mask ban was unconstitutional.

Opposition lawmakers and activists in the former British colony lodged a judicial review on the anti-mask law last year.

Joshua Wong, 24, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent democracy activists, was arrested for allegedly breaching the anti mask law and his participation in an unlawful anti-government rallies in 2019.

https://www.reuters.com/article/hon...utional-for-all-public-meetings-idUSKBN28V0CC

 

[Firebat]

National security law: Hong Kong rounds up 53 pro-democracy activists

More than 50 of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy activists and politicians have been arrested in the biggest crackdown since China imposed a draconian security law last year.

About 1,000 police took part in morning raids on 72 premises across the city.

Those held helped run an unofficial "primary" to pick opposition candidates ahead of postponed 2020 elections.

They are accused of trying to "overthrow" the government. Activists say the new law aims to quash dissent.

China's government imposed the legislation on the semi-autonomous territory in June, saying it was necessary to curb months of sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.

Beijing defended Wednesday's arrests, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying saying they were needed to stop "external forces and individuals [colluding] to undermine China's stability and security".

But the crackdown appeared to confirm the fears of many who warned about the reach of the law, with Amnesty International saying the arrests are "the starkest demonstration yet of how the national security law has been weaponised to punish anyone who dares to challenge the establishment".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55555299

 

[sweep_shot]

China NPC: China set to overhaul HK electoral system

Beijing plans to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure "patriots" are in charge, a senior official said.

A draft decision on the reforms will be discussed at China's biggest political meeting of the year, which begins on Thursday in Beijing.

The gathering of lawmakers is called the National People's Congress (NPC) and runs for a week.

The reforms are expected to give Beijing even more control over how the territory is governed.

It comes as 47 pro-democracy activists were charged with "subversion" under a new security law that critics say is being used by Beijing to crush dissent in the city.

The meeting typically happens in early March with nearly 3,000 delegates from all around the country - representing provinces, autonomous regions, and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

While in theory it is the country's most powerful institution, in reality it is seen largely as a rubber-stamp parliament.

This means it approves plans and policies that have been decided beforehand by the central government, so we are unlikely to see any major surprises.

The NPC meeting runs in parallel to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a meeting of the most powerful political advisory body in the country. That already began on Thursday, and collectively the gatherings are referred to as the "Two Sessions".

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56264117.

 

[sweep_shot]

China NPC: Beijing to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system

China's top law-making body has unveiled plans to ensure only "patriots" can govern Hong Kong, as Beijing tightens its grip on the city with changes to the electoral system.

Premier Li Keqiang, addressing the National People's Congress (NPC), warned the world not to interfere.

The move follows the imposition of a tough security law.

Critics say Beijing is crushing dissent and removing the "one country, two systems" agreement it made with the UK.

Under the agreement, Hong Kong, a former British colony, was allowed to continue with its own legal system and have rights including free speech and freedom of the press.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56264117.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-hongkong/u-s-condemns-chinas-hong-kong-moves-working-to-galvanize-action-against-abuses-idUSKCN2AX2D8

The United States on Friday called China’s moves to change the Hong Kong electoral system a direct attack on its autonomy and democratic processes and said Washington was working at “galvanizing collective action” against Chinese rights abuses.

Earlier on Friday, Beijing proposed legislation that would tighten its increasingly authoritarian grip on Hong Kong by making changes to the electoral committee that chooses the city’s leader, giving it new power to nominate legislative candidates.

The measure, set to be approved during a week-long session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament, would further marginalize a democratic opposition decimated after Beijing imposed national security legislation following anti-government protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019.

The United States condemns China’s “continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told a regular news briefing.

Price called Beijing’s moves “a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy ... freedoms and the democratic processes.”

“If implemented these measures would drastically undermine Hong Kong democratic institutions,” he said.

Price said Washington was working to rally allies and partners to speak with one voice in condemning China’s abuses against minority Muslims in Xinjiang and the “repression” taking place in Hong Kong.

“I don’t think anyone is satisfied yet, with the international response to what has taken place in Xinjiang. And that’s precisely why we are, in many ways, galvanizing the world, galvanizing collective action, to make clear that these sort of abuses against human rights in Xinjiang and elsewhere will not be tolerated,” he said.

The Biden administration, which took office in January, has endorsed a determination by the former Trump administration that China is committing genocide in Xinjiang and said that the United States must be prepared to impose costs on Beijing for its actions there, its crackdown in Hong Kong and threats towards Taiwan.

 

[sweep_shot]

Hong Kong citizens to be given 'support' to come to UK

Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong citizens expected to move to the UK under a new visa scheme will be helped to access housing, schools and jobs, the communities secretary has said.

Around 27,000 applications have been made for visas brought in after Beijing imposed a national security law in the former British colony.

The visas give Hong Kong citizens the right to live in the UK for five years.

Robert Jenrick told the BBC ministers wanted to provide "necessary" help.

"If they struggle, then we're here to support them," he said.

"That means local councils being there to provide them with housing, with the benefit system standing behind them, with all the support the state can offer to make sure that no-one gets into difficult times," he added.

Since 31 January, Hong Kong residents have been able to come to the UK for up to five years and apply for permanent residency.

The UK introduced the British National (Overseas), or BNO, visa after China passed a wide-ranging new security law for Hong Kong which makes it easier to punish protesters and reduces the city's autonomy.

The UK says the law is an erosion of freedoms and rights.

Government sources said school places for the new arrivals, many of whom will have young families, were "a pressure to be acknowledged".

If the number of applications for the visas continues to rise at the same rate, they will far outstrip the Home Office's prediction of 154,000 arrivals in the first year of the scheme.

Mr Jenrick said he expected the new arrivals to make a "real and important contribution" to the UK - and that many had qualifications in teaching, medicine or engineering.

But community groups have previously raised concerns that BNO visa holders will need help to find jobs and housing.

Jabez Lam, the manager of one group, Hackney Chinese Community Services, said he thought around 7,000 people had arrived already.

Many have booked into hotels or Airbnbs while they look for rented accommodation, he said.

"We believe as the lockdown eases that rate will accelerate," said Mr Lam.

His charity has already raised concerns with the government about school admissions and the right to obtain tenancies.

It also urged police to step up action against UK-based supporters of the Chinese government who might target Hong Kongers.

Simon Cheng, the chairman of another charity, Hong Kongers in Britain, said the UK government should also offer to help people who had taken part in protests against Beijing but who were not eligible for BNO visas.

He said: "The BNO visa scheme is rather a life-boat scheme for rescuing people out of tyranny, and some of those may need actual help for resettlement, and to have a launch pad to contribute more to the UK economy and for sure, UK democracy."

Although the BNO visa states holders have no recourse to public funds in the UK, the government says those who become destitute may be offered assistance to access social housing and other benefits.

There will be 12 virtual "welcome hubs" in the nations and English regions to provide access to housing, education and employment.

Teaching material about the UK's historical links with Hong Kong will be given to schools.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56669016.

 

[OMB]

Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced to one year for pro-democracy protests

Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of unauthorised assembly.

Mr Lai was one of several activists in court on Friday who were earlier found guilty of charges relating to large pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.

The 73-year-old founder of Apple Daily is a fierce critic of Beijing.

The verdict comes as the mainland is increasingly cracking down on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms.

Nine activists were sentenced on Friday for participating in a demonstration on 18 August 2019. Another three received sentences in relation to a separate protest on 31 August.

They include veteran campaigner Martin Lee, 82, and lawyer Margaret Ng, 73, whose sentences were suspended.

Earlier this week, Mr Lai's Apple Daily newspaper published a hand-written letter by him, sent from prison, which read: "It is our responsibility as journalists to seek justice. As long as we are not blinded by unjust temptations, as long as we do not let evil get its way through us, we are fulfilling our responsibility."

Mr Lai faces eight charges in total, two of which were imposed under the country's new National Security Law, which can carry a maximum term of life in prison.

The law, implemented in Hong Kong by China last year, criminalises secession and subversion. Earlier this month, Beijing overhauled the territory's electoral rules to ensure more loyalty to the mainland.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56770567

 

[silentkiller187]

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who survived massive protests against her government in 2019, has announced she will not seek a second term.

Ms Lam has overseen the implementation of a controversial national security law that quashed dissent during a turbulent time in the city's history.

Her current term comes to an end on 30 June, but she will not seek to extend her time as leader, she told a news conference on Monday.

It comes after British judges resigned from serving in Hong Kong's top courts due to an erosion of democracy and liberty caused by the sweeping national security law imposed by China.

"I will complete my five year term as chief executive on the 30th of June this year, and I will also call an end to my 42 years of public service," Ms Lam said.

Speculation had swirled for months about whether she would seek another term, but she said that her decision had been conveyed to the central government in Beijing last year and was met with "respect and understanding."

It follows massive protests against the territory's government in 2019 - including calls for Ms Lam to step down.

The demonstrations were met with a tough national security law from Beijing that has stifled dissent in the semiautonomous Chinese city.

At one point, the unrest saw Ms Lam trapped inside the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in September 2019 after protesters barred all the exits to the venue, stopping her from leaving.

Tens of thousands of people have sought to swap Hong Kong for the UK as a result of the new law, taking advantage of a British government scheme to resettle them over the past year.

More recently, Ms Lam had overseen a tough zero-COVID strategy mirroring that of China - but a record surge in cases earlier this year was mirrored by high death rates due to low vaccination coverage among the elderly.

How will a new leader be chosen?

Hong Kong's leader is elected by a committee made up of lawmakers, representatives of various industries and professions, and pro-Beijing representatives such as Hong Kong deputies to China's legislature.

One of the unfulfilled demands of the 2019 protests was direct election of the city's chief executive.

While her successor will not be decided until May as high COVID rates postponed the election, Hong Kong media is reporting that her number two John Lee is likely to enter the race for leader.

Chief secretary Mr Lee was the city's head of security during the protests.

https://news.sky.com/story/hong-kon...er-overseeing-tough-new-security-law-12581976

 

[ex-q-zit]

Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Jailed For 5 Years On Fraud Charge

Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai received a fresh jail sentence of five years and nine months on Saturday after being found guilty of fraud in a contractual dispute.

Lai, the 75-year-old founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, had recently completed a 20-month jail term resulting from multiple convictions for his part in protests and unauthorised assemblies.

He also faces a possible life sentence at his upcoming trial on national security charges.

While the earlier convictions were related to his role in the huge democracy protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019, the latest case involved one of his companies violating the terms of the lease on his newspaper's offices.

Lai and former Apple Daily executive Wong Wai-keung were both found guilty of fraud in October in what District Judge Stanley Chan described as a "planned, organised and years-long" scheme.

Prosecutors said that a consultancy firm Lai operated for his personal use had taken up office space that Apple Daily had rented for the purposes of publication and printing.

This was in breach of the terms of the lease Apple Daily signed with a government company and amounted to fraud, prosecutors said.

Defence lawyers previously argued the case should have been a civil suit instead of a criminal prosecution, adding that the square footage involved was minimal.

In addition to his jail term, Lai was fined HK$2 million ($257,000) and banned from managing companies for eight years.

Co-defendant Wong, 61, was jailed for 21 months with the judge comparing him to "the getaway driver for a robbery".

The judge said the sentence was in response to a "simple case of fraud", which dated back to the 1990s when the lease first came into effect.

He criticised Apple Daily for abusing its reputation as a well-known media company as a "protective shield", which he claimed discouraged the landlord from taking action against the breach of lease terms.

But he said the case had nothing to do with politics or press freedom.

"Don't draw any connection to politics," Chan said.

One of Hong Kong's best-known pro-democracy activists, Lai has long been openly loathed by Beijing.

For years, Apple Daily was scathing in its criticism of China's Communist Party and openly supportive of democracy.

It collapsed last year after its funds were frozen and many of its senior staff were charged alongside Lai under the sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong -- primarily over their campaign for international sanctions against China.

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