Tag: National security law

UK Minister urges Britain to act against China’s intention to destroy HK autonomy
8Jul By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Opinion, World

UK Minister urges Britain to act against China’s intention to destroy HK autonomy

United Kingdom MP Stewart McDonald has asked the UK government to act against China's intention to impose its draconian national security law which intends to destroy Hong Kong's autonomy and punish people for criticizing Beijing."China has recently decided to impose a national security law on Hong Kong, bypassing its legislature, which will criminalize any act of secession, subversion, terrorism and its broad scope could see people punished for criticizing Beijing - as they are in mainland China", McDonald said in an opinion piece in Hong Kong Free Press."I call on the UK government to match the courage of the protesters and not kowtow to China's bullying," he added.The controversial legislation comprises six chapters and 66 articles. The chapters, inter alia, cover general provisions, du...
Read More
Hong Kong police bans major protest on security law
8Jul By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

Hong Kong police bans major protest on security law

Citing coronavirus social distancing measures, state-run Hong Kong police banned a major demonstration against China's planned national security law for the city, its organiser said on June 27.The Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) said the force had rejected its applications for rallies on July 1, the 23rd anniversary of the former British colony's handover to China.The official Letter of Objection, shared by the CHRF, cited a cap on group gatherings to no more than 50 people as well as previous cases of unrest during protests last year. Another letter sent by police on June 26 to District Councilor Andy Chui Chi-kin also denied permission for a protest on July 1.The pro-democracy group CHRF, which was responsible for some of last year's massive demonstrations, said they would appeal the dec...
Read More
2Jul By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US Senate passes bill to impose sanctions on China over Hong Kong security law

The US House of Representatives has approved a bill by unanimous consent that would impose sanctions on China after Beijing imposed a security law that was condemned by countries around the world.One of the bills, the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, would slap sanctions on individuals and businesses that help China restrict the autonomy of Hong Kong.The bill would have to be approved by the Senate before going to President Donald Trump for his signature."What the government of China is doing in Hong Kong is unacceptable. They are taking away the rights of people in Hong Kong. They are snuffing out freedoms that exist there right now," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland was quoted as saying.A second measure from Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is a resolution condemning Chin...
Read More
Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders concerned over prospect of indefinite detention without trial under new security law
2Jul By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders concerned over prospect of indefinite detention without trial under new security law

Amid incessant protests in defiance of sweeping security legislation introduced by China, Hong Kong democrats have now voiced concern over the security secretary’s failure to clarify whether suspects arrested under the impending national security law could be detained indefinitely without trial or charge.Officials in China have remained tight-lipped on the matter with Hong King's Secretary for Security John Lee seen clearly evading reporter’s question to confirm reports that arrested persons may be held in special detention centres for however long authorities like, in violation of international human rights laws."We have to wait until the proper promulgation of the law so that we will know exactly what the law says and requires us to do," Lee was quoted as saying."The preparation work is
Read More
Police detain protesters at busy Hong Kong mall during Dragon Boat Festival
2Jul By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

Police detain protesters at busy Hong Kong mall during Dragon Boat Festival

Hong Kong police dispersed dozens of protesters who gathered at the Yuen Long shopping center on June 23, which marks the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the Hong Kong Police Force said."On #DragonBoatFestival, dozens of protestors are staging a protest inside a shopping mall in #YuenLong, disrupting families and shoppers. Police dispersal and arrest operations are underway. Disperse peacefully. #HKProtest," the police wrote on Twitter.City-wide protests have been taking place sporadically in Hong Kong since June 2019, with protesters claiming to oppose China's increasing influence on the special administrative region.The latest wave of protests was caused by a security bill specially tailored by Beijing for Hong Kong."#HKPolice strongly condemn the groundless and malicious accusatio...
Read More
Hong Kongers flee to other countries fearing persecution as China pushes national security law
2Jul By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

Hong Kongers flee to other countries fearing persecution as China pushes national security law

With China all set to implement its draconian national security law on Hong Kong, the residents are making preparations to flee to Taiwan and other countries fearing persecution.According to reports, since last year, the number of applications for police certificates required to migrate to some other country has soared almost 80 per cent to nearly 21,000 in the latter half of 2019 from a year earlier.The protesters fearing persecution are also seeking refuge in Germany, the Netherlands and the United States.“You don’t know what they can accuse you of under the new law…Would joining a strike be considered a subversion of state?” Ho, a nurse at a hospital rehabilitation ward in Hong Kong said.She had joined a protest urging the pro-China government to close it borders with China amid coronav
Read More
Security law puts Hong Kong pastors at risk of being extradited to China: Watchdog
29Jun By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China, Opinion

Security law puts Hong Kong pastors at risk of being extradited to China: Watchdog

As China plans to go ahead with the imposition of draconian national security law on Hong Kong, pastors including pro-democracy activists and religious leaders face a risk of being extradited to mainland China for trial, a US-based Christian watchdog has warned."Under such laws, vocal Hong Kong clergy who have been supportive of Hong Kong's democracy movement, such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, could be extradited to mainland China to be tried, since Beijing considers them to be threats to the regime," International Christian Concern (ICC) said in a statement."Other hundreds of protestant leaders or Christian organizations who have actively spoken out against the Hong Kong government might face the same fate, since Beijing has said it considers the mass p...
Read More
EU likely to discuss Hong Kong during virtual summit with China
28Jun By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

EU likely to discuss Hong Kong during virtual summit with China

In the upcoming 22nd China-EU summit, the European Union leaders are expected to put direct pressure on China as Hong Kongers call out for help from the international community to save their special status from Beijing’s draconian national security law.“We are trying to exercise influence in expressing our concerns by reaching out actively over the last few days and weeks – and this will be the highest-ranking reaching out on Monday, to our partners in Beijing,” an EU official said.Another EU source said that the issue of Hong Kong needs to be addressed as “this affects our ability to further develop our relations between EU and China.”It will be the first encounter between the Chinese leader and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Joining them on an hour long call will be
Read More
Pro-China national anthem law muzzles creative activity in Hong Kong
28Jun By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

Pro-China national anthem law muzzles creative activity in Hong Kong

A documentary on the protests in Hong Kong has become the first casualty of the recently passed national anthem protection law by the pro-China Hong Kong Legislative Assembly.Although an uncut version of New York-based director Evans Chan's "We Have Boots" had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands earlier this year, a political art segment will be cut from the new expanded two-hour documentary.The segment, which will be cut involves local performance artist Kacey Wong playing music from March of the Volunteers on the accordion during a protest march in 2018. Wong's performance of The Patriot juxtaposes a portable jail cell on wheels with music from the Chinese and UK national anthems, as well as "Do you hear the people sing?" from the musical Le...
Read More
US Senate approves sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong
26Jun By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US Senate approves sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong

The US Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a Bill that would lay out sanctions on Chinese officials who undermine Hong Kong's autonomy as Beijing pushes forward with its draconian security law.The House of Representatives still needs to pass the Bill, which would allow sanctions in the United States against Chinese officials and the Hong Kong police as well as banks that conduct "significant transactions" with them.The vote comes as China presses forward with a security law that would enforce punishment over subversion and other perceived threats in Hong Kong."They are moving forward in their process to take away the liberties of the people of Hong Kong. So time is of the essence," said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat who helped lead the charge on the Bill."Passing a Senate resolu...
Read More