Backing up history: Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong
Lest we forget
The anti-ELAB movement has gone on for months with no signs of the government backing down. As time passes, even the most vivid of memories fade away. It is therefore important to preserve our experience of the movement, lest it be distorted in the future and absurdities like the claim of the May Fourth Movement being about ‘love and tolerance’ haunt generations to come.
Thanks to technology, we have more means of recording history than ever before. Smartphones, for instance, are always at our disposal as news stories unfold before us, waiting to be captured. But can we do better than that? Is there a way to highlight the force of an event better than news footage does? We got off to a good start as developers of Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong recreated some of the key places in the anti-ELAB movement for the upcoming video game, ranging from the government headquarters and Lung Wo Road to the bloodstained platforms of Prince Edward MTR Station and even the Lion Rock. Powered by the VR technology, these 3D reconstructions allow players to live through the many battles Hongkongers fought for freedom.
A game or a lesson?
Although it has not been decided how people will play the game, the developers hope it will function both as a ‘documentary’ and a ‘narrative’. It could work as a digital museum where players are given a walk-through of this important chapter of Hong Kong's history, but then it might not be interesting enough to be a hit. Some netizens think it would be nice to take on missions as a journalist, learning about the protests through the virtual reality. Such a game would be interactive as well as informative. As the brainstorming goes on, tell us how you think the game should work!
Text: 知難
Images: Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong
https://lihkg.com/thread/1875658/page/1
Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong - 在電子世界劃下歷史足印
你還記得嗎？
曠日持久的香港反修例運動，至今政府仍未回應民間訴求。然而隨著時間的流逝，現在鮮明的記憶，終將會漸漸離我們而去。如果不及時將這些記憶烙印下來，也許被別有用心的人將史料扭曲，出現「五四運動是愛與包容」這樣的難堪畫面。
隨著科技進步，我們能記下歷史的媒介也變多。像新聞片段，自拍影片，無處不在的手機鏡頭。但片段始終欠缺臨場感，可以更進一步嗎？有人就決定用VR來重現運動的情景。《Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong》的開發團隊，運用遊戲引擎製作了反修例運動的模擬場境。由中環至金鐘，包括政總、龍和道等大規模衝突現場，乃至太子地鐵站月台，還有意想不到的獅子山，他們都用3D構模呈現出來。
遊戲？還是體驗？
製作團隊方面暫時仍未想好遊戲的模式。他們希望在記錄與敍事方面取得一個平衡點。個人覺得像是博物館式的虛擬體驗也是一種選擇，不過對於遊戲有要求的一般玩家來說這一點也不吸引，難以將它推廣開去。亦有網友提出以記者的角度去進行任務，以報導事件、拍攝、採訪，從而引導用玩家理解事件，既有互動性，亦更能深入主題。
你，有沒有更進一步的想法呢？
文：知難
圖：Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong
https://lihkg.com/thread/1875658/page/1
Lest we forget
The anti-ELAB movement has gone on for months with no signs of the government backing down. As time passes, even the most vivid of memories fade away. It is therefore important to preserve our experience of the movement, lest it be distorted in the future and absurdities like the claim of the May Fourth Movement being about ‘love and tolerance’ haunt generations to come.
Thanks to technology, we have more means of recording history than ever before. Smartphones, for instance, are always at our disposal as news stories unfold before us, waiting to be captured. But can we do better than that? Is there a way to highlight the force of an event better than news footage does? We got off to a good start as developers of Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong recreated some of the key places in the anti-ELAB movement for the upcoming video game, ranging from the government headquarters and Lung Wo Road to the bloodstained platforms of Prince Edward MTR Station and even the Lion Rock. Powered by the VR technology, these 3D reconstructions allow players to live through the many battles Hongkongers fought for freedom.
A game or a lesson?
Although it has not been decided how people will play the game, the developers hope it will function both as a ‘documentary’ and a ‘narrative’. It could work as a digital museum where players are given a walk-through of this important chapter of Hong Kong's history, but then it might not be interesting enough to be a hit. Some netizens think it would be nice to take on missions as a journalist, learning about the protests through the virtual reality. Such a game would be interactive as well as informative. As the brainstorming goes on, tell us how you think the game should work!
Text: 知難
Images: Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong
https://lihkg.com/thread/1875658/page/1
Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong - 在電子世界劃下歷史足印
你還記得嗎？
曠日持久的香港反修例運動，至今政府仍未回應民間訴求。然而隨著時間的流逝，現在鮮明的記憶，終將會漸漸離我們而去。如果不及時將這些記憶烙印下來，也許被別有用心的人將史料扭曲，出現「五四運動是愛與包容」這樣的難堪畫面。
隨著科技進步，我們能記下歷史的媒介也變多。像新聞片段，自拍影片，無處不在的手機鏡頭。但片段始終欠缺臨場感，可以更進一步嗎？有人就決定用VR來重現運動的情景。《Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong》的開發團隊，運用遊戲引擎製作了反修例運動的模擬場境。由中環至金鐘，包括政總、龍和道等大規模衝突現場，乃至太子地鐵站月台，還有意想不到的獅子山，他們都用3D構模呈現出來。
遊戲？還是體驗？
製作團隊方面暫時仍未想好遊戲的模式。他們希望在記錄與敍事方面取得一個平衡點。個人覺得像是博物館式的虛擬體驗也是一種選擇，不過對於遊戲有要求的一般玩家來說這一點也不吸引，難以將它推廣開去。亦有網友提出以記者的角度去進行任務，以報導事件、拍攝、採訪，從而引導用玩家理解事件，既有互動性，亦更能深入主題。
你，有沒有更進一步的想法呢？
文：知難
圖：Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong
https://lihkg.com/thread/1875658/page/1
LIHKG 討論區
反修例 GAME - 中環及太子站場景 - 逐一以遊戲/虛幻實就景重現 重組重大修例運動事件
https://youtu.be/BIy0bLYQWcg
https://youtu.be/PbyVV54981Q
https://youtu.be/x8stiRzg9fI
中環及太子站場景 以 game-engine 重組出黎
以上系4K VIDEO actual gameplay footage, 不過未念到gameplay
#製作中
#歡迎意見
#你想要咩Narrative mode?
#Campaign 頂 multiplayer?
#你想要咩角色？
#你想渣咩車？
https://youtu.be/PbyVV54981Q
https://youtu.be/x8stiRzg9fI
中環及太子站場景 以 game-engine 重組出黎
以上系4K VIDEO actual gameplay footage, 不過未念到gameplay
#製作中
#歡迎意見
#你想要咩Narrative mode?
#Campaign 頂 multiplayer?
#你想要咩角色？
#你想渣咩車？
#Taiwan #SARS
Returning to Heping Hospital, Ward B8: “Her answer signalled her choice”
17 years ago, the SARS epidemic led to the deaths of many citizens and healthcare workers in Taiwan. The Heping Hospital in Taipei was quarantined and locked down. In the fight against an epidemic under the most dire circumstances, how was the balance maintained between personal choices, defending humanitarian needs and the duties of healthcare workers?
Read full article:
https://telegra.ph/Returning-to-Heping-Hospital-Ward-B8-Her-answer-signalled-her-choice-04-14
Returning to Heping Hospital, Ward B8: “Her answer signalled her choice”
17 years ago, the SARS epidemic led to the deaths of many citizens and healthcare workers in Taiwan. The Heping Hospital in Taipei was quarantined and locked down. In the fight against an epidemic under the most dire circumstances, how was the balance maintained between personal choices, defending humanitarian needs and the duties of healthcare workers?
Read full article:
https://telegra.ph/Returning-to-Heping-Hospital-Ward-B8-Her-answer-signalled-her-choice-04-14
Telegraph
Returning to Heping Hospital, Ward B8: “Her answer signalled her choice”
17 years ago, the SARS epidemic led to the deaths of many citizens and healthcare workers in Taiwan. The Heping Hospital in Taipei was quarantined and locked down. In the fight against an epidemic under the most dire circumstances, how was the balance maintained…
#CoronavirusPandemic #InternationalRelations
Russia, China and the European Union vie in Serbia
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, rival powers are deploying soft power and aid to advance their own foreign policy goals in Belgrade, major players are looking to use soft power and aid to fulfil their foreign policy goals.
//First, the Chinese came to Belgrade, with planeloads of equipment and six medical experts to help coordinate national coronavirus policy. An emotional Serbian president kissed the Chinese flag in gratitude and slammed Europe for its lack of assistance; For China, it is changing the narrative to present the country as the solution to COVID-19, not its cause.//
//For Russia, it is using more modest resources for maximum effect, with Russian military vehicles driving through Italy or a planeload of equipment dispatched to the US partly produced by a sanctioned company.//
//For the EU, it is trying to prove that talk of European values and solidarity is not just empty words.//
//The Americans, focused internally under US President Donald Trump’s administration, have largely been absent from the COVID-19 diplomacy game.//
// Serbian officials said the Chinese experts, who have remained in the country, are now running the government’s coronavirus policy. Serbia is following the Chinese model of isolating even mild cases of COVID-19 in large field hospitals, rather than trusting people to self-isolate.//
//A survey carried out in December last year showed that many Serbs believed Russia or China to be the country’s largest donor over the past two decades, while in fact the EU had given about 100 times more than either.//
Source: Taipei Times #Apr14
Full Article:
https://taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2020/04/14/2003734593
#Serbia #China #Russia #Coronavirus #MedicalSupplies
Russia, China and the European Union vie in Serbia
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, rival powers are deploying soft power and aid to advance their own foreign policy goals in Belgrade, major players are looking to use soft power and aid to fulfil their foreign policy goals.
//First, the Chinese came to Belgrade, with planeloads of equipment and six medical experts to help coordinate national coronavirus policy. An emotional Serbian president kissed the Chinese flag in gratitude and slammed Europe for its lack of assistance; For China, it is changing the narrative to present the country as the solution to COVID-19, not its cause.//
//For Russia, it is using more modest resources for maximum effect, with Russian military vehicles driving through Italy or a planeload of equipment dispatched to the US partly produced by a sanctioned company.//
//For the EU, it is trying to prove that talk of European values and solidarity is not just empty words.//
//The Americans, focused internally under US President Donald Trump’s administration, have largely been absent from the COVID-19 diplomacy game.//
// Serbian officials said the Chinese experts, who have remained in the country, are now running the government’s coronavirus policy. Serbia is following the Chinese model of isolating even mild cases of COVID-19 in large field hospitals, rather than trusting people to self-isolate.//
//A survey carried out in December last year showed that many Serbs believed Russia or China to be the country’s largest donor over the past two decades, while in fact the EU had given about 100 times more than either.//
Source: Taipei Times #Apr14
Full Article:
https://taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2020/04/14/2003734593
#Serbia #China #Russia #Coronavirus #MedicalSupplies
Taipeitimes
Virus Outbreak: Russia, China and the EU vie in Serbia - Taipei Times
First, the Chinese came to Belgrade, with planeloads of equipment and six medical experts to help coordinate national coronavirus policy. An emotional Serbian president kissed the Chinese flag in gratitude and slammed Europe for its lack of assistance.
Then…
Then…
China cares about Pakistan
China promised to send top-quality N-95 respirstors to #Pakistan , in a bid to prove to the world the care she has for the other nations.
However, it was later discovered that some of these masks were made out of used undergarments.
#China was trying to put on a front as the new 'big brother', but has this gesture towards Pakistan further exposed what lies beneath the facade that has been hidden from the eyes of the world, underneath thick sheets of opaqueness reinforced and fortified by the Great Chinese Firewall and the infamous Chinese #propaganda ?
Video:
https://twitter.com/majorgauravarya/status/1246278491735113730?s=09
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Watch
Further reading:
Pakistan provides 315,000 effective tablets overnight to treat COVID-19 in China
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17876
#N95Respirator
China promised to send top-quality N-95 respirstors to #Pakistan , in a bid to prove to the world the care she has for the other nations.
However, it was later discovered that some of these masks were made out of used undergarments.
#China was trying to put on a front as the new 'big brother', but has this gesture towards Pakistan further exposed what lies beneath the facade that has been hidden from the eyes of the world, underneath thick sheets of opaqueness reinforced and fortified by the Great Chinese Firewall and the infamous Chinese #propaganda ?
Video:
https://twitter.com/majorgauravarya/status/1246278491735113730?s=09
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Watch
Further reading:
Pakistan provides 315,000 effective tablets overnight to treat COVID-19 in China
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17876
#N95Respirator
Twitter
Major Gaurav Arya (Retd)
China promised to send top quality N-95 masks to Pakistan. When the consignment landed, Pakistanis found that China had sent masks made of underwear. Pakistani anchor says “China ne Choona laga diya”. #ChineseVirusCorona https://t.co/3H4Uo151ZJ
#Newspaper
Finland's Emergency Supply Agency Head Quits Over Face Mask Purchase
// The Finnish government said on Friday it has accepted the resignation of the head of the country's emergency supply agency over a multi-million euro purchase of Chinese face masks that proved unsuitable for hospital use.
// The National Emergency Supply Centre had paid two Finnish agents a combined 10 million euros ($11 million) for face mask deliveries from China.
//The delivery that arrived from China on Tuesday was meant to contain 2 million surgical masks and 230,000 other face masks.
//But the masks were quickly found not to be suitable for hospital use due to their low quality
//the first delivery of masks were bought via an agent who previously ran a short-term loan business and who faces court orders for debts.
Source: NYTimes, (10-Apr)
https://nyti.ms/3cqkQCo
Further reading:
Thermometer Only Gives Reading Below 37°C, Thai Police Arrest Chinese Smugglers of Fake Thermometer and COVID19 Test Kits
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19480
China raises export requirements for medical supplies. Over 1 million RMB worth of PPE delayed at customs
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19304
Several Countries Report Incorrect Results From China's COVID-19 Test Kits; Beijing: Chinese Test Kits are of Good Quality
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19062
Czech Republic finds 150,000 rapid coronavirus test kits recieved from China have an 80% error rate, returns to laboratory testing
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19058
Some coronavirus test kits shipped to states are not working as expected, the CDC says
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17293
#Finland #Masks #Purchase #China #Unusable #MadeInChina
Finland's Emergency Supply Agency Head Quits Over Face Mask Purchase
// The Finnish government said on Friday it has accepted the resignation of the head of the country's emergency supply agency over a multi-million euro purchase of Chinese face masks that proved unsuitable for hospital use.
// The National Emergency Supply Centre had paid two Finnish agents a combined 10 million euros ($11 million) for face mask deliveries from China.
//The delivery that arrived from China on Tuesday was meant to contain 2 million surgical masks and 230,000 other face masks.
//But the masks were quickly found not to be suitable for hospital use due to their low quality
//the first delivery of masks were bought via an agent who previously ran a short-term loan business and who faces court orders for debts.
Source: NYTimes, (10-Apr)
https://nyti.ms/3cqkQCo
Further reading:
Thermometer Only Gives Reading Below 37°C, Thai Police Arrest Chinese Smugglers of Fake Thermometer and COVID19 Test Kits
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19480
China raises export requirements for medical supplies. Over 1 million RMB worth of PPE delayed at customs
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19304
Several Countries Report Incorrect Results From China's COVID-19 Test Kits; Beijing: Chinese Test Kits are of Good Quality
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19062
Czech Republic finds 150,000 rapid coronavirus test kits recieved from China have an 80% error rate, returns to laboratory testing
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19058
Some coronavirus test kits shipped to states are not working as expected, the CDC says
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17293
#Finland #Masks #Purchase #China #Unusable #MadeInChina
NY Times
Finland's Emergency Supply Agency Head Quits Over Face Mask Purchase
The Finnish government said on Friday it has accepted the resignation of the head of the country's emergency supply agency over a multi-million euro purchase of Chinese face masks that proved unsuitable for hospital use.
#Analysis
Online Detective
(9 Apr) A news article forwarded by a friend (https://www.cnx-software.com/2020/04/07/beware-of-defective-wrongly-manufactured-ir-thermometers/) said that people from Thailand found a faulty IR thermometer that could read ~36°C even when the sensor is removed. I searched for the brand name “HEACO” from the video, and found that HKTV used to sell other thermometers of the same brand, but they are now off the shelves. This thermometer “case” seemed to be manufactured in different factories, and there are at least three brands with the same “case” on HKTV’s website.
There isn’t much information on the company HEACO, but I found a Facebook page with the same logo. It appears to be a Russian company. Although I don’t have any proof that the HEACO thermometer in the video is a fake, nor do I know if HEACO sells counterfeit products, it is worth pursuing. Why are there three companies using the same case for thermometers? Does the thermometer work normally under standard conditions?
So I searched for G SIM STORE, the shop that sells other HEACO thermometers on HKTV, and found that it is related to a Youtube channel (both profile pictures are the letter G made from dots). The channel’s videos are all on sim card sales, and there is a web link to HKTV in the introduction. It seems like medical products are not the primary products of this company.
Other than that, there are two other companies on HKTV that sell thermometers of the same “case”. I also searched for these companies’ brand and shop name. One of the shops is called “Ying Kang Medicine”. According to Facebook, their shop is in Tsuen Wan, and the brand of the thermometers they sell is called “Bo Hui”. However, I couldn’t find any information about the brand on Google. That’s all I’ve found.
The other shop is called “XCSource”, and I found out that it is a foreign company with an official website. However, thermometer is not one of the products on their official website. I searched for the company’s name and the word ‘thermometer’ as keywords on Amazon, and there were no related products. At this point, I suspect that this company’s trademark was stolen and used to sell thermometers of unknown sources on HKTV.
Details could be found on the photo attached.
Oh, wasn’t there a Chinese businessman who talked about exporting fake thermometers so America would have more infected cases?
Source: Facebook
#HEACO #Thermometer #YingKangMedicine #XCSource #Fake
Online Detective
(9 Apr) A news article forwarded by a friend (https://www.cnx-software.com/2020/04/07/beware-of-defective-wrongly-manufactured-ir-thermometers/) said that people from Thailand found a faulty IR thermometer that could read ~36°C even when the sensor is removed. I searched for the brand name “HEACO” from the video, and found that HKTV used to sell other thermometers of the same brand, but they are now off the shelves. This thermometer “case” seemed to be manufactured in different factories, and there are at least three brands with the same “case” on HKTV’s website.
There isn’t much information on the company HEACO, but I found a Facebook page with the same logo. It appears to be a Russian company. Although I don’t have any proof that the HEACO thermometer in the video is a fake, nor do I know if HEACO sells counterfeit products, it is worth pursuing. Why are there three companies using the same case for thermometers? Does the thermometer work normally under standard conditions?
So I searched for G SIM STORE, the shop that sells other HEACO thermometers on HKTV, and found that it is related to a Youtube channel (both profile pictures are the letter G made from dots). The channel’s videos are all on sim card sales, and there is a web link to HKTV in the introduction. It seems like medical products are not the primary products of this company.
Other than that, there are two other companies on HKTV that sell thermometers of the same “case”. I also searched for these companies’ brand and shop name. One of the shops is called “Ying Kang Medicine”. According to Facebook, their shop is in Tsuen Wan, and the brand of the thermometers they sell is called “Bo Hui”. However, I couldn’t find any information about the brand on Google. That’s all I’ve found.
The other shop is called “XCSource”, and I found out that it is a foreign company with an official website. However, thermometer is not one of the products on their official website. I searched for the company’s name and the word ‘thermometer’ as keywords on Amazon, and there were no related products. At this point, I suspect that this company’s trademark was stolen and used to sell thermometers of unknown sources on HKTV.
Details could be found on the photo attached.
Oh, wasn’t there a Chinese businessman who talked about exporting fake thermometers so America would have more infected cases?
Source: Facebook
#HEACO #Thermometer #YingKangMedicine #XCSource #Fake
#Newspaper #OpinionArticle
Reflections from the virus crisis: Should the world take "cost" as the sole consideration for manufacturing?
(7 Apr) Many country relies heavily on manufacturing in China. When a crisis arises, huge demand of products is created. Country with enormous manufacturing capability has the power to make decisions.
Crisis creates opportunity. I believe that after this time, the world will hold a different view!
After the Netherlands and Spain, the medical-grade masks shipped by Austrian Airlines at the end of March are completely unusable.
After a review, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the masks provided to South Tyrolean did not meet FFP standards. At present, the Austrian army has taken over the logistics of these masks.
Following the criticisms of the Netherlands and Spain on the poor quality of the protective equipment produced in China, South Tyrolean is also experiencing the same situation. The Ministry of Economy confirmed in Vienna that the large number of FFP2 and FFP3 masks that will be shipped to South Tyrolean are not usable. Initially, these masks were ordered from China through a sporting goods company and shipped by a private plane of Austrian Airlines.
In addition to the masks, 400,000 sets of protective clothing were transported to the Vienna International Airport. When the Red Cross carried out a visual inspection of masks at the airport, they were shocked. Later when the Ministry of Economy sent the items to the German laboratory for examination, the results showed that they did not meet the FFP standards.
Austrian Minister of Economy Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) also criticized publicly at a press conference that nine out of ten medical masks provided by international suppliers were unusable. Fortunately, a consortium of Vorarlberger has invested in the manufacture of masks. If there are enough tailors, they will be able to produce 500,000 masks per day. This is not an unachievable target. Up to now, there are 1,700 tailors. You just have to find 700 more.
#RelyOnYourselfIsTheMostReliable
Source: Facebook
https://bit.ly/3brvjNy
Further reading:
Chinese manufacturer threatened to sell fake infrared thermometers to harm the Americans but later apologised for it's “patriotic act”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19516
#MedicalSupplies #Masks #ProtectiveClothing #Austria #Netherlands #Spain #Unusable #MadeInChina
Reflections from the virus crisis: Should the world take "cost" as the sole consideration for manufacturing?
(7 Apr) Many country relies heavily on manufacturing in China. When a crisis arises, huge demand of products is created. Country with enormous manufacturing capability has the power to make decisions.
Crisis creates opportunity. I believe that after this time, the world will hold a different view!
After the Netherlands and Spain, the medical-grade masks shipped by Austrian Airlines at the end of March are completely unusable.
After a review, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the masks provided to South Tyrolean did not meet FFP standards. At present, the Austrian army has taken over the logistics of these masks.
Following the criticisms of the Netherlands and Spain on the poor quality of the protective equipment produced in China, South Tyrolean is also experiencing the same situation. The Ministry of Economy confirmed in Vienna that the large number of FFP2 and FFP3 masks that will be shipped to South Tyrolean are not usable. Initially, these masks were ordered from China through a sporting goods company and shipped by a private plane of Austrian Airlines.
In addition to the masks, 400,000 sets of protective clothing were transported to the Vienna International Airport. When the Red Cross carried out a visual inspection of masks at the airport, they were shocked. Later when the Ministry of Economy sent the items to the German laboratory for examination, the results showed that they did not meet the FFP standards.
Austrian Minister of Economy Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) also criticized publicly at a press conference that nine out of ten medical masks provided by international suppliers were unusable. Fortunately, a consortium of Vorarlberger has invested in the manufacture of masks. If there are enough tailors, they will be able to produce 500,000 masks per day. This is not an unachievable target. Up to now, there are 1,700 tailors. You just have to find 700 more.
#RelyOnYourselfIsTheMostReliable
Source: Facebook
https://bit.ly/3brvjNy
Further reading:
Chinese manufacturer threatened to sell fake infrared thermometers to harm the Americans but later apologised for it's “patriotic act”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19516
#MedicalSupplies #Masks #ProtectiveClothing #Austria #Netherlands #Spain #Unusable #MadeInChina
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Newspaper
Chinese manufacturer threatened to sell fake infrared thermometers to harm the Americans but later apologised for it's “patriotic act”
(30 Mar) The quality of the Chinese made medical supplies are in great doubt. Days ago, some Chinese manufacturers…
Chinese manufacturer threatened to sell fake infrared thermometers to harm the Americans but later apologised for it's “patriotic act”
(30 Mar) The quality of the Chinese made medical supplies are in great doubt. Days ago, some Chinese manufacturers…
#Newspaper #OpinionArticle
Making abnormal profits in the Pandemic: CCP makes big money from selling ventilators 1/2
(9 Apr) The share price of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd. has skyrocketed by 50%. To increase profits, it used pro-Beijing media to advocate that the global demand of ventilators is reaching a million. New York State, alone, needs 60,000 units. By exaggerating demand, the company seeks to create the illusion of supply shortage to justify price inflation. How does the CCP play a part in mercantile predation? The Foreign Minister of the PRC Wang Yi called the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, requesting that the latter increase its supply of critical spare parts for manufacture of ventilators in China. The conversation exposed how the CCP cannot make the qualified spare parts themselves. However, the CCP can manipulate the trading of ventilators. Switzerland sells the essential spare parts to China at a cost demanded by the CCP on "humanitarian" basis. However, the predicament is it will effectively facilitate the CCP in making abnormal profits.
News has been surfacing around the world of the CCP soliciting the sale of medical supplies at high prices while holding out and being 'the white knight' to other countries in the pandemic crisis.
Excerpt: Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/yhmetblogspot/posts/3101215879928529
#CCP #Pandemic #Ventilator #Shenzhen #MindrayBioMedicalElectronics #MedicalSupplies #AbnormalProfit #ChinaInfluence #SharpPower
Making abnormal profits in the Pandemic: CCP makes big money from selling ventilators 1/2
(9 Apr) The share price of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd. has skyrocketed by 50%. To increase profits, it used pro-Beijing media to advocate that the global demand of ventilators is reaching a million. New York State, alone, needs 60,000 units. By exaggerating demand, the company seeks to create the illusion of supply shortage to justify price inflation. How does the CCP play a part in mercantile predation? The Foreign Minister of the PRC Wang Yi called the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, requesting that the latter increase its supply of critical spare parts for manufacture of ventilators in China. The conversation exposed how the CCP cannot make the qualified spare parts themselves. However, the CCP can manipulate the trading of ventilators. Switzerland sells the essential spare parts to China at a cost demanded by the CCP on "humanitarian" basis. However, the predicament is it will effectively facilitate the CCP in making abnormal profits.
News has been surfacing around the world of the CCP soliciting the sale of medical supplies at high prices while holding out and being 'the white knight' to other countries in the pandemic crisis.
Excerpt: Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/yhmetblogspot/posts/3101215879928529
#CCP #Pandemic #Ventilator #Shenzhen #MindrayBioMedicalElectronics #MedicalSupplies #AbnormalProfit #ChinaInfluence #SharpPower
Making abnormal profits in the Pandemic: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd. (Mindray) and its executive management 2/2
Mindray was founded in 1991 as a "global supply leader" of medical equipment. The company was listed in USA in 2006 but subsequently delisted in 2016 to list as an A-share company in China. Its assets were valued at US$ 3.3 billion at the time. In Oct 2018, Mindray was relisted on NASDAQ. Since then, its asset value has grown 8-9 fold to over US$ 170 billion.
One of the company's founders, current major shareholder and managing director- Li Xiting - worked for the Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, specialising in physics. [The institute's website shows Life Science as one of the state priorities.] He was a visiting scholar at the French National Centre for Scientific Research for three years.
Mindray is nicknamed the "Huawei" of the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors. Mindray’s gold fortune is a typical case of state-backed policy chipping away at other global medical equipment suppliers.
Mindray has been implicated in years of lawsuits involving patients' rights with other companies in the industry. They include Shenzhen Edan Instruments Inc, Masimo [an American manufacturer of non-invasive patient monitoring technologies and pulse oximetry supplied to hospitals] and Shenzhen Comen.
Even though overseas sales of medical equipment make up of a major part of Mindray’s profits, there was very little detail on its overseas businesses. There are many mysterious and suspicious aspects from even the disclosed portions of its financial statements.
The executive leadership of Mindray - including the CEO, executive managing directors, independent executive directors and the Financial Director - did not attend the 2019 AGM (annual general meeting). There was no explanation as to why the AGM was delayed for 10 minutes. The company secretary Li Wenmei was impatient with questions about cash incentive schemes from minority shareholders. She accused 100 of the minority shareholders present at AGM as "scrupulous scum" because they held less than 100 shares each. The angered shareholders subsequently criticised that Mindray’s 2019 AGM breached the requirements for listing rules. They also criticised the constitution of the company for convention of the AGM's failing to provide essential information to investors. Li was forced to issue a written apology afterwards.
Despite this, Li Wenmei’s remuneration package rose 1.3 times from 2017 to 2018, earning her 4.0853 million Yuan. Given her limited working experience in the science sector, the PRC media speculated that Li Wenmei [who has permanent HK citizenship] may be Li Xiting's [the founder] daughter. The latter holds Singaporean citizenship.
Sources: Sohu, IFeng Finance
#Pandemic #LiWenmei #LiXiting #Shenzhen #MindrayBioMedicalElectronics
Mindray was founded in 1991 as a "global supply leader" of medical equipment. The company was listed in USA in 2006 but subsequently delisted in 2016 to list as an A-share company in China. Its assets were valued at US$ 3.3 billion at the time. In Oct 2018, Mindray was relisted on NASDAQ. Since then, its asset value has grown 8-9 fold to over US$ 170 billion.
One of the company's founders, current major shareholder and managing director- Li Xiting - worked for the Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, specialising in physics. [The institute's website shows Life Science as one of the state priorities.] He was a visiting scholar at the French National Centre for Scientific Research for three years.
Mindray is nicknamed the "Huawei" of the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors. Mindray’s gold fortune is a typical case of state-backed policy chipping away at other global medical equipment suppliers.
Mindray has been implicated in years of lawsuits involving patients' rights with other companies in the industry. They include Shenzhen Edan Instruments Inc, Masimo [an American manufacturer of non-invasive patient monitoring technologies and pulse oximetry supplied to hospitals] and Shenzhen Comen.
Even though overseas sales of medical equipment make up of a major part of Mindray’s profits, there was very little detail on its overseas businesses. There are many mysterious and suspicious aspects from even the disclosed portions of its financial statements.
The executive leadership of Mindray - including the CEO, executive managing directors, independent executive directors and the Financial Director - did not attend the 2019 AGM (annual general meeting). There was no explanation as to why the AGM was delayed for 10 minutes. The company secretary Li Wenmei was impatient with questions about cash incentive schemes from minority shareholders. She accused 100 of the minority shareholders present at AGM as "scrupulous scum" because they held less than 100 shares each. The angered shareholders subsequently criticised that Mindray’s 2019 AGM breached the requirements for listing rules. They also criticised the constitution of the company for convention of the AGM's failing to provide essential information to investors. Li was forced to issue a written apology afterwards.
Despite this, Li Wenmei’s remuneration package rose 1.3 times from 2017 to 2018, earning her 4.0853 million Yuan. Given her limited working experience in the science sector, the PRC media speculated that Li Wenmei [who has permanent HK citizenship] may be Li Xiting's [the founder] daughter. The latter holds Singaporean citizenship.
Sources: Sohu, IFeng Finance
#Pandemic #LiWenmei #LiXiting #Shenzhen #MindrayBioMedicalElectronics
Sohu
鄙视“100股小股东参会”的董秘，背景惊呆吃瓜群众~_李文楣
从道歉信内容来看，李文楣反思了自己工作的不当，“我作为公司董事会秘书，未能在股东大会现场及时协助公司管理层充分回答股东问题，因本人未能和与会股东做好充分沟通，导致现场发表了一些不当言论。 …
#DailyUpdate #Apr17 #COVID19
COVID-19 Updates (17/4)
At the time of writing, 2,200,377 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed with 147,787 deaths worldwide. The US, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the UK continue to be the worst affected countries by this pandemic.
Hong Kong confirmed 4 new cases putting the total to 1022, all of them returned from the United Kingdom.
South Korea reports 22 new coronavirus cases.
Japan reports more than 500 new coronavirus cases.
India reports more than 13,300 coronavirus cases.
Vehicles crammed Michigan roadways in protest against the state's stay-at-home order.
US Surgeon General calls wearing face coverings "sign of respect" during the pandemic.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says there are issues with WHO, and Japan will review its funding after the pandemic.
Australian mayor fined after violating stay-at-home orders and going out for beer.
Pope Francis writes 'plan for resurrection' from coronavirus pandemic.
London mayor calls for masks to be worn on public transport and in shops.
Denmark's children head back to school after coronavirus closures.
Singapore considers cruise ships as temporary shelter for foreign workers.
French President Macron warns of EU "moment of truth" on financial solidarity.
French President Macron cautiously criticizes China’s transparency on coronavirus.
Cathay Pacific lays off cabin crew and shuts down US bases.
Venezuela's Juan Guaido says he will pay health workers extra money to help fight coronavirus.
China’s economy shrunk by 6.8% in the first quarter of the year, it is the worst quarter since public figures are available.
Source: CNN, Worldometer
COVID-19 Updates (17/4)
At the time of writing, 2,200,377 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed with 147,787 deaths worldwide. The US, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the UK continue to be the worst affected countries by this pandemic.
Hong Kong confirmed 4 new cases putting the total to 1022, all of them returned from the United Kingdom.
South Korea reports 22 new coronavirus cases.
Japan reports more than 500 new coronavirus cases.
India reports more than 13,300 coronavirus cases.
Vehicles crammed Michigan roadways in protest against the state's stay-at-home order.
US Surgeon General calls wearing face coverings "sign of respect" during the pandemic.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says there are issues with WHO, and Japan will review its funding after the pandemic.
Australian mayor fined after violating stay-at-home orders and going out for beer.
Pope Francis writes 'plan for resurrection' from coronavirus pandemic.
London mayor calls for masks to be worn on public transport and in shops.
Denmark's children head back to school after coronavirus closures.
Singapore considers cruise ships as temporary shelter for foreign workers.
French President Macron warns of EU "moment of truth" on financial solidarity.
French President Macron cautiously criticizes China’s transparency on coronavirus.
Cathay Pacific lays off cabin crew and shuts down US bases.
Venezuela's Juan Guaido says he will pay health workers extra money to help fight coronavirus.
China’s economy shrunk by 6.8% in the first quarter of the year, it is the worst quarter since public figures are available.
Source: CNN, Worldometer
#WuhanPneumonia #CensorshipKills
China Revises Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll to 3,869: 50% Increase On Previous Figure
[Editor's note: World leaders including US President Trump and French President Macron have openly condemned China for withholding information about the Wuhan pneumonia, leading to the pandemic crisis around the world]
Health authorities in Wuhan, China have revised the death toll from the coronavirus upwards by over 50 per cent. Wuhan’s Epidemic Prevention and Control Center said on April 17 that 3,869 people had died from the disease in the city as of April 16, according to China's state media.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Apr17
#CCPLies #DeathToll
Further Reading:
Emmanuel Macron says it is time to think the unthinkable
https://ift.tt/3er1GOv
China Revises Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll to 3,869: 50% Increase On Previous Figure
[Editor's note: World leaders including US President Trump and French President Macron have openly condemned China for withholding information about the Wuhan pneumonia, leading to the pandemic crisis around the world]
Health authorities in Wuhan, China have revised the death toll from the coronavirus upwards by over 50 per cent. Wuhan’s Epidemic Prevention and Control Center said on April 17 that 3,869 people had died from the disease in the city as of April 16, according to China's state media.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Apr17
#CCPLies #DeathToll
Further Reading:
Emmanuel Macron says it is time to think the unthinkable
https://ift.tt/3er1GOv
Watch the full interview of Uncle Chan at BeWater HK’s Youtube:
https://youtu.be/7LiGApkIs8c
The organisation Protect The Children has been fighting for justice with young people since the early stage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
At the scenes of conflict, they act as a buffer between the authorities and the young protesters in the hope of minimizing brutalities inflicted upon the children. At other times, it pursues justice through many kinds of work, such as seeking judicial review of the Special Tactical Squad members' hiding their IDs.
After 10 months of protest, none of us are giving up: not the youngsters, not the elderly. ‘For justice’, said Uncle Chan, the leading figure of Protect The Children, ‘I'm fighting on unto my last breath’.
CCP never ceases eroding the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and the basic freedom of Hongkongers. Notwithstanding the pandemic, we have to unite further and be ready for the battles ahead.
Do you remember what drove you out on the streets last summer? Are you ready?
BeWater HK now has its own YouTube Channel.
Remember to CLS: Comment, Like, Share (and subscribe!)
https://youtu.be/7LiGApkIs8c
The organisation Protect The Children has been fighting for justice with young people since the early stage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
At the scenes of conflict, they act as a buffer between the authorities and the young protesters in the hope of minimizing brutalities inflicted upon the children. At other times, it pursues justice through many kinds of work, such as seeking judicial review of the Special Tactical Squad members' hiding their IDs.
After 10 months of protest, none of us are giving up: not the youngsters, not the elderly. ‘For justice’, said Uncle Chan, the leading figure of Protect The Children, ‘I'm fighting on unto my last breath’.
CCP never ceases eroding the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and the basic freedom of Hongkongers. Notwithstanding the pandemic, we have to unite further and be ready for the battles ahead.
Do you remember what drove you out on the streets last summer? Are you ready?
BeWater HK now has its own YouTube Channel.
Remember to CLS: Comment, Like, Share (and subscribe!)
YouTube
Uncle Chan's Interview
Uncle Chan of “Protect The Children”: When the rule of law is being damaged, as a citizen, he believes that everyone has the right to voice out
Exclusive interview: March 16, 2020
Uncle Chan, a member of "Protect The Children" in Hong Kong, pointed out…
Exclusive interview: March 16, 2020
Uncle Chan, a member of "Protect The Children" in Hong Kong, pointed out…
Instagram Account of The Editorial Board of HKUST Students’ Union Was Hacked And Linked to A Chinese Domain
The Editorial Board of HKUST Students’ Union has issued a statement on 15 April regarding their Instagram Page (hkustsu.eb) was hacked. The hacker has deleted the posts, removed followers and removed the account. Also, the hacker has linked the Instagram account to a Chinese email Domain @qq.com.
Source: HKUSTEB Facebook page #15Apr
#HKUST #Hacking #Instagram
The Editorial Board of HKUST Students’ Union has issued a statement on 15 April regarding their Instagram Page (hkustsu.eb) was hacked. The hacker has deleted the posts, removed followers and removed the account. Also, the hacker has linked the Instagram account to a Chinese email Domain @qq.com.
Source: HKUSTEB Facebook page #15Apr
#HKUST #Hacking #Instagram
#FailedState #Coronavirus
Trade Unions See Loopholes in Hong Kong Government's Virus Relief Fund
//Trade unions have warned that the latest round of anti-epidemic relief measures in Hong Kong don't go far enough, and there are loopholes in the scheme that need to be plugged.
Speaking at a press conference on April 15, Confederation of Trade Unions' chairwoman Carol Ng said the government's latest HK$137.5 billion relief package fails to help potentially hundreds of thousands of casual workers and people who have recently lost their jobs.
Ng said that a lot of freelancers and self-employed workers won't be eligible to receive 50 percent of their wages up to HK$9,000 from the government.
She also suggested that firms could give the government salary data from earlier in the year, before some implemented pay cuts, and then pocket the difference when the government subsidies come in.
Source: RTHK #Apr15
#AntiEpidemic #ReliefFund #TradeUnion
Trade Unions See Loopholes in Hong Kong Government's Virus Relief Fund
//Trade unions have warned that the latest round of anti-epidemic relief measures in Hong Kong don't go far enough, and there are loopholes in the scheme that need to be plugged.
Speaking at a press conference on April 15, Confederation of Trade Unions' chairwoman Carol Ng said the government's latest HK$137.5 billion relief package fails to help potentially hundreds of thousands of casual workers and people who have recently lost their jobs.
Ng said that a lot of freelancers and self-employed workers won't be eligible to receive 50 percent of their wages up to HK$9,000 from the government.
She also suggested that firms could give the government salary data from earlier in the year, before some implemented pay cuts, and then pocket the difference when the government subsidies come in.
Source: RTHK #Apr15
#AntiEpidemic #ReliefFund #TradeUnion
Government announced second phase of Anti-epidemic measures;
67% interviewees expected little or no help from the $137.5 billion involved
Government announced second phase of Anti-epidemic Fund measures involving $137.5 billion. Most will be used to support enterprises and employees
On April 11 and 12, CSSA Alliance conducted a phone questionnaire with 250 grassroots and 50 small catering business employers in Shum Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong District. It was found that over 50% of the interviewees' work hours have been reduced, and 30% got laid off; which reflected the great impact on grassroots by this pandemic. Over 40% believed little help would be provided from the wage subsidy launching in June, and 27% did not expect it to be helpful at all.
36% of the interviewees believed they would either only benefit a little or not at all from the second phase of the anti-epidemic fund. 60% of the unemployed interviewees were skeptical if they will be rehired even if their previous employers received the subsidy.
CCSA criticized that granting the subsidy not until June is rather a bailout targeting large enterprises than helping the general public, and the measure is not helpful to the unemployed and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They hope that the government can launch unemployment benefits and other efficient measures to help SMES.
Source: Stand News #Apr15
#FailedState #AntiPandemicMeasures
67% interviewees expected little or no help from the $137.5 billion involved
Government announced second phase of Anti-epidemic Fund measures involving $137.5 billion. Most will be used to support enterprises and employees
On April 11 and 12, CSSA Alliance conducted a phone questionnaire with 250 grassroots and 50 small catering business employers in Shum Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong District. It was found that over 50% of the interviewees' work hours have been reduced, and 30% got laid off; which reflected the great impact on grassroots by this pandemic. Over 40% believed little help would be provided from the wage subsidy launching in June, and 27% did not expect it to be helpful at all.
36% of the interviewees believed they would either only benefit a little or not at all from the second phase of the anti-epidemic fund. 60% of the unemployed interviewees were skeptical if they will be rehired even if their previous employers received the subsidy.
CCSA criticized that granting the subsidy not until June is rather a bailout targeting large enterprises than helping the general public, and the measure is not helpful to the unemployed and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They hope that the government can launch unemployment benefits and other efficient measures to help SMES.
Source: Stand News #Apr15
#FailedState #AntiPandemicMeasures