#Column #Opinion #Aug24
Year 2020: The Stranding and Disconnected World
Image: CNN
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24463
Year 2020: The Stranding and Disconnected World
Image: CNN
Read Part 1
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24463
#Column #Opinion #Aug24 #SpecialStatus #NationalSecurityLaw
Year 2020: The Stranding and Disconnected World
Part 1 - 2
Since Beijing's forceful imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, thrusting the new legislation into the city’s constitution the Basic Law, how the Central and HKSAR governments extends juridiction through the law around the world is no longer the only main issue. In one way or the other, most democratic governments in the free world have suspended their extradition treaty with China and Hong Kong.
Although, the SAR government insisted that the U.S. sanctions has no legal effect in Hong Kong.
Several years ago, when the United States sanctioned North Korea and Iran, Hong Kong was both guarding and avoiding the U.S., while warily sponsoring China’s allies.
At a time in 2020, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (#HKMA) had issued a statement to financial institutions operating in Hong Kong, claiming that impact of the U.S. sanction is negligible. So is the Hong Kong Dollar no longer pegged to U.S. Dollar?
Suppose that the U.S. government will strictly enforce the sanction, and put an end to financial institutions providing services to the 11 individual being sanctioned, will the U.S. government also consider revoking the green-peg, or even withdrawing U.S. bonds from Hong Kong and China financial markets?
No one can predict where this financial warfare is leading to. But any reasonable Hongkonger should expect the Hong Kong and Central governments to turn these 11 people in to face the U.S. sanction. As Le Yucheng, China’s foreign vice-minister said in an interview, “we must stay focused without being swayed by any extreme forces, keep to the right direction of the bilateral relationship to prevent US-China relationship from spiraling out of control or getting derailed. This is also to avoid worsening of the hard-won trade deals.”
If any financial predator targets Hong Kong’s linked exchange rate system at this time, how much financial reserve does Hong Kong government have to defend the linked exchange rate? We must not forget that the government has been pouring out public money in enormous infrastructure projects like Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, the new runway in airport and Lantau Tomorrow Vision.
Besides, the Central government might need substantial amount of funds from the Hong Kong government to reactivate its trade relationship with the U.S..
One must note that, in China, countless farmlands have been wiped out in recent mass floodings as the #CCP called for food saving. Local authorities sprang into action with proposals targeting food wastage and food recycling, or “operation empty plate”, an initiative reactivated anew by Xi.
Hong Kong could possibly resume its role in supporting China as if during Cultural Revolution: endeavored to purchase American soybeans or Australian beef for the motherland, feeding hungry fellows.
Image: CNN
#FoodShortage #FoodSecurity #Flooding #China #CCPControl #Xi #ExtraditionTreaty
Year 2020: The Stranding and Disconnected World
Part 1 - 2
Since Beijing's forceful imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, thrusting the new legislation into the city’s constitution the Basic Law, how the Central and HKSAR governments extends juridiction through the law around the world is no longer the only main issue. In one way or the other, most democratic governments in the free world have suspended their extradition treaty with China and Hong Kong.
Although, the SAR government insisted that the U.S. sanctions has no legal effect in Hong Kong.
Several years ago, when the United States sanctioned North Korea and Iran, Hong Kong was both guarding and avoiding the U.S., while warily sponsoring China’s allies.
At a time in 2020, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (#HKMA) had issued a statement to financial institutions operating in Hong Kong, claiming that impact of the U.S. sanction is negligible. So is the Hong Kong Dollar no longer pegged to U.S. Dollar?
Suppose that the U.S. government will strictly enforce the sanction, and put an end to financial institutions providing services to the 11 individual being sanctioned, will the U.S. government also consider revoking the green-peg, or even withdrawing U.S. bonds from Hong Kong and China financial markets?
No one can predict where this financial warfare is leading to. But any reasonable Hongkonger should expect the Hong Kong and Central governments to turn these 11 people in to face the U.S. sanction. As Le Yucheng, China’s foreign vice-minister said in an interview, “we must stay focused without being swayed by any extreme forces, keep to the right direction of the bilateral relationship to prevent US-China relationship from spiraling out of control or getting derailed. This is also to avoid worsening of the hard-won trade deals.”
If any financial predator targets Hong Kong’s linked exchange rate system at this time, how much financial reserve does Hong Kong government have to defend the linked exchange rate? We must not forget that the government has been pouring out public money in enormous infrastructure projects like Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, the new runway in airport and Lantau Tomorrow Vision.
Besides, the Central government might need substantial amount of funds from the Hong Kong government to reactivate its trade relationship with the U.S..
One must note that, in China, countless farmlands have been wiped out in recent mass floodings as the #CCP called for food saving. Local authorities sprang into action with proposals targeting food wastage and food recycling, or “operation empty plate”, an initiative reactivated anew by Xi.
Hong Kong could possibly resume its role in supporting China as if during Cultural Revolution: endeavored to purchase American soybeans or Australian beef for the motherland, feeding hungry fellows.
Image: CNN
#FoodShortage #FoodSecurity #Flooding #China #CCPControl #Xi #ExtraditionTreaty
#Injustice #Court #JudicialIndepedence #TeresaCheng
HK Secretary for Justice Intervenes Private Prosecution Against Pro-government driver, allowing defendant lawyer to recoup legal fee from pro-democratic lawmaker
Source: Stand News #Aug20 #Aug24
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24521
HK Secretary for Justice Intervenes Private Prosecution Against Pro-government driver, allowing defendant lawyer to recoup legal fee from pro-democratic lawmaker
Source: Stand News #Aug20 #Aug24
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24521
#Injustice #Court #JudicialIndepedence #TeresaCheng
HK Secretary for Justice Intervenes Private Prosecution Against Pro-government driver, allowing defendant lawyer to recoup legal fee from pro-democratic lawmaker
Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung initiated a private prosecution in February against Henry Cheng Kwok-chun, a driver who rammed his car into a crowd of pro-democracy protesters and severely wounding at least one young woman in 2019.
On August 20, 2020, it was revealed that Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng had taken the rare step of intervening in the case, informing Hui that the Department of Justice would exercise its power to end the case and that the defendant Cheng would be exempted from testifying in court.
Subsequently, the law firm representing Cheng wrote to Hui’s lawyer in bid of seeking HK$82,000 to cover its expenses. The law firm representing the defendant, K.C Ho & Fong, has Beijing loyalist Junius Ho Kwan-yiu as a senior partner. The litigation fees include lawyer’s fee for Junius Ho at HK$9,400 per hour, stating the reason that “the summons should never have been taken out by the applicant at all”.
Disapproving the claim and the Secretary for Justice’s intervention, Hui called it absurd, pointing out that the authorities are attempting to frame this private prosecution as a trivial act with malicious intention. Hui believes that any sensible person could see the reasonable doubt in Cheng purposefully driving his car into the crowd.
As of August 24, the request of the Secretary for Justice was formalized in court.
Source: Stand News #Aug20 #Aug24
https://bit.ly/2E0xlZT
https://bit.ly/3aQEzvr
#PoliceState #PoliceBrutality #FailedState #TedHui #JuniusHo
HK Secretary for Justice Intervenes Private Prosecution Against Pro-government driver, allowing defendant lawyer to recoup legal fee from pro-democratic lawmaker
Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung initiated a private prosecution in February against Henry Cheng Kwok-chun, a driver who rammed his car into a crowd of pro-democracy protesters and severely wounding at least one young woman in 2019.
On August 20, 2020, it was revealed that Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng had taken the rare step of intervening in the case, informing Hui that the Department of Justice would exercise its power to end the case and that the defendant Cheng would be exempted from testifying in court.
Subsequently, the law firm representing Cheng wrote to Hui’s lawyer in bid of seeking HK$82,000 to cover its expenses. The law firm representing the defendant, K.C Ho & Fong, has Beijing loyalist Junius Ho Kwan-yiu as a senior partner. The litigation fees include lawyer’s fee for Junius Ho at HK$9,400 per hour, stating the reason that “the summons should never have been taken out by the applicant at all”.
Disapproving the claim and the Secretary for Justice’s intervention, Hui called it absurd, pointing out that the authorities are attempting to frame this private prosecution as a trivial act with malicious intention. Hui believes that any sensible person could see the reasonable doubt in Cheng purposefully driving his car into the crowd.
As of August 24, the request of the Secretary for Justice was formalized in court.
Source: Stand News #Aug20 #Aug24
https://bit.ly/2E0xlZT
https://bit.ly/3aQEzvr
#PoliceState #PoliceBrutality #FailedState #TedHui #JuniusHo
#PoliceState #ArbitraryArrest #JuniusHo
Staff From Beijing Loyalist Junius Ho's Office Claims to be Attacked by Teen
A female staff member from Beijing loyalist Junius Ho's District Office accused a youngster who was waiting for a barber next door of attacking her.
Soon after that, a self-proclaimed police officer arrived and prevented the youngster from leaving without showing his warrant card. Then, several more uniformed police officers arrived and took the youngster to the police station for investigation.
Tsuen Wan District Councilor Jackson Lau had rushed to the police station with a lawyer to aid the youngster.
Source: USP United Social Press #Aug24
#JacksonLau #TsuenWanDistrictCouncil #Barber
Staff From Beijing Loyalist Junius Ho's Office Claims to be Attacked by Teen
A female staff member from Beijing loyalist Junius Ho's District Office accused a youngster who was waiting for a barber next door of attacking her.
Soon after that, a self-proclaimed police officer arrived and prevented the youngster from leaving without showing his warrant card. Then, several more uniformed police officers arrived and took the youngster to the police station for investigation.
Tsuen Wan District Councilor Jackson Lau had rushed to the police station with a lawyer to aid the youngster.
Source: USP United Social Press #Aug24
#JacksonLau #TsuenWanDistrictCouncil #Barber
#PoliceState #UCH #599G
Citizen Ticketed by the Police for Gathering Ban Violation at Hospital's Emergency Room
The Stand News confirmed from various sources a citizen was organizing a street booth where the police accused her of violating the gathering ban. The citizen who was unwell was sent to the United Christian Hospital and ticketed by the police at the Emergency Room (ER) there.
The Hospital Authority confirmed that the patient involved was escorted to the ER by the police. Legislator pointed out that the police has distorted the actual aim of the anti-pandemic ordinance and that such enforcement caused impact to the operation of the hospital.
According to Golden Forum facebook page, the citizen was targetted and followed by the police even at the hospital to treat her ashma condition. The citizen received a 599G ticket and the location was indicated "Bed No. 13 of the United Christian Hospital's Emergency Room".
Source: Stand News #Aug24
#ER
Citizen Ticketed by the Police for Gathering Ban Violation at Hospital's Emergency Room
The Stand News confirmed from various sources a citizen was organizing a street booth where the police accused her of violating the gathering ban. The citizen who was unwell was sent to the United Christian Hospital and ticketed by the police at the Emergency Room (ER) there.
The Hospital Authority confirmed that the patient involved was escorted to the ER by the police. Legislator pointed out that the police has distorted the actual aim of the anti-pandemic ordinance and that such enforcement caused impact to the operation of the hospital.
According to Golden Forum facebook page, the citizen was targetted and followed by the police even at the hospital to treat her ashma condition. The citizen received a 599G ticket and the location was indicated "Bed No. 13 of the United Christian Hospital's Emergency Room".
Source: Stand News #Aug24
#ER
#CableNews #PressFreedom #JournalisticProfessionalism
Cable News Chief Anchor Resigns: "Professionslism Comes First"
Following the personnel change in #CableTV News in last few weeks which has already dampened the morale in the newsroom, Chief News Anchor Wong Chun-mei was reported leaving the station in October.
While declining an interview, Wong admitted it was hard to leave a news station where she has worked for 15 years long. She encouraged fellow colleagues to continue upholding their professionalism despite more changes anticipated.
Source: Apple Daily #Aug24 #FreedomofPress #WhiteTerror
Cable News Chief Anchor Resigns: "Professionslism Comes First"
Following the personnel change in #CableTV News in last few weeks which has already dampened the morale in the newsroom, Chief News Anchor Wong Chun-mei was reported leaving the station in October.
While declining an interview, Wong admitted it was hard to leave a news station where she has worked for 15 years long. She encouraged fellow colleagues to continue upholding their professionalism despite more changes anticipated.
Source: Apple Daily #Aug24 #FreedomofPress #WhiteTerror
NASA Chinese academics accused by U.S. Department of Justice of concealing participation in China’s Thousand Talents Plan and defrauding U.S. research grants
#Aug24
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#Aug24
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NASA Chinese academics accused by U.S. Department of Justice of concealing participation in China’s Thousand Talents Plan and defrauding U.S. research grants
Zhengdong Cheng, a NASA researcher and an engineering professor at Texas A&M University, was taken into custody on Sunday (23/8) and formally charged on Monday (24/8) by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly concealing ties to Chinese companies and universities while receiving a federal grant.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Cheng Zhengdong on conspiracy, making false statements and wire fraud. The indictment alleged that Cheng's research team received a funding of about US$750,000 for NASA's space research, but concealed his relationship with a Chinese university and at least one Chinese-owned company. Also, it alleged that Cheng knowingly provided false information to Texas A&M University and NASA.
The prosecution stated that NASA funding restriction has been in place to forbidding the collaboration or coordination with any Chinese-owned company or any Chinese University.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said in a statement, "Once again, we have witnessed the criminal consequences that can arise from undisclosed participation in the Chinese government’s talent program". He further added, "The Department of Justice will continue seeking to bring participation in these talent programs to light and to expose the exploitation of our nation and our prized research institutions".
The U.S. Department of Justice has previously described China’s Thousand Talents Plan as a tool for the Chinese Communist Party to "attract, recruit, and cultivate high-level scientific talent in furtherance of China’s scientific development, economic prosperity and national security." He continued that the Chinese government would "often reward individuals for stealing proprietary information” through the program.
#Aug24
#CCP #DepartmentOfJustice #ThousandTalentsPlan #ZhengdongCheng #NASA #TexasAMUniversity #USResearchGrants #JohnDemers
(Note: the translation also takes summary if the following reports:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/24/texas-am-professor-accused-of-collaborating-with-china-amid-nasa-work.html
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nasa-researcher-arrested-false-statements-and-wire-fraud-relation-china-s-talents-program
https://apnews.com/58b0b752e2ab0b4b3e16e7c9f513e1a6
)
Zhengdong Cheng, a NASA researcher and an engineering professor at Texas A&M University, was taken into custody on Sunday (23/8) and formally charged on Monday (24/8) by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly concealing ties to Chinese companies and universities while receiving a federal grant.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Cheng Zhengdong on conspiracy, making false statements and wire fraud. The indictment alleged that Cheng's research team received a funding of about US$750,000 for NASA's space research, but concealed his relationship with a Chinese university and at least one Chinese-owned company. Also, it alleged that Cheng knowingly provided false information to Texas A&M University and NASA.
The prosecution stated that NASA funding restriction has been in place to forbidding the collaboration or coordination with any Chinese-owned company or any Chinese University.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said in a statement, "Once again, we have witnessed the criminal consequences that can arise from undisclosed participation in the Chinese government’s talent program". He further added, "The Department of Justice will continue seeking to bring participation in these talent programs to light and to expose the exploitation of our nation and our prized research institutions".
The U.S. Department of Justice has previously described China’s Thousand Talents Plan as a tool for the Chinese Communist Party to "attract, recruit, and cultivate high-level scientific talent in furtherance of China’s scientific development, economic prosperity and national security." He continued that the Chinese government would "often reward individuals for stealing proprietary information” through the program.
#Aug24
#CCP #DepartmentOfJustice #ThousandTalentsPlan #ZhengdongCheng #NASA #TexasAMUniversity #USResearchGrants #JohnDemers
(Note: the translation also takes summary if the following reports:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/24/texas-am-professor-accused-of-collaborating-with-china-amid-nasa-work.html
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nasa-researcher-arrested-false-statements-and-wire-fraud-relation-china-s-talents-program
https://apnews.com/58b0b752e2ab0b4b3e16e7c9f513e1a6
)
CNBC
Texas A&M professor accused of secretly collaborating with China amid NASA work
According to the criminal complaint, Zhengdong Cheng, 53, a professor in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M and a NASA researcher, obscured his affiliations with the Chinese government.
Approximately 20million people protest in Belarus; tens thousands of people in Lithuania and other places support the human chain; Alexander Lukashenko toting a rifle to support the riot police
Source: Stand News #Aug24
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25114
Source: Stand News #Aug24
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25114