#FailedState #Covid19 #Covid19Test

Hong Kong Government Proposes Untrained Medical and Nursing Students to Aid in Covid-19 Tests

Source: InMedia #Aug18
https://bit.ly/322Wawg

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24412

#FailedState #Covid19 #Covid19Test

Hong Kong Government Proposes Untrained Medical and Nursing Students to Aid in Covid-19 Tests

After hiring 3 Chinese companiese to run COVID19 tests in Hong Kong without public tender, the HKSAR government has recently proposed to recruit medical and nursing students to assist in the collection of samples.

Trained surgeon and pro-democracy lawmaker, Dr. Kwok Ka-Ki of Civil Party, said that the government is playing with fire by recruiting untrained medical students, nursing students, and amateur doctors.

Dr. Kwok pointed out that the nasal swab test is a high-risk task. During nasopharyngeal swab sampling, sample collection helpers have to be in close contact with the patients. If a patient coughs and vomits, the crew needs to change an entire set of protective gear and equipments.

He said that he still feels the stress while collecting samples, despite being a doctor for more than 10 years. Hence, he finds the government's choice in selecting untrained and inexperienced individuals highly questionable.

"They haven’t seen any patient yet, how are they expected to safely collect samples?”

Dr. Kwok also questioned how come professors in medical schools are not speaking out and objecting against the proposal. Untrained students may hurt the patients and get embroiled in a lawsuit before even graduating. They may also not know how to protect themselves adequately.

A source said that the government's Home Affairs Department is checking with the Social Welfare Department about the venue for COVID-19 test.

Cheung Chi-wai, Vice President of Hong Kong Social Workers’ General Union (#HKSWGU), stated that community centres might not meet medical requirements. Some of the older facilities may not have an air conditioner or proper ventilation system. He called for the government to stop this arrangement.

Cheung said, “some of these buildings have kindergartens and elderly care centers. Not only do many people come in and out, but many of them are also weaker in their immune systems. It is still very risky, even if the sample collection were to be done at the lobby.”

Source: InMedia #Aug18
https://bit.ly/322Wawg

#KwokKaKi #CheungChiWai

#TVB #CCTVB
"#FakeNews": Pro-Beijing TV Channel Broadcast Misleading Report of Postponed Elections Overseas

Sources: Patrick Yeh's Facebook; Joshua Wong's Facebook; Kau Yim Media #Aug18

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24430

#TVB #CCTVB #WhiteWash #Election
"#FakeNews": Pro-Beijing TV Channel Broadcast Misleading Report of Postponed Elections Overseas

Beijing-friendly TVB reported on 17 August 2020 on several postponed elections in other countries. However, its graphic titled "Five Eyes Alliance Postpones Elections" quickly angered netizens, who accused the TV station for whitewashing Beijing's forceful postponement of Hong Kong's legislative elections.

The report was seen as portraying other nations' election delay to legitimize what happened in Hong Kong. Some netizens outright called it "fake news".

In fact, out of the five countries listed, New Zealand is the only one postponing a federal-level election, and that only by one month. Britain's parliamentary elections was last held in 2019, and the next one will not be held until 2024. The elections cited by TVB were for a number local councils and mayors. Australia's is for the provincial government of New South Wales, and it is only delayed by four weeks. In Canada's case, the dates were for municipal elections in the single province of New Brunswick.

Joshua Wong noted that, most significantly, the decision to delay these elections were made by democratically-elected governments, who are voted in and can be voted out by their citizens. In contrast, Hong Kong's postponement was singlehandedly decided by China's National Congress, precluding and overruling any decision the Hong Kong Legislature might make, thus giving Hongkongers no say in the matter.

The screenshot of the TVB graphic was widely circulated in a Facebook post since yesterday. As citizens from the countries concerned confirmed that no federal elections were scheduled, netizens accused TVB for using the information to mislead and justify China postponing Hong Kong's legislative election, which is indeed a top-level election. Some are calling for the TV station to immediately issue a correction and clarification.

Sources: Patrick Yeh's Facebook; Joshua Wong's Facebook; Kau Yim Media #Aug18

Actual News on Election Postponements:

Britain:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/parliament-and-elections/elections-elections/coronavirus-faqs-on-postponed-election/

Australia:
https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Elections/Local-government-elections/Local-Government-Elections-2021

Canada:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/municipal-elections-postponed-covid-1.5500648

#FiveEyesAlliance

#CityU #FailedState #QuarantineFacility #StudentDormitory
City University Turns Student Dormitory into Quarantine Facility And Informed Residents Only by email

Source: CBC #Aug18

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24487

#CityU #FailedState #QuarantineFacility #StudentDormitory
City University Turns Student Dormitory into Quarantine Facility And Informed Residents Only by email

The Student Representative Office (#SRO) of the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) notified the residents of Lee Shau Kee Hall (Hall 6) on 16 August, 2020 that the dormitory will be transformed into a “contingency hub” handling potential cases of #COVID19 for a month after the renovation stsrting in Mid August.

Residents and hall tutors attached to the dormintory were all shocked by the email. They said that the University had ignored their opinions and proceed with an arbitrary decision.

To begin with, the location of the quarantine facility was controversial. According to sources, the original plan of the University was to assign one to two floors in each hall for quarantine purpose. Lee Shau Kee Hall (Hall 6) was chosen as a facility, as it is conveniently located, but it also implies unimaginable impact if the Wuhan pneumonia cases are not handled properly in this building.

In the email, the University simplified a quarantine facility into a “provisional” action plan and attempted to dilute the oppositional voice of the student residents.

Given that it takes a few days to set up quarantine facilities for peoole who had preliminary confirmed with COVID-19 or close contact of COVID-19 patient, the university's insistence of using Hall 6 could be a sugar coated wordplau.

The Univsrsity refused to provide the arrangement of quarantine facility in details. These questions include:
what quarantine measures in details are (e.g., can person undergoing quarantine use the common area?), what the arrangements are for those students initially planned to move in Hall 6 after mid of August. SOR has replied that they have offered affected residents of with one-off-flex-option on deferred checked in date or withdrawal of 2021/2022 with hall fee adjustment/ refund where applicable. SOR reaffirmed it is necessary to establish “Contingency Hub” in order to ensure the safety of lodgers. Regarding the quarantine measures in details, SOR hasn’t replied explicitly but stated the actual use and the operation of Contingency Hub reserves if any subject to Center of Protection (CIP) instructions. And SOR hasn’t given any feedback for other questions raised by us.

Source: CBC #Aug18

China defends legal detention of Uighur model in Xinjiang in the video published by BBC

Source: Stand News #Aug18

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24537

China defends legal detention of Uighur model in Xinjiang in the video published by BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a video that Merdan Ghappar, a 31-year-old Uighur model, was detained in a Chinese detention camp and handcuffed to a bed earlier this month. More than two weeks later, Chinese officials responded to the BBC that Mr. Ghappar was “lawfully detained”.

The BBC quoted a statement written by the Xinjiang government that according to Article 37 of the Prison Law of the People's Republic of China, the people’s government shall assist released prisoners to settle. The statement explained that Mr. Ghappar had committed self-harm and “excessive acts against the police” during the transfer. Therefore, law enforcement officials took legal measures to stop him and lifted those measures after he stabilised emotionally. The statement mentioned Mr. Ghappar resisted epidemic prevention staff when they tried to check his body temperature, verbally insulted them and attacked them. Due to these illegal behaviours, the police had taken forcible measures and the case remained in process. However, the statement did not respond to the allegations in Mr. Ghappar’s film about the unsanitary conditions of the detention camp and the beatings. Relevant statement cannot be found.

#China #XinJiang #Uighur #Model #MerdanGhappar #detentioncamp

Source: Stand News #Aug18

Jeremy Lin Shu-how is a Taiwanese basketball star player for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

While playing three games in semi-final payoff of CBA, Lin has been offended 32 times in total with visible injuries at his knees, face and back.

Beijing Duck head coach Xie Libin revealed that Lin could not hear anything after the game and had to go to a hospital for treatment. Lin’s injuries have generally recovered.

In the interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Lin described the game with Guangdong Southern Tigers was fierce and said, “both teams defended hard, playing the game and hitting people at the same time. Physical defence of both teams was strong. Our bodies cannot recover in a short time. I can understand these if you unintentionally hit and hurt your opponent.”

Lin found the opponents did some small actions on purpose and hoped the referee could protect players from ensuring a safe game.

As some CBA fans questioned, if he exaggerated foul play of Chinese basketball players, Lin uploaded his beaten photos on his IG account.

Taiwan EBC News and Apple Daily reported, Lin is a native American and obtained a Taiwan passport on 30 July, making him eligible to join the Taiwan national team.

Lin’s father stated Lin let his agent determine whether staying in CBA or joining Taiwan’s National team. Lin mentioned an NBA team felt interested in him. If he has 70% ability of his glory days and does not mind to be a bench player of a point guard, he is possible to return the NBA.

For Lin’s team, RMB may indeed be more attractive, as compared with Taiwan, the annual salary can be nearly ten times different. At the moment, his annual package in CBA is around 20 million RMB (~2.89 million USD), while his package in Taiwan will be maximum at 2 million RMB (0.29 million USD). Including the participation in variety shows in China, he can earn even more, which the amount is incomparable. Lin is 31 years old and got several injuries. His basketball lifespan can be longer if he plays basketball games in Taiwan.

Lin was “son of Taiwan”, and Taiwan fans gave him a nickname, “little son”. However, during Wuhan pneumonia epidemics, his supporters in Hong Kong and Taiwan were heartbroken because of his speech.

#JeremyLin #CBA #China #Basketball #Taiwan #BeijingDuck

#Aug18
Source:
https://www.facebook.com/127745917936616/posts/622444121800124/

https://www.facebook.com/661077250953305/posts/1102188453508847/

#PoliceState #Arrest #NSL
Hong Kong Police Arrest 3 University Students under #NationalSecurityLaw

At 9:40am on August 18, 2021, Hong Kong police arrested at least three members of the students' union of the University of Hong Kong under the National Security Law.

They include the elected president of the Students' Union #KwokWingHo; the Faculty of Arts Student's Union representative #YungChungHei ; and the president of the students' union council #CheungKingSun.

The police accused the three university students of "promoting terrorism".

According to sources, it is related to a withdrawn motion of the students' union council in July 2021. The Union has passed a motion to extend condolences to the 50-year-old Hong Kong man #LeungKinFai who passed away after stabbing himself and knifing one policeman.

Image: #FirstHand
Source: Now News; Stand News #Aug18

https://thestandnews.page.link/6fuSBWh3LsdKkm178

#StateTerrorism #StudentsUnion #HKU

#PoliticalSuppression #WhiteTerror
Protesters' Fund In Support of Hong Kong Pro-democracy Movement Will Cease Operation

The 612 Humanities Relief Fund was established on June 15, 2019 during the Anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong, with the aim to provide relief, from medicak help, legal service to psychological support, to the civilians involved in the city's territory-wide pro-democracy movement.

'612' was named after the day June 12, 2019 where the first police-civilian clash took place. The day had propelled even more civilians to join the pro-democracy cause.

The trustees of the foundation includes legal expert #MargaretNg, cultural studies scholar #HeungPoKeung, Cantopop singer #DeniseHo, and cardinal of the Catholic Church #JosephZen Ze-kiun.

The dissolution of the foundation is caused by the disbandment of a pro-democracy group under which the foundation was registered.

Source: InMedia #Aug18

#June12 #612HumanitiesFund

China’s Communist Party Goes Back to Basics: Less for the Rich, More for the Poor

China gave priority to economic growth for most of the past 40 years. Now, Xi Jinping is signaling plans to more assertively promote social equality, as he tries to solidify popular support for continued Communist Party rule.

The push is captured by a catchphrase, “common prosperity,” now appearing everywhere in China, including in public speeches, state-owned media and schools—and in comments from newly chastened business tycoons like Jack Ma.

Like many Communist party slogans, details remain vague. But officials and analysts who have tracked the phrase’s use say it is meant to convey the idea that leaders are returning to the party’s original ambitions to empower workers and the disadvantaged, and will limit gains of the capitalist class when necessary to address social inequities.

Source: WSJ #Aug18

https://on.wsj.com/3syHbHc

#China #CCP #Rich #Poor #XiJinping

#Newspaper #ChineseYouth
#Xi Crackdowns Look to Whip China’s ‘Lying Flat’ Youth Into Shape

//Piecing together President Xi Jinping’s recent speeches and a barrage of new regulations that have roiled markets, one savvy internet user this month created a satirical image of what passes for an ideal youth in today’s China.

“The socialist successor of the new era does not attend after-school tutoring, does not play video games, does not chase celebrities,” said the post, which was shared widely before it was censored.

“They finish all their homework at school, read President Xi’s selected works for one hour everyday, go to sleep before 10 p.m., take the initiative to do chores, urge their parents to have more children and help look after them.”

The description highlights how Xi’s push for “common prosperity” and wealth redistribution is about more than just reining in tech billionaires: The flurry of rules and state-media missives targeting industries from after-school tutoring to online gaming and entertainment are also aimed at ensuring the younger generation -- some of whom are starting to embrace a minimalist lifestyle known as “lying flat” -- turns into motivated, patriotic and productive workers.//

Source: Bloomberg #Aug18

Read more:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-18/xi-crackdowns-look-to-whip-china-s-lying-flat-youth-into-shape

Pro-CCP organisation found in UK BNO policy Taskforce, triggering safety concerns for Hongkongers

#BNO #HongkongersInBritain #LOTR #immigration

Source: Stand News; #Aug18

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Pro-CCP organisation found in UK BNO policy Taskforce, triggering safety concerns for Hongkongers

British government's BNO policy consultation taskforce includes prominent members of the London China Town Chinese Association, says Hongkongers in Britain, a pro-democracy advocacy group for newcomers from Hong Kong.

The Chinese Association had pledged support to the implementation of National Security Law in Hong Kong, as well as having only the “patriots to rule Hong Kong.”

Hongkongers in Britain worried that involvement of pro-CCP organization members in these policies could cause safety concerns to Hong Kong people in the UK, many of whom had recently immigrated to the UK on their British Nationals Overseas (BNO) passports. The advocacy group urged the British government to prohibit those pro-CCP organizations from entering official BNO policy committees.

The London China Town Chinese Association, however, did not respond to media inquiry on this matter.

Hongkongers in Britain's website noted that Consultation Taskforce was formed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to tackle BNO-related policies. The Taskforce does not have representatives from new Hong Kong immigrants, but does include members of the pro-CCP Chinese Association.

#BNO #HongkongersInBritain #LOTR #immigration
Source: Stand News; #Aug18

https://bit.ly/3Bpqi4H

CCTV Network’s video released to play down Taliban's ties to terrorism, deleted after criticism.

Source: RFI #Aug18

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CCTV Network’s video released to play down Taliban's ties to terrorism, deleted after criticism.

Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported today (18th August 2021) that China’s China Central Television (CCTV) Network released a video introducing the Taliban on 16th, which downplayed the relationship between the Taliban and terrorism, triggering criticism from Chinese netizens. According to the online backup video, CCTV said the Taliban was born during the civil war in Afghanistan, and its members were mainly students from refugee camps, initially there were only 800 people, because of the support of the Afghan poor, their strength expanded rapidly. The film also said that the Taliban armed forces captured Kabul in 1996 to establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan; after 9/11, the Taliban regime was overthrown by the United States, starting a 20-year war.

The video was once ranked fifth on Weibo's top ten search list, and prompted many netizens to question it. Some people criticized the film for not mentioning terrorism, while others asked the Taliban, "Is that the one who blew up the Bamiyan Buddhas?"

A Beijing resident surnamed Guo said in an interview with Radio Free Asia on the 17th that his impression was that the Taliban in Afghanistan had provided a hideout for Osama bin Laden, the fugitive mastermind of 9/11, and not a refugee organization. He said, "In my early image, the Taliban is an international terrorist organization, and there are terrorist activities on the border and within Afghanistan."

Source: RFI #Aug18

https://rfi.my/7fQo.f

#Taliban #Terrorrism #IslamicEmirateofAfghanistan #InternationalTerroristOrganization #AfghanCivilWar #ChineseStateMedia #CCTVNetwork #OsamabinLaden #Afghanistan

Apple censors engraving service, report claims

Apple censors references to Chinese politicians, dissidents and other topics in its engraving service, a report alleges.

Citizen Lab said it had investigated filters set up for customers who wanted something engraved on a new iPhone, iPad or other Apple device.

And Apple had a broad list of censored words, not just in mainland China but also in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Apple said its systems "ensure local laws and customs are respected".

Source: BBC #Aug18

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58258385

#Apple #iPhone #China #HongKong #Taiwan

#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #MassArrest
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants

Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18

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