Commissioner's Office of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the U.S. for interfering when requesting release of Pro-democracy Politian

Hong Kong police has recently arrested the chairwoman of Central and Western District Council Cheng Lai-king for "seditious intention" under a colonial-era law which many legal professionals considered it a breach of human rights.

Human Rights Watch, an international NGO, has also spoken on the matter, calling the arrest a political persecution. China's Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the accusation and claimed that such comment was an "interference" and expressed "solemn opposition".

Read the Statement by Human Rights Watch:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19056

These Chinese officials stationed in Hong Kong returned their criticism by claiming that "U.S. politicians and related authorities" made "carping comments on the work of the police, confusing right and wrong and neglecting the rule of law". These Beijing representatives also stressed that no demands could become the reason of law offence and criminal activities, and no identities could become the amulet with which one escaped the punishments by law. They believed the politicians affiliated with the U.S. connived and shielded criminal acts without limits, as they politicalise common issues with the law, and exposed their deeply- rooted ideological discrimination, hypocritical double standards and their ill intention to see Hong Kong run into chaos.

Source: Now News #Mar29
https://news.now.com/home/local/player?newsId=386022

#CCP #Beijing #SinoUS #HRW #ForeignMinistry

#Newapaper

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's twitter account suspended. Beijing said it was an impersonation account

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang’s twitter account has been suspended. China made a statement that this was an impersonation account, which was not operated by Geng Shuang.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons Hua Chunying and Zhao Lijan both have verified Twitter accounts, while another spokesperson Geng Shuang, also has a twitter account (@gengshuangCHN). Although his account was not verified, the public always thought it was authentic as he has repeatedly issued statements on China’s position, and his posts were widely quoted.

Before “Geng Shuang” account was suspended, the last tweet posted was a video on an American criticising Trump for the handling of Wuhan pneumonia, published on 28 Feb. “Listen to the voice of Americans”, “Geng Shuang” commented on the video. This tweet was also retweeted by the Chinese ambassador in Uganda.

After the account was suspended, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Arms Control Department stated on 19 March that it has been confirmed that Geng Shuang did not open a Twitter account, meaning the account @gengshuangCHN was impersonated.

Source: Unwire HK #Mar31
https://bit.ly/2V4BqAt

#Twitter #GengShuang #ForeignMinistry

#Statement #PressFreedom #Unfreedom
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong Speaks Up for Press Freedom for All; China Spokeperson: "There is no absolute press freedom that is above the law"

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong (#FCCHK) issued a statement on Sept 23, 2020, opposing to the police's restrictive new accreditation policy for journalists in Hong Kong.

The FCCHK described the police's move as "another step in the erosion of Hong Kong’s once cherished press freedom as it would give the police — rather than reporters and editors — the power to determine who covers the police".

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club challenged if The Hong Kong police is, as they claimed in their letter, "always respect press freedom and their rights of journalists."

The FCCHK said, "If that is the case, they should welcome free and unfettered access to their operations, and should encourage open reporting instead of trying to restrict the number of journalists covering its operations. A force that is proud of its discipline and confident its officers follow established protocols and guidelines should have nothing to fear from the spotlight journalists shine on it."

On the same day, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Hong Kong condemned the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong for "meddling with Hong Kong affairs". In their statement, China claimed that there is "no absolute press freedom in the world that is above the law"; "Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong"; and "to engage in journalism in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, one must strictly abide by the laws of China and HKSAR and consciously accept legal supervision."

Source: FCCHK; RTHK #Sept23

https://www.fcchk.org/fcc-opposes-hong-kong-police-accreditation-process-for-journalists/

#ForeignMinistry #China

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Joint Statement by Over 48 Online News Outlets, Sept 22, 2020: "We Will Keep Reporting: A Petition Against Police-determined Media Whitelists"

https://www.facebook.com/2406628919558580/posts/2793962724158529/

Journalism Schools and Student Reporters Groups Denounce Police’s attempt to Re-define “Media Representatives”

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25470

8 Press Associations and Unions in Hong Kong Call On HK Police to Withdraw Unilateral Revision of "Media Representative"

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450

Independent Investigation: World Bank’s Seniors Put Pressure on Staff to Improve China's Business Environment Ranking for a Good Impression

An independent investigation stated that former and current seniors of the World Bank put pressure on employees, asking them to improve the ranking of China in “Doing Business 2018” by the Bank of the World. World Bank then made a statement to announce the suspension on publishing “Doing Business 2018”. The seniors include former President, who is also the Korean American Medical Professor, Jim Yong Kim, and current International Monetary Fund President, Kristalina Georgieva.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated that the Chinese government attached importance to optimising the business environment with an excellent result. They also hope the World Bank will conduct a comprehensive investigation under internal review procedures on relevant issues based on facts, rules, professionalism and objectivity. As a result, they can maintain the professionalism and credibility of the Global Business Environment Report and the reputation of the World Bank and member states.

Source: Stand News #Sep17

https://bit.ly/3lrB71i

#WorldBank #China #BusinessEnvironment #EthicalIssues #Credibility #Professionalism #ZhaoLijian #ForeignMinistry #DoingBusiness2018