#PoliceState
Chinese Communist Party Sends At Least 4,000 Armed Police From China to Hong Kong Since 2019 Protests
[Editor's note: Hong Kong Police has around 30,000 members. The size of China's paramilitary force in Hong Kong is proportionate to 15% of the city's Police Force.]
The diplomat and three other foreign envoys estimated that China’s government had ramped up the paramilitary People’s Armed Police (PAP) presence in Hong Kong to as many as 4,000 personnel - far more than previously known estimates.
The PAP is the China's core paramilitary and anti-riot force and operates separately from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Under 2018 reforms, both the PAP and PLA are under the ultimate command of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sits at the apex of the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.
While both Beijing and local Hong Kong authorities have been relatively open about the low-key role of the PLA in the city, they have never confirmed the presence of the PAP.
Source: Reuters #Mar17
Chinese Communist Party Sends At Least 4,000 Armed Police From China to Hong Kong Since 2019 Protests
[Editor's note: Hong Kong Police has around 30,000 members. The size of China's paramilitary force in Hong Kong is proportionate to 15% of the city's Police Force.]
The diplomat and three other foreign envoys estimated that China’s government had ramped up the paramilitary People’s Armed Police (PAP) presence in Hong Kong to as many as 4,000 personnel - far more than previously known estimates.
The PAP is the China's core paramilitary and anti-riot force and operates separately from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Under 2018 reforms, both the PAP and PLA are under the ultimate command of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sits at the apex of the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.
While both Beijing and local Hong Kong authorities have been relatively open about the low-key role of the PLA in the city, they have never confirmed the presence of the PAP.
Source: Reuters #Mar17
Defendant Appears With Crutches: Beaten by at Least Two Police
6 people were charged with a total of three counts of criminal offenses relating to explosives found in the public toilet of Caritas Medical Centre on Jan 27; Shenzhen Bay Port on Jan 28; and inside an MTR carriage at Lo Wu station on Feb 2.
The case was brought to the Shatin Magistrates' Courts on March 11; however, two of the defendants were hospitalized and therefore absent from the hearing.
One defendant was discharged from the hospital on March 14. The other with a fracture was discharged on March 18 and sent for trial. The defendent was seen limping and using crutches.
The defence complained that the defendant was beaten by at least two police, forcing him to sign a confession involuntarily. The prosecution requested postponing the case for further investigation.
Magistrate Kathie Cheung Kit Yee refused the prosecution's
objection to the defendant’s bail. Citizens observing the case shouted “Hang in there!"
Source: InMedia #Mar17
6 people were charged with a total of three counts of criminal offenses relating to explosives found in the public toilet of Caritas Medical Centre on Jan 27; Shenzhen Bay Port on Jan 28; and inside an MTR carriage at Lo Wu station on Feb 2.
The case was brought to the Shatin Magistrates' Courts on March 11; however, two of the defendants were hospitalized and therefore absent from the hearing.
One defendant was discharged from the hospital on March 14. The other with a fracture was discharged on March 18 and sent for trial. The defendent was seen limping and using crutches.
The defence complained that the defendant was beaten by at least two police, forcing him to sign a confession involuntarily. The prosecution requested postponing the case for further investigation.
Magistrate Kathie Cheung Kit Yee refused the prosecution's
objection to the defendant’s bail. Citizens observing the case shouted “Hang in there!"
Source: InMedia #Mar17
#Sanction
US expands list of officials sanctioned for 'stifling HK freedoms'
The United States identified 24 more senior Hong Kong and mainland officials as being responsible in eroding the SAR's freedoms, in violation of the Joint Sino-British Declaration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that any foreign banks doing business with these individuals would also face sanctions. The decision came just hours before talks were set to begin between senior US and Chinese officials in Alaska on March 17.
The new additions include National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) member Tam Yiu-chung from Hong Kong, as well as several senior officials from the police's national security department.
Five top police officers are among those named in the report: National Security Department head Edwina Lau, Director of National Security Frederic Choi, assistant commissioner Andrew Kan, assistant commissioner Kelvin Kong, and senior superintendent Steve Li.
Eighteen mainland officials are also named in the report, the most senior being Wang Chen, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s 25-person Politburo.
Source: Stand News, RTHK; #Mar17
https://www.thestandnews.com/international/%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B%E5%8B%99%E5%8D%BF%E5%B8%83%E6%9E%97%E8%82%AF%E6%89%B9%E4%BA%BA%E5%A4%A7%E7%A0%B4%E5%A3%9E%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%81%B8%E8%88%89-%E9%BB%9E%E5%90%8D-24-%E5%90%8D%E4%B8%AD%E6%B8%AF%E5%AE%98%E5%93%A1%E5%89%8A%E5%BC%B1%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E8%87%AA%E6%B2%BB/
US expands list of officials sanctioned for 'stifling HK freedoms'
The United States identified 24 more senior Hong Kong and mainland officials as being responsible in eroding the SAR's freedoms, in violation of the Joint Sino-British Declaration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that any foreign banks doing business with these individuals would also face sanctions. The decision came just hours before talks were set to begin between senior US and Chinese officials in Alaska on March 17.
The new additions include National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) member Tam Yiu-chung from Hong Kong, as well as several senior officials from the police's national security department.
Five top police officers are among those named in the report: National Security Department head Edwina Lau, Director of National Security Frederic Choi, assistant commissioner Andrew Kan, assistant commissioner Kelvin Kong, and senior superintendent Steve Li.
Eighteen mainland officials are also named in the report, the most senior being Wang Chen, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s 25-person Politburo.
Source: Stand News, RTHK; #Mar17
https://www.thestandnews.com/international/%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B%E5%8B%99%E5%8D%BF%E5%B8%83%E6%9E%97%E8%82%AF%E6%89%B9%E4%BA%BA%E5%A4%A7%E7%A0%B4%E5%A3%9E%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%81%B8%E8%88%89-%E9%BB%9E%E5%90%8D-24-%E5%90%8D%E4%B8%AD%E6%B8%AF%E5%AE%98%E5%93%A1%E5%89%8A%E5%BC%B1%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E8%87%AA%E6%B2%BB/
Short film about Hong Kong pro-democracy protests nominated for Oscar; CCP tells media to downplay Award coverage
The 93rd Academy Awards, set to be held in April 2021, announced shortlisted documentaries for an #Oscar on March 15. “Do Not Split” - a 35-minute feature by #AndersHammer - is up against four other films in the Best Short Documentary category.
According to the official introduction, “Do Not Split” is about the anti-ELAB protests and “captures the determination and sacrifices of the protesters, the government’s backlash, and the passage of the new Beijing-backed national security law.”
Many major police-civilian clashes were documented, such like sieges in the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) and Polytechnic University (#PolyU), the incident at Amoy Plaza on 14 Sep, the 1 Oct demonstration etc. The film has also included interviews with protesters. It is available online for viewing for free. (https://fieldofvision.org/do-not-split?fbclid=IwAR0HISiwv2AM4kxy0AvzMtfHvz72jcl4__yBGd6RffiuxAUJluWE28PXDDs)
Just two days later, on March 17, China told local media not to broadcast the Oscars ceremony in real time and to play down coverage of the awards, according to people familiar with the matter. The source said that the Communist Party’s propaganda department issued an order to all media outlets, telling them that the Oscars coverage should focus on awards that aren’t seen as controversial.
#DoNotSplit #Oppression
Notes to editors:
The film title, Do Not Split, is a reference to the Hong Kong protesters’ principle of remaining united. The short film has amassed over 81,000 views on Vimeo, and has already been screened at Denmark’s International Documentary Film Festival and the New Orleans Film Festival in the US.
Sources: Stand News #Mar15 ; Bloomberg #Mar17
https://bit.ly/2OMzkX0
The 93rd Academy Awards, set to be held in April 2021, announced shortlisted documentaries for an #Oscar on March 15. “Do Not Split” - a 35-minute feature by #AndersHammer - is up against four other films in the Best Short Documentary category.
According to the official introduction, “Do Not Split” is about the anti-ELAB protests and “captures the determination and sacrifices of the protesters, the government’s backlash, and the passage of the new Beijing-backed national security law.”
Many major police-civilian clashes were documented, such like sieges in the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) and Polytechnic University (#PolyU), the incident at Amoy Plaza on 14 Sep, the 1 Oct demonstration etc. The film has also included interviews with protesters. It is available online for viewing for free. (https://fieldofvision.org/do-not-split?fbclid=IwAR0HISiwv2AM4kxy0AvzMtfHvz72jcl4__yBGd6RffiuxAUJluWE28PXDDs)
Just two days later, on March 17, China told local media not to broadcast the Oscars ceremony in real time and to play down coverage of the awards, according to people familiar with the matter. The source said that the Communist Party’s propaganda department issued an order to all media outlets, telling them that the Oscars coverage should focus on awards that aren’t seen as controversial.
#DoNotSplit #Oppression
Notes to editors:
The film title, Do Not Split, is a reference to the Hong Kong protesters’ principle of remaining united. The short film has amassed over 81,000 views on Vimeo, and has already been screened at Denmark’s International Documentary Film Festival and the New Orleans Film Festival in the US.
Sources: Stand News #Mar15 ; Bloomberg #Mar17
https://bit.ly/2OMzkX0
UK urged to ban fur imports from China over animal abuse claims
Source: The Guardian #Mar17
Read more
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Source: The Guardian #Mar17
Read more
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UK urged to ban fur imports from China over animal abuse claims
Campaigners are urging the UK government to ban fur imports after an investigation done by from Humane Society International (HSI) appeared to show widespread animal abuse and disregard for Covid-19 health protocols at more than a dozen fur farms in China.
“Our investigators witnessed an almost total lack of disease control and health protection measures on fur farms, which is extremely worrying considering that mink, raccoon dogs and foxes are all capable of contracting coronaviruses,” said HSI executive director Claire Bass.
Both HSI and British animal welfare charity the RSPCA want the UK to ban imports, after the country halted fur farming on cruelty grounds two decades ago. The UK imported more than £55m worth of fur in 2019, including £5.3m from China, according to HM Revenue and Customs data.
Source: The Guardian #Mar17
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/17/uk-urged-to-ban-fur-imports-from-china-over-animal-abuse-claims?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#BanFur #HSI #UK #ChinaFurFarms #China #RSPCA
Campaigners are urging the UK government to ban fur imports after an investigation done by from Humane Society International (HSI) appeared to show widespread animal abuse and disregard for Covid-19 health protocols at more than a dozen fur farms in China.
“Our investigators witnessed an almost total lack of disease control and health protection measures on fur farms, which is extremely worrying considering that mink, raccoon dogs and foxes are all capable of contracting coronaviruses,” said HSI executive director Claire Bass.
Both HSI and British animal welfare charity the RSPCA want the UK to ban imports, after the country halted fur farming on cruelty grounds two decades ago. The UK imported more than £55m worth of fur in 2019, including £5.3m from China, according to HM Revenue and Customs data.
Source: The Guardian #Mar17
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/17/uk-urged-to-ban-fur-imports-from-china-over-animal-abuse-claims?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#BanFur #HSI #UK #ChinaFurFarms #China #RSPCA
the Guardian
UK urged to ban fur imports from China over animal abuse claims
Investigation appears to show unnecessary cruelty, suffering and disregard for Covid health precautions at more than a dozen farms
#PoliticalOppression #Injustice
Outspoken Court Prosecutor Sacked after targeted by #CCP mouthpiece
Source: Stand News #Mar17
Read more
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Outspoken Court Prosecutor Sacked after targeted by #CCP mouthpiece
Source: Stand News #Mar17
Read more
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#PoliticalOppression #Injustice
Outspoken Court Prosecutor Sacked after targeted by #CCP mouthpiece
William Wong Wah-fun, Senior Court Prosecutor II of the Eastern Magistrates' Courts, was reportedly suspended from duty on March 17, 2021 as his name in the government telephone directory has been changed to "vacant".
Repeatedly attacked by pro-Beijing papers, Wong was accused of encouraging other prosecutors to attend the June 4th rally, to which the police had not issued a letter of no objection. In his email, he claimed that the rally that night could be the last June 4 rally before the National Security Law came into force.
Wong was the chairperson of the Court Prosecutors Association when the 2019 Anti-ELAB protests broke out. In September that year, he wrote to the Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng and the then Director of Public Prosecutions David Leung during the anti-ELAB movement, in his capacity as chairperson, criticizing that "the police were undermining the justice system by telling blatant lies".
Wong closed the letter with the note: "P.S. We love Hong Kong. It is sad to see Hong Kong falling. What happens to Cathay Pacific will soon happen in #DOJ".
Source: Stand News; #Mar17
https://www.thestandnews.com/court/星島-檢控主任黃華芬被停職-曾向鄭若驊發信轟警方公然說謊損司法制度/
Outspoken Court Prosecutor Sacked after targeted by #CCP mouthpiece
William Wong Wah-fun, Senior Court Prosecutor II of the Eastern Magistrates' Courts, was reportedly suspended from duty on March 17, 2021 as his name in the government telephone directory has been changed to "vacant".
Repeatedly attacked by pro-Beijing papers, Wong was accused of encouraging other prosecutors to attend the June 4th rally, to which the police had not issued a letter of no objection. In his email, he claimed that the rally that night could be the last June 4 rally before the National Security Law came into force.
Wong was the chairperson of the Court Prosecutors Association when the 2019 Anti-ELAB protests broke out. In September that year, he wrote to the Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng and the then Director of Public Prosecutions David Leung during the anti-ELAB movement, in his capacity as chairperson, criticizing that "the police were undermining the justice system by telling blatant lies".
Wong closed the letter with the note: "P.S. We love Hong Kong. It is sad to see Hong Kong falling. What happens to Cathay Pacific will soon happen in #DOJ".
Source: Stand News; #Mar17
https://www.thestandnews.com/court/星島-檢控主任黃華芬被停職-曾向鄭若驊發信轟警方公然說謊損司法制度/
U.S. agency criticizes Hong Kong air carrier quarantine rules
The U.S. government warned it could limit flights by Hong Kong-based carriers.
The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) issued an order on Mar 17 requiring Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific to file flight schedules for all U.S. flights within seven days to determine if any are “contrary to applicable law or adversely affect the public interest”.
It was to react to rules issued by Hong Kong in January requiring locally based air crews to quarantine when returning there from international locations, but exempted flights between Hong Kong and Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city. USDOT said Hong Kong’s restrictions exclusively benefited Hong Kong carriers and “impaired the operating rights of U.S. carriers”.
Source: Reuters #Mar17
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-airlines-hong-kong/u-s-agency-criticizes-hong-kong-air-carrier-quarantine-rules-idUSKBN2B90C8
#HongKong #CathayPacific #Airline #HKQuaratine #Covid #USHK #US
The U.S. government warned it could limit flights by Hong Kong-based carriers.
The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) issued an order on Mar 17 requiring Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific to file flight schedules for all U.S. flights within seven days to determine if any are “contrary to applicable law or adversely affect the public interest”.
It was to react to rules issued by Hong Kong in January requiring locally based air crews to quarantine when returning there from international locations, but exempted flights between Hong Kong and Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city. USDOT said Hong Kong’s restrictions exclusively benefited Hong Kong carriers and “impaired the operating rights of U.S. carriers”.
Source: Reuters #Mar17
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-airlines-hong-kong/u-s-agency-criticizes-hong-kong-air-carrier-quarantine-rules-idUSKBN2B90C8
#HongKong #CathayPacific #Airline #HKQuaratine #Covid #USHK #US