#Interview #HongkongersVoice
Up close and personal with Dr. Arisina Ma, President of Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association: To Protect Every Space in Times of Challenge
Part 1
Dr. #ArisinaMa Chong-yee, President of Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association (PDA) has always been vocal about controversial political issues such as police brutality, community-wide COVID19 test and gathering bans. Although applauded by many, she has also been spitefully criticized by pro-establishment supporters.
Ma admitted that she has had thoughts about running away or even “disappear”. Driven by her personality, she decided to step forward instead and stand for the Medical Council elections during this tough times.
Last December, Arisina Ma and two other doctors were elected to the PDA, which has been said to be a landslide victory for pro-democracy influence in the Association.
Ma is foresees tougher challenges like complaints against doctors, recruitment of overseas or Chinese doctors, etc in the coming year.
When reporters called her “The President chosen by the times” last year, she did not realise how revolting the challenges were going to be.
Ma expressed, “2020 has been a daunting year for Hongkongers, who had to endure immeasurable amounts of pain and sorrow. We are the generation chosen by the times. I cannot understand why some people are still sparing their time to talk about travel bubble, partake in hundred-people birthday party, or enjoying themselves in dance groups at this difficult juncture. I think 2020 was a gloomy and painful year, and the year ahead is going to be another heavy one.”
Source: Stand News, #Jan8
https://bit.ly/2MMdgdN
Up close and personal with Dr. Arisina Ma, President of Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association: To Protect Every Space in Times of Challenge
Part 1
Dr. #ArisinaMa Chong-yee, President of Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association (PDA) has always been vocal about controversial political issues such as police brutality, community-wide COVID19 test and gathering bans. Although applauded by many, she has also been spitefully criticized by pro-establishment supporters.
Ma admitted that she has had thoughts about running away or even “disappear”. Driven by her personality, she decided to step forward instead and stand for the Medical Council elections during this tough times.
Last December, Arisina Ma and two other doctors were elected to the PDA, which has been said to be a landslide victory for pro-democracy influence in the Association.
Ma is foresees tougher challenges like complaints against doctors, recruitment of overseas or Chinese doctors, etc in the coming year.
When reporters called her “The President chosen by the times” last year, she did not realise how revolting the challenges were going to be.
Ma expressed, “2020 has been a daunting year for Hongkongers, who had to endure immeasurable amounts of pain and sorrow. We are the generation chosen by the times. I cannot understand why some people are still sparing their time to talk about travel bubble, partake in hundred-people birthday party, or enjoying themselves in dance groups at this difficult juncture. I think 2020 was a gloomy and painful year, and the year ahead is going to be another heavy one.”
Source: Stand News, #Jan8
https://bit.ly/2MMdgdN
#WuhanPneumonia #MadeinChina
China-Made #CoronaVac Only Scores 50% in General Efficacy Test
The Butantan Institute in Brazil announced that the China-made CoronaVac vaccine has a 50 percent general efficacy rate in late-stage trials.
Reuters described the results as disappointing. The rate means that CoronaVac is only 50 percent effective when preventing patients from contracting mild cases of coronavirus.
Although the minimum target set by the World Health Organisation is 50 percent, the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine is way behind the vaccines produced by Moderna at 94 percent and Pfizer/BioNTech at 95 percent.
Source: Apple Daily; RTHK #Jan13
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1570113-20210113.htm
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210113/NEWV4SZV4NDVDO67XEBGGWPBUA/
China-Made #CoronaVac Only Scores 50% in General Efficacy Test
The Butantan Institute in Brazil announced that the China-made CoronaVac vaccine has a 50 percent general efficacy rate in late-stage trials.
Reuters described the results as disappointing. The rate means that CoronaVac is only 50 percent effective when preventing patients from contracting mild cases of coronavirus.
Although the minimum target set by the World Health Organisation is 50 percent, the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine is way behind the vaccines produced by Moderna at 94 percent and Pfizer/BioNTech at 95 percent.
Source: Apple Daily; RTHK #Jan13
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1570113-20210113.htm
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210113/NEWV4SZV4NDVDO67XEBGGWPBUA/
Stalking, Surveillance, Blocking, Capturing - Experience of Chinese Human Rights Activists (and The New Norm in Hong Kong)
"I haven't had any visitors at my house for years, because they're downstairs, not allowing any diplomat, media worker, journalist, or so-called 'unstable individuals', to come to my house." Hu Jia said in a video interview with Stand News from her home in Beijing, while wearing a black blouse with the words "I want true universal suffrage".
Read our full translated article:
https://telegra.ph/Stalking-Surveillance-Blocking-Capturing---Experience-of-Chinese-Human-Rights-Activists-and-The-New-Norm-in-Hong-Kong-01-11
Source：Stand News #Oct21
#Stalking #Surveillance #Blocking #Capturing #ChineseHumanRights
"I haven't had any visitors at my house for years, because they're downstairs, not allowing any diplomat, media worker, journalist, or so-called 'unstable individuals', to come to my house." Hu Jia said in a video interview with Stand News from her home in Beijing, while wearing a black blouse with the words "I want true universal suffrage".
Read our full translated article:
https://telegra.ph/Stalking-Surveillance-Blocking-Capturing---Experience-of-Chinese-Human-Rights-Activists-and-The-New-Norm-in-Hong-Kong-01-11
Source：Stand News #Oct21
#Stalking #Surveillance #Blocking #Capturing #ChineseHumanRights
Some words and phrases are used much more frequently in this year than in the last year in Hong Kong Government press releases as well as in statements.
#HongKongGovernment #Freedom #NatioanlSecurity #GoHKGraphics
#HongKongGovernment #Freedom #NatioanlSecurity #GoHKGraphics
Swiss Government Exposed to Have Allowed In Chinese Agents in Secret Agreement
Source: Stand News #Dec11
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: Stand News #Dec11
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Swiss Government Exposed to Have Allowed In Chinese Agents in Secret Agreement
Human rights group Safeguard Defender has published a report exposing a secret agreement between the Swiss government with China allowing operations of Chinese public security agents in Switzerland. The agreement, the existence of which had been unknown to the Swiss parliament, allowed Chinese agents to enter the country in unofficial capacities and to track down and help investigate Chinese citizens that the Swiss authorities wished to expel.
According to the report, the “readmission agreement” was signed on 8 December 2015. The agreement allowed Chinese officials to enter Switzerland and to track down, investigate and question “illegal immigrants” or potential repatriates to help the Swiss authorities ascertain if the individuals were Chinese citizens.
While the agreement provided that Chinese officials could only come by the invitation of the Swiss authorities for an investigation lasting two weeks, China had full discretion in deciding in naming the agents without Switzerland’s approval. Upon arrival, the officials might be admitted in unofficial capacities with their identities and reports guaranteed secret by the Swiss authorities. They were also allowed to act freely on Swiss soil and to question up to six people every day for 10 days without being supervised by Swiss officials, meaning they could question as many as 60 people on each visit.
The annex further provided that all their travel and local expenses be covered by the Swiss authorities. Accommodation would also be arranged.
#Switzerland #China #PublicSecurityMinistry #ReadmissionAgreement #SecretAgreement #Diplomacy
Source: Stand News #Dec11
https://bit.ly/2Xatm2y
Human rights group Safeguard Defender has published a report exposing a secret agreement between the Swiss government with China allowing operations of Chinese public security agents in Switzerland. The agreement, the existence of which had been unknown to the Swiss parliament, allowed Chinese agents to enter the country in unofficial capacities and to track down and help investigate Chinese citizens that the Swiss authorities wished to expel.
According to the report, the “readmission agreement” was signed on 8 December 2015. The agreement allowed Chinese officials to enter Switzerland and to track down, investigate and question “illegal immigrants” or potential repatriates to help the Swiss authorities ascertain if the individuals were Chinese citizens.
While the agreement provided that Chinese officials could only come by the invitation of the Swiss authorities for an investigation lasting two weeks, China had full discretion in deciding in naming the agents without Switzerland’s approval. Upon arrival, the officials might be admitted in unofficial capacities with their identities and reports guaranteed secret by the Swiss authorities. They were also allowed to act freely on Swiss soil and to question up to six people every day for 10 days without being supervised by Swiss officials, meaning they could question as many as 60 people on each visit.
The annex further provided that all their travel and local expenses be covered by the Swiss authorities. Accommodation would also be arranged.
#Switzerland #China #PublicSecurityMinistry #ReadmissionAgreement #SecretAgreement #Diplomacy
Source: Stand News #Dec11
https://bit.ly/2Xatm2y
Origin story: what do we know now about where coronavirus came from?
Source: The Guardian #Dec12
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: The Guardian #Dec12
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Origin story: what do we know now about where coronavirus came from?
Maria van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization (WHO) virologist said that something happened at Christmas time in 2019.
On the evening of 30 December 2019, the Wuhan municipal health commission had issued an “urgent notice” online, warning all medical facilities to be on the alert and put into effect their emergency plans. It pointed the finger of suspicion for the outbreak at the Huanan [meaning South China] seafood market. Of a sample of 41 early confirmed cases, 70% were stall owners, employees or regular customers of the Huanan market, which sold seafood but also live animals, often illegally captured in the wild and slaughtered in front of the customer.
The market was closed by the Chinese authorities on 1 January 2020 and comprehensively cleaned and disinfected, which was helpful to hygiene but destroyed clues
It’s important for the entire world to know, so the WHO has been investigating since the outbreak began.
The Canadian doctor and epidemiologist appointed by WHO leading the investigation Bruce Aylward said, “from the moment you landed in China, you knew you were dealing with something very serious that the rest of the world wasn’t getting. You got off the plane and you were in an empty Beijing airport. It was absolutely stunning, your footsteps would echo through the great cavernous halls of Beijing airport, which is teeming day and night normally.”
Source: The Guardian #Dec12
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/12/where-did-coronavirus-come-from-covid?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#Covid19 #Wuhan #WHO #China #Covid19Origin
Maria van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization (WHO) virologist said that something happened at Christmas time in 2019.
On the evening of 30 December 2019, the Wuhan municipal health commission had issued an “urgent notice” online, warning all medical facilities to be on the alert and put into effect their emergency plans. It pointed the finger of suspicion for the outbreak at the Huanan [meaning South China] seafood market. Of a sample of 41 early confirmed cases, 70% were stall owners, employees or regular customers of the Huanan market, which sold seafood but also live animals, often illegally captured in the wild and slaughtered in front of the customer.
The market was closed by the Chinese authorities on 1 January 2020 and comprehensively cleaned and disinfected, which was helpful to hygiene but destroyed clues
It’s important for the entire world to know, so the WHO has been investigating since the outbreak began.
The Canadian doctor and epidemiologist appointed by WHO leading the investigation Bruce Aylward said, “from the moment you landed in China, you knew you were dealing with something very serious that the rest of the world wasn’t getting. You got off the plane and you were in an empty Beijing airport. It was absolutely stunning, your footsteps would echo through the great cavernous halls of Beijing airport, which is teeming day and night normally.”
Source: The Guardian #Dec12
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/12/where-did-coronavirus-come-from-covid?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#Covid19 #Wuhan #WHO #China #Covid19Origin
the Guardian
Origin story: what do we know now about where coronavirus came from?
When Chinese scientists alerted colleagues to a new virus last December, suspicion fell on a Wuhan market. What have health officials learned since then?
Torres Strait Islanders' fear over $200m Chinese fishery handshake with PNG
China’s ministry of commerce has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PNG to build a $200 million "comprehensive multi-functional fishery industrial park" on Daru Island in Western Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Torres Strait Islanders say they are "very nervous" about China's plan to build a fish processing plant on their doorstep, and are seeking urgent talks with the Australian Government.
There are calls to review the Torres Strait Treaty, which allows PNG nationals to fish in Australian waters. Chinese could use the Torres Strait Treaty to "vacuum-up" fish.
Source: ABC #Dec16
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-16/china-fishery-fears-for-torres-strait-islanders/12988998
#PNG #TorresStraitTreaty #China #Australia
China’s ministry of commerce has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PNG to build a $200 million "comprehensive multi-functional fishery industrial park" on Daru Island in Western Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Torres Strait Islanders say they are "very nervous" about China's plan to build a fish processing plant on their doorstep, and are seeking urgent talks with the Australian Government.
There are calls to review the Torres Strait Treaty, which allows PNG nationals to fish in Australian waters. Chinese could use the Torres Strait Treaty to "vacuum-up" fish.
Source: ABC #Dec16
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-16/china-fishery-fears-for-torres-strait-islanders/12988998
#PNG #TorresStraitTreaty #China #Australia
#FirstHand #NeverForget #NeverForgive
Defiant Hongkongers continue mourning pro-democracy victim despite police presence and tightened National Security Law enforcement.
Today (January 15) marked the 19th month since #MarcoLeung Ling-kit, who fell from a height of a shopping mall in Admiralty, has attempted to stop the government passing the Extradition Law in Hong Kong.
In the late evening, a citizen hanged a lightbox which printed with "although our bodies cannot fight together, our souls are always together in solidarity", on a tree nearby. Some citizens laid white flowers in Leung's remembrance, a monthly ritual since the passing of Leung on June 15 2019.
Meanwhile, three police vehicles and dozens of uniformed police were on the scene. A loudspeaker was hoisted inside an orange police cordon line, broadcasting warnings for citizens to disperse; otherwise, they might risk violating the social distancing rule and being ticketed.
#HKProtest
Source: FH, #Jan15
Defiant Hongkongers continue mourning pro-democracy victim despite police presence and tightened National Security Law enforcement.
Today (January 15) marked the 19th month since #MarcoLeung Ling-kit, who fell from a height of a shopping mall in Admiralty, has attempted to stop the government passing the Extradition Law in Hong Kong.
In the late evening, a citizen hanged a lightbox which printed with "although our bodies cannot fight together, our souls are always together in solidarity", on a tree nearby. Some citizens laid white flowers in Leung's remembrance, a monthly ritual since the passing of Leung on June 15 2019.
Meanwhile, three police vehicles and dozens of uniformed police were on the scene. A loudspeaker was hoisted inside an orange police cordon line, broadcasting warnings for citizens to disperse; otherwise, they might risk violating the social distancing rule and being ticketed.
#HKProtest
Source: FH, #Jan15
#FirstHand #NeverForget #NeverForgive
Youngsters pay respect to pro-democracy victim, also display concerns over eroding freedom in Hong Kong
After work, more civilians came to pay tribute to #MarcoLeung Ling-kit.
On the scene, many of them brought white flowers and lit up candles in awkward silence.
Braving Government's recent attempts to silence the city's pro-democracy voices, a youngster hoisted a yellow raincoat, which Leung was wearing when he fell to his death in June 2019, in Leung's remembrance.
The youngster also held a handbill written: “The righteous and heroic soul live forever; we carry on fighting against absurdity".
Source: FH, #Jan15
Youngsters pay respect to pro-democracy victim, also display concerns over eroding freedom in Hong Kong
After work, more civilians came to pay tribute to #MarcoLeung Ling-kit.
On the scene, many of them brought white flowers and lit up candles in awkward silence.
Braving Government's recent attempts to silence the city's pro-democracy voices, a youngster hoisted a yellow raincoat, which Leung was wearing when he fell to his death in June 2019, in Leung's remembrance.
The youngster also held a handbill written: “The righteous and heroic soul live forever; we carry on fighting against absurdity".
Source: FH, #Jan15
#Breaking #Sanction
US announces new sanctions against 6 linked to Mass Arrest of pro-democracy activists in HK
The US announced sanctions against six Hong Kong or Chinese officials connected to the mass arrests of pro-democracy activists on January 6.
The six people targeted for new sanctions include Frederic Choi, director of the national security division of the Hong Kong police; Sun Qingye, a deputy to Zheng Yanxiong, who was appointed in July to head a new national security office in Hong Kong.
Also named were pro-Beijing legislator Tam Yiu-chung, You Quan of China’s United Front Work Department, and Assistant Commissioners of Police for National Security, Kelvin Kong Hok-lai and Andrew Kan Kai-yan.
Source: Apple Daily, Reuters; #Jan16
US announces new sanctions against 6 linked to Mass Arrest of pro-democracy activists in HK
The US announced sanctions against six Hong Kong or Chinese officials connected to the mass arrests of pro-democracy activists on January 6.
The six people targeted for new sanctions include Frederic Choi, director of the national security division of the Hong Kong police; Sun Qingye, a deputy to Zheng Yanxiong, who was appointed in July to head a new national security office in Hong Kong.
Also named were pro-Beijing legislator Tam Yiu-chung, You Quan of China’s United Front Work Department, and Assistant Commissioners of Police for National Security, Kelvin Kong Hok-lai and Andrew Kan Kai-yan.
Source: Apple Daily, Reuters; #Jan16
#Injustice #Court #Censorship
HK Judge Orders Lawyer and Defendant's Family to Leave the Courtroom for Wearing Yellow Masks During a Trial
District Judge Ernest Lin demanded a lawyer and two family members of defendants, who were wearing yellow-color surgical masks, to leave the courtroom or change into masks of other colors.
While the lawyer has obliged, others refused to comply and are planning to file a complaint.
Four defendants pleaded guilty to illegal assembly and assault in a hearing on January 11, 2021. They were arrested in a conflict with pro-Beijing counter-protesters at a rally at Amoy Plaza in September 2019, which saw three people injured.
Source: Stand News; Apple Daily #Jan11
https://www.thestandnews.com/court/淘大衝突-四男認非法集結-法官練錦鴻趕戴黃口罩律師離席-質疑現場-黃背心-暴動/
#YellowMasks
HK Judge Orders Lawyer and Defendant's Family to Leave the Courtroom for Wearing Yellow Masks During a Trial
District Judge Ernest Lin demanded a lawyer and two family members of defendants, who were wearing yellow-color surgical masks, to leave the courtroom or change into masks of other colors.
While the lawyer has obliged, others refused to comply and are planning to file a complaint.
Four defendants pleaded guilty to illegal assembly and assault in a hearing on January 11, 2021. They were arrested in a conflict with pro-Beijing counter-protesters at a rally at Amoy Plaza in September 2019, which saw three people injured.
Source: Stand News; Apple Daily #Jan11
https://www.thestandnews.com/court/淘大衝突-四男認非法集結-法官練錦鴻趕戴黃口罩律師離席-質疑現場-黃背心-暴動/
#YellowMasks