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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#AntiEpidemic #HumanRights #DomesticHelpers
Domestic Helpers Concern Groups Criticize Hong Kong Government for Neglecting Domestic Workers' Rights in Coronavirus Preventive Regulations

"...Tong Hiu-yan, Director of Community Relations at the Foreign Labor Works Centre criticised the government's Labor Departments for not providing enough guidelines for both employers and domestic helpers.

Besides, the Department had no practical measures to protect the rights and interests of the domestics helpers and was unwilling to handle requests of domestic helpers..."

Source: InMedia #Apr5

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19308
#AntiEpidemic #HumanRights #DomesticHelpers
Domestic Helpers Concern Groups Criticize Hong Kong Government for Neglecting Domestic Workers' Rights in Coronavirus Preventive Regulations

Since March 29 2020, the HKSAR government has prohibited gatherings of more than 4 people in public place and required a social distance of no less than 1.5 meter. The new rule will last for 14 days.

During the coronavirus outbreak, the footbridges in Mong Kok, where domestic helpers spent their day off, has become fairly empty. On 5 April 2020, concern groups including the Foreign Labour Centre, the Asian Migrants' Union and the chairman of Labour Party Kwok Wing-ken distributed hand sanitizers, masks, takeaway menus and Coronavirus prevention leaflets to the foreign helpers on the footbridge.

Eni Lestari, Chairperson of Asian Migrants' Union said, “It is the Government's responsibility to step up epidemic prevention publicity for foreign domestic helpers,” stressing that "protection of domestic helpers is also for the protection of employer's family".

Tong Hiu-yan, Director of Community Relations at the Foreign Labor Works Centre, said they have received many requests for help from domestic helpers. Most of the workers live with the employers and most of them do not have their own rooms. In other words, they would be asked to work and unable to take proper rest, when staying at thr employer's home on holidays.

Tong criticised the government's Labor Departments for not providing enough guidelines for both employers and domestic helpers. Besides, the Department had no practical measures to protect the rights and interests of the domestic helpers and was unwilling to handle requests of domestic helpers.

Source : InMedia HK #Apr5
Image: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19307
#ChinesePneumonia #GlobalOutbreak #MigrantWorkers
#FailedState #Taxpayers #FaceMasks
Where are the 13-million masks produced on public fund?: Hong Kong Government Refuses to Answer

In mid-February, “Hong Kong Connection”, an investigative programme of RTHK, conducted a study to find out how the Hong Kong government uses the prisoner-made "CSI" masks.

RTHK invoked the “Code on Access to Information” and requested the Logistics Services Department to disclose the number of CSI masks and protective robes the government procured from the Correctional Services Department between 2017 and 2019, as well as the amount allocated to other departments.

On April 1, 2020, the Logistics Services Department responded but refused to disclose informatio “as not to undermine the bargaining power in purchasing protective gear amidst fierce competition”. The department emphasized that the Government has been making every effort to procure anti-epidemic materials.

In mid-February, the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau had revealed that the Logistics Department had purchased an average of 1.1 million masks per month from the Correctional Services Department in 2019. Earlier on, the Correctional Services Department said that in 2019, social welfare agencies, schools and other non-governmental organizations had purchased about 120,000 masks from them.

Reported widely in media was how the government-owned CSI masks were available for sale. Many have been questioning whether the filter masks have been mis-distributed for reselling purpose.

Apparently, the Government is evading to fully disclose the allocation and whereabouts of about 13 million CSI masks produced every year.

Source: 'Hong Kong Connection' RTHK

#Apr5 #CSI #HongKongGovernment
#StateViolence #PoliceState
Hong Kong Government Suspected of Targeting Pro-Democracy 'Yellow' Business in light of Anti-Epidemic Order

As the second wave of Wuhan pneumonia outbreak hits Hong Kong, the government has recently rolled out more anti-epidemic measures. Apart from restricting public gathering to less than four people, the authorities require a 1.5 m distance between tables in restaurants.

The Food and Environment Hygiene Department (FEHD) reportedly targets pro-democracy 'yellow' shops by carrying out repeated inspections in relatively short period of time. On April 3, the FEHD inspected Cafe de Jar Gor, a protest-friendly restaurant in Kowloon Bay, followed by another police visit on April 5. The police claimed that they had received a complaint about the shop.

Source: Stand News #Apr5
#WuhanPneumonia #ThirdWave #CoronavirusPandemic
‘Third Wave Of Infections Will Come From China’, Hong Kong Microbiologist Says Medical Staff Might Need to Reuse Disinfected N95 Masks

University of Hong Kong microbiologist Dr. Yuen Kwok-yung warned that China is facing another wave of infections that could eventually bring a ‘third wave’ of cases to Hong Kong.

Yuen mentioned that it will likely be caused by China going back to work en masse and the recent return of overseas Chinese from virus hotspots like the United States or Europe.

“This kind of cycle will continue on and on until we have an effective vaccine, or we acquire herd immunity, where about 60-80 percent of people are immune to Covid-19.”

Yuen states that he is not optimistic about the epidemic in Hong Kong at this stage, and medical staff might need to be prepared to reuse disinfected N95 masks, similar to what had been in during SARS in 2003.

Source: Commercial Radio 881903; RTHK

#Apr5 #YuenKwokYun #HongKongMedics #FaceMasks
#Disappearance #CensorshipKills
At Least Three Citizen Journalists and One Photographer Gone Missing in China During Coronavirus Pandemic

Three Chinese citizen journalists and one German television photographer have gone missing in recent months. They are presumed to have been detained by Chinese authorities after posting videos on social media documenting the reality of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The three Chinese journalists include Li Zehua who was previously a news anchor for China’s most important and prominent state TV station, CCTV. The other two journalists are Wuhan Citizen Fang Bin and Citizen Journalist Chen Qiushi. The most recent missing photographer to suffer this fate was hired externally by the German public-service television broadcaster ZDF.

Source: National Review; Stand News #Apr5

#MissingJournalists #ChinesePneumonia #Missing #PressFreedom #CCP
#Poll #CoronavirusCrisis
Public Opinion Poll: Coronavirus Pandemic is halting pro-democracy protests temporarily, but no add-on support goes to the government

The data was collected by Prof. Francis Lee and his team. This supplementaey analysis was presented by Dr. Leung Kai-chi, a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Source: Stand News #Apr5

Contine Reading
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#Poll #CoronavirusCrisis
Public Opinion Poll: Coronavirus Pandemic is halting pro-democracy protests temporarily, but no add-on support goes to the government

The data was collected by Prof. Francis Lee and his team. This supplementaey analysis was presented by Dr. Leung Kai-chi, a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

1. The “rally round the flag effect” is a concept used in political science to explain increased short-run popular support of the government during periods of crisis or war.

While Hong Kong citizens have been combating the epidemic in solidarity on the community level, it has not benefited the government in terms of public confidence and support.

2. Although the proportion of “Zero trust in Police” has fallen below 50%, at 46%, it still marks a huge difference compared to 7% before the 2019 Anti-extradition law movement. There is no sign of reversing public confidence in this regard.

3. Survey findings showed that many elderlies gave full mark to “trust in police”. Yet, it is worth-noting that among all those who gave full marks, only 32% are 70-years-old or above and this segment accounted merely 13% of all respondents.

4. No respondent in the age group 15-19 gave full mark to “trust in police”.

5. The education level of many respondents who gave full mark to “trust in police” are primary school or lower. The rate is significantly higher among all respondents.

6. The receding in protest activities currently, is temporary and an outcome of epidemic outbreak. Large-scale protest activities are likely to resume once when the outbreak is eased.

Source: Stand News

#Apr5 #HKProtest #FailedState #PoliceState #OpinionPoll #GovernanceCrisis
Desperate efforts of bureaucrats, pro-Beijing legislator and community leader to suppress dissident voices, tarnishing Freedom of Speech in HK

Read more⬇️:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19534

Sources: NOW TV; Stand News #Apr5
#FreedomOfSpeech #WhiteTerror #YungHoiYan
Desperate efforts of bureaucrats, pro-Beijing legislator and community leader to suppress dissident voices, tarnishing Freedom of Speech in HK

Eunice Yung Hoi-yan reported to the Police Headquarter on April 5 that a Facebook page, “Hong Kong Popo”, was allegedly smearing the police force and provoking violence. Although the Facebook page has around 405,000 fans, Yung said she received 40 complaints, all criticizing content of the page being extremely violent and hostile towards Hong Kong Police. Yung added that the page could have committed criminal offence, and believe it was necessary for the police to launch thorough investigation.

Separately, on March 28, a RTHK current affairs programme, “The Pulse” interviewed WHO’s assistant director general Dr Bruce Aylward about Coronavirus and how different countries were handling the disease. During one segment, a journalist asked Aylward via teleconference if the organisation would consider granting Taiwan membership to WHO.

The question sparked a wave of controversies when secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah issued a statement on April 2 accusing the station of breaching ‘one-China principle’ and failing to abide by its governing charter.

Fu Chen-chong, Chairman of a pro-Beijing organization “Defend Hong Kong Campaign” and three supporters protested at the entrance of RTHK station on April 5, demanding the station to dismiss the journalist involved. Due to restriction on gatherings with more than 4 people, only 4 participants were seen.

Sources: NOW TV; Stand News #Apr5
#FreedomOfSpeech #WhiteTerror #YungHoiYan
#Solidarity #ChingMingFestival
Elderly Pays Respect to casualties in Hong Kong's Prodemocracy Movement: "We Shall Not Give Up"

Chan Ki-kau, nicknamed 'Grandpa Chan', is a member of Protect the Children, a group dedicated for safeguarding protesters' rights in Hong Kong.

On April 5, 2021, Chan arrived at the Sandy Ridge Public Cemetery with several fellow citizens at around 11am to pay tribute to the nameless deaths. The day was "Ching Ming Festival", a "tomb-sweeping" day in Hong Kong.

Chan has visited the cemetery on three consecutive days. Yet, his ID was checked by plainclothes police still. Chan shared the water and the mosquito repellent he broufht with other citizens on site.

Chan hopes to pay respect to all the casualties in the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and tell Hongkongers "to not give up".

Source: InMedia #Apr5
https://bit.ly/3cNI8oM

#SandyRidge #Cemetery #GrandpaChan
#PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState
Only 1.2% of arrested teenagers in Anti-ELAB movement were dealt with by Superintendent's Discretion and not prosecuted

Source: Stand News #Apr5

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#PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState
Only 1.2% of arrested teenagers in Anti-ELAB movement were dealt with by Superintendent's Discretion and not prosecuted


Before the 2019 Anti-ELAB movement, in Hong Kong from 2016 to 2018, 30% of the underage arrestees (about 500-600 people) were given the Superintendent's Discretion each year.

In 2019 and 2020, however, the number of underage arrestees who received Superintendent’s Discretion havr been greatly decreased to less than 20%.

In 2020, only 402 people were cautioned, which is about 17.1% of the total number of underage arrestees. This only made up 1.2% of underage offenders that were arrested in the Anti-ELAB movement.

In Hong Kong, the Superintendent's Discretion is a procedure limited to persons under the age of 18. In these cases, the arrestee is only cautioned instead of being brought to the court, and the arrestee’s criminal record remains clear.

As of February 2021, among the 1,752 underage people arrested during the Anti-ELAB movement, only 22 were dealt with by this procedure. This means only 1 in every 100 underage arrestees is being cautioned.

On the contrary, so far 462 underage arrestees have been charged by the Hong Kong Police. The prosecution rate is 26.3%.

In an interview in August 2020, the Commissioner of Police Chris Tang indicated that 16 underage arrestees during the movement were cautioned so far. Then, in November 2020, Carrie Lam revealed that 19 were cautioned. The number was then increased to 22 as of February this year.

This means during 6 months between August 2020 and February 2021, only one arrestee was granted Superintendent's Discretion each month on average.

Source: Stand News #Apr5
https://bit.ly/2PymR9C

#PoliticalPrisoner #Youth #NextGeneration #Discretion #Caution
#PrisonVisit: #EddieChu Studying Vietnamese from Fellow Inmate, Says Wife

Source: InMedia #Apr5

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#PrisonVisit: #EddieChu Studying Vietnamese from Fellow Inmate, Says Wife

In Hong Kong, former pro-democracy legislator Eddie Chu remains in detention in Stanley Prison after being arrested in the 47 Democrats case.

His wife Au Pui-fun and daughter visited him at the prison last week; Au sported a red scarf to fend off the cold morning, and waited in line to register for their visit.

Chu had been studying Vietnamese, his wife relayed, and had been learning it from free apps since a month before his arrest. "He had been working very hard at it. The learning app has 5 levels, and he's ranked the 2nd fastest learner worldwide on it!"

After being sent to Stanley Prison, Chu had befriended a Vietnamese prisoner who taught him Vietnamese; in return, Chu taught the man Cantonese.

As mandatory work for prisoners, Chu was assigned to manufacture file folders. "He said he was so slow at the beginning; others made 50 folders in the time he made 5," his wife recalled with a chuckle. "I don't know about now; I haven't asked in a while."

During his detention, Chu noticed he woke up with discomfort under his left eye. Fortunately, examinations showed that it was only a natural degradation of his eye, and was not serious; he could manage it with regular eye drops. When asked, Chu said with a frown, "Of course, I looked at my phone too much when laying down. But it should be better now!" He said.

#PoliticalPrisoner #47Democrats #NeverGiveUp

Source: InMedia #Apr5
https://bit.ly/31NxtE8
Chinese property developer in Melbourne reportedly deported from Australia for 'endangering national security'

Source: SBS Australia #Apr5

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Chinese property developer in Melbourne reportedly deported from Australia for 'endangering national security'

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have confirmed that the federal government has accused Chinese millionaire #ZhengJieFu of carrying out missions for Chinese intelligence agencies and secretly promoting Beijing's interests.

Zheng has been deported from Australia in 2021, making him one of the most recent Australian residents to be deported by the federal government for allegedly having close ties to Chinese state security or foreign interventionist agencies.

Unidentified sources told reporters that the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (#ASIO) had accused Zheng of foreign interference in Australia on behalf of the Chinese government, claiming that he had offered cash to a student in Australia to pressure the father of a human rights activist who was already in Chinese custody. However, Zheng has previously denied the allegations.

ASIO alleges that Zheng had "repeatedly" contacted a suspected Chinese spy on mission in Australia while he was in the country.

Source: SBS Australia #Apr5

https://www.sbs.com.au/chinese/cantonese/zh-hant/millionaire-chinese-property-developer-quietly-expelled-for-harming-security-interests

#Australia #Melbourne #China #ZhengJiefu #Chineseintelligenceagencies #Chineseinfluence #Chinesespy #Australianationalsecurity #ASIO
Thai-Chinese Submarine Deal Faces Axe

Thailand’s procurement of a submarine from China could be canceled after a German company said it was unable to supply the needed propulsion system, the country’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.

In 2017, Thailand agreed to the purchase of the S26T submarine for 13.5 billion baht ($402.9 million), with payments to be made in installments over a seven-year period, with delivery expected in 2024.

But that deadline is unlikely to be met following the recent news that Germany’s Motor and Turbine Union company has refused to supply cutting-edge MTU396 diesel engines to the Chinese firm building the S26T Yuan-class submarine for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

The German company is reportedly barred from making the sale due to a European Union government embargo on the sale of military items to China, imposed in the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacres.

Source: Liberty Times; #Apr5
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/3883095