📡Guardians of Hong Kong
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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#LastYearToday #HongKongChronicles
The Fall of Hong Kong

On Jan 22, 2020, Hong Kong recorded its first "highly suspected" coronavirus case, to cite from Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan.

The case was a 39-year-old man of Chinese nationality who had travelled to Wuhan and arrived in Hong Kong from China via the high speed train.

One year has passed. The total number of #COVID19 cases in Hong Kong hit nearly 10,000 and cost the life of 168 people.

On Jan 22, 2021, the Hong Kong's Hospital Authorities (#HA) even issued a letter to its employees, demanding them to return their salary during the strike.

In 2020, medical workers went on strike for the first time in history, demanding nothing but the shutdown of the border with China, in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

In response to the authorities, the Hospital Authorities Employees Association (#HAEA) chairperson Yu Wai-ming said "then why didn't you close the border back then?"

Source: Stand News #Jan22
https://bit.ly/35YSVbV
#PoliticalOppression
Vocal journalist in HK faces dismissal by government-funded broadcaster before probe result

Source: Apple Daily, #Jan22

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#PoliticalOppression
Vocal journalist in HK faces dismissal by government-funded broadcaster before probe result


#NabelaQoser, a journalist of #RTHK, who confronted Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam over her handling of the 2019 protests for multiple times, is facing dismissal after the public broadcaster ended her three-year-odd probation for a civil service post and offered her a contract for just 120 days.

Qoser’s probation was extended by 120 days in late September 2020, shortly before she was due to complete the three-year probation under civil servant employment terms in October.

The broadcaster launched a probe into her work, citing complaints received against her since July 2020. The results of the probe, originally due in January 2021, would determine if Qoser was to gain a coveted contract as a permanent civil servant.

Source: Apple Daily, #Jan22
https://hk.appledaily.com/news/20210122/ZU6IGCLILZAF5GTP4RBZ3L6RPU/

#RTHK #CivilServant #Journalism #Professionalism #PressFreedom #Reprisal
#Interview #HongKongersVoice
Transcending Fear: Hong Kong Social Worker Vows for the Quest for Freedom, Out of His Love for Hong Kong

Source: InMedia, #Jan22

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28211
#Interview #HongKongersVoice
Transcending Fear: Hong Kong Social Worker Vows for the Quest for Freedom, Out of His Love for Hong Kong


Reflecting on the year-long anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong in 2019, social worker Hendick Lui Chi-Hang said, “I have been increasingly involved and more and more forth coming in each protest. For many times, I told myself that this time is going to be the last time and I have to overcome my limit.”

Despite that, there has been “next time”. Lui said, “Probably, it is out of my love to this land.”

It could also be rage. Lui elaborated, “You might also see it as ‘I can’t stand it’. There are some small things that we could do, though these things might not be useful, we should continue doing it.”

What if one day he was arrested and being sent to China for trial?

It seems that Lui was sharing his thoughts to the reporter, but also talking in melancholy, “it doesn’t matter. I believe as long as there are Hongkongers, there will be a pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, fighting for freedom.”

Source: InMedia, #Jan22
https://bit.ly/3p87xgt

#LuiChiHang #SocialWorker #HKProtest #NeverGiveUp
#Sanction #106Crackdown
#EU Parliament Condemns HK Government's Crackdown on the Democracy Camp and Targets 9 Officials on Pending Sanction List

Source: Stand News, #Jan22

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#Sanction #106Crackdown
#EU Parliament Condemns HK Government's Crackdown on the Democracy Camp and Targets 9 Officials on Pending Sanction List

The European Parliament (EU) passed a resolution with an overwhelming vote on January 21, 2021, condemning the crackdown on Hong Kong activists by the central government of China.

It warned that the EU might risk losing credibility on human rights by sealing an investment deal with China. Furthermore, the parliament called for member states to initiate “targeted sanctions” against Chinese and Hong Kong officials held responsible for the police action under the EU Human Rights Global Sanction Regime.

The 9 names include Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng, Secretary for Security John Lee, Commissioner of Police Chris Tang and former police chief Stephen Lo.

Chinese officials handling Hong Kong affairs were also on the list, including Xia Baolong and Zhang Xiaoming, respectively the director and deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office under the State Council; Luo Huining, director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong; and Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security in the city.

The resolution said that MEPs “regret” that the EU-China investment talks were not seized “as a leverage tool aimed at preserving Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, as well as its basic rights and freedoms”.

Source: Stand News, #Jan22

#InternationalCommunity
China authorises coastguard to fire on foreign vessels in disputed waters of East China and South China Seas

China has maritime sovereignty disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and with several South-East Asian countries in the South China Sea. It has sent its coastguard to chase away fishing vessels from other countries, sometimes resulting in the sinking of these vessels.

The National People's Congress standing committee, passed the Coastguard Law on 22nd Jan explicitly allowing its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the laws are in line with international practices. The new law allows the coastguard to use a variety of weapons.

Source: ABC.Net #Jan22

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-23/china-authorises-coast-guard-to-fire-on-foreign-ships-if-needed/13084754

#China #CoastguardLaw
#PoliceState
Human Rights Watchdog on #GrandmaWong's Arrest: Another assault on democracy and free expression in Hong Kong

Source: Stand News, #Jan22

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#PoliceState
Human Rights Watchdog on #GrandmaWong's Arrest: Another assault on democracy and free expression in Hong Kong

January 22, 2021 marked the 16th month of the death of 15-year-old pro-democracy student #ChanYinLam.

Flouting National Security Law and social distancing restriction, some citizens continued their monthly remembrance ritual in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong.

'Grandma Wong' Wong Fan-yiu showed up at the scene with several handbills in her hands. She was later arrested on suspicion of obstructing police officer in execution of their duties.

Commenting on the incident, #BenedictRogers, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive said, “The arrest of Grandma Wong, who is one of the most prominent pro-democracy protestors, is the latest assault on democracy and free expression in Hong Kong. It appears it is now a crime for pensioners to hold a protest sign at a pedestrian crossing.”

He urged the Hong Kong Authorities to release Grandma Wong.

Source: Stand News, #Jan22

#HongKongWatch #Arrest
MPs to question HSBC chief over freezing Hong Kong pro-democracy accounts

HSBC's chief executive will be hauled in front of MPs next week to explain why the bank has frozen the accounts of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.

The bank has avoided public comments on the deepening crisis since it backed Beijing's controversial security law for the former British colony last year. HSBC's profits are heavily dependent on China.

The crackdown criminalises anti-government movements in Hong Kong, resulting in the arrest of dozens of pro-democracy figures since it was imposed last summer.

#HSBC #TedHui #Frozen #Explain #MPs

Source: Telegraph #Jan22

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/01/22/mps-question-hsbc-chief-freezing-hong-kong-pro-democracy-accounts/
#FirstHand #Omicron
Radical Lockdown Strategy Affecting 2,700 Residents in Grassroot Public Housing Estate in Hong Kong

Source: First Hand; #Jan22
#WuhanPneumonia #KwaiChungLockdown

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31982
#FirstHand #Omicron
Radical Lockdown Strategy Affecting 2,700 Residents in Grassroot Public Housing Estate in Hong Kong

Hong Kong government enforced a mandatory home quarantine on January 22, 2022 for around 2,700 residents of Yat Kwai House at Kwai Chung public housing Estate. Residents are prohibited from leaving the complex, and are required to undergo daily compulsory virus testing until January 26, 2022.

This attempt to close off an apartment complex for 120 hours is unprecedented in Hong Kong, and has caused tremendous nuisance to local households.

As obedient residents rushed for mandatory testing, long waiting lines were seen at makeshift COVID-19 testing stations outside residential building.

When asked if residents placed under lockdown would be given compensation for lost wages, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said, “It is not a question of compensation.”

She brushed aside criticism, but stressed that she is grateful for the “sacrifice” of citizens to support the Government’s pursuit of “zero covid” strategy.

On the first day of the five-day lockdown, 96 people at Yat Kwai House had tested positive or preliminary positive, including residents, visitors, and a cleaner.

Source: First Hand; #Jan22
#WuhanPneumonia #KwaiChungLockdown
#KwaiChungLockdown #Omicron
Chaotic Mass Testing Stokes Fear of Rampant Virus Spread at Kwai Chung Estate

Source: Whats News Media, #Jan22
#KwaiChungLockdown #FailedState #Omicron #WuhanPneumonia

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#KwaiChungLockdown #Omicron
Chaotic Mass Testing Stokes Fear of Rampant Virus Spread at Kwai Chung Estate

Thousands of residents at Kwai Chung Housing Estate were forced to undergo immediate and ongoing daily COVID-19 tests at makeshift testing stations, after authorities placed two buildings under a mandatory 5-day lockdown and at least 4 other buildings under overnight lockdown.

Over 10,000 residents live in the 4 buildings locked down for the overnight COVID-19 testing. However, only 4 makeshift testing booths were set up.

There was, however, no arrangement for residents to be tested in batches. This caused overcrowding at lift lobbies and elevators, as many headed out for their tests at the same time. A photo of elevator CCTV showed around a dozen people squeezing into elevators; the photo has since gone viral on social media.

Long, winding queues formed as residents filed patiently into the courtyard for their tests. Residents said that the queue snaked through some narrow passageways, and those returning home after tests had to go back the same way, squeezing past the long queue.

No social distancing measures were employed, residents said, and they feared that this virus testing would instead spread the virus even further.

Source: Whats News Media, #Jan22
https://www.whatsnewsmedia.com/6467/22/06/43/

#FailedState #WuhanPneumonia
#WhiterTerror #Censorship
Unions registry demands answers from Hong Kong Journalists Assoc. over film screenings, book events, social media posts

Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jan22

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#WhiterTerror #Censorship
Unions registry demands answers from Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) over film screenings, book events, social media posts

//Hong Kong’s Registry of Trade Unions (#RTU) has launched a probe into the city’s largest press group, asking them to provide answers how certain events they held were relevant to their objectives.

The list of events included movie screenings and book launches. The association was also asked about social media posts during the anti-extradition bill protests and unrest, and how they were relevant to HKJA’s objectives.

The HKJA was criticised by Secretary for Security Chris Tang in September last year. Tang accused it accused it of “infiltrating” campuses to “rope in” student journalists as members.

The association had since hit back at the criticism, saying that it was “factually wrong,” and that Tang’s suggestion to make public membership information may be a violation of the Privacy Ordinance.//

Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/01/21/unions-registry-demands-answers-from-hong-kong-journalists-assoc-over-film-screenings-book-events-social-media-posts/

Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jan22

#PressFreedom
#PoliticalOppression
Pro-democracy shop asked to flip over a banner that says “Hong Kong’s Future is Bright”

A pro-democracy retail chain in Hong Kong, Chickeeduck, hoisted a banner that read “ Hong Kong’s future is bright” to promote its new shop in Causeway Bay. However, workers of the shop were asked to turn the banner over as a member of the Incorporated Owners’ committee didn’t like it.

CEO of #Chickeeduck, #HerbertChow told reporters that he did ask the Committee for prior consent before producing the banner and putting it up.

In frustration, he called the Committee member's action barbarous and absurd.

Source: inmediahk; #Jan22
https://bit.ly/3fOfSDe