Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai denied another bid for bail in national security case
Hong Kong’s High Court denied another bail application on Feb 18 to media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person to be charged under the Chinese-ruled city’s national security law.
The Court of Final Appeal ruled early Feb that a lower court’s decision last year to grant him bail applied “an erroneous line of reasoning,” but allowed Lai’s team to make a new application for bail to the High Court.
Lai has been in custody since Dec. 3, except for when he was released for about a week last year before his bail was appealed by the prosecutors and subsequently overturned.
Source: Reuters #Feb18
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security/hong-kong-tycoon-jimmy-lai-denied-another-bid-for-bail-in-national-security-case-idUSKBN2AI0ZO
#HKNSL #HongKong #NationalSecurityLaw #JimmyLai #China #CCP
Hong Kong’s High Court denied another bail application on Feb 18 to media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person to be charged under the Chinese-ruled city’s national security law.
The Court of Final Appeal ruled early Feb that a lower court’s decision last year to grant him bail applied “an erroneous line of reasoning,” but allowed Lai’s team to make a new application for bail to the High Court.
Lai has been in custody since Dec. 3, except for when he was released for about a week last year before his bail was appealed by the prosecutors and subsequently overturned.
Source: Reuters #Feb18
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security/hong-kong-tycoon-jimmy-lai-denied-another-bid-for-bail-in-national-security-case-idUSKBN2AI0ZO
#HKNSL #HongKong #NationalSecurityLaw #JimmyLai #China #CCP
Virtual control: the agenda behind China’s new digital currency
Source: Financial Time #Feb17
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Source: Financial Time #Feb17
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Virtual control: the agenda behind China’s new digital currency
Although no official launch date has been announced, China is intent on becoming the first large economy to introduce a digital currency, showcasing its position as the global leader in payments technology to the world at next year’s Winter Olympics.
China’s digital plan dovetails with broader ambitions for its currency as Beijing hopes the
technology will help promote the renminbi internationally and weaken the US dollar’s
supremacy.
China’s digital renminbi is a “central bank digital currency”, making it in some ways the
opposite of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. Its digital format enables the central bank to track all transactions at the individual level in real time. Beijing aims to use this feature to combat money laundering, corruption and the financing of “terrorism” at home by strengthening the already formidable surveillance powers of the ruling Communist party.
Source: Financial Time #Feb17
https://www.ft.com/content/7511809e-827e-4526-81ad-ae83f405f623#uk
#DigitalYuen #China #CBDC #DigitalRenminbi
Although no official launch date has been announced, China is intent on becoming the first large economy to introduce a digital currency, showcasing its position as the global leader in payments technology to the world at next year’s Winter Olympics.
China’s digital plan dovetails with broader ambitions for its currency as Beijing hopes the
technology will help promote the renminbi internationally and weaken the US dollar’s
supremacy.
China’s digital renminbi is a “central bank digital currency”, making it in some ways the
opposite of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. Its digital format enables the central bank to track all transactions at the individual level in real time. Beijing aims to use this feature to combat money laundering, corruption and the financing of “terrorism” at home by strengthening the already formidable surveillance powers of the ruling Communist party.
Source: Financial Time #Feb17
https://www.ft.com/content/7511809e-827e-4526-81ad-ae83f405f623#uk
#DigitalYuen #China #CBDC #DigitalRenminbi
#PoliceState
2.5 days per arrest under National Security Law
In response to media inquiry, the Police Force stated that since the Hong Kong National Security Law became effective, 100 in total were arrested for suspected involvement in actions and activities which endanger national security. They include 83 males and 17 females, their age ranging from 16-79 years old.
It has been 248 days since the Hong Kong National Security Law took effect. In other word, for every 2.5 days, the Police would arrest 1 citizen suspected to be involved in actions and activities endangering national security.
#NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Stand News; #Mar4
2.5 days per arrest under National Security Law
In response to media inquiry, the Police Force stated that since the Hong Kong National Security Law became effective, 100 in total were arrested for suspected involvement in actions and activities which endanger national security. They include 83 males and 17 females, their age ranging from 16-79 years old.
It has been 248 days since the Hong Kong National Security Law took effect. In other word, for every 2.5 days, the Police would arrest 1 citizen suspected to be involved in actions and activities endangering national security.
#NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Stand News; #Mar4
Citizens write letters of encouragement to 47 detained democrats at a Citizens' Radio street station
In the afternoon of March 7, Citizens’ Radio set up a street booth in Causeway Bay calling on the public to write letters of encouragement to the 47 pro-democracy candidates who were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the National Security Law. These candidates participated in the primary election last year in order to maximize the chance for the pro-democracy legislators to achieve a majority in the Legislative Council.
The station broadcast said, “We don’t know what we can do under the shadow of white terror, but we can do our best, such as writing letters.”
Source: Cupid Producer; #Mar7 #47Democrats #NationalSecurityLaw
In the afternoon of March 7, Citizens’ Radio set up a street booth in Causeway Bay calling on the public to write letters of encouragement to the 47 pro-democracy candidates who were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the National Security Law. These candidates participated in the primary election last year in order to maximize the chance for the pro-democracy legislators to achieve a majority in the Legislative Council.
The station broadcast said, “We don’t know what we can do under the shadow of white terror, but we can do our best, such as writing letters.”
Source: Cupid Producer; #Mar7 #47Democrats #NationalSecurityLaw
#Education #Oppression
History exam may be leaked by non-HKEAA committee members, Teacher's Union VP warns
Stand News has recently received a letter by an anonymous informer who claimed to be a staff of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (#HKEAA). The letter stated that among the 7 non-HKEAA members of the Moderation Committee for the History subject this year, at least 2 are Education Bureau employees, one being a senior curriculum development officer and the other a project officer. This is different from the past, when only one Education Bureau staff would be appointed to the Committee.
#IpKinYuen, vice president of HKPTU voiced his concern about the narrow spectrum of the committee. He also pointed out the possibility of questions being leaked ahead of the exam, as Education Bureau staff might be required to “report to their superiors" in government.
Source: Stand News; #Mar9
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/歷史科審題委員會名單曝光-7-成員最少-2-人任職教育局-葉建源憂被要求-向上級交代-洩密/
History exam may be leaked by non-HKEAA committee members, Teacher's Union VP warns
Stand News has recently received a letter by an anonymous informer who claimed to be a staff of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (#HKEAA). The letter stated that among the 7 non-HKEAA members of the Moderation Committee for the History subject this year, at least 2 are Education Bureau employees, one being a senior curriculum development officer and the other a project officer. This is different from the past, when only one Education Bureau staff would be appointed to the Committee.
#IpKinYuen, vice president of HKPTU voiced his concern about the narrow spectrum of the committee. He also pointed out the possibility of questions being leaked ahead of the exam, as Education Bureau staff might be required to “report to their superiors" in government.
Source: Stand News; #Mar9
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/歷史科審題委員會名單曝光-7-成員最少-2-人任職教育局-葉建源憂被要求-向上級交代-洩密/
Dominic Raab Urge Beijing to Allow the UN to Investigate Human Rights Issue in Xinjiang
Sources: StandNews #Jan17
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Sources: StandNews #Jan17
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Dominic Raab Urge Beijing to Allow the UN to Investigate Human Rights Issue in Xinjiang
Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Secretary, once again in a week criticised Beijing for harming human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. He also urged China to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the violation of the current Uyghurs human rights situation in Xinjiang.
Raab mentioned the cooperation stance between the UK and Xinjiang and expressed his opposing stance against Britain cooperating with Chinese enterprises, which exploited Xinjiang, at a BBC video interview with a political commentator Andrew Marr in Jan 17 morning local time. He mentioned that companies should not import product manufactured by forced labour in Xinjiang, ensuring that no organisation and institute from Britain would encourage violations of human rights in the area under the related policy. Raab expounded the British stance on the Xinjiang human rights issues the third time in a week, after briefing at the House of Commons last week and his conversation with Wang Yi.
Raab continued to express his concern over the issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. “We have joined 38 countries to criticise and to condemn the human rights violation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. We will take actions to restrict British enterprises to profit from their supply chains in these horrifying detention camps. China accuses the west and Britain of having fabricated lies on the issues. If China wants to dispute the accusation and report, the simplest way is to allow United Nation Human Rights Commissioners to visit and investigate these places.”
#DominicRaab #Britain #XinJiang #Uyghur #HumanRights #UN #HongKong #DetentionCamps #BBC #AndrewMarr
Sources: StandNews #Jan17
https://bit.ly/3qA5eCO
Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Secretary, once again in a week criticised Beijing for harming human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. He also urged China to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the violation of the current Uyghurs human rights situation in Xinjiang.
Raab mentioned the cooperation stance between the UK and Xinjiang and expressed his opposing stance against Britain cooperating with Chinese enterprises, which exploited Xinjiang, at a BBC video interview with a political commentator Andrew Marr in Jan 17 morning local time. He mentioned that companies should not import product manufactured by forced labour in Xinjiang, ensuring that no organisation and institute from Britain would encourage violations of human rights in the area under the related policy. Raab expounded the British stance on the Xinjiang human rights issues the third time in a week, after briefing at the House of Commons last week and his conversation with Wang Yi.
Raab continued to express his concern over the issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. “We have joined 38 countries to criticise and to condemn the human rights violation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. We will take actions to restrict British enterprises to profit from their supply chains in these horrifying detention camps. China accuses the west and Britain of having fabricated lies on the issues. If China wants to dispute the accusation and report, the simplest way is to allow United Nation Human Rights Commissioners to visit and investigate these places.”
#DominicRaab #Britain #XinJiang #Uyghur #HumanRights #UN #HongKong #DetentionCamps #BBC #AndrewMarr
Sources: StandNews #Jan17
https://bit.ly/3qA5eCO
Smile for the camera: the dark side of China's emotion-recognition tech
Source: The Guardian #Mar03
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Source: The Guardian #Mar03
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Smile for the camera: the dark side of China's emotion-recognition tech
Ordinary people in China aren’t happy with emotion-recognition camera, but they have no choice. They have to live with it if the police say there have to be cameras in a community.
Emotion-recognition technologies in which facial expressions of anger, sadness, happiness and boredom, as well as other biometric data are tracked are supposedly able to infer a person’s feelings based on traits such as facial muscle movements, vocal tone, body movements and other biometric signals.
Similar to facial recognition, it involves the mass collection of sensitive personal data to track, monitor and profile people and uses machine learning to analyse expressions and other clues.
Critics say the technology is based on a pseudo-science of stereotypes, and an increasing number of researchers, lawyers and rights activists believe it has serious implications for human rights, privacy and freedom of expression.
Source: The Guardian #Mar03
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/03/china-positive-energy-emotion-surveillance-recognition-tech?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#China #EmotionRecognitionTec #Surveillance #AbuseHumanRight
Ordinary people in China aren’t happy with emotion-recognition camera, but they have no choice. They have to live with it if the police say there have to be cameras in a community.
Emotion-recognition technologies in which facial expressions of anger, sadness, happiness and boredom, as well as other biometric data are tracked are supposedly able to infer a person’s feelings based on traits such as facial muscle movements, vocal tone, body movements and other biometric signals.
Similar to facial recognition, it involves the mass collection of sensitive personal data to track, monitor and profile people and uses machine learning to analyse expressions and other clues.
Critics say the technology is based on a pseudo-science of stereotypes, and an increasing number of researchers, lawyers and rights activists believe it has serious implications for human rights, privacy and freedom of expression.
Source: The Guardian #Mar03
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/03/china-positive-energy-emotion-surveillance-recognition-tech?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#China #EmotionRecognitionTec #Surveillance #AbuseHumanRight
the Guardian
Smile for the camera: dark side of China's emotion-recognition tech
Xi Jinping wants ‘positive energy’ but critics say the surveillance tools’ racial bias and monitoring for anger or sadness should be banned
Americans’ Views on China Go From Bad to Worse
A series of recent U.S. public opinion polls show some of the frostiest views ever toward China and indicate growing support for the Biden administration to take tougher stands aimed at influencing Beijing’s behavior.
The polls suggest political rhetoric and negative headlines about China are adding to a rise in negative perceptions about the country, which increasingly focus on human-rights concerns.
A Gallup poll, released early March, put China’s unfavorable view among Americans at 79%, by far the worst reading since its polling began in 1979. Only Iran and North Korea scored worse.
While American views of China had already been hardening in recent years, a clash of ideologies came to a head in 2020 as Covid-19 spread world-wide amid signs Beijing initially played down its seriousness when it was detected there.
Source: WSJ #Mar04
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-negative-views-on-china-spike-polls-show-11614870001
#American #US #ChINA
A series of recent U.S. public opinion polls show some of the frostiest views ever toward China and indicate growing support for the Biden administration to take tougher stands aimed at influencing Beijing’s behavior.
The polls suggest political rhetoric and negative headlines about China are adding to a rise in negative perceptions about the country, which increasingly focus on human-rights concerns.
A Gallup poll, released early March, put China’s unfavorable view among Americans at 79%, by far the worst reading since its polling began in 1979. Only Iran and North Korea scored worse.
While American views of China had already been hardening in recent years, a clash of ideologies came to a head in 2020 as Covid-19 spread world-wide amid signs Beijing initially played down its seriousness when it was detected there.
Source: WSJ #Mar04
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-negative-views-on-china-spike-polls-show-11614870001
#American #US #ChINA
China subjects some travelers to anal swabs, angering foreign governments.
Source: NYT #Mar05
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Source: NYT #Mar05
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China subjects some travelers to anal swabs, angering foreign governments.
China is requiring some travelers arriving from overseas to receive an invasive anal swab test as part of its coronavirus containment measures, a move that has outraged and shocked several foreign governments.
It is not clear how many such swabs have been administered or who is subject to them. Chinese state media has acknowledge that some arrivals to cities including Beijing and Shanghai are required to take the tests, though the reports said the requirements might vary depending on whether the travelers were deemed to be high-risk.
Japanese officials had formally asked China to exempt Japanese citizens from the test, adding that some who had received it complained of “psychological distress.” And the United States State Department last month said it had registered a protest with the Chinese government after some of its diplomats were forced to undergo anal swabs, though Chinese officials denied that.
Source: NYT #Mar05
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/world/asia/china-anal-swab-tests.html
#AnalSwabTest #China #TravelToChina #CovidTest
China is requiring some travelers arriving from overseas to receive an invasive anal swab test as part of its coronavirus containment measures, a move that has outraged and shocked several foreign governments.
It is not clear how many such swabs have been administered or who is subject to them. Chinese state media has acknowledge that some arrivals to cities including Beijing and Shanghai are required to take the tests, though the reports said the requirements might vary depending on whether the travelers were deemed to be high-risk.
Japanese officials had formally asked China to exempt Japanese citizens from the test, adding that some who had received it complained of “psychological distress.” And the United States State Department last month said it had registered a protest with the Chinese government after some of its diplomats were forced to undergo anal swabs, though Chinese officials denied that.
Source: NYT #Mar05
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/world/asia/china-anal-swab-tests.html
#AnalSwabTest #China #TravelToChina #CovidTest
NY Times
China subjects some travelers to anal swabs, angering foreign governments.
Some experts have questioned the need for the tests, saying that nasal and throat swabs are still the most effective because the coronavirus is contracted through the respiratory tract.
#Index #EconomicFreedom
WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
Source: Apple Daily, #Mar10
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WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
Source: Apple Daily, #Mar10
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#Index #EconomicFreedom
WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
In a letter written by Paul Chan Mo-po and published in the newspaper on March 10, the Financial Secretary argued that Hong Kong should continue to be included in the Index of Economic Freedom, after the Heritage Foundation dropped the SAR from the annual ranking, citing Beijing’s increasing control over the city's economic policies.
The finance chief had described the think tank’s explanation for the move as “flawed and inexplicable”, insisting that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law and "One Country Two Systems".
However, the #WSJ Editorial Board wrote back on the same day, striking down Chan’s arguments in an article titled “Hong Kong Illusionist”.“Chan has the impossible task of denying what everyone can plainly see: China’s Communist Party is remaking Hong Kong in its own mainland image,” it wrote.
While the Sino-British Joint Declaration laid out the terms of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, the board said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang had in 2017 declared the historical document void.
“Hongkongers have every reason to believe him after watching China ram through an unpopular national-security law whose provisions include allowing Beijing to take some Hong Kong cases to China for trial,” the article said.
#LaughingStock
Source: Apple Daily, RTHK; #Mar10
===Related article
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29021
WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
In a letter written by Paul Chan Mo-po and published in the newspaper on March 10, the Financial Secretary argued that Hong Kong should continue to be included in the Index of Economic Freedom, after the Heritage Foundation dropped the SAR from the annual ranking, citing Beijing’s increasing control over the city's economic policies.
The finance chief had described the think tank’s explanation for the move as “flawed and inexplicable”, insisting that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law and "One Country Two Systems".
However, the #WSJ Editorial Board wrote back on the same day, striking down Chan’s arguments in an article titled “Hong Kong Illusionist”.“Chan has the impossible task of denying what everyone can plainly see: China’s Communist Party is remaking Hong Kong in its own mainland image,” it wrote.
While the Sino-British Joint Declaration laid out the terms of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, the board said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang had in 2017 declared the historical document void.
“Hongkongers have every reason to believe him after watching China ram through an unpopular national-security law whose provisions include allowing Beijing to take some Hong Kong cases to China for trial,” the article said.
#LaughingStock
Source: Apple Daily, RTHK; #Mar10
===Related article
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29021
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📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Index #EconomicFreedom
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
For more than two decades, Hong Kong occupied the top position in the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom at a high score of 89.1. The Washington-based foundation…
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
For more than two decades, Hong Kong occupied the top position in the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom at a high score of 89.1. The Washington-based foundation…
#Court
20-year-old student charged with rioting during 831 Protest in 2019 acquitted
On August 31, 2019, a number of conflicts broke out on Hong Kong Island when the police officers were dispersing protesters near Causeway Bay. During the incident, someone threw a petrol bomb at the police, and a 19-year-old student was arrested and was charged of rioting. He pleaded not guilty and was acquitted in the District Court.
The judge stated that there was no doubt that the scene belonged to an unlawful assembly, but the observation of the police witness could not be supported by the footage. The court could not securely rely on the words of the officer solely, so the defendant was found not guilty.
16 people were charged with rioting during that incident, 15 of whom were found not guilty and one was sentenced to 4 years in prison.
Source: RTHK, Citizens News; #Mar9
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/39064/831-831%E8%A1%9D%E7%AA%81%E9%8A%85%E9%91%BC%E7%81%A3-%E6%9A%B4%E5%8B%95%E7%BD%AA-39064/831
20-year-old student charged with rioting during 831 Protest in 2019 acquitted
On August 31, 2019, a number of conflicts broke out on Hong Kong Island when the police officers were dispersing protesters near Causeway Bay. During the incident, someone threw a petrol bomb at the police, and a 19-year-old student was arrested and was charged of rioting. He pleaded not guilty and was acquitted in the District Court.
The judge stated that there was no doubt that the scene belonged to an unlawful assembly, but the observation of the police witness could not be supported by the footage. The court could not securely rely on the words of the officer solely, so the defendant was found not guilty.
16 people were charged with rioting during that incident, 15 of whom were found not guilty and one was sentenced to 4 years in prison.
Source: RTHK, Citizens News; #Mar9
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/39064/831-831%E8%A1%9D%E7%AA%81%E9%8A%85%E9%91%BC%E7%81%A3-%E6%9A%B4%E5%8B%95%E7%BD%AA-39064/831
#FirstHand #Court
District Councillor Cheng Tat-hung released on bail after National Security Law arrest
Around 11 am on March 13, the High Court upheld the bail approval for Cheng Tat-hung, one of the 47 arrested activists. He completed his release procedures around 4:30 pm and finally left the High Court. He was accompanied by his wife, relatives and friends, among them Yau Tsim Mong District Councilor Andy Yu Tak-po, .
After over a week in custody, Cheng didn’t answer questions from reporters as he left the court building. He only folded his hands in gratitude for all who gave him support, before leaving by car.
#Mar13 #PoliceState #47ProDemocracyActivists #HongKong #NSL
District Councillor Cheng Tat-hung released on bail after National Security Law arrest
Around 11 am on March 13, the High Court upheld the bail approval for Cheng Tat-hung, one of the 47 arrested activists. He completed his release procedures around 4:30 pm and finally left the High Court. He was accompanied by his wife, relatives and friends, among them Yau Tsim Mong District Councilor Andy Yu Tak-po, .
After over a week in custody, Cheng didn’t answer questions from reporters as he left the court building. He only folded his hands in gratitude for all who gave him support, before leaving by car.
#Mar13 #PoliceState #47ProDemocracyActivists #HongKong #NSL
#FirstHand #Court
Grandma Wong manhandled by police outside courthouse
Grandma Wong was outside the High Court to show support for the 47 activists' bail hearings in the afternoon of March 13, when police got into an altercation with her.
Four officers - 3 male and one female - physically picked her up and carried her away, setting her down on the sidewalk near the courthouse.
#Mar13 #PoliceState
Grandma Wong manhandled by police outside courthouse
Grandma Wong was outside the High Court to show support for the 47 activists' bail hearings in the afternoon of March 13, when police got into an altercation with her.
Four officers - 3 male and one female - physically picked her up and carried her away, setting her down on the sidewalk near the courthouse.
#Mar13 #PoliceState