Hong Kong Dumped From Economic Freedom List It Had Dominated
Hong Kong disappeared entirely from the latest annual Heritage Foundation ranking of the world’s freest economies. Together with Macau, it is now counted as part of China to reflect Beijing’s increasing sway over policy following months of pro-democracy protests in 2019.
In the latest edition published on Mar 3, China resides in 107th place in the ranking, sandwiched between Uganda and Uzbekistan among economies rated as “mostly unfree.”
The move to scrap Hong Kong and Macau’s independent ratings comes as top Communist Party officials prepare to meet in Beijing for the National People’s Congress.
Source: Bloomberg #Mar04
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-04/hong-kong-dumped-from-economic-freedom-index-it-used-to-dominate
#EconomicFreedomIndex #HongKong #China
Hong Kong disappeared entirely from the latest annual Heritage Foundation ranking of the world’s freest economies. Together with Macau, it is now counted as part of China to reflect Beijing’s increasing sway over policy following months of pro-democracy protests in 2019.
In the latest edition published on Mar 3, China resides in 107th place in the ranking, sandwiched between Uganda and Uzbekistan among economies rated as “mostly unfree.”
The move to scrap Hong Kong and Macau’s independent ratings comes as top Communist Party officials prepare to meet in Beijing for the National People’s Congress.
Source: Bloomberg #Mar04
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-04/hong-kong-dumped-from-economic-freedom-index-it-used-to-dominate
#EconomicFreedomIndex #HongKong #China
Chinese authorities have detained a Bloomberg News journalist on suspicion of threatening national security
Chinese authorities detained Haze Fan, a staffer in the Bloomberg News office in Beijing, on suspicion of endangering national security. Fan, who is a Chinese citizen, was last seen being taken away from her apartment in Beijing by plainclothes security officials after speaking with one of her editors
Fan, who covers Chinese business-news topics for Bloomberg, started working for the publication in 2017. She previously worked for Al Jazeera, CBS News, CNBC, and Thomson Reuters.
The US and China have been imposing sanctions on each other's journalists. The US has labeled Chinese media organizations as government entities.
Source: Business Insider #Dec11
https://www.businessinsider.com/haze-fan-detained-china-bloomberg-news-beijing-national-security-2020-12
#CCP #ChinaDetainJournalist #Bloomberg
Chinese authorities detained Haze Fan, a staffer in the Bloomberg News office in Beijing, on suspicion of endangering national security. Fan, who is a Chinese citizen, was last seen being taken away from her apartment in Beijing by plainclothes security officials after speaking with one of her editors
Fan, who covers Chinese business-news topics for Bloomberg, started working for the publication in 2017. She previously worked for Al Jazeera, CBS News, CNBC, and Thomson Reuters.
The US and China have been imposing sanctions on each other's journalists. The US has labeled Chinese media organizations as government entities.
Source: Business Insider #Dec11
https://www.businessinsider.com/haze-fan-detained-china-bloomberg-news-beijing-national-security-2020-12
#CCP #ChinaDetainJournalist #Bloomberg
#Vaccination #MassCancellation
Hong Kong Govt blames "smear campaign" as seniors cancel vaccination bookings in droves
Source: Stand News #Mar18
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Hong Kong Govt blames "smear campaign" as seniors cancel vaccination bookings in droves
Source: Stand News #Mar18
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#Vaccination #MassCancellation
Hong Kong Govt blames "smear campaign" as seniors cancel vaccination bookings in droves
The Hong Kong government issued a statement, accusing an unnamed medical professional group of "smearing" the government's vaccination program.
The Health Authority Employees Alliance (#HAEA) responded in a facebook post on March 18, 2021, reiterating their criticisms against the vaccination program. The medical workers' group pointed out again that the third-stage data remains insufficient for the Sinovac vaccine on patients above 60 years of age. Therefore they remain opposed to the Hong Kong government's call for citizens to receive the made-in-China Sinovac vaccine.
The group stressed that they had never been opposed to vaccination in general.
Meanwhile, the numerous deaths following vaccinations seem to have shaken the faith in the vaccine among senior citizens, although the government's expert committee insisted that the deaths are not directly related.
Speaking on a radio show on the public broadcaster RTHK, Lin Wai-yiu of the Society for Community Organization noted that they had been assisting seniors with vaccine-related inquiries. In the beginning of the program, most inquiries came from those who wanted to take the vaccine. Recently, however, half of the seniors who called wanted to cancel their appointments.
"They're cancelling in droves," Lin said. "Perhaps they read about the severe cases, and they were concerned whether their health condition is suitable for the vaccine."
He added that the government had cautioned that those with chronic illnesses should be be careful with the vaccine, but 70% of seniors often have some chronic illnesses. Additionally, some of them do not have the ability to make a medical judgment and cannot evaluate the risks involved; they would cancel their booking first, and make a decision later after consulting with their doctor.
Source: Stand News #Mar18
https://www.thestandnews.com/society/政府譴責抹黑疫苗-醫管局員工陣線反駁-科興數據未盡充分-社協-半數查詢長者望取消打針/
#FailedState #Vaccine #CoronavirusPandemic #WuhanPneumonia
Hong Kong Govt blames "smear campaign" as seniors cancel vaccination bookings in droves
The Hong Kong government issued a statement, accusing an unnamed medical professional group of "smearing" the government's vaccination program.
The Health Authority Employees Alliance (#HAEA) responded in a facebook post on March 18, 2021, reiterating their criticisms against the vaccination program. The medical workers' group pointed out again that the third-stage data remains insufficient for the Sinovac vaccine on patients above 60 years of age. Therefore they remain opposed to the Hong Kong government's call for citizens to receive the made-in-China Sinovac vaccine.
The group stressed that they had never been opposed to vaccination in general.
Meanwhile, the numerous deaths following vaccinations seem to have shaken the faith in the vaccine among senior citizens, although the government's expert committee insisted that the deaths are not directly related.
Speaking on a radio show on the public broadcaster RTHK, Lin Wai-yiu of the Society for Community Organization noted that they had been assisting seniors with vaccine-related inquiries. In the beginning of the program, most inquiries came from those who wanted to take the vaccine. Recently, however, half of the seniors who called wanted to cancel their appointments.
"They're cancelling in droves," Lin said. "Perhaps they read about the severe cases, and they were concerned whether their health condition is suitable for the vaccine."
He added that the government had cautioned that those with chronic illnesses should be be careful with the vaccine, but 70% of seniors often have some chronic illnesses. Additionally, some of them do not have the ability to make a medical judgment and cannot evaluate the risks involved; they would cancel their booking first, and make a decision later after consulting with their doctor.
Source: Stand News #Mar18
https://www.thestandnews.com/society/政府譴責抹黑疫苗-醫管局員工陣線反駁-科興數據未盡充分-社協-半數查詢長者望取消打針/
#FailedState #Vaccine #CoronavirusPandemic #WuhanPneumonia
#Court #1C1S
The Times: British Judges in Hong Kong should resign together in demand for judicial independence
On March 15, 2021, The Times published an editorial titled “British Judges should resign from Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal”.
The editorial states that Beijing is suppressing Hong Kong’s freedom and is demanding that “patriots rule Hong Kong”. The UK has explicitly said that China has violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
According to the editorial, the reason why China has not removed the British judges in Hong Kong is only because Beijing wanted to maintain the status quo. They believe that the current judicial system provides a welcome gloss of legitimacy, so that Hong Kong can continue to serve as an international financial centre.
“With the illusion that they can deliver change from within the new system exploded, they should instead adopt a common position and resign together. They should insist, with one voice, that they will no longer lend their authority to a compromised system, and demand that independent justice be restored to Hong Kong.”
In a report published on the same day, The Times mentioned that Lord Neuberger’s agreement to remain a judge in Hong Kong for 3 more years brought controversy over “the role of the ten British judges on Hong Kong's court of final appeal”. The report quoted senior figures saying that the UK can protest against Beijing’s changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system by withdrawing the British judges serving in Hong Kong.
According to the published report, Lord Neuberger previously said that the time would come when it would be right for all foreign judges to quit the Hong Kong bench. In 2017, he spoke at the University of Hong Kong, saying that foreign judges are the “canaries in the mine”, harbinger of a crisis.
“So long as they are happy to serve on the court, then you can safely assume that all is well with the judicial independence and impartiality in Hong Kong.” He said, “but if they start to leave in droves, that would represent a serious alarm call.”
Source: Stand News; The Times #Mar16
#TheTimes #Editorial #BritishJudges
#JudicialIndependence #PoliticalOppression #Beijing
The Times: British Judges in Hong Kong should resign together in demand for judicial independence
On March 15, 2021, The Times published an editorial titled “British Judges should resign from Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal”.
The editorial states that Beijing is suppressing Hong Kong’s freedom and is demanding that “patriots rule Hong Kong”. The UK has explicitly said that China has violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
According to the editorial, the reason why China has not removed the British judges in Hong Kong is only because Beijing wanted to maintain the status quo. They believe that the current judicial system provides a welcome gloss of legitimacy, so that Hong Kong can continue to serve as an international financial centre.
“With the illusion that they can deliver change from within the new system exploded, they should instead adopt a common position and resign together. They should insist, with one voice, that they will no longer lend their authority to a compromised system, and demand that independent justice be restored to Hong Kong.”
In a report published on the same day, The Times mentioned that Lord Neuberger’s agreement to remain a judge in Hong Kong for 3 more years brought controversy over “the role of the ten British judges on Hong Kong's court of final appeal”. The report quoted senior figures saying that the UK can protest against Beijing’s changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system by withdrawing the British judges serving in Hong Kong.
According to the published report, Lord Neuberger previously said that the time would come when it would be right for all foreign judges to quit the Hong Kong bench. In 2017, he spoke at the University of Hong Kong, saying that foreign judges are the “canaries in the mine”, harbinger of a crisis.
“So long as they are happy to serve on the court, then you can safely assume that all is well with the judicial independence and impartiality in Hong Kong.” He said, “but if they start to leave in droves, that would represent a serious alarm call.”
Source: Stand News; The Times #Mar16
#TheTimes #Editorial #BritishJudges
#JudicialIndependence #PoliticalOppression #Beijing
International Olympics Commission Purchasing Chinese Vaccines. Japan’s Olympic Minister: Did Not Know about This Beforehand and Japanese Athletes Will Not Be Administered with the Chinese Vaccines
Source: Stand News #Mar12
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Source: Stand News #Mar12
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International Olympics Commission Purchasing Chinese Vaccines. Japan’s Olympic Minister: Did Not Know about This Beforehand and Japanese Athletes Will Not Be Administered with the Chinese Vaccines
According to a report from Asahi Shimbun, after attending a cabinet meeting on 12th March, Japan’s Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa was asked by reporters about International Olympics Commission (IOC) Chairperson Thomas Bach’s announcement of purchasing COVID-19 vaccines from China. Marukawa indicated that she did not know about this beforehand. She said there is no arrangement with IOC and no adjustments are needed regarding this issue. She also emphasized that having received COVID-19 vaccines will not be a prerequisite for participating in the Tokyo Olympics, that this principle remains the same. Marukawa further indicated that the Japanese government does not have more information about this issue, that “all the information we know is from IOC’s website and reports from news media”.
#Olympics #China #Japan #Vaccine #COVID19 #VaccineDiplomacy
Source: Stand News #Mar12
https://bit.ly/3c79oy9
According to a report from Asahi Shimbun, after attending a cabinet meeting on 12th March, Japan’s Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa was asked by reporters about International Olympics Commission (IOC) Chairperson Thomas Bach’s announcement of purchasing COVID-19 vaccines from China. Marukawa indicated that she did not know about this beforehand. She said there is no arrangement with IOC and no adjustments are needed regarding this issue. She also emphasized that having received COVID-19 vaccines will not be a prerequisite for participating in the Tokyo Olympics, that this principle remains the same. Marukawa further indicated that the Japanese government does not have more information about this issue, that “all the information we know is from IOC’s website and reports from news media”.
#Olympics #China #Japan #Vaccine #COVID19 #VaccineDiplomacy
Source: Stand News #Mar12
https://bit.ly/3c79oy9
China’s Dirty Recovery Will Make Curbing Climate Change Tougher
A carbon analyst at Refinitiv Carbon said that efforts to meet a growth target of more than 6% set out by Premier Li Keqiang would likely keep an emphasis on polluting industries. The local governments or state-owned enterprises could use short-term lenience to usher through carbon-intensive projects. It might screw up of hitting objectives to reach peak emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Climate plans of China’s 14th five-year plan didn’t set a hard target for cutting emissions.
“It’s also crucial to change the economic structure in a cleaner direction, with less reliance on the most polluting smokestack industries,” said CREA’s lead analyst Lauri Myllyvirta.
Source: Bloomberg #Mar12
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-11/china-s-dirty-recovery-will-make-curbing-climate-change-tougher
#ChinaCO2Emission #ChinaDirtyIndustry #China14FiveYearPlan
A carbon analyst at Refinitiv Carbon said that efforts to meet a growth target of more than 6% set out by Premier Li Keqiang would likely keep an emphasis on polluting industries. The local governments or state-owned enterprises could use short-term lenience to usher through carbon-intensive projects. It might screw up of hitting objectives to reach peak emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Climate plans of China’s 14th five-year plan didn’t set a hard target for cutting emissions.
“It’s also crucial to change the economic structure in a cleaner direction, with less reliance on the most polluting smokestack industries,” said CREA’s lead analyst Lauri Myllyvirta.
Source: Bloomberg #Mar12
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-11/china-s-dirty-recovery-will-make-curbing-climate-change-tougher
#ChinaCO2Emission #ChinaDirtyIndustry #China14FiveYearPlan
Hong Kong: Prosecution of opposition figures an unprecedented attack on human rights
Source: Amnesty International #Mar04
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Source: Amnesty International #Mar04
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Hong Kong: Prosecution of opposition figures an unprecedented attack on human rights
As regards a Hong Kong court’s decision to deny bail to 32 of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers and activists charged with “conspiracy to subversion” under Hong Kong’s national security and criminal laws, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s Programme Manager Lam Cho Ming said:
“These prosecutions are an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and association in Hong Kong.”
“None of them have committed a recognized crime, but they have fallen victim to a national security law that deems people a ‘threat’ simply for the peaceful expression of political views and for taking part in the conduct of public affairs.”
“The targeting of these lawmakers and activists signals the government’s intention to close off any space for meaningful political participation in Hong Kong and discourage any future such activities.”
Source: Amnesty #Mar04
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/hk-opposition-prosecutions-an-unprecedented-attack-on-human-rights/
#HKNSL #HKNationalSecurityLaw #MassArrest #47ProDemocracyActivists
As regards a Hong Kong court’s decision to deny bail to 32 of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers and activists charged with “conspiracy to subversion” under Hong Kong’s national security and criminal laws, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s Programme Manager Lam Cho Ming said:
“These prosecutions are an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and association in Hong Kong.”
“None of them have committed a recognized crime, but they have fallen victim to a national security law that deems people a ‘threat’ simply for the peaceful expression of political views and for taking part in the conduct of public affairs.”
“The targeting of these lawmakers and activists signals the government’s intention to close off any space for meaningful political participation in Hong Kong and discourage any future such activities.”
Source: Amnesty #Mar04
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/hk-opposition-prosecutions-an-unprecedented-attack-on-human-rights/
#HKNSL #HKNationalSecurityLaw #MassArrest #47ProDemocracyActivists
Amnesty International
Hong Kong: Opposition prosecutions an unprecedented attack on human rights
Canadian government invokes national security to block Chinese takeover of Nunavut gold mine
Canada has blocked a Chinese state-owned mining company from purchasing a gold mine in Nunavut on national security grounds, signalling a new escalation of already high tensions between the two countries.
“The one thing I would say is that in taking action, the government has definitely shown that what we have built in Nunavut, they see as a important to Canada and nationally,” Jason Neal, chief executive of TMAC, said. Neal believed the government should be more supportive of companies that build infrastructure in Nunavut and other parts of the Arctic.
Source: Financial Post #Dec22
https://financialpost.com/commodities/mining/canada-blocks-china-shandong-gold-mining-buying-tmac?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1608675178
#CanadaGoldMine #Nunavut #NationalSecurity #Canada #ChinaAcquisition
Canada has blocked a Chinese state-owned mining company from purchasing a gold mine in Nunavut on national security grounds, signalling a new escalation of already high tensions between the two countries.
“The one thing I would say is that in taking action, the government has definitely shown that what we have built in Nunavut, they see as a important to Canada and nationally,” Jason Neal, chief executive of TMAC, said. Neal believed the government should be more supportive of companies that build infrastructure in Nunavut and other parts of the Arctic.
Source: Financial Post #Dec22
https://financialpost.com/commodities/mining/canada-blocks-china-shandong-gold-mining-buying-tmac?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1608675178
#CanadaGoldMine #Nunavut #NationalSecurity #Canada #ChinaAcquisition
#FailedState
Hong Kong Doctors Criticize the Government for Delayed Information, As Guidelines Arrives Half a Month after #Vaccination Program Begins
Source: Stand News #Mar15
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Hong Kong Doctors Criticize the Government for Delayed Information, As Guidelines Arrives Half a Month after #Vaccination Program Begins
Source: Stand News #Mar15
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#FailedState
Hong Kong Doctors Criticize the Government for Delayed Information, As Guidelines Arrives Half a Month after #Vaccination Program Begins
In Hong Kong, there were at least 7 deaths following the China-made #Sinovac #COVID19 vaccination. On March 15, 2021, the Hong Kong government's Department of Health finally released an "Interim Guidance Notes" regarding the China-made vaccines for medical doctors, nearly 3 weeks after the vaccination program has begun.
The guidelines include a list of conditions under which people should not receive the vaccine, including those who had a history of allergic reaction to other Covid19 vaccine, inactivated vaccine, or any other vaccines in general; those with severe neurological conditions; uncontrolled severe chronic illnesses; as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The chairperson of the Public Doctors Association (#HKPDA) in Hong Kong, Dr. Ma Chung-yee, noted that the newly-released guidelines actually consisted mostly of old information.She said that it did not read like a professional document for practicing doctors.
Another private doctor who wished to remain anonymous criticized that the guidelines has "no help at all" to practitioners. He accused the government for passing on the medical liabilities to frontline doctors, making them responsible for verifying that patients didn't have any of the described conditions before administering the vaccine.
Since the vaccination program began on Feb 26, 2021, there had been no government-issued guidelines until this interim document; some doctors have been criticizing that the required information is coming too slowly.
According to Dr. Ivan Hung, chairperson of the government's "Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment following COVID-19 Immunization", the delay was caused by the time they needed to gather the relevant information.
Source: Stand News #Mar15
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E6%AD%A6%E6%BC%A2%E8%82%BA%E7%82%8E-%E8%A1%9E%E7%94%9F%E7%BD%B2%E7%99%BC%E7%A7%91%E8%88%88%E6%8C%87%E5%BC%95-%E6%9B%BE%E4%B8%AD%E9%A2%A8%E6%88%96%E6%80%A5%E6%80%A7%E5%BF%83%E8%82%8C%E6%A2%97%E5%A1%9E%E6%87%89%E6%9A%AB%E7%B7%A9%E6%8E%A5%E7%A8%AE-%E9%A6%AC%E4%BB%B2%E5%84%80-%E6%96%B0%E6%8C%87%E5%BC%95%E5%A4%A7%E5%A4%9A%E8%88%8A%E6%9C%89%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99/
#Vaccine #Guidelines #VaccinationDeath #HealthAuthorities #PregnantWomen
Hong Kong Doctors Criticize the Government for Delayed Information, As Guidelines Arrives Half a Month after #Vaccination Program Begins
In Hong Kong, there were at least 7 deaths following the China-made #Sinovac #COVID19 vaccination. On March 15, 2021, the Hong Kong government's Department of Health finally released an "Interim Guidance Notes" regarding the China-made vaccines for medical doctors, nearly 3 weeks after the vaccination program has begun.
The guidelines include a list of conditions under which people should not receive the vaccine, including those who had a history of allergic reaction to other Covid19 vaccine, inactivated vaccine, or any other vaccines in general; those with severe neurological conditions; uncontrolled severe chronic illnesses; as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The chairperson of the Public Doctors Association (#HKPDA) in Hong Kong, Dr. Ma Chung-yee, noted that the newly-released guidelines actually consisted mostly of old information.She said that it did not read like a professional document for practicing doctors.
Another private doctor who wished to remain anonymous criticized that the guidelines has "no help at all" to practitioners. He accused the government for passing on the medical liabilities to frontline doctors, making them responsible for verifying that patients didn't have any of the described conditions before administering the vaccine.
Since the vaccination program began on Feb 26, 2021, there had been no government-issued guidelines until this interim document; some doctors have been criticizing that the required information is coming too slowly.
According to Dr. Ivan Hung, chairperson of the government's "Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment following COVID-19 Immunization", the delay was caused by the time they needed to gather the relevant information.
Source: Stand News #Mar15
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E6%AD%A6%E6%BC%A2%E8%82%BA%E7%82%8E-%E8%A1%9E%E7%94%9F%E7%BD%B2%E7%99%BC%E7%A7%91%E8%88%88%E6%8C%87%E5%BC%95-%E6%9B%BE%E4%B8%AD%E9%A2%A8%E6%88%96%E6%80%A5%E6%80%A7%E5%BF%83%E8%82%8C%E6%A2%97%E5%A1%9E%E6%87%89%E6%9A%AB%E7%B7%A9%E6%8E%A5%E7%A8%AE-%E9%A6%AC%E4%BB%B2%E5%84%80-%E6%96%B0%E6%8C%87%E5%BC%95%E5%A4%A7%E5%A4%9A%E8%88%8A%E6%9C%89%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99/
#Vaccine #Guidelines #VaccinationDeath #HealthAuthorities #PregnantWomen
#PoliticalOppression #Injustice
Outspoken Court Prosecutor Sacked after targeted by #CCP mouthpiece
Source: Stand News #Mar17
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Outspoken Court Prosecutor Sacked after targeted by #CCP mouthpiece
Source: Stand News #Mar17
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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/
The UK Intends to Introduce New Measures to Ban Industries From Purchasing Xinjiang Forced-Labor Products
Source: Stand News #Jan12
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Source: Stand News #Jan12
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The UK Intends to Introduce New Measures to Ban Industries From Purchasing Xinjiang Forced-Labor Products
China setting up "re-educational camps" in Xinjiang to detain a million Uyghur Muslims and forcing the locals to engage in labor have aroused international attention to the human rights issues. The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has announced a new measure proposal to prevent any forced-labor product from involving in the UK supply chain.
Dominic Raab announced in the Parliament today that he will formulate stronger guidelines regarding the purchase with due diligence, strengthening the Modern Slavery Act to fine violating organizations, and banning the related agency from bidding for any contract from the government. The UK will also impose censorship on exports to Xinjiang.
Raab stated that the policies would help to ensure British organizations, the government, and private agencies not getting profit from the human rights infringement action in Xinjiang, intentionally or unintentionally.
Source: Stand News #Jan12
https://bit.ly/395CQCA
#Xinjiang #UK #Uyghurs #DominicRaab #HumanRights #ModernSlaveryAct #ForcedLabor #ReeducatonCamps
China setting up "re-educational camps" in Xinjiang to detain a million Uyghur Muslims and forcing the locals to engage in labor have aroused international attention to the human rights issues. The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has announced a new measure proposal to prevent any forced-labor product from involving in the UK supply chain.
Dominic Raab announced in the Parliament today that he will formulate stronger guidelines regarding the purchase with due diligence, strengthening the Modern Slavery Act to fine violating organizations, and banning the related agency from bidding for any contract from the government. The UK will also impose censorship on exports to Xinjiang.
Raab stated that the policies would help to ensure British organizations, the government, and private agencies not getting profit from the human rights infringement action in Xinjiang, intentionally or unintentionally.
Source: Stand News #Jan12
https://bit.ly/395CQCA
#Xinjiang #UK #Uyghurs #DominicRaab #HumanRights #ModernSlaveryAct #ForcedLabor #ReeducatonCamps
Michael Spavor: Canadian spy trial in China ends without verdict
A Canadian businessman Michael Spavor was arrested two years ago along with fellow Canadian and former diplomat Michael Kovrig.
Mr Spavor's trial took place in the northern Chinese city of Dandong and just lasted for two hours. A group of foreign diplomats gathered outside the court, but all of whom were denied entry. Canadian diplomats were also refused access to Mr Spavor before his trial, and that they were "disappointed by the lack of transparency and the lack of access". The closely-watched trial ended with no verdict.
Mr Kovrig is due to go on trial next week. Both Canadians have been held in prison since their arrest in December 2018.
Source: BBC #Mar20
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56452981
#Canadian #MichaelSpavor #MichaelKovrig #China
A Canadian businessman Michael Spavor was arrested two years ago along with fellow Canadian and former diplomat Michael Kovrig.
Mr Spavor's trial took place in the northern Chinese city of Dandong and just lasted for two hours. A group of foreign diplomats gathered outside the court, but all of whom were denied entry. Canadian diplomats were also refused access to Mr Spavor before his trial, and that they were "disappointed by the lack of transparency and the lack of access". The closely-watched trial ended with no verdict.
Mr Kovrig is due to go on trial next week. Both Canadians have been held in prison since their arrest in December 2018.
Source: BBC #Mar20
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56452981
#Canadian #MichaelSpavor #MichaelKovrig #China
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
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Source: The Guardian #Mar11
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Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong
They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until China’s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.
The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: “Given that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kong’s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china
#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong
They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until China’s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.
The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: “Given that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kong’s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china
#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
the Guardian
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
Exclusive: Activists say EU should refuse to sign treaty until national security laws and election restrictions are lifted