#Statement #Visa
#Australia Allows Hong Kong Passport Holders to extend their stay for five years and apply for permanent citizenship
Australia inplements new visa arrangements for Hong Kong students, temporary graduates and skilled workers that comes into effect on 21 August 2020.
Around 10,000 Hong Kong passport holders currently residing in Australia will be able to extend their stay for five years and apply for permanent citizenship afterwards.
Australia's Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said "Australia and Hong Kong have always shared a close relationship".
“Australia has a long history of attracting Hong Kong's best and brightest who have contributed significantly to our economic growth and job creation, and we are committed to ensuring this is further strengthened," Mr Tudge said.
“We know that recent events in Hong Kong mean that many highly talented individuals will want to remain in or relocate to a free, democratic country like Australia, and these new arrangements will ensure we're attracting those who create jobs and opportunities for Australians."
Source: Minister of Home Affairs, Australia; Stand News #Aug21
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/new-visa-arrangements-for-hong-kong-passport-holders-now-in-effect.aspx
#Australia Allows Hong Kong Passport Holders to extend their stay for five years and apply for permanent citizenship
Australia inplements new visa arrangements for Hong Kong students, temporary graduates and skilled workers that comes into effect on 21 August 2020.
Around 10,000 Hong Kong passport holders currently residing in Australia will be able to extend their stay for five years and apply for permanent citizenship afterwards.
Australia's Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said "Australia and Hong Kong have always shared a close relationship".
“Australia has a long history of attracting Hong Kong's best and brightest who have contributed significantly to our economic growth and job creation, and we are committed to ensuring this is further strengthened," Mr Tudge said.
“We know that recent events in Hong Kong mean that many highly talented individuals will want to remain in or relocate to a free, democratic country like Australia, and these new arrangements will ensure we're attracting those who create jobs and opportunities for Australians."
Source: Minister of Home Affairs, Australia; Stand News #Aug21
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/new-visa-arrangements-for-hong-kong-passport-holders-now-in-effect.aspx
#HongKongChronicles #LastYearToday #MassSurveillance
What Next After the Fall of the Smart Lamposts at the East Kowloon March on #24Aug2019 ?
"One of the most representative moments of the #AntiELAB Movement is the fall of the smart lamposts in the East Kowloon March which were reported to have survillance function.
A tyrannical regime never ceases to monitor its people. After the plan with the lamposts was busted, they came up with the #HealthCode.
In addition to monitoring your personal health, they track your whereabouts. Whether you are infected or not, it is up to them to send you to a quarantine camp, or bar you from accessing the public space.
If we let the health code get by today, then the China-modelled "#SocialCreditSystem" will be in place next. By then, Hong Kong will become the new #Xinjiang.
Under the totalitarian rule, one has everything but freedom and human rights."
Text and Photo: Kevin Cheng Photography #Aug21
https://www.facebook.com/194035600634409/posts/3148723068498966/
What Next After the Fall of the Smart Lamposts at the East Kowloon March on #24Aug2019 ?
"One of the most representative moments of the #AntiELAB Movement is the fall of the smart lamposts in the East Kowloon March which were reported to have survillance function.
A tyrannical regime never ceases to monitor its people. After the plan with the lamposts was busted, they came up with the #HealthCode.
In addition to monitoring your personal health, they track your whereabouts. Whether you are infected or not, it is up to them to send you to a quarantine camp, or bar you from accessing the public space.
If we let the health code get by today, then the China-modelled "#SocialCreditSystem" will be in place next. By then, Hong Kong will become the new #Xinjiang.
Under the totalitarian rule, one has everything but freedom and human rights."
Text and Photo: Kevin Cheng Photography #Aug21
https://www.facebook.com/194035600634409/posts/3148723068498966/
#Court #GregoryWong
Actor Gregory Wong Raises Three Finger Salute After Leaving Court
Protestors had broken into and entered the Legislative Council Complex on 1 July last year. The police had then charged former president of the Hong Kong University Students' Union Althea Suen, spokesperson of the Hong Kong Civil Assembly Team Ventus Lau, actor Gregory Wong among 11 others for "entering or remaining in precincts of Chamber", with charges of rioting added later.
The case was mentioned at the district court this Thursday, with Judge Justin Ko accepting the defendant's request of acquiring legal aid before consolidating the trials. The case would be mentioned again on 16 October at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.
Gregory Wong raised the three-finger sign, a gesture inspired by the Three Finger Salute in Hunger Games and a gesture symbolising the three demands of the recent Thai protests, while leaving the court. The three demands of the recent Thai protests include: the dissolution of the House of Representatives of Thailand and fresh legislative elections, a halt on the oppression of dissidents, and a revision of the Thai Constitution.
Source: Stand News #Aug21
#HongKongProtests
Actor Gregory Wong Raises Three Finger Salute After Leaving Court
Protestors had broken into and entered the Legislative Council Complex on 1 July last year. The police had then charged former president of the Hong Kong University Students' Union Althea Suen, spokesperson of the Hong Kong Civil Assembly Team Ventus Lau, actor Gregory Wong among 11 others for "entering or remaining in precincts of Chamber", with charges of rioting added later.
The case was mentioned at the district court this Thursday, with Judge Justin Ko accepting the defendant's request of acquiring legal aid before consolidating the trials. The case would be mentioned again on 16 October at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.
Gregory Wong raised the three-finger sign, a gesture inspired by the Three Finger Salute in Hunger Games and a gesture symbolising the three demands of the recent Thai protests, while leaving the court. The three demands of the recent Thai protests include: the dissolution of the House of Representatives of Thailand and fresh legislative elections, a halt on the oppression of dissidents, and a revision of the Thai Constitution.
Source: Stand News #Aug21
#HongKongProtests
#FreeAgnes #AgnesChow #AppleDaily #ToFreedom
Fear and Hope
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
Yet we have to stand for each other to be strong.
Remember those under trials or under bars.
Give them the support they need.
Don't let them fall into darkness and despair.
Source: Apple Daily; Agnes Chow's Facebook #Aug21
https://www.facebook.com/622506141223354/posts/1765967693543854/
#HongKongProtests #NeverForget #NeverForgive
Fear and Hope
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
Yet we have to stand for each other to be strong.
Remember those under trials or under bars.
Give them the support they need.
Don't let them fall into darkness and despair.
Source: Apple Daily; Agnes Chow's Facebook #Aug21
https://www.facebook.com/622506141223354/posts/1765967693543854/
#HongKongProtests #NeverForget #NeverForgive
Two Chinese Businessmen to be Expelled from the Philippines for Branding Manila as a Province of China
Source: Stand News #Aug21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: Stand News #Aug21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
#MadeInChina
Two Chinese Businessmen to be Expelled from the Philippines for Branding Manila as a Province of China
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno", said on social media that he would expel two Chinese businessmen from the country. Their cosmetic products showed an address of "Manila Province, P.R. China". Besides, the city government found that the company did not get permission from the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines and ordered the company to close down.
Levi Facundo, Director of Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office, who led the operation against the company, said that the department had received many complaints about the product's labels, which are from Binondo, Manila's Chinatown, after tracing. Facundo said these products were misrepresentation and considered as a basis to shut down the business automatically. "There is no Binondo in China. Binondo is in Manila. This is a serious insult, and we do not allow this" said Facundo.
#Philippines #Manila #Binondo #Chinese #Misrepresentation #CosmeticProducts #ProductLabels #IskoMoreno #LeviFacundo
Source: Stand News #Aug21
https://bit.ly/2EqoXmI
Note: the translation also considered reports from the following source:
https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/20/mayor-isko-shuts-down-establishments-selling-products-labeled-manila-province-of-china/
https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/20/mayor-isko-calls-for-deportation-of-chinese-nationals-selling-products-labeled-manila-province-of-china/
https://manila-stv.ph/news/manila-calls-for-deportation-of-two-chinese-who-called-city-province-of-china.html
Two Chinese Businessmen to be Expelled from the Philippines for Branding Manila as a Province of China
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno", said on social media that he would expel two Chinese businessmen from the country. Their cosmetic products showed an address of "Manila Province, P.R. China". Besides, the city government found that the company did not get permission from the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines and ordered the company to close down.
Levi Facundo, Director of Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office, who led the operation against the company, said that the department had received many complaints about the product's labels, which are from Binondo, Manila's Chinatown, after tracing. Facundo said these products were misrepresentation and considered as a basis to shut down the business automatically. "There is no Binondo in China. Binondo is in Manila. This is a serious insult, and we do not allow this" said Facundo.
#Philippines #Manila #Binondo #Chinese #Misrepresentation #CosmeticProducts #ProductLabels #IskoMoreno #LeviFacundo
Source: Stand News #Aug21
https://bit.ly/2EqoXmI
Note: the translation also considered reports from the following source:
https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/20/mayor-isko-shuts-down-establishments-selling-products-labeled-manila-province-of-china/
https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/20/mayor-isko-calls-for-deportation-of-chinese-nationals-selling-products-labeled-manila-province-of-china/
https://manila-stv.ph/news/manila-calls-for-deportation-of-two-chinese-who-called-city-province-of-china.html
立場新聞 Stand News
產品標示馬尼拉為中國省份 菲律賓兩中國商人被要求驅逐出境 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
馬尼拉市長莫雷諾在社交網站表示要驅逐兩名中國商人出境，指他們公司的美容產品上製造商地址把馬尼拉...
Macau’s Legislature Approves Amendments to Police Law, Allowing Non-locals to Join Secret Police
Source: Stand News #Aug21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: Stand News #Aug21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Macau’s Legislature Approves Amendments to Police Law, Allowing Non-locals to Join Secret Police
Macau’s Legislative Assembly passed in detail a bill to amend the city’s police law on August 20. Effective from October 12, 2020, the bill contains a clause on the formation of secret police, which has sparked controversy for granting Macau's Chief Executive the right to exempt the disclosure of the names of secret police officers performing secret duties as security authorities see fit.
Macau's Chief Executive can keep certain police officers anonymous
The bill provides that the Chief Executive may conceal the identity of a specific police officer “for appropriately stated reasons pertaining to the officer’s safety or the need to perform special duties”.
José Maria Pereira Coutinho, a directly elected member of the Legislative Assembly, questioned how the public could report violations or abuse of power by the secret police, and what measures the authorities would taken to conceal the identity of the officers concerned, given that Macau is such a small city.
Secretary for Security Wong Sio-chak said in response that law enforcers must identify themselves before carrying out their duty. Citizens may resist should the officers fail to do so. As to how the authorities would conceal the identities of the officers, Wong gave no response, saying that it was inappropriate to discuss this somewhat technical issue. He claimed, however, that the authorities have considered approaches taken by other regions and have access to the technology needed.
Non-locals may join the secret police
Sulu Sou, another directly elected councillor, stressed that the public was concerned about possible abuse of the secret police law and said that the term “performing special duties” was vague. Wong simply repeated his comment on the procedure of the exemption, without explaining how abuse could be avoided. The judiciary and the public, he said, could keep things in check.
Sou asked further if any non-locals would join the secret police under the government’s Individual Employment Contract Law. Wong said non-locals would not work as investigators, without elaborating further.
It is worth noting that while directly elected members António Ng, Au Kam-sun and Sou voted against the bill in principle, only Sou and Coutinho voted against the clause on secret police with Ng and Au voting in favour this time.
#Macau #SecretPolice #MacauLegCo #NationalSecurity
Source: Stand News #Aug21
https://bit.ly/32NlCpM
Macau’s Legislative Assembly passed in detail a bill to amend the city’s police law on August 20. Effective from October 12, 2020, the bill contains a clause on the formation of secret police, which has sparked controversy for granting Macau's Chief Executive the right to exempt the disclosure of the names of secret police officers performing secret duties as security authorities see fit.
Macau's Chief Executive can keep certain police officers anonymous
The bill provides that the Chief Executive may conceal the identity of a specific police officer “for appropriately stated reasons pertaining to the officer’s safety or the need to perform special duties”.
José Maria Pereira Coutinho, a directly elected member of the Legislative Assembly, questioned how the public could report violations or abuse of power by the secret police, and what measures the authorities would taken to conceal the identity of the officers concerned, given that Macau is such a small city.
Secretary for Security Wong Sio-chak said in response that law enforcers must identify themselves before carrying out their duty. Citizens may resist should the officers fail to do so. As to how the authorities would conceal the identities of the officers, Wong gave no response, saying that it was inappropriate to discuss this somewhat technical issue. He claimed, however, that the authorities have considered approaches taken by other regions and have access to the technology needed.
Non-locals may join the secret police
Sulu Sou, another directly elected councillor, stressed that the public was concerned about possible abuse of the secret police law and said that the term “performing special duties” was vague. Wong simply repeated his comment on the procedure of the exemption, without explaining how abuse could be avoided. The judiciary and the public, he said, could keep things in check.
Sou asked further if any non-locals would join the secret police under the government’s Individual Employment Contract Law. Wong said non-locals would not work as investigators, without elaborating further.
It is worth noting that while directly elected members António Ng, Au Kam-sun and Sou voted against the bill in principle, only Sou and Coutinho voted against the clause on secret police with Ng and Au voting in favour this time.
#Macau #SecretPolice #MacauLegCo #NationalSecurity
Source: Stand News #Aug21
https://bit.ly/32NlCpM
立場新聞 Stand News
《立場新聞》編採獨立自主，不受任何贊助人、財團、權力機構及黨派左右。我們以非牟利原則營運，所有經營盈餘和贊助，只會用於傳媒事業。
Singaporean activist charged with illegal assembly after inviting Joshua Wong to video conference
Sources: Stand News, The Straits Times
https://bit.ly/3cHbaVj (#Aug21)
https://bit.ly/36bS20y (#Oct25)
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Sources: Stand News, The Straits Times
https://bit.ly/3cHbaVj (#Aug21)
https://bit.ly/36bS20y (#Oct25)
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Singaporean activist charged with illegal assembly after inviting Joshua Wong to video conference
Jolovan Wham, a Singaporean Activist, invited Joshua Wong [formerly] from Demosisto to give a video speech in 2016 event through Skype. Wham posted on Twitter yesterday (20 August) that the court has rejected his conviction appeal. He refused to pay the fine, as a result, he will be jailed for ten days from today.
Jolovan Wham, aged 40, is a social worker who advocates for sexual minorities, freedom of assembly and free speech. He hosted a forum on civil disobedience and social movement in November 2016 and invited his 7,600 followers on Facebook to join. On the day, there were a few overseas activists who gave speeches, Joshua Wong also spoke in the meeting via Skype.
According to The Straits Times from Singapore in October last year, Wham’s lawyer pointed out in the trial that this event was not defined as an “assembly” under the law, but an academic discussion only, it did not have immediate threat to public order and safety. Yet, the High Court in Singapore rejected Wham’s appeal. The judgement stated that Wham promoted social reform through civil disobedience at the meeting; and that he invited Joshua Wong to the meeting, who was undoubtedly expected to promote civil disobedience. The court believed that Wham was telling the audience about how civil disobedience was practised in Hong Kong, and invited them to peruse civil disobedience in Singapore, which was enough to determine there was promotion of civil disobedience.
In the end, Wham was convicted of organising an unlawful public assembly and refusing to sign a police statement. He was sentenced to fines of $2,000 and $1,200 Singapore dollars respectively for the two convictions (approximately equivalent to $11,300 and $6,800 Hong Kong dollars). Wham made statement on Twitter that he refused to pay the charge of $2,000 resulting ten days imprisonment starting from today (21 August). He also expressed his appreciation of the support from everyone on Twitter.
#JolovanWham #Singapore #JoshuaWong #CivilDisobedience #IllegalAssembly #HighCourt
Sources: Stand News, The Straits Times
https://bit.ly/3cHbaVj (#Aug21)
https://bit.ly/36bS20y (#Oct25)
Jolovan Wham, a Singaporean Activist, invited Joshua Wong [formerly] from Demosisto to give a video speech in 2016 event through Skype. Wham posted on Twitter yesterday (20 August) that the court has rejected his conviction appeal. He refused to pay the fine, as a result, he will be jailed for ten days from today.
Jolovan Wham, aged 40, is a social worker who advocates for sexual minorities, freedom of assembly and free speech. He hosted a forum on civil disobedience and social movement in November 2016 and invited his 7,600 followers on Facebook to join. On the day, there were a few overseas activists who gave speeches, Joshua Wong also spoke in the meeting via Skype.
According to The Straits Times from Singapore in October last year, Wham’s lawyer pointed out in the trial that this event was not defined as an “assembly” under the law, but an academic discussion only, it did not have immediate threat to public order and safety. Yet, the High Court in Singapore rejected Wham’s appeal. The judgement stated that Wham promoted social reform through civil disobedience at the meeting; and that he invited Joshua Wong to the meeting, who was undoubtedly expected to promote civil disobedience. The court believed that Wham was telling the audience about how civil disobedience was practised in Hong Kong, and invited them to peruse civil disobedience in Singapore, which was enough to determine there was promotion of civil disobedience.
In the end, Wham was convicted of organising an unlawful public assembly and refusing to sign a police statement. He was sentenced to fines of $2,000 and $1,200 Singapore dollars respectively for the two convictions (approximately equivalent to $11,300 and $6,800 Hong Kong dollars). Wham made statement on Twitter that he refused to pay the charge of $2,000 resulting ten days imprisonment starting from today (21 August). He also expressed his appreciation of the support from everyone on Twitter.
#JolovanWham #Singapore #JoshuaWong #CivilDisobedience #IllegalAssembly #HighCourt
Sources: Stand News, The Straits Times
https://bit.ly/3cHbaVj (#Aug21)
https://bit.ly/36bS20y (#Oct25)
Security fears for Hongkongers as alleged Beijing sympathiser joins rehoming taskforce
Fears over the security of Hong Kongers moving to Britain have been raised after the appointment of an alleged Beijing sympathiser to the Government’s rehoming taskforce.
The Telegraph can reveal that the body advising ministers on how to assimilate new arrivals includes a prominent member of a London-based Chinese organisation that publicly supports the authoritarian crackdown which prompted the exodus.
Senior Conservatives on Saturday night urged the Government to review the “short-sighted” appointment after British-based Hong Kong activists voiced fears their details could be shared with the Chinese embassy.
Source: The Telegraph #Aug21
https://bit.ly/3mtlfMC
#Security #HongKonger #Beijing #Rehoming
Fears over the security of Hong Kongers moving to Britain have been raised after the appointment of an alleged Beijing sympathiser to the Government’s rehoming taskforce.
The Telegraph can reveal that the body advising ministers on how to assimilate new arrivals includes a prominent member of a London-based Chinese organisation that publicly supports the authoritarian crackdown which prompted the exodus.
Senior Conservatives on Saturday night urged the Government to review the “short-sighted” appointment after British-based Hong Kong activists voiced fears their details could be shared with the Chinese embassy.
Source: The Telegraph #Aug21
https://bit.ly/3mtlfMC
#Security #HongKonger #Beijing #Rehoming
Taiwan says China wants to 'emulate' the Taliban
Taiwan's foreign minister accused China on Saturday of wanting to "emulate" the Taliban, saying the island that Beijing claims as sovereign Chinese territory did not wish to be subject to communism or crimes against humanity.
The rapid fall of the U.S.-backed Afghan government has sparked heated debate in Taiwan about whether they could suffer the same fate to a Chinese invasion, while state media in China has said Kabul's fate showed Taiwan it cannot trust Washington.
Source: Reuters #Aug21
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-taiwan-china-idUSKBN2FM04N
#Taiwan #China #Taliban #Afghan
Taiwan's foreign minister accused China on Saturday of wanting to "emulate" the Taliban, saying the island that Beijing claims as sovereign Chinese territory did not wish to be subject to communism or crimes against humanity.
The rapid fall of the U.S.-backed Afghan government has sparked heated debate in Taiwan about whether they could suffer the same fate to a Chinese invasion, while state media in China has said Kabul's fate showed Taiwan it cannot trust Washington.
Source: Reuters #Aug21
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-taiwan-china-idUSKBN2FM04N
#Taiwan #China #Taliban #Afghan
Former District Councillor LEE Ka-Wai covertly left Hong Kong half a year ago
By Translated by Guardians of Hong Kong, August 29, 2021 • 4 January 2022
“Many people want to fight overseas in the international frontline, but I think many changes are useful only if they happen in Hong Kong. When you are away, your impact to the public will diminish gradually. You feel powerless as the best you can do is to watch live broadcast. Sorry, we have left, not able to realize many wishes.”
Departing looks so free and luxurious. However, you don’t have so much influence when you are living in a strange place. This may be hard to imagine for some HongKongers who stay. “Many young brothers and sisters who don’t have income or saving, begging someone for accommodation, they will naturally encounter such difficulties.”
Read the full article here:
https://telegra.ph/Former-District-Councillor-LEE-Ka-Wai-covertly-left-Hong-Kong-half-a-year-ago-01-03
Source: Citizen News #Aug21
#DistrictCouncillor #LEEKaWai #HongKong
By Translated by Guardians of Hong Kong, August 29, 2021 • 4 January 2022
“Many people want to fight overseas in the international frontline, but I think many changes are useful only if they happen in Hong Kong. When you are away, your impact to the public will diminish gradually. You feel powerless as the best you can do is to watch live broadcast. Sorry, we have left, not able to realize many wishes.”
Departing looks so free and luxurious. However, you don’t have so much influence when you are living in a strange place. This may be hard to imagine for some HongKongers who stay. “Many young brothers and sisters who don’t have income or saving, begging someone for accommodation, they will naturally encounter such difficulties.”
Read the full article here:
https://telegra.ph/Former-District-Councillor-LEE-Ka-Wai-covertly-left-Hong-Kong-half-a-year-ago-01-03
Source: Citizen News #Aug21
#DistrictCouncillor #LEEKaWai #HongKong
[Behind Honours] TSE Ying-suet: difficulties reserving physiotherapy appointments. HKSI staff: only 10 therapists for over 1000 athletes
By Translated by Guardians of Hong Kong 19 Dec 2021 • 21 December 2021
The achievements of Hong Kong’s athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics raised public awareness of the plight of our athletes, including low salaries and insufficient resources. Tse, who made it into the semi-finals for badminton mixed doubles, reflected in a recent radio interview that there are not enough physiotherapists in Hong Kong Sport Institution (HKSI) and appointments were rushed.
Although Chief Executive Carrie LAM proposed 5 measures to support sport facilities development, there was no discussion on manpower.
Source: Stand News #Aug21
#TseYingSuet #HKsportsmen #LamTaiFai #HKSI #LuiHungTak #Physiotherapist
https://telegra.ph/Behind-Honours-TSE-Ying-suet-difficulties-reserving-physiotherapy-appointments-HKSI-staff-only-10-therapists-for-over-1000-athle-12-20
By Translated by Guardians of Hong Kong 19 Dec 2021 • 21 December 2021
The achievements of Hong Kong’s athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics raised public awareness of the plight of our athletes, including low salaries and insufficient resources. Tse, who made it into the semi-finals for badminton mixed doubles, reflected in a recent radio interview that there are not enough physiotherapists in Hong Kong Sport Institution (HKSI) and appointments were rushed.
Although Chief Executive Carrie LAM proposed 5 measures to support sport facilities development, there was no discussion on manpower.
Source: Stand News #Aug21
#TseYingSuet #HKsportsmen #LamTaiFai #HKSI #LuiHungTak #Physiotherapist
https://telegra.ph/Behind-Honours-TSE-Ying-suet-difficulties-reserving-physiotherapy-appointments-HKSI-staff-only-10-therapists-for-over-1000-athle-12-20