China Reportedly Urges UN Members to Boycott Xinjiang-Related Issues and Denounces Botched Anti-China Performance

Source: Stand News #May08

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

China Reportedly Urges UN Members to Boycott Xinjiang-Related Issues and Denounces Botched Anti-China Performance

According to Reuters, the UN representatives, such as Germany, the US and the UK originally planned to have a video meeting for Xinjiang human rights issues. It is reported that the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations criticized the relevant activities for political motives and “anti-China” and sent letters requesting other member states to boycott activities.

Reuters gain a note by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, criticizing the European member states such as Germany, United States, England, Australia, and Canada, to hold the activities of using “human rights issues” as a political tool to intervene China Xinjiang’s affairs, and to create division and turmoil in China’s development. China criticized that the related countries got addicted to advocate confrontation with China, stated those activities involved political motivation, and urged other member states not to participate in “anti-China activities”.

The report stated, ambassadors of the US, Germany, and the UK at the United Nations originally planned to speak out in the activity and invited the CEO of Human Rights Watch, Ken Roth, and the Secretary-General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, for participation. It mainly discussed how the United Nations and civil society support and speak out for human rights issues of Xinjiang Turks and other ethnic minorities.

Source: Stand News #May08

https://bit.ly/3hP3rJh

#China #Beijing #Xinjiang #Uyghurs #Turks #Minorities #HumanRights #SexualAbused #AntiChina #UnitedNations #UN #UnitedStates #US #Germany #England #UK #Australia #Canada #HumanRightsWatch #AmnestyInternational

Taiwan says China blocked deal with BioNTech for COVID-19 shots
 
Taiwan directly accused China for the first time on Wednesday of blocking a deal with Germany's BioNTech SE (22UAy.DE) for COVID-19 vaccines, in an escalating war of words after Beijing offered the shots to the island via a Chinese company.

Taiwan has millions of shots on order, from AstraZeneca Plc (AZN.L) and Moderna Inc (MRNA.O), but has received only slightly more than 700,000 to date, and has only been able to vaccinate about 1% of its population as COVID-19 cases surge.

While Taiwan has previously said it had been unable to sign a final contract with BioNTech, it had only implied that Chinese pressure was to blame
 
Source: Reuters #May26

https://t.co/FaxIblSll1

#Taiwan #China #BioNTech #Covid19

China Censors ‘Nomadland’ Director Chloé Zhao’s Oscar Win

“Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao made history on Sunday by becoming the first woman of color and first Chinese woman to win the Oscar for best director. Official media, major search engines and internet censors in her home country are making as if it didn’t happen.

Ms. Zhao’s win, just the second time a woman has walked away with best director, unleashed a flurry of congratulatory messages on Chinese social-media sites when it was announced Monday morning Beijing time. By midafternoon, nearly all of the posts had been erased.

Source: WSJ #Apr24

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-censors-nomadland-director-chloe-zhaos-oscar-win-11619440550

#China #Nomadland #Director #Chloé #Oscar

#PoliticalProsecution #Injustice
Hong Kong #Court Sends More Pro-demoracy Activists to Jail: At Least 20 Months for Jimmy Lai and 22 Months for '#LongHair'


Source: Stand News #May26

Read more
⬇️⬇️

#PoliticalProsecution #Injustice
Hong Kong #Court Sends More Pro-demoracy Activists to Jail: At Least 20 Months for Jimmy Lai and 22 Months for '#LongHair'

Ten Hong Kong pro-democracy politicians and activists were sentenced to jail for 14 to 18 months on May 28, 2021, after the court convicted them of organizing and joining an "unauthorised protest" on October 1, 2019, which was the national day of the People's Republic of China. Back then, the participating pro-democracy ptotesters described the day as the "#NationalMourningDay".

District Court judge Amanda Woodcock claimed that the defendants' wish for a peaceful protest is "naive" and "unrealistic".

Former legislators #AlbertHo, #LeeCheukYan and 'Long Hair' #LeungKwokHung and Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) convenor #FigoChan received a 18-month jail term.

AppleDaily founder #JimmyLai, former legislators #CydHo and #YeungSum, and former League of Social Democrats (#LSD) chairman #AveryNg were sentenced to 14 months in jail.

Only former legislator #SinChungKai and activist #RichardTsoi received suspended jail terms.

With their existing prison terms from other cases, Jimmy Lai and Lee Cheuk-yan are currently serving 20 months in prison in total while that of Leung Kwok-hung has accumulated to 22 months at the moment.

In the courtroom, some pro-democracy supporters chanted "fight on". From the defendants' seats, Leung Kwok-hung called out "Remember June 4th [Tiananmen Massacre]", while Figo Chan shout "mourn on June 4, speak out on July 1".

Source: Stand News #May26
https://bit.ly/3yL3FqT

#PoliticalPrisoner #Sentence #PoliceState #June4 #TiananmenMassacre #NationalDay

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "I see hope...many people are still striving for Hong Kong"

Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

Read Part 2
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "I see hope...many people are still striving for Hong Kong"

Part 2 / 3

[Editor's note:

The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.

On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Continue with Part 2:

"...As stated in my case, I was arrested during a protest on Oct 20, 2019, which was 576 days ago.

During this period of time, nearly ten thousand citizens had come under arrest due to the movement or other political reasons. More and more people are forced to leave Hong Kong, with no chance in sight for their return.

This development is surely the opposite of the outcome that many had hoped for: 'determining our own destiny', or democratic self-governance.

After my arrest, a police officer asked me mockingly: What did I feel I've achieved by taking to the streets?

Thinking back now, over these 576 days, it certainly seemed like I've achieved nothing, except losing more and more fellow students and friends. Undoubtedly, this caused me more pain than the court case now being brought against me.

However, different from the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in the years past, today I do not feel hopeless at all, and have not given up on my belief in 'determining our own destiny'.

These 576 days had been long and full of changes. There had been trauma and pain, but at the same time, I see hope. Because I know that, outside of the courts and prisons, out of sight of others, many people are still striving quietly for Hong Kong, taking up the fight in place those who have fallen.

Local business owners absorb losses to make their Hong Kong brands shine; artists and creative minds are working day and night to reclaim the city's coveted reputation of 'number one in Asia'.

These Hongkongers are full of life and dreams, and I can feel the immeasurable bravery and wisdom in them. Before such great people, I feel humble, and have no more excuses to wallow in self-pity.

They make me firmly believe that this city is not fated to spiral downward forever; this city will create infinite possibilities for the future."

Read Part 3 here:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29816

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB

The European Parliament freezes China investment pact by majority

Source: Stand News #May20

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

The European Parliament freezes China investment pact by majority

The EU–China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) has been under negotiation since 2014. It is generally considered to be of great significance to China’s diplomacy and trade. The European Parliament voted to freeze the ratification at around 2 p.m. local time today (20May), it was passed with 599 votes in favour, 30 votes against, and 58 abstentions. According to the latest decision, European Parliament will halt the ratification and no further negotiations on the agreement will take place until China lifts sanctions on EU officials, academics, and diplomats in March.

According to reports in foreign media, chair of the European Parliament's China Delegation Reinhard Bütikofer
said that China wants to reach the agreement, but has miscalculated, and underestimated European Parliament's will in defending European interests and values.

Source: Stand News #May20

https://bit.ly/3vsqGNx

#Europe #EU #China #Parliament #Investment #Agreement

China Planning 'Unprecedented' Tiananmen Memorial Crackdown: Report

Beijing will take "unprecedented heavy-handed measures" to crack down on next month's vigil in Hong Kong to mark the Tiananmen Square massacre, a Beijing-friendly local outlet said Tuesday.

The annual gathering in Victoria Park—banned on health grounds for a second year running—is a "minefield" for those planning to attend on June 4, according to online news portal HK01. It will be the first memorial since China's sweeping Hong Kong national security law came into effect on June 30 last year.

Source: Newsweek #May15

https://www.newsweek.com/china-planning-unprecedented-tiananmen-crackdown-hong-kong-report-1592366

#China #Unprecedented #Tiananmen #Crackdown #Beijing

City economists say China covering up mass unemployment despite rebound from Covid

China’s economy is facing a “hidden unemployment problem” as the inefficiencies of Beijing’s brand of state capitalism begin to mount, City analysts have warned.

The number of unemployed or underemployed workers in China has soared to 17pc, up from around 5pc in 2013, according to economists at Fathom Consulting.

The calculations are far above Beijing’s official jobless figures, which are distrusted by many economists, suggesting China has more unemployed and unproductive workers weighing on its economy.

Source: The Telegraph #Apr24

https://t.co/89hlOhqtip

#China #Economy #Beijing #Covid

#GlobalSupport
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong

Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29813

#GlobalSupport
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong

Hong Kong Watch, a British non-government organization focusing on Hong Kong issues, released a statement on May 18, 2021, calling on the United Nations (UN) to form a special envoy to Hong Kong, in order to monitor the deteriorating human rights situation, as well as to coordinate an international response.

Lord Patten of Barnes, the last Governor of Hong Kong, adds:

“The establishment of an international contact group to coordinate a global response would be a positive way forward. Moreover, the creation of a UN special envoy for Hong Kong would contribute both to monitoring human rights and encouraging dialogue and reconciliation. Many UN member states would see it as a constructive proposal worthy of support.”

Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News

https://www.facebook.com/HongKongWatchOrg/posts/3881971295256648

#ChrisPatten #LastGovernor #SpecialEnvoy

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "No matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny"

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

Source: InMedia #May18

Continue Reading Part 3:
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29816

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "No matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny"

[Editor's note:

The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.

On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

Part 3:

"...Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus used to say, 'Each generation doubtless feels called upon to reform the world. Mine knows that it will not reform it, but its task is perhaps even greater. It consists in preventing the world from destroying itself.'

Due to historical reasons, our generation has no choice but to be born into a Hong Kong where political rights and the room for free speech are dwindling day by day.

Two summers ago, we chose to fight back against the fate that was forced upon us, demonstrating to the world our determination to take hold of our own destiny. Now is the time that we take up the responsibility for our choice.

The world is changing, perhaps for better, or perhaps it is crumbling. But no matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny:

we all hold fast to our own duties in our own ways, striving to create a new, beautiful era that we can truly call our own."

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB

Support Taiwan’s participation in International Organisation Act, the French Senate passed an overwhelming majority
 
Source: Stand News #May07

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

Support Taiwan’s participation in International Organisation Act, the French Senate passed an overwhelming majority  
 
The French Senate passed “Taiwan’s Participation in the Work of International Organisation Act” with the overwhelming number, supporting Taiwan participates multiple international organisations. This voting result will almost inevitably anger Beijing, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye wrote to French parliamentarians twice this years, to obstruct the senator’s visit to Taiwan, and threatened that if French keeps supporting Taiwan to participate international organisations, they will be sanctioned by China.  
 
The French Senate, which is dominated by the right-wing opposition, passed the “Taiwan Participation in the Work of International Organisations Act” with 304 votes in favour, 0 votes against, and 19 abstentions on Thursday (6May).  
 
This bill, which is supported by local cross-country parties, is non-binding. It was jointly proposed by Joël Guerriau, Vice Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, and Alain Richard, Chairman of the next group, in March, hoping that France would participate for Taiwan in The World Health Organisation, General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ‘United Nations Convention on Climate Change” and even International Criminal Police Organisation have worked hard.  
 
Source: Stand News #May07

https://bit.ly/3bYtPwJ
 
#Taiwan #France #InternationalOrganisation #Beijing #China #Sanctions #WHO