#106Crackdown
#US National Security Advisor calls the #MassArrest of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong another nail on the coffin of Hong Kong democracy
Source: Apple Daily #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#US National Security Advisor calls the #MassArrest of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong another nail on the coffin of Hong Kong democracy
Source: Apple Daily #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#106Crackdown
#US National Security Advisor calls the #MassArrest of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong another nail on the coffin of Hong Kong democracy
US National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien wrote in his statement on Monday, January 11, 2021, that as early as May 2020, the Trump Administration foresaw and declared the death of Hong Kong’s free and open society at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (#CCP).
He elaborated further saying that “Just as China ignored its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, it continues to do so with the International Health Regulations.”
Calling it a “politicized arrest”, O’Brien opined that the #MassArrest on January 6 of more than 50 people for exercising their political rights guaranteed under the Basic Law, is the latest of many successive nails that Beijing has driven into the coffin of Hong Kong democracy.
He called for the world to stop paying “heavy prices for its naiveté and complicity in Beijing’s irresponsible and harmful practices”.
O’Brien closed his statement by saying that the US is examining further options to respond.
Source: Apple Daily, #Jan11
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210111/XHGIWBGSUFGPHJFX2WEURNQD2Y/
====
Read full statement
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-national-security-advisor-robert-c-obrien-011121/
#US National Security Advisor calls the #MassArrest of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong another nail on the coffin of Hong Kong democracy
US National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien wrote in his statement on Monday, January 11, 2021, that as early as May 2020, the Trump Administration foresaw and declared the death of Hong Kong’s free and open society at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (#CCP).
He elaborated further saying that “Just as China ignored its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, it continues to do so with the International Health Regulations.”
Calling it a “politicized arrest”, O’Brien opined that the #MassArrest on January 6 of more than 50 people for exercising their political rights guaranteed under the Basic Law, is the latest of many successive nails that Beijing has driven into the coffin of Hong Kong democracy.
He called for the world to stop paying “heavy prices for its naiveté and complicity in Beijing’s irresponsible and harmful practices”.
O’Brien closed his statement by saying that the US is examining further options to respond.
Source: Apple Daily, #Jan11
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210111/XHGIWBGSUFGPHJFX2WEURNQD2Y/
====
Read full statement
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-national-security-advisor-robert-c-obrien-011121/
#Court #Complaint
#Judiciary Annual Report 2020 reveals 91% of complaint cases concerning 1 pro-establishment judge's biased verdict
Source: Stand News, #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Judiciary Annual Report 2020 reveals 91% of complaint cases concerning 1 pro-establishment judge's biased verdict
Source: Stand News, #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Court #Complaint
#Judiciary Annual Report 2020 reveals 91% of complaint cases concerning 1 pro-establishment judge's biased verdict
On January 11, 2021, the Hong Kong Judiciary released its Annual Report 2020, in which it acknowledged a significant increase in the number of complaints against judges and members of the judiciary during the year of report.
As at 30 September 2020, there were 4,700 complaints, the highest number since 2002. The upsurge stemmed mainly from one case (4,286 complaints) which accounted for 91% of all complaints.
The annual report stated that the complaint case involved a District Court judge and his verdict on one pro-ELAB protest incident was considered biased. It also stated that the Chief Justice has reviewed this case and conceded that the District Judge's comment could have compromised the public's confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. The concerning judge was then being excluded from handling cases involving a similar political context.
It was suspected that the mentioned case concerned #KwokWaiKin’s verdict on Taipo #LennonWall attack last April. In Kowk’s verdict, he described the defendant was himself a "victim" of the anti-government unrest and he praised him for turning himself in as “showing noble qualities”.
#HKProtest
Source: Stand News, #Jan11
===
Read more about the District Judge’s verdict concerning Taipo Lennon Wall Attack
District Judge Praises Defendent who Attacked Pro-Democracy Protesters for "'Displaying Noble Qualities”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19826
#Judiciary Annual Report 2020 reveals 91% of complaint cases concerning 1 pro-establishment judge's biased verdict
On January 11, 2021, the Hong Kong Judiciary released its Annual Report 2020, in which it acknowledged a significant increase in the number of complaints against judges and members of the judiciary during the year of report.
As at 30 September 2020, there were 4,700 complaints, the highest number since 2002. The upsurge stemmed mainly from one case (4,286 complaints) which accounted for 91% of all complaints.
The annual report stated that the complaint case involved a District Court judge and his verdict on one pro-ELAB protest incident was considered biased. It also stated that the Chief Justice has reviewed this case and conceded that the District Judge's comment could have compromised the public's confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. The concerning judge was then being excluded from handling cases involving a similar political context.
It was suspected that the mentioned case concerned #KwokWaiKin’s verdict on Taipo #LennonWall attack last April. In Kowk’s verdict, he described the defendant was himself a "victim" of the anti-government unrest and he praised him for turning himself in as “showing noble qualities”.
#HKProtest
Source: Stand News, #Jan11
===
Read more about the District Judge’s verdict concerning Taipo Lennon Wall Attack
District Judge Praises Defendent who Attacked Pro-Democracy Protesters for "'Displaying Noble Qualities”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19826
立場新聞 Stand News
司法機構去年處理 4700 宗投訴 創近廿年新高 逾九成投訴法官郭偉健「情操高尚」判詞 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
司法機構今天發表 2020 年度年報，承認年度內投訴法官及司法人員的數字有顯著上升。截至 2020 年 9 月...
British media: China deletes 300 studies from Wuhan Institute of Virology, including all research By “bat expert” Shi Zhengli
Source: Apple Daily #Jan11
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: Apple Daily #Jan11
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
British media: China deletes 300 studies from Wuhan Institute of Virology, including all research By “bat expert” Shi Zhengli
British media The Mail on Sunday found that many important materials related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China published by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) are no longer available online, and are suspected to have been removed by the authority, causing a new round of controversy over suspected concealment of the epidemic by the Chinese government.
The Wuhan Institute of Virology is suspected to be the source of the virus, and hundreds of pages of information have been deleted, including the research conducted by the Wuhan Institute of Virology and research data of Shi Zhengli, director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases. The 56-year-old Shi Zhengli, known as “batwoman”, who often collecting samples for research from bat caves, is regarded as a key figure who knows the source of the virus. The report pointed out that more than 300 studies published by NSFC, including those on animal-to-human diseases, were no longer available. Dozens of studies that were available online were deleted by the state-run institution, including research by Shi Zhengli.
According to the report, studies related to the risk of spreading the SARS-like coronavirus from bats and investigation into human pathogens carried by bats have disappeared, both of which are regards as importing clues to the source of the virus. It revealed China's attempted to hinder the investigation into the source of the virus. Iain Duncan Smith, a Former Leader of the British Conservative Party and member of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, pointed out that China is trying to hide the evidences, “It is vital that there is a thorough investigation into what happened but China seems to be doing all it can to stop that happening,” he said.
Source: Apple Daily #Jan11
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210111/FEZPFC5ABNGWBLVVPO52DKN3SQ/
#COVID19 #SARS #Virus #China #WuhanInstituteOfVirology #ShiZhengli #Bat #CrossSpeciesInfection #NaturalScienceFoundationOfChina #NSFC #TheMailOnSunday
British media The Mail on Sunday found that many important materials related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China published by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) are no longer available online, and are suspected to have been removed by the authority, causing a new round of controversy over suspected concealment of the epidemic by the Chinese government.
The Wuhan Institute of Virology is suspected to be the source of the virus, and hundreds of pages of information have been deleted, including the research conducted by the Wuhan Institute of Virology and research data of Shi Zhengli, director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases. The 56-year-old Shi Zhengli, known as “batwoman”, who often collecting samples for research from bat caves, is regarded as a key figure who knows the source of the virus. The report pointed out that more than 300 studies published by NSFC, including those on animal-to-human diseases, were no longer available. Dozens of studies that were available online were deleted by the state-run institution, including research by Shi Zhengli.
According to the report, studies related to the risk of spreading the SARS-like coronavirus from bats and investigation into human pathogens carried by bats have disappeared, both of which are regards as importing clues to the source of the virus. It revealed China's attempted to hinder the investigation into the source of the virus. Iain Duncan Smith, a Former Leader of the British Conservative Party and member of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, pointed out that China is trying to hide the evidences, “It is vital that there is a thorough investigation into what happened but China seems to be doing all it can to stop that happening,” he said.
Source: Apple Daily #Jan11
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210111/FEZPFC5ABNGWBLVVPO52DKN3SQ/
#COVID19 #SARS #Virus #China #WuhanInstituteOfVirology #ShiZhengli #Bat #CrossSpeciesInfection #NaturalScienceFoundationOfChina #NSFC #TheMailOnSunday
#Asylum #SafeHaven
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
Source: Stand News #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
Source: Stand News #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️
#Asylum #SafeHaven
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
#Australia, in response to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, had established a "safe haven" policy for Hongkongers.
The Guardian, citing data from the Department of Home Affairs, have found that only around 3,000 Hongkongers have benefitted from this programme.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick in Australia proposed that Hong Kong BNO holders and their family members should also be included in the programme.
In January 2021, over 50 pan-democratic activists were arrested for violating the National Security Law, sparking another wave of concern regarding Hongkongers long-term civil rights.
The Australian Government had announced in July 2020 that it would provide Hongkongers with a policy of convenience, allowing a maximum five-year extension for Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, the right to apply for permanent residence, and implementing innovation and immigration policies to attract Hong Kong talents.
The Australian Government had then stated that around ten thousand technical personnel, graduates and international students from Hong Kong, and 2,500 Hongkongers not then in Australia could benefit from the new policy, with them dealing with 1,250 applications for residency from Hongkongers then.
However, The Guardian, with the data they received, showed that only 2,584 Hongkongers had their visas extended since the implementation of the new policy, with around 586 Hongkongers applying for Business Innovation and Investment visas.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick urged the Australian Government to increase its support towards Hongkongers, including receiving Hongkongers holding BNO passports and their family. He warned that the Chinese Government have been accelerating its oppression on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and that "Australia should open its doors for our Hong Kong friends seeking refuge, to allow a chance of tasting democracy and liberty."
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Visa #Refuge #Hongkongers
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
#Australia, in response to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, had established a "safe haven" policy for Hongkongers.
The Guardian, citing data from the Department of Home Affairs, have found that only around 3,000 Hongkongers have benefitted from this programme.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick in Australia proposed that Hong Kong BNO holders and their family members should also be included in the programme.
In January 2021, over 50 pan-democratic activists were arrested for violating the National Security Law, sparking another wave of concern regarding Hongkongers long-term civil rights.
The Australian Government had announced in July 2020 that it would provide Hongkongers with a policy of convenience, allowing a maximum five-year extension for Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, the right to apply for permanent residence, and implementing innovation and immigration policies to attract Hong Kong talents.
The Australian Government had then stated that around ten thousand technical personnel, graduates and international students from Hong Kong, and 2,500 Hongkongers not then in Australia could benefit from the new policy, with them dealing with 1,250 applications for residency from Hongkongers then.
However, The Guardian, with the data they received, showed that only 2,584 Hongkongers had their visas extended since the implementation of the new policy, with around 586 Hongkongers applying for Business Innovation and Investment visas.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick urged the Australian Government to increase its support towards Hongkongers, including receiving Hongkongers holding BNO passports and their family. He warned that the Chinese Government have been accelerating its oppression on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and that "Australia should open its doors for our Hong Kong friends seeking refuge, to allow a chance of tasting democracy and liberty."
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Visa #Refuge #Hongkongers
Twitter Deletes Post by Chinese Embassy Saying Uyghur Women Have Been “Liberated”
Source: Stand News #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: Stand News #Jan11
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Twitter Deletes Post by Chinese Embassy Saying Uyghur Women Have Been “Liberated”
A tweet by the Chinese Embassy in US saying Uyghur women had been “liberated” under Beijing’s administration has been taken down by Twitter. Claiming that “progress has been made in terms of gender equality” under Beijing’s Xinjiang policy, the tweet came with an article by the Chinese state media saying that women in the region are no longer birth-giving machines and enjoy greater independence. A day after the tweet was deleted, the embassy shared a post by China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying containing the same article.
The BBC reported that the embassy posted on January 7 a tweet praising Beijing’s Xinjiang policy for “liberating the minds” of Uyghur women and females of other ethnic minorities and bringing the community closer to gender equality. The tweet came with a China Daily article titled “Women Are Having Greater Autonomy Thanks to the Defeat of Extremism, Says Research”, which claims that studies have shown a decrease in birth rate and a slowdown in natural population growth in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region following the elimination of religious extremism. Being no longer discouraged from planned parenthood by religious extremism, the article claims, local women are no longer treated as birth-giving machine and have become more confident and independent. The article takes on Western scholars and politicians that are critical of the changes for being the result of forced sterilization by the state, saying that the accusations are completely false and that family planning policy in the region is completely legal.
The tweet and the article provoked outrage on the Internet, where the Chinese authorities were slammed for lying. Critcs said the tweet proves exactly that Uyghur women have been subjected to forced sterilization. Twitter has since deleted the post, stating that it was against the platform’s rules. No further explanation was given for its move to take down the tweet.
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Xinjiang #China #Uyghur #ForcedSterilization #Genocide #Twitter #ChineseEmbassy #HuaChunying
https://bit.ly/3rgMn0Q
A tweet by the Chinese Embassy in US saying Uyghur women had been “liberated” under Beijing’s administration has been taken down by Twitter. Claiming that “progress has been made in terms of gender equality” under Beijing’s Xinjiang policy, the tweet came with an article by the Chinese state media saying that women in the region are no longer birth-giving machines and enjoy greater independence. A day after the tweet was deleted, the embassy shared a post by China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying containing the same article.
The BBC reported that the embassy posted on January 7 a tweet praising Beijing’s Xinjiang policy for “liberating the minds” of Uyghur women and females of other ethnic minorities and bringing the community closer to gender equality. The tweet came with a China Daily article titled “Women Are Having Greater Autonomy Thanks to the Defeat of Extremism, Says Research”, which claims that studies have shown a decrease in birth rate and a slowdown in natural population growth in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region following the elimination of religious extremism. Being no longer discouraged from planned parenthood by religious extremism, the article claims, local women are no longer treated as birth-giving machine and have become more confident and independent. The article takes on Western scholars and politicians that are critical of the changes for being the result of forced sterilization by the state, saying that the accusations are completely false and that family planning policy in the region is completely legal.
The tweet and the article provoked outrage on the Internet, where the Chinese authorities were slammed for lying. Critcs said the tweet proves exactly that Uyghur women have been subjected to forced sterilization. Twitter has since deleted the post, stating that it was against the platform’s rules. No further explanation was given for its move to take down the tweet.
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Xinjiang #China #Uyghur #ForcedSterilization #Genocide #Twitter #ChineseEmbassy #HuaChunying
https://bit.ly/3rgMn0Q
Intel deletes mention of Xinjiang in letter after China backlash
US chipmaker Intel has deleted references to Xinjiang from an annual letter to suppliers after the company faced a backlash in China for asking suppliers to avoid the sanctions-hit region.
Last month, Intel was slammed on Chinese social media for a letter to suppliers published on its website. The 23 December letter said Intel had been “required to ensure that its supply chain does not use any labour or source goods or services from the Xinjiang region” following restrictions imposed by “multiple governments”.
Source: The Guardian #Jan11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/11/intel-deletes-mention-of-xinjiang-in-letter-after-china-backlash?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#Intel #Xinjiang #China #US #Chipmaker
US chipmaker Intel has deleted references to Xinjiang from an annual letter to suppliers after the company faced a backlash in China for asking suppliers to avoid the sanctions-hit region.
Last month, Intel was slammed on Chinese social media for a letter to suppliers published on its website. The 23 December letter said Intel had been “required to ensure that its supply chain does not use any labour or source goods or services from the Xinjiang region” following restrictions imposed by “multiple governments”.
Source: The Guardian #Jan11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/11/intel-deletes-mention-of-xinjiang-in-letter-after-china-backlash?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#Intel #Xinjiang #China #US #Chipmaker
‘We fought the good fight’: journalists in Hong Kong reel from assault on media
As the last news programme came to a close and anchors bade farewell to their online audience on 3 January, Chris Yeung, the founder and chief writer of Citizen News, gathered together his staff and tried to strike an optimistic tone.
“Remember our very best memories,” he said, dressed in a blue shirt with sleeves rolled up and a crimson jumper draped on his shoulders. “No one knows what will happen next. Don’t worry. Just remember the happy things.”
It was the day 90 largely pro-establishment legislators were sworn in. The previous evening, the independent Chinese-language news outlet of five years said it was closing. It justified the decision citing a deteriorating media environment and concerns for the safety of its staff.
Source: The Guardian #Jan11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/11/we-fought-the-good-fight-journalists-in-hong-kong-reel-from-assault-on-media
#Journalist #HongKong #ChrisYeung #CitizenNews
As the last news programme came to a close and anchors bade farewell to their online audience on 3 January, Chris Yeung, the founder and chief writer of Citizen News, gathered together his staff and tried to strike an optimistic tone.
“Remember our very best memories,” he said, dressed in a blue shirt with sleeves rolled up and a crimson jumper draped on his shoulders. “No one knows what will happen next. Don’t worry. Just remember the happy things.”
It was the day 90 largely pro-establishment legislators were sworn in. The previous evening, the independent Chinese-language news outlet of five years said it was closing. It justified the decision citing a deteriorating media environment and concerns for the safety of its staff.
Source: The Guardian #Jan11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/11/we-fought-the-good-fight-journalists-in-hong-kong-reel-from-assault-on-media
#Journalist #HongKong #ChrisYeung #CitizenNews
UK vows to stand up to "Chinese aggression" and defend Hong Kong's freedoms
Source: Winandmac; #Jan11
https://www.winandmac.com/2023/01/uk-pmq-jimmylai-case/
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: Winandmac; #Jan11
https://www.winandmac.com/2023/01/uk-pmq-jimmylai-case/
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
UK vows to stand up to "Chinese aggression" and defend Hong Kong's freedoms
In a recent PMQ (Prime Minister's Questions) session, British Prime Minister #RishiSunak was asked to respond to the case of jailed media tycoon #JimmyLai, who is also a British citizen.
Speaking in parliament, Sunak insisted on Britain's right to get involved in its former colony. He pointed out that UK has admitted hundreds of thousands of HongKongers fleeing China's crackdown. He said it will remain robust in standing up to "Chinese aggression".
Sunak also condemned China's oppression and persecution and criticized China for breaking the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
He further stated that he will continue to handle Hong Kong affairs and defend Hong Kong's freedom.
Members of the Conservative Party, including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, have met with Jimmy Lai's son Sebastien and called for the UK government to issue a warning to China and consider revoking Hong Kong's special administrative region status if China continues to prosecute citizens.
Source: Winandmac; #Jan11
https://www.winandmac.com/2023/01/uk-pmq-jimmylai-case/
#PressFreedom
In a recent PMQ (Prime Minister's Questions) session, British Prime Minister #RishiSunak was asked to respond to the case of jailed media tycoon #JimmyLai, who is also a British citizen.
Speaking in parliament, Sunak insisted on Britain's right to get involved in its former colony. He pointed out that UK has admitted hundreds of thousands of HongKongers fleeing China's crackdown. He said it will remain robust in standing up to "Chinese aggression".
Sunak also condemned China's oppression and persecution and criticized China for breaking the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
He further stated that he will continue to handle Hong Kong affairs and defend Hong Kong's freedom.
Members of the Conservative Party, including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, have met with Jimmy Lai's son Sebastien and called for the UK government to issue a warning to China and consider revoking Hong Kong's special administrative region status if China continues to prosecute citizens.
Source: Winandmac; #Jan11
https://www.winandmac.com/2023/01/uk-pmq-jimmylai-case/
#PressFreedom
winandmac.com 視麥媒體
英國首相宣稱會捍衛香港自由 並指他們有權參與前殖民地事務 - winandmac.com 視麥媒體
英國首相辛偉誠日前出席英國當地國會PMQ接受質詢時，被問到有關英國公民黎智英案件。辛偉誠稱英國仍然有權參與前殖民地事務，並指已接收數十萬的香港人，堅定抵抗中國的打壓與逼害，批評中國破壞當年的中英聯合聲明。他更宣稱，會繼續應對香港事務，捍衛香港自由。 至於保守黨前黨魁Sir Iain Duncan Smith及其他國會議員，於日前曾與黎智英兒子黎崇恩見面。他在國會上也有質問辛偉誠如何處理有關事件，並要求英國向中方立即提出警告，更提倡若中方繼續檢控，會推動取消香港普通法地位。 More