#FailedState #PoliticalAllegiance
Hong Kong Government Requires Civil Servants to Promise Political Allegiance
The Hong Kong SAR Government's Civil Service Bureau issued a notice to all different policy bureaus and departments on 15 Jan, 2021, requesting all civil servants hired before 1 July 2020 to sign a declaration.
Civil servants need to promise advocating the “Basic Law’ and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in four weeks. The authority stated clearly that if any civil servant rejected and ignored the declaration, they would be challenged and questioned their willingness to take basic responsibilities. The government will review case by case and decide if specific employment contract will be terminated.
Source: Stand News #Jan15
#Oath #BasicLaw #CivilServants
Hong Kong Government Requires Civil Servants to Promise Political Allegiance
The Hong Kong SAR Government's Civil Service Bureau issued a notice to all different policy bureaus and departments on 15 Jan, 2021, requesting all civil servants hired before 1 July 2020 to sign a declaration.
Civil servants need to promise advocating the “Basic Law’ and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in four weeks. The authority stated clearly that if any civil servant rejected and ignored the declaration, they would be challenged and questioned their willingness to take basic responsibilities. The government will review case by case and decide if specific employment contract will be terminated.
Source: Stand News #Jan15
#Oath #BasicLaw #CivilServants
#Censorship #GreatFireWall
Authorities Appoint Body to Ban Websites "Interrupting" Hong Kong Government's Operation
Source: Stand News #Jan15
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Authorities Appoint Body to Ban Websites "Interrupting" Hong Kong Government's Operation
Source: Stand News #Jan15
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#Censorship #GreatFireWall
Authorities Appoint Body to Ban Websites "Interrupting" Hong Kong Government's Operation
The Hong Kong government designates Hong Kong Internet Registration Corp. (#HKIRC) to undertake the administration of internet domain names under the “.hk” (in Chinese and English) code.
The “Domain Name Registration Acceptable Use Policy” has been recently amended. The document states that the requirements of domain name registration include: “not to violate the law in any way”, “not to abuse public interest (including but not limited to harass the Hong Kong government’s operation)”, as well as not to include any words “advocating violence” and “the crime of incitement”.
From 28 January 2021 onwards, the domain name registration will be rejected and disclosed to the law enforcement authority if any violation is found.
As half of the HKIRC board directors were appointed by the Government, Wong Ho-Wa, lawmaker of the Information Technology functional constituency, said the body might take a defensive approach to avoid any involvement in controversial issues owing to the National Security Law (#NSL) enactment.
Wong added that websites could change to a new domain name if the domain name of “.hk” was not rejected. He emphasized that one should not to rationalize an unreasonable system.
Source: Stand News #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3nMYdNR
#MassSurveillance #Internet #DomainNamd
Authorities Appoint Body to Ban Websites "Interrupting" Hong Kong Government's Operation
The Hong Kong government designates Hong Kong Internet Registration Corp. (#HKIRC) to undertake the administration of internet domain names under the “.hk” (in Chinese and English) code.
The “Domain Name Registration Acceptable Use Policy” has been recently amended. The document states that the requirements of domain name registration include: “not to violate the law in any way”, “not to abuse public interest (including but not limited to harass the Hong Kong government’s operation)”, as well as not to include any words “advocating violence” and “the crime of incitement”.
From 28 January 2021 onwards, the domain name registration will be rejected and disclosed to the law enforcement authority if any violation is found.
As half of the HKIRC board directors were appointed by the Government, Wong Ho-Wa, lawmaker of the Information Technology functional constituency, said the body might take a defensive approach to avoid any involvement in controversial issues owing to the National Security Law (#NSL) enactment.
Wong added that websites could change to a new domain name if the domain name of “.hk” was not rejected. He emphasized that one should not to rationalize an unreasonable system.
Source: Stand News #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3nMYdNR
#MassSurveillance #Internet #DomainNamd
Hong Kong civil servants given four weeks to pledge loyalty to the government
Source: FT #Jan15
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Source: FT #Jan15
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Hong Kong civil servants given four weeks to pledge loyalty to the government
On 15 Jan, Hong Kong’s 180,000 civil servants were told to sign a document pledging their loyalty to the Chinese-ruled city’s mini-constitution, promise uphold Hong Kong’s Basic Law and dedication to the government in four weeks.
Civil Service Bureau’s statement said, “Negligence or refusal to take the oath or to duly sign and return the declaration by a civil servant casts serious doubts on his or her willingness to take up these basic duties and his or her suitability to remain in the civil services.” It implied that all civil servants could lose their join if refusing to sign the pledge.
In addition of that, it said advocating or supporting “Hong Kong independence”, refusing to recognise China’s sovereignty over the city, soliciting intervention by foreign or external forces into the city’s affairs, or carrying out activities that endanger national security were not allowed.
Source: FT #Jan15
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security/hong-kong-civil-servants-given-four-weeks-to-pledge-loyalty-to-the-government-idUSKBN29K1HY
#HongKongCivilServant #NationalSecurityLaw #HongKongGovernment #HongKong
On 15 Jan, Hong Kong’s 180,000 civil servants were told to sign a document pledging their loyalty to the Chinese-ruled city’s mini-constitution, promise uphold Hong Kong’s Basic Law and dedication to the government in four weeks.
Civil Service Bureau’s statement said, “Negligence or refusal to take the oath or to duly sign and return the declaration by a civil servant casts serious doubts on his or her willingness to take up these basic duties and his or her suitability to remain in the civil services.” It implied that all civil servants could lose their join if refusing to sign the pledge.
In addition of that, it said advocating or supporting “Hong Kong independence”, refusing to recognise China’s sovereignty over the city, soliciting intervention by foreign or external forces into the city’s affairs, or carrying out activities that endanger national security were not allowed.
Source: FT #Jan15
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security/hong-kong-civil-servants-given-four-weeks-to-pledge-loyalty-to-the-government-idUSKBN29K1HY
#HongKongCivilServant #NationalSecurityLaw #HongKongGovernment #HongKong
U.S.
Hong Kong civil servants given four weeks to pledge loyalty to the government
Hong Kong's 180,000 civil servants were told on Friday they had four weeks to sign a document pledging their loyalty to the Chinese-ruled city's mini-constitution and dedication to the government.
Taobao, Baidu Cloud Storage Service Slammed for Piracy in US’ 2020 Review of Notorious Markets
Source: Stand News #Jan15
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Source: Stand News #Jan15
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Taobao, Baidu Cloud Storage Service Slammed for Piracy in US’ 2020 Review of Notorious Markets
Several Chinese websites, including Taobao and Baidu Wangpan, are among those named notorious markets for counterfeiting and piracy in an annual review by the US Trade Representative’s (USTR), published on 14 January. Calling out 39 websites and 34 physical markets on their involvement in acts of piracy and infringements detrimental to American intellectual properties, economy and consumers, the report also names a number of brick-and-mortar markets in China, including the Huaqiangbei Electronics Mall in Shenzhen and Xiushui Street in Beijing. It further notes that China remains a major source of physical piracy, having accounted for 92 percent of the total value of pirated imports seized by US Customs in 2019.
In the report, the USTR says that commercial-scale copyright infringement and piracy activities cause US businesses economic losses. The purpose of the report, it says, is to encourage the government and the private sector to take action to reduce piracy and copyright infringement, and a focus this year is how e-commerce platforms are contributing to copyright infringement.
Source: Stand News #Jan15
#US #China #USTradeRepresentative #USTR #NotoriousMarkets #Taobao #Baidu #Piracy #Copyright
https://bit.ly/3iXjkvV
Several Chinese websites, including Taobao and Baidu Wangpan, are among those named notorious markets for counterfeiting and piracy in an annual review by the US Trade Representative’s (USTR), published on 14 January. Calling out 39 websites and 34 physical markets on their involvement in acts of piracy and infringements detrimental to American intellectual properties, economy and consumers, the report also names a number of brick-and-mortar markets in China, including the Huaqiangbei Electronics Mall in Shenzhen and Xiushui Street in Beijing. It further notes that China remains a major source of physical piracy, having accounted for 92 percent of the total value of pirated imports seized by US Customs in 2019.
In the report, the USTR says that commercial-scale copyright infringement and piracy activities cause US businesses economic losses. The purpose of the report, it says, is to encourage the government and the private sector to take action to reduce piracy and copyright infringement, and a focus this year is how e-commerce platforms are contributing to copyright infringement.
Source: Stand News #Jan15
#US #China #USTradeRepresentative #USTR #NotoriousMarkets #Taobao #Baidu #Piracy #Copyright
https://bit.ly/3iXjkvV
Lexbase: Canadian Government Drafting Evacuation Plan Over Concerns of China Rejecting Dual Citizenship in Hong Kong
Regina Ip, the Chairperson of New People’s Party and a member of the Executive Council, has previously suggested that the authorities forbid Hong Kong citizens from holding dual citizenship in an article. Chief Executive Carrie Lam afterwards clarified that no related policy has been discussed in the council. According to SingTao and MingPao, Lexbase, a Canadian emigration consultant professionals newsletter, revealed in their latest January issue that in the light of the National Security Law, the Chinese government might deny the recognition of dual citizenship of Hong Kong people, and even restrict Hong Kong citizens to leave the city. The newsletter also mentioned that the Canadian government is drafting up an “emergency plan” for evacuating Canadian citizen from Hong Kong.
#Canada #HongKong #DualCitizenship #NationalSecurityLaw #Lexbase
Sources: StandNews #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3eaU6tK
Regina Ip, the Chairperson of New People’s Party and a member of the Executive Council, has previously suggested that the authorities forbid Hong Kong citizens from holding dual citizenship in an article. Chief Executive Carrie Lam afterwards clarified that no related policy has been discussed in the council. According to SingTao and MingPao, Lexbase, a Canadian emigration consultant professionals newsletter, revealed in their latest January issue that in the light of the National Security Law, the Chinese government might deny the recognition of dual citizenship of Hong Kong people, and even restrict Hong Kong citizens to leave the city. The newsletter also mentioned that the Canadian government is drafting up an “emergency plan” for evacuating Canadian citizen from Hong Kong.
#Canada #HongKong #DualCitizenship #NationalSecurityLaw #Lexbase
Sources: StandNews #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3eaU6tK
Refusing coal from Australia, China eventually buy Australian coal indirectly from other countries at high price
Source: Stand News #Jan15
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Source: Stand News #Jan15
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Refusing coal from Australia, China eventually buy Australian coal indirectly from other countries at high price
As China-Australia relation getting strained, China imposed trade restriction towards Australia, preventing Australian coal vessels with coal from unloading in China. Local news outlet News.com.au quoted coal mining company Whitehaven Coal's quarterly report, which said that while China purchase coal from other countries, what it gets is still Australian coal.
The company noted in its quarterly report that China has banned Australia coal but “has supplemented its domestic production with higher cost coal from alternative countries such as Russia, Indonesia and South Africa,” which in effect subsidizes China's domestic coal production. The report also said as China experienced a cold winter this year, domestic coal demand is rising, and China had to raise total coal import quota late in 2020.
The report further to point out that, Australian coal has found new markets. “Instead of being delivered to China, Australian coal is now finding customers in alternative destinations, including India, Pakistan and the Middle East, and traded coal historically delivered into these markets is finding its way into China.”
#Australia #China #Coal #TradeDisputes
Source: Stand News #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3bkzltx
As China-Australia relation getting strained, China imposed trade restriction towards Australia, preventing Australian coal vessels with coal from unloading in China. Local news outlet News.com.au quoted coal mining company Whitehaven Coal's quarterly report, which said that while China purchase coal from other countries, what it gets is still Australian coal.
The company noted in its quarterly report that China has banned Australia coal but “has supplemented its domestic production with higher cost coal from alternative countries such as Russia, Indonesia and South Africa,” which in effect subsidizes China's domestic coal production. The report also said as China experienced a cold winter this year, domestic coal demand is rising, and China had to raise total coal import quota late in 2020.
The report further to point out that, Australian coal has found new markets. “Instead of being delivered to China, Australian coal is now finding customers in alternative destinations, including India, Pakistan and the Middle East, and traded coal historically delivered into these markets is finding its way into China.”
#Australia #China #Coal #TradeDisputes
Source: Stand News #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3bkzltx
#Solidarity
Over 1,000 HongKongers in #UK protest against Hong Kong government’s suppression over the city’s press freedom
Source: HarbourofFreedom; #Jan15
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Over 1,000 HongKongers in #UK protest against Hong Kong government’s suppression over the city’s press freedom
Source: HarbourofFreedom; #Jan15
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Over 1,000 HongKongers in UK protest against Hong Kong government’s suppression over the city’s press freedom
In the afternoon of January 15, 2022, a group of over 1,000 Hongkongers rallied from Piccadilly Circus to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, reprimanding Hong Kong authorities’ repeated crackdowns over media operations in Hong Kong.
Among them, hundreds also took part in a letter campaign, in which they pitched their protest notes in the Trade office’s letter box to disapprove the disappearing press freedom in Hong Kong.
The rally and the letter campaign were organized by the Good Neighbour Church England in response to the closing of Stand News in December 2021 when several staff members and Directors of the pro-democracy online media were arrested by the National Security police on suspicion of conspiring to publish seditious materials and their office being raided. Two weeks after its closure, at least 8 more online media ceased operation, all citing white terror and national security threat as concerns.
Several community groups representing Hongkongers in UK also supported the protest. They include KongAid, Hongkongers in Britain, Britons in HongKong, Justitia Hong Kong, LIBERKONG and Sutton HongKongers Group.
Source: HarbourofFreedom; #Jan15
#Hongkongers #Diaspora #OverseasHKgers
In the afternoon of January 15, 2022, a group of over 1,000 Hongkongers rallied from Piccadilly Circus to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, reprimanding Hong Kong authorities’ repeated crackdowns over media operations in Hong Kong.
Among them, hundreds also took part in a letter campaign, in which they pitched their protest notes in the Trade office’s letter box to disapprove the disappearing press freedom in Hong Kong.
The rally and the letter campaign were organized by the Good Neighbour Church England in response to the closing of Stand News in December 2021 when several staff members and Directors of the pro-democracy online media were arrested by the National Security police on suspicion of conspiring to publish seditious materials and their office being raided. Two weeks after its closure, at least 8 more online media ceased operation, all citing white terror and national security threat as concerns.
Several community groups representing Hongkongers in UK also supported the protest. They include KongAid, Hongkongers in Britain, Britons in HongKong, Justitia Hong Kong, LIBERKONG and Sutton HongKongers Group.
Source: HarbourofFreedom; #Jan15
#Hongkongers #Diaspora #OverseasHKgers
#Court
Facing 38 to 40 months in jail, Pro-democracy citizen: I am "honored to be born a Hongkonger"
On January 15, 2022, the District Court in Hong Kong sentenced seven pro-democracy citizens to up to three years and four months in jail. In the same case, two citizens who are under 20 years old are sent to an education center.
All of them were arrested on the street of Kowloon on November 18, 2019, and were convicted of "rioting" near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (#PolyU) in November 2019. During the police siege of the university campus, thousands of pro-democracy Hongkongers tried to help the entrapped protesters, students, and civilians to escape.
During the trial, the defence counsel recited a letter written by one of the defendants, 24-year-old Tang Kam-Lok. In his letter, Tang cited the French-Algerian author and 1958 Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus:
"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."
Tam expressed his belonging to Hong Kong and realised how special Hong Kong was during his studies in the UK. Tam said he is "honored to be born a Hongkonger" and hopes to return "like a phoenix".
After the sentence, families and friends shout in the direction of the defendents, "hang on!" "love you!"
Source: InMediaHK.Net #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3qqOrFA
#Conscience #NeverForget #Phoenix #AlbertCamus #Hongkonger #PolyUSiege
Facing 38 to 40 months in jail, Pro-democracy citizen: I am "honored to be born a Hongkonger"
On January 15, 2022, the District Court in Hong Kong sentenced seven pro-democracy citizens to up to three years and four months in jail. In the same case, two citizens who are under 20 years old are sent to an education center.
All of them were arrested on the street of Kowloon on November 18, 2019, and were convicted of "rioting" near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (#PolyU) in November 2019. During the police siege of the university campus, thousands of pro-democracy Hongkongers tried to help the entrapped protesters, students, and civilians to escape.
During the trial, the defence counsel recited a letter written by one of the defendants, 24-year-old Tang Kam-Lok. In his letter, Tang cited the French-Algerian author and 1958 Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus:
"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."
Tam expressed his belonging to Hong Kong and realised how special Hong Kong was during his studies in the UK. Tam said he is "honored to be born a Hongkonger" and hopes to return "like a phoenix".
After the sentence, families and friends shout in the direction of the defendents, "hang on!" "love you!"
Source: InMediaHK.Net #Jan15
https://bit.ly/3qqOrFA
#Conscience #NeverForget #Phoenix #AlbertCamus #Hongkonger #PolyUSiege
獨立媒體
【理大圍城】7男女囚38至40個月 2青年入教導所 被告：願以浴火重生的姿態見面 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
【獨媒報導】前年11月18日「理大圍城」，大批示威者響應號召前往理大附近一帶，9人在警方驅散期間於現場遭拘捕，早前全被裁定暴動罪成，其中兩人另被裁定管有攻擊性武器成立，還柙至今日（15日）於區域法院判刑。法官林偉權判兩名現年20歲的青年入教導所，其餘7名男女則分別判監禁3年2個月至3年4個月。散庭後，親友紛紛向被告大叫：「撐住呀！」、「愛你
#PoliceState
Hong Kong Customs officers suspected of framing an Indian youth
Sources: InMediaHK; HK Free Press; Statement from Customs #Jan15
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31934
Hong Kong Customs officers suspected of framing an Indian youth
Sources: InMediaHK; HK Free Press; Statement from Customs #Jan15
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31934
#PoliceState
Hong Kong Customs officers suspected of framing an Indian youth
On January 14, 2022, an Instagram user, named “azmat_karavan,” claimed he witnessed how officers from the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department (C&ED) “framed an ethnic minority youth” in Hong Kong.
According to the post, the witness saw an “undercover agent”, who was carrying a cardboard box, approach an individual, whom he described as a South Asian man and asked him to sign for the items.
The witness said the man — reportedly named Ashuk Kumar — responded by saying the goods did not belong to him and said he did not want to receive the parcel.
But he eventually signed for the box after the parcel holder kept asking for his signature — shortly afterwards, a group of customs officers emerged and arrested the man.
In a nine-minute video, a group of plainclothes officers, who said they were from Customs, appeared to surround an ethnic-minority man on Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po.
In a statement from the C&ED released a day later, Customs “immediately conducted a surveillance operation on the delivery and arrested a 34-year-old male consignee under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance” “to combat the sale of counterfeit goods”, stressing that “all operations are conducted with fairness, impartiality and professionalism based on facts and evidence” and denouncing “any such irresponsible remarks regarding the allegation of so-called "planting of evidence" by Customs posted on social media platform”.
Sources: InMediaHK; HK Free Press; Statement from Customs #Jan15
https://bit.ly/324uJWK
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/01/17/hong-kong-customs-condemn-unfounded-rumours-over-planting-of-evidence-on-southeast-asian-man/
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/15/P2022011500452.htm
#Framing #Plotting #Customs #Discrimination #EthnicMinorities
Hong Kong Customs officers suspected of framing an Indian youth
On January 14, 2022, an Instagram user, named “azmat_karavan,” claimed he witnessed how officers from the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department (C&ED) “framed an ethnic minority youth” in Hong Kong.
According to the post, the witness saw an “undercover agent”, who was carrying a cardboard box, approach an individual, whom he described as a South Asian man and asked him to sign for the items.
The witness said the man — reportedly named Ashuk Kumar — responded by saying the goods did not belong to him and said he did not want to receive the parcel.
But he eventually signed for the box after the parcel holder kept asking for his signature — shortly afterwards, a group of customs officers emerged and arrested the man.
In a nine-minute video, a group of plainclothes officers, who said they were from Customs, appeared to surround an ethnic-minority man on Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po.
In a statement from the C&ED released a day later, Customs “immediately conducted a surveillance operation on the delivery and arrested a 34-year-old male consignee under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance” “to combat the sale of counterfeit goods”, stressing that “all operations are conducted with fairness, impartiality and professionalism based on facts and evidence” and denouncing “any such irresponsible remarks regarding the allegation of so-called "planting of evidence" by Customs posted on social media platform”.
Sources: InMediaHK; HK Free Press; Statement from Customs #Jan15
https://bit.ly/324uJWK
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/01/17/hong-kong-customs-condemn-unfounded-rumours-over-planting-of-evidence-on-southeast-asian-man/
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/15/P2022011500452.htm
#Framing #Plotting #Customs #Discrimination #EthnicMinorities
Uganda suspended a "Belt and Road" essential constructions
#Reuter reported that #Uganda has suspended an essential construction under China's Belt-and-Road initiatives, spoken by a Uganda official.
Uganda originally planned to build a railway to #Kenya with China Harbour Enginering Company (#CHEC) in 2015. The project is expected to cost USD$2.2 million. Unlike other narrow track railway in Africa, this railway project complies to the international construction standard. However, Uganda didn't receive any fund from China under the Belt and Road policy.
Uganda was forced to stopped the plan with CHEC and is considering to continue the project with Yapi Merkezi, a Turkish company.
#Uganda #Kenya #China #BeltandRoad #CHEC
Source: Common #Jan15
http://cmmns.co/RApYN
#Reuter reported that #Uganda has suspended an essential construction under China's Belt-and-Road initiatives, spoken by a Uganda official.
Uganda originally planned to build a railway to #Kenya with China Harbour Enginering Company (#CHEC) in 2015. The project is expected to cost USD$2.2 million. Unlike other narrow track railway in Africa, this railway project complies to the international construction standard. However, Uganda didn't receive any fund from China under the Belt and Road policy.
Uganda was forced to stopped the plan with CHEC and is considering to continue the project with Yapi Merkezi, a Turkish company.
#Uganda #Kenya #China #BeltandRoad #CHEC
Source: Common #Jan15
http://cmmns.co/RApYN