Belarus Bans 50 News Websites, Lukashenko Inspects Border and Accuses NATO of Splitting up the Country
Source: Stand News #Aug23
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Source: Stand News #Aug23
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Belarus Bans 50 News Websites, Lukashenko Inspects Border and Accuses NATO of Splitting up the Country
As anti-government protests in Belarus continue, more than 50 news media websites have been blocked by the local authority. On the other hand, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, donning military fatigues, inspected Grodno, a town near Belarus's borders with Poland, and accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of attempts to split up Belarus. NATO refuted his claim and said that it served only to divert the people’s attention from their discontent. US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will visit Lithuania and Russia shortly to discuss issues related to Belarus.
Lukashenko claimed that NATO attempted to split up Belarus and replace him with a new president. He also said that as Poland and Lithuania were ready to take action, he had to deploy troops to the western border and order his defence minister to take "the most stringent measures to protect the territorial integrity of the country.”
NATO denied the allegations, stating that "NATO poses no threat to Belarus or any other country and has no military buildup in the region" and that "Our posture is strictly defensive". It accused Lukashenko's government of employing a fictitious narrative of foreign threat to shift the public's attention away from its discontent towards the government and the election.
Source: Stand News #Aug23
#Belarus #NATO #Lukashenko #Poland #Lithuania
As anti-government protests in Belarus continue, more than 50 news media websites have been blocked by the local authority. On the other hand, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, donning military fatigues, inspected Grodno, a town near Belarus's borders with Poland, and accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of attempts to split up Belarus. NATO refuted his claim and said that it served only to divert the people’s attention from their discontent. US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will visit Lithuania and Russia shortly to discuss issues related to Belarus.
Lukashenko claimed that NATO attempted to split up Belarus and replace him with a new president. He also said that as Poland and Lithuania were ready to take action, he had to deploy troops to the western border and order his defence minister to take "the most stringent measures to protect the territorial integrity of the country.”
NATO denied the allegations, stating that "NATO poses no threat to Belarus or any other country and has no military buildup in the region" and that "Our posture is strictly defensive". It accused Lukashenko's government of employing a fictitious narrative of foreign threat to shift the public's attention away from its discontent towards the government and the election.
Source: Stand News #Aug23
#Belarus #NATO #Lukashenko #Poland #Lithuania
立場新聞 Stand News
白羅斯禁數十新聞網站、國營工廠拒印獨立報章 盧卡申科視察邊境稱北約圖分裂國家 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
白羅斯反政府示威持續，50 多個新聞網站被當局禁制。一身軍服出現的總統盧卡申科則前往鄰近波蘭的邊境城市格羅德諾...
#CCPLies #MadeinChina
The Poor Man’s Luxury Sofa in China: Netizens Question Authenticity of Chinese Government Visit
Source: Apple Daily Taiwan #Aug23
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25142
The Poor Man’s Luxury Sofa in China: Netizens Question Authenticity of Chinese Government Visit
Source: Apple Daily Taiwan #Aug23
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25142
#CCPLies #MadeinChina
The Poor Man’s Luxury Sofa in China: Netizens Question Authenticity of Chinese Government Visit
Responding to Xi Jinping’s call for eradicating poverty in all of China’s impoverished rural community by 2020, the Administrative Committee of State Economic and Technological Development Zone of Pingxiang in the province of Jiangxi published an article on WeChat titled “District Leaders Supervise Work on Fighting Poverty and Visit the Impoverished”. The publicity effort, however, has led to questions of its authenticity.
An attempt to demonstrate the government’s care for the poor, the article reported a visit on the afternoon of 19 August by Li Jinlin, secretary of Pingxiang’s Party Working Committee, to inspect the work on fighting poverty at the village level. Allegations of the visit being a stunt were made as photos in the article show Li and other officials talking to what are supposedly poor people at two luxuriously furnished houses in Tianzhong Village. The residences came with marble flooring and a spacious living room equipped with a large sofa and a matching coffee table. A netizen in China commented that “this poor man’s sofa is even larger than mine”.
The article has been taken down after the argument appeared, but the images are still going viral online. The government responded by asking netizens “not to determine whether a family is poor from how well its home is furnished”.
#China #Xi #Jiangxi #LocalGovernment #Society #Economy #Staging #Sofa
Source: Apple Daily Taiwan #Aug23
https://bit.ly/32U5SS6
The Poor Man’s Luxury Sofa in China: Netizens Question Authenticity of Chinese Government Visit
Responding to Xi Jinping’s call for eradicating poverty in all of China’s impoverished rural community by 2020, the Administrative Committee of State Economic and Technological Development Zone of Pingxiang in the province of Jiangxi published an article on WeChat titled “District Leaders Supervise Work on Fighting Poverty and Visit the Impoverished”. The publicity effort, however, has led to questions of its authenticity.
An attempt to demonstrate the government’s care for the poor, the article reported a visit on the afternoon of 19 August by Li Jinlin, secretary of Pingxiang’s Party Working Committee, to inspect the work on fighting poverty at the village level. Allegations of the visit being a stunt were made as photos in the article show Li and other officials talking to what are supposedly poor people at two luxuriously furnished houses in Tianzhong Village. The residences came with marble flooring and a spacious living room equipped with a large sofa and a matching coffee table. A netizen in China commented that “this poor man’s sofa is even larger than mine”.
The article has been taken down after the argument appeared, but the images are still going viral online. The government responded by asking netizens “not to determine whether a family is poor from how well its home is furnished”.
#China #Xi #Jiangxi #LocalGovernment #Society #Economy #Staging #Sofa
Source: Apple Daily Taiwan #Aug23
https://bit.ly/32U5SS6
蘋果新聞網
中國官員訪窮人照片掀熱議 網友驚「貧戶家沙發比我家還大」 ｜ 蘋果新聞網 ｜ 蘋果日報
為了展現有做到習近平的「2020年中國實現農村貧困人口全部脫貧」政見，江西省「國家萍鄉經濟技術開發區」管理委員會，近日在官方微信刊發表《區領導督導脫貧扶貧工作並走訪看望貧困戶》一文，沒想到引發中國網友熱議。原因是照片中的貧困戶，家中裝潢、陳設，比許多網友的家還豪華。「這貧困戶...
#TwoYears #HongKongWay
Second Anniversary of Pro-democracy #HumanChain in Hong Kong; Commemorative Exhibitions Open in Estonia and Luthunia
Source: Stand News #Aug23
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Second Anniversary of Pro-democracy #HumanChain in Hong Kong; Commemorative Exhibitions Open in Estonia and Luthunia
Source: Stand News #Aug23
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#TwoYears #HongKongWay
Second Anniversary of Pro-democracy #HumanChain in Hong Kong; Commemorative Exhibitions Open in Estonia and Luthuania
Two years ago on August 23, 2019, around 210,000 pro-democracy Hongkongers formed a 60km human chain across the city, going through different districts and even up on Lion Rock. In addition to voice pro-democractic demands, the event also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the #BalticWay, where a 675km human chain was formed by over 2 million people across three countries occupied by Russia, namely, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. One year after the human chain event to raise international concern, Russia acknowledged the independent status of the three countries.
In 2021, a Hongkonger residing in Estonia, Iverson Ng, curated a photo exhibition titled "1989 Baltics - 2019 Hong Kong". The exhibiting partners include the Institute of Historical Memory in Estonis, the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Lithuania and the Museum of the Occupation (#MOL) in Latvia. The exhibition opened on August 23, 2021, marking the second anniversary of the Hong Kong Way and the 32nd anniversary of the Baltic Way.
However, the Museum of the Occupation (MOL) of Latvia suddenly pulled out just one week prior to the opening. The vice director of the museum, Taiga Kokneviča, wrote to Ng on August 17, 2022, saying that "it is not a moment to discuss other issues in the museum".
Despite this, the museum director Solvita Vība has earlier promoted the exhibition when speaking to the local media LSM. In the interview, Vība praised the perseverance and solidarity of pro-democracy Hongkongers and pointed out the support for Hongkongers from the country's Minister of Foreign Affairrs, Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Since the vice premier Artis Pabriks tweeted the news in his twitter, Ng does not think the government has put any pressure on the museum. The real cause of the withdrawal remains unclear.
In any case, the Estonian section of the exhibition is available online: https://chainsoffreedom.communistcrimes.org/
Source: Stand News #Aug23
https://www.thestandnews.com/international/%E4%BA%BA%E9%8F%88%E5%85%A9%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4-%E6%B8%AF%E4%BA%BA%E6%B3%A2%E7%BE%85%E7%9A%84%E6%B5%B7%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E8%BE%A6%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E4%B9%8B%E8%B7%AF%E5%B1%95%E8%A6%BD-%E6%8B%89%E8%84%AB%E7%B6%AD%E4%BA%9E%E5%B1%95%E9%A4%A8%E7%AA%81%E5%8F%96%E6%B6%88%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C-%E5%89%AF%E7%B8%BD%E7%90%86%E4%BA%A6%E9%97%9C%E6%B3%A8
#Censorship #Photography #Exhibition #Latvia #Estonia #Lithuania
Second Anniversary of Pro-democracy #HumanChain in Hong Kong; Commemorative Exhibitions Open in Estonia and Luthuania
Two years ago on August 23, 2019, around 210,000 pro-democracy Hongkongers formed a 60km human chain across the city, going through different districts and even up on Lion Rock. In addition to voice pro-democractic demands, the event also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the #BalticWay, where a 675km human chain was formed by over 2 million people across three countries occupied by Russia, namely, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. One year after the human chain event to raise international concern, Russia acknowledged the independent status of the three countries.
In 2021, a Hongkonger residing in Estonia, Iverson Ng, curated a photo exhibition titled "1989 Baltics - 2019 Hong Kong". The exhibiting partners include the Institute of Historical Memory in Estonis, the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Lithuania and the Museum of the Occupation (#MOL) in Latvia. The exhibition opened on August 23, 2021, marking the second anniversary of the Hong Kong Way and the 32nd anniversary of the Baltic Way.
However, the Museum of the Occupation (MOL) of Latvia suddenly pulled out just one week prior to the opening. The vice director of the museum, Taiga Kokneviča, wrote to Ng on August 17, 2022, saying that "it is not a moment to discuss other issues in the museum".
Despite this, the museum director Solvita Vība has earlier promoted the exhibition when speaking to the local media LSM. In the interview, Vība praised the perseverance and solidarity of pro-democracy Hongkongers and pointed out the support for Hongkongers from the country's Minister of Foreign Affairrs, Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Since the vice premier Artis Pabriks tweeted the news in his twitter, Ng does not think the government has put any pressure on the museum. The real cause of the withdrawal remains unclear.
In any case, the Estonian section of the exhibition is available online: https://chainsoffreedom.communistcrimes.org/
Source: Stand News #Aug23
https://www.thestandnews.com/international/%E4%BA%BA%E9%8F%88%E5%85%A9%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4-%E6%B8%AF%E4%BA%BA%E6%B3%A2%E7%BE%85%E7%9A%84%E6%B5%B7%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E8%BE%A6%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E4%B9%8B%E8%B7%AF%E5%B1%95%E8%A6%BD-%E6%8B%89%E8%84%AB%E7%B6%AD%E4%BA%9E%E5%B1%95%E9%A4%A8%E7%AA%81%E5%8F%96%E6%B6%88%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C-%E5%89%AF%E7%B8%BD%E7%90%86%E4%BA%A6%E9%97%9C%E6%B3%A8
#Censorship #Photography #Exhibition #Latvia #Estonia #Lithuania
#Court #PrimaryElection #NeverGiveUp
Former Pro-democracy Councilor #RoyTam Denied Bail Again for Taking Part in Primary Election
Former Hong Kong pro-democracy district councilor Roy Tam Hoi-Pong, was denied bail by the High Court on Monday, 23 August, 2021.
Roy Tam was detained for nearly half a year for taking part in the 2020 legislative primary election in the pro-democracy camp, and his bail application was rejected 3 times already.
The bail application was heard by Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping, one of the judges chosen by the Chief Executive Carrie Lam to handle cases related to the National Security Law. Esther Toh rejected the bail application after the hearing.
Before he left the court, Roy Tam called out to those attending the hearing: "It doesn’t matter! Hold On!" The attendees waved back to him, replying: "Roy, hold on!"
#NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Stand News #Aug23
https://bit.ly/3B11no4
Former Pro-democracy Councilor #RoyTam Denied Bail Again for Taking Part in Primary Election
Former Hong Kong pro-democracy district councilor Roy Tam Hoi-Pong, was denied bail by the High Court on Monday, 23 August, 2021.
Roy Tam was detained for nearly half a year for taking part in the 2020 legislative primary election in the pro-democracy camp, and his bail application was rejected 3 times already.
The bail application was heard by Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping, one of the judges chosen by the Chief Executive Carrie Lam to handle cases related to the National Security Law. Esther Toh rejected the bail application after the hearing.
Before he left the court, Roy Tam called out to those attending the hearing: "It doesn’t matter! Hold On!" The attendees waved back to him, replying: "Roy, hold on!"
#NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Stand News #Aug23
https://bit.ly/3B11no4
China's Magic Weapon
Governments around the world are uncovering secret operations to expand China's influence - the work of a little-known branch of the Chinese Communist Party called the United Front Work Department. President Xi has called it his 'magic weapon'.
Australia has changed its laws to combat foreign interference, and America says eight out of ten industrial espionage cases now involve China. So what is the United Front doing in the UK? Jane Corbin investigates this powerful but shadowy organisation. Has influence become interference as China bids to become the most powerful nation on earth?
Source: BBC #Aug23
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000z2yt
#China #Weapon #PresidentXi #CCP #Australia
Governments around the world are uncovering secret operations to expand China's influence - the work of a little-known branch of the Chinese Communist Party called the United Front Work Department. President Xi has called it his 'magic weapon'.
Australia has changed its laws to combat foreign interference, and America says eight out of ten industrial espionage cases now involve China. So what is the United Front doing in the UK? Jane Corbin investigates this powerful but shadowy organisation. Has influence become interference as China bids to become the most powerful nation on earth?
Source: BBC #Aug23
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000z2yt
#China #Weapon #PresidentXi #CCP #Australia
85% attendees of Carrie Lam’s consultation forum are pre-selected by government, only 1 opinion against current policies
Source: Stand News #Aug23
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Source: Stand News #Aug23
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85% attendees of Carrie Lam’s consultation forum are pre-selected by government, only 1 opinion against current policies
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam attended a public consultation forum for her policy address on Sunday, 22 Aug, 2021.
28 attendees spoke during the session, but only one spoke clearly against the government current policies. 90 (84.9%) among the 106 attendees were invited by the government, authorities admitted after the forum.
Those 90 attendees were invited by Home Office in the name of ‘districts individuals’, another 16 were randomly sampled by The Lingnan University, the government’s Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office said.
By inviting districts individuals, ‘citizens with good understanding in district matters’ could raise opinion to the Chief Executive directly, it also helps including the sound from ethnic minorities, the government explained.
Source: Stand News #Aug23
https://t.me/thestandnews/5553
#FailedState #CarrieLam #Consultation #Stage
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam attended a public consultation forum for her policy address on Sunday, 22 Aug, 2021.
28 attendees spoke during the session, but only one spoke clearly against the government current policies. 90 (84.9%) among the 106 attendees were invited by the government, authorities admitted after the forum.
Those 90 attendees were invited by Home Office in the name of ‘districts individuals’, another 16 were randomly sampled by The Lingnan University, the government’s Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office said.
By inviting districts individuals, ‘citizens with good understanding in district matters’ could raise opinion to the Chief Executive directly, it also helps including the sound from ethnic minorities, the government explained.
Source: Stand News #Aug23
https://t.me/thestandnews/5553
#FailedState #CarrieLam #Consultation #Stage
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【九成人都係受邀】
政府昨（22 日）舉行首場施政報告諮詢會，有 106 人出席，包括由大學「隨機抽樣」，以及受政府邀請的「十八區人士」，結果抽中發言的 28 人當中，近半有建制背景，只有 1 人發言時反對政府政策。
政策創新與統籌辦事處回覆查詢時指，在昨日出席的 106 人中，只有 16 個是隨機抽樣的市民，另外 90 人都是獲邀十八區人士。
政府解釋，地區人士出席諮詢會可以讓「熟悉地區事務」的「市民」，有機會直接向行政長官提供意見，亦可以涵蓋隨機抽樣較難選中的人例如少數族裔。
政府昨（22 日）舉行首場施政報告諮詢會，有 106 人出席，包括由大學「隨機抽樣」，以及受政府邀請的「十八區人士」，結果抽中發言的 28 人當中，近半有建制背景，只有 1 人發言時反對政府政策。
政策創新與統籌辦事處回覆查詢時指，在昨日出席的 106 人中，只有 16 個是隨機抽樣的市民，另外 90 人都是獲邀十八區人士。
政府解釋，地區人士出席諮詢會可以讓「熟悉地區事務」的「市民」，有機會直接向行政長官提供意見，亦可以涵蓋隨機抽樣較難選中的人例如少數族裔。