📡Guardians of Hong Kong
9.68K subscribers
21.6K photos
1.88K videos
27 files
9.99K links
We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/BeWaterHongKong
Instagram: @guardiansofhk
Website: https://guardiansofhk.com/
Download Telegram
#Interview #Hongkonger
#Frontliner in Hong Kong Protest Speaks Up in #Canada: "Don't forget the frontliners even though they're no longer in the spotlight"

Part 1

On August 31, 2021, many Hongkongers assembled in a rally in Toronto, Canada, commemorating the police brutality victims of the 8.31 Prince Edward Station Attack by the police during the 2019 #AntiELAB movement.

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30945

At the rally, Hei, a frontliner who fled Hong Kong in 2020, shared his experiences and thoughts of his part in the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

"The 2019 Anti-ELAB movement happened very suddenly. Hongkongers did not learn how to protest when growing up," Hei said. "We the younger generation, in particular, were not taught about protests in school. Hong Kong did not have any violent protests before. Hongkongers are actually still full of love, especially after the events of 2019; we care very much about the people around us."

After all, the pro-democracy movement reflects Hongkongers' belonging to the city. Hei is one of them. "That year was also when I began to really identify with the name 'Hongkonger''," Hei recounted.

"Before that, I didn't really feel a sense of belonging, or feel any 'Hong Kong spirit' that was often mentioned on TV. Hong Kong people were all strangers going to school or work; we would never say hello."

"I couldn't represent all frontliners, though I could say that I had barely missed any protests in 2019," Hei looked back and said. "I was on Lion Rock. I went to the airport. Before the movement, I never thought going on a hike could be so meaningful."

Yet, the authorities' crackdown on pro-democracy protesters never stop. "Many of us, the frontliners who went on the streets over these 2 years, are now in prison," Hei said.

"Some escaped police and are have returned to their studies or work. Some have moved away from Hong Kong. Many peaceful-nonviolent protesters seem to think we've gone missing, and now pay attention only to political commentators, many of whom I don't know."

Hei urged Hongkongers not to forget why frontliners have to go into hiding, whether they want it or not. "Although we're no longer in the spotlight, I hope you haven't forgotten about us. Some of us are even sitting here right next to you. We had all been frontliners."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk

Part 2 coming up next
#Interview #Part2
Hong Kong Protester Recalls #Hongkongers' Kindness during Pro-democracy Movement

Hei is a frontliner in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. He fled the city in 2020 and in Canada he shared his past experiences in a rally, commemorating the police brutality victims of the 8.31 Prince Edward Station Attack.

Read Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30959

"Sometimes when I'm working and helping people move house, I see posters of protesters in full gear; they looked just like me'," Hei said. All these bring back his memories of 2019.

"I actually didn't wear helmets very often; in later protests, I didn't even bring my gas mask. Many things go through my mind when I see images like this, some happy, some not so much."

After an emotional moment, Hei asked the rally participants, "If the fight for Hong Kong comes to us here one day, and us frontliners come out again to stand against injustice, will you still support us?"

At this time, the audience responded with loud clapping.

Inspired by the conscience of his coworker, Hei put his construction skills to use in protests.

Hei asked his audience again, "Do people here feel that construction workers are uneducated, or that their job is undesirable? When I was young, I thought that way. When I became a construction worker myself, I thought I would never let students block police batons for us, or leave it to them to fight against a totalitarian regime for the rights and freedom of people like me."

"I want to say that Hong Kong protesters included many students and white-collars, of course. But there are also blue-collar workers, such as construction workers like me, people who build bamboo scaffolding for a living."

"I was at the Chinede University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) during the siege, and helped build bamboo barricades at the No. 2 Bridge. [Editor's notes: Hong Kong Police fired over 1000 rounds of tear gas at protesters at this bridge in one night while attempting to breach into the campus] Where did the bamboo come from? They're from a kind-hearted scaffolding company who dropped off a truckload of bamboo at the campus, saying 'oh, we suddenly didn't need these anymore; we'll just leave these here.' We carried the bamboo from the front gate all the way over to No. 2 Bridge."

Hei then traced back to the moment he started to care about Hong Kong affairs, "The first protest I attended was June 16, 2019 - the '2 million plus one' march. The one who brought me was another construction worker. He didn't do very well in school, his jokes are crass, but he was a man with a conscience. He talked about how Hong Kong had been bullied every day by the Chinese regime, and even though I didn't care about politics at the time, he made me aware of these issues."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk

Part 3 coming up next
#Interview #Hongkongers
The name '#frontliner' is a responsibility, because we'll always stand in front of all Hongkongers: Self-Exiled Protester Supports himself with work in #Canada

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Read more
⬇️⬇️
#Interview #Hongkongers
The name '
#frontliner' is a responsibility, because we'll always stand in front of all Hongkongers: Self-Exiled Protester Supports himself with work in #Canada

Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30959

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30969

At a rally held on August 31, 2021 in Toronto, Canada, Hei, a frontliner who fled Hong Kong in 2020, reflected on his experiences in the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30945

Hei told the rally participants, "Here in Canada, I hope you can take an extra step. Come out for demonstrations more often. Tell people around you, Chinese or otherwise, about what happened during those years, and Hong Kong's situation now."

Hei, self-exiled, talked about his diasporic experience in Canada, "Here in Toronto, I've worked for over 30 moving companies. All of them had Chinese owners. People kept telling me to be careful not to say so much about Hong Kong, but I can't. Those who know me know that I speak very frankly. When people ask where I'm from, I would always say: I'm a Hongkonger, I'm from Hong Kong."

"The next question they usually ask is: 'Did you get paid to go protesting?' I usually reply jokingly, 'I've been out dozens of times, and those 'foreign influences' still haven't paid me a single dime. Where are they anyway?'"

Hei also reminded all supporters of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, "Take care of your wallets; there are non-profits who had been raising money to support arrested protesters and pay for court fees. I think these are reasonable; please support them. You could always ask them where the money is going, and who it's helping. They can tell you."

"As for me, I don't need donations; I want job opportunities. If you need help moving, call me, or any of our frontliners who are here; we're all hard workers," Hei, though new to Canada, shows his perseverance in sustaining himself.

"All frontliners I've met are like this. They're all earning a living with their own hands; they live with their heads held high. These are our real brothers and sisters."

Hei also called for solidarity, which is something essential to fight against the united front. "I hope all organizations and supporters of the movement can remain united. Our opponent, Communist China, has incredible resources. We must use our own resources wisely."

Hei advised, "Also, equip yourselves, exercise and stay fit, work hard to survive and make a living. You have to be able to take care of yourself before you can take care of others."

Hei concluded, "The name 'frontliner' is sometimes a glorification, but more often it's a responsibility. This responsibility follows us for the rest of our lives, because we'll always be a Hongkonger. We'll always stand in front of all HongKongers."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk
The mainland China is rumoured to block foreign artists, Nicholas Tse stated he is doing the withdrawal of Canadian citizenship: I was originally a Chinese 
 
Mainland China is purging the entertainment industry, and recently there has been a “restriction order” issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. In which, it stated part of the artists who own foreign citizenship will have difficulty of getting back to stage of mainland, banned list is including Nicholas Tse, who owns Canadian citizenship. He accepted interview from CCTV and stated, when he saw the comments of saying he is Canadian, he felt surprised and emphasized he has already applied for withdrawal the citizenship.  
 
Nicholas Tse accepted interview of China Movie Report Unit “Lan Yu Reception Room” from CCTV6, the host asked about his works have always hoped to spread Chinese elements, culture, and stories to the world, whether it is because he has a sense of belonging and pride of nation since he was a child. He replied that, when people grow up, there are more they will have this sense of responsibility.  
 
Source : Stand News #Sep06

https://bit.ly/3Cfmunj

#China #NicholasTse #ForeignCitizenship #Canada #CCTV #SenseOfBelonging #Responsibility
Canada warns citizens about possible exit bans in Hong Kong

Canada warned its citizens on Thursday (Aug 5) that the Hong Kong authorities can prevent people leaving the city under a new law that has raised fears of Chinese mainland-style exit bans.

The law, granting the immigration chief powers to bar people from boarding planes to and from the city, came into effect on Sunday.

"Under this amendment, individuals, including foreigners, might be unable to leave the territory," Canada's travel advisory Twitter account said.

Source: The Straits Times #Aug05

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/canada-warns-citizens-about-possible-hong-kong-exit-bans

#Canada #Warn #HongKong #Exit
Canadian Media: the US Talks to Huawei about Letting Meng Wanzhou Return to China Without Mentioning the Release of the 2 Canadians

In 2018, the US alleged Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanchou involving in bank fraud and violating sanctions against Iran, and asked Canada to arrest her. After Canada arresting her, China detained two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, accusing them of espionage. Foreign media stated this as “hostage politics”.

Arrested in 2018 but still have no decision on the extradition

The event originated from the US Department of Justice, alleging that Meng Wanchou was involved in HSBC bank fraud, which made HSBC at risk of violating US sanctions against Iran. The US asked Canada to extradite Meng to the US for trial. In December 2018, Canada arrested Meng Wanchou at the request of the United States, but whether she will be extradited to the US for trial will still be subject to a hearing.

Source: Stand News #Sep19

https://bit.ly/3aGEJX0

#Canada #UnitedStates #MengWanchou #Huawei #China #Iran #Sanction #HSBC #MichaelSpavor #MichaelKovrig #HostagePolitics
“Eyes Wide Open” on Relations with China, Says Canadian Foreign Minister

The Canadian foreign minister Marc Garneau said in a CBC interview on 26 September that the Canadian government has no illusions about normalizing relations with China. Vowing to keep their “eyes wide open”, Garneau said the government will approach relations with China with coexistence, competition, cooperation and challenges.

After Huawei’s deputy chair of the board Meng Wanzhou was allowed leave Canada, China immediately released the Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Garneau said it was very emotional to see the two returning to Canada, noting that they are in good condition and that the government is not ruling out the possibility of providing compensation to them.

In response to China’s denial that Kovrig’s and Spavor’s detention were related to Meng’s case, Garneau said the timing of the two Canadians’ release shows that the cases are connected “in a very direct manner”.

#Canada #China #Garneau #Meng #Kovrig #Spavor #Diplomacy

Source: Stand News #Sep27

https://bit.ly/3wrLE0m
A Chinese student in Canada had two followers on Twitter. He still didn’t escape Beijing’s threats over online activity

In “China Unbound: A New World Disorder,” Toronto Star reporter Joanna Chiu examines China’s growing influence around the world, including in western countries, and its surveillance and human rights abuses that increasingly extend beyond its borders.

Dear Joanna Chiu,
I am (Dan). I am from China. I just graduated from (a Quebec university). I hesitated for a whole night before deciding to write this email …

Source: The Star #Sep18

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/09/18/a-chinese-student-in-canada-had-two-followers-on-twitter-he-still-didnt-escape-beijings-threats-over-online-activity.html

#Chinese #Student #Canada #Twitter #Beijing
China played dirty to get Huawei’s 'princess' back — too dirty even to tell its own people

Family and supporters of two diplomatic hostages held in China for almost three years have celebrated their arrival home in Canada, as the woman they were traded for, Meng Wanzhou, was given a hero's welcome in the city of Shenzhen.

The trio's return to their respective homes caps a historic three-year standoff between the world's two superpowers, with Canada and the Chinese company Huawei caught in the middle.

Upon arriving home to Calgary, one of the two Canadians Michael Kovrig said "It’s fantastic to be back home in Canada".

Source: ABC #Sep26

https://t.co/q3YNkrgpRt

#China #Huawei #MengWanzhou #Canada
‘It Was Like Having the Chinese Government in the Room With Us’

U.S. authorities provided satellite photos of a North Korean ship transferring coal to a Chinese-flagged vessel to the U.N. panel of experts for North. China responded that it was “completely normal” for Chinese coast guard vessels to patrol in the region and asked the panel “not to include in its report unverified information” about the Chinese ship. Also, they stated it was a matter of national security.

It also underscores the contradiction between Beijing’s attempt to assert itself as a
champion of multilateralism while it persistently seeks to air brush out the record of its
failure to live up to those commitments. The United States has expressed increasing concern about China’s failure to enforce sanctions.

Source: Foreign Policy #Oct15

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/10/15/china-sanctions-north-korea-hardball/ #canada

#NorthKoreaSanction #ChinaNorthKorea
DoD trying to keep China from accessing critical U.S. space technology

DoD (Department of Defense) created the trusted capital program due to concerns that China is using its financial clout to access segments of the U.S. defense industrial base.

The trusted capital office encourages venture capital firms to get vetted by DoD so they can be declared sources of “clean capital.” Space is a sector of interest as billions of dollars pour into the industry, making it harder for the government to identify so-called adversarial capital.

Another piece of of DoD’s supply chain security involves making sure that contractors know the sources of their software and components.

Source: Foreign Policy #Oct1

https://spacenews.com/dod-trying-to-keep-china-from-accessing-critical-u-s-space-technology/ #canada

# DepartmentofDefense #DoD #SpaceTechnology
#CCP #Smearing
#China’s claim that #Omicron case came from Canadian mail dismissed as ‘ludicrous’

//A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada was dismissed Monday as being ludicrous and comical.

A Chinese state-controlled news outlet first reported that the Jan. 7 infection of a Beijing resident was the result of receiving a letter or parcel from Canada that passed through Hong Kong.

The Chinese report attributed that scenario to the deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Disease Control in a briefing, even though organizations such as the World Health Organization and Canada Post say the risk of contracting coronavirus from a piece of mail is low.//

Read the full article:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-20/bankers-are-shunning-hong-kong-as-finance-hub-loses-luster

Source: Globe and Mail #Jan17

#Pandemic #Covid19 #Canada
Foreign media: Kosovo diplomatically boycotts Beijing Winter Olympics

Following the #UnitedStates, #Australia, #Britain, #Canada and other countries, foreign media said #Kosovo also expressed support for the US diplomatic boycott of the #Beijing #WinterOlympics and joined the boycott on Thursday.

According to the report from Alast, Kosovo President #VjosaOsmani supports the US decision on diplomatically boycotting #China, and she joined the boycott due to China's violation of #HumanRights.

Even though the Kosovo delegation will resist all official ceremonies and events during the Beijing Winter Olympics, the athletes will still participate in the game.

Source: Stand News #Dec10