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#CulturalRevolution #Education
More senior officials of HK Examinations and Assessment Authority resigned reportedly due to extreme political pressure

In May 2020, the history exam paper question from the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (#HKDSE) was harshly criticized by pro-Beijing figures. The question asked students to discuss whether Japan did more good than harm to China during the war years.

Soon after the PRC's Foreign Ministry condemned the question, calling it biased and off-limits, Hong Kong government's #EducationBureau pressured the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (#HKEAA), an independent organization, to strike out the question because it “seriously hurt feelings and dignity of the Chinese people who suffered great pain during the Japanese invasion of China”.

This incident was said to lead to resignation of Yeung Wing-yu, Manager of the Evaluation and Development Department of HKEAA and Secretary of the Committee on Subjects of the History Section in August 2020.

Before leaving the Authority, Yeung revealed to his colleagues that his resignation was due to extreme political pressure. He suspected that the series of seemingly coincidences were in fact vigilantly planned.

Yeung pointed out that the DSE question was leaked way before the examination day in May while the question’s marking scheme was leaked two months later in July. During this time, his social media account was being repeated hacked for at least twice.

After HKEAA’s decision to invalidate the question on Sino-Japanese relationship on 22 May, he personally covered up students’ answers to the question. Yeung considered the incident the biggest humiliation in his tenure in HKEAA.

Liberal studies is another subject furiously pounced by the SAR government. Lo Ka-yiu, Senior Manager of HKEAA responsible for Liberal Study was fluttered by pro-Beijing mouthpiece in Hong Kong for his pro-democracy opinion calling for the city’s Chief Executive to step down.

In May 2020, Lo and Leung Tsz-yin, a manager reported to him, both resigned. In September, two Liberal Studies teachers, Fan Si-kei and Lam Yi-mei, were appointed to replace Lo and Leung.

However, it was reported on December 5 that Lam Yi-mei resigned despite an extremely short tenure of less than three months.

Since May 2020, a number of senior officials of HKEAA has either resigned or their contracts not being renewed, including the Authority’s Secretary General, principal officer of Assessment Development, as well as Senior Manager and Manager responsible for Liberal Studies.

Most recently, HKEAA announced appointment of their new Secretary General Ngai Heung-tung, Professor of Economics of Lingnan University who again has profound Chinese background.

Source : Apple Daily; Citizens News #Dec1 #Dec5

https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20201201/76TJAJBXSZGAVKTMYQHGUFDCQI/

https://bit.ly/2Vluj7k

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Related articles:

Secondary School Students Organised Platform to initiate judicial review on the government's decision to cancel DSE history question
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/21383

Education Bureau criticizes HKDSE controversial question on History paper
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/20819

HK Education Chief Denies Charges of Turning Liberal Studies subject into pro-China National Education
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/27170

#Censorship #RuleOfLaw #Brainwash #PublicExam #CCPControl #LiberalStudies #Resignation #PoliticalPressure
#FailedState #PoliticalAllegiance
Hong Kong Government's Demand of Allegiance pledge Sparks Wave of
#Resignation Among #CivilServants

Source: Apple Daily; #Feb11

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28638
#FailedState #PoliticalAllegiance
Hong Kong Government's Demand of Allegiance pledge Sparks Wave of
#Resignation Among #CivilServants

The Hong Kong SAR government has implemented new rules, demanding the supposedly politically neutral civil servants to pledge allegiance to the Basic Law and the Government.

As the deadline of the pledge, set at the end of February, is approaching, a wave of resignation was triggered among the civil servants.

Sources revealed that at least 20 doctors and dentists resigned from the Department of Health (#DoH) in the past three months. Among them, no less than four cited privately that they hesitated to sign the pledge.

“It is straightforward. One can either sign the pledge or resign. By signing the pledge, there would be too many constraints to comply. I prefer not to,” one anonymous civil servant said.

Among those resigned were nurses, scientific officers and dental clinic staff.

Amidst the wave of resignation, Lee Wai-yan, President of the Association of Government Physicians expressed helplessness and was concerned about the shortage of staff in the fight against COVID19.

Responding to media inquiry, the Department of Health acknowledged that more than 80 staff members resigned in past three months. In the same period last year, only 58 resigned.

Source: Apple Daily; #Feb11
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210211/NLXLA6BXFBEWNHMYGZAJ4ATAVU/

#Pledge #BasicLaw #BrainDrain
#PolicalOppression
Hundreds of #CivilServants in Hong Kong reportedly refuse signing the allegiance declaration and expecting to resign from Social Welfare Department

The Civil Service Bureau issued a letter to all departments in the middle of January 2021, demanding all civil servants to sign a declaration of allegiance within 4 weeks. They have until the end of February to return the declaration, those who refuse to sign may be asked to quit.

The Social Welfare Department currently has more than 6,000 staff members, a current staff revealed that more than 100 people, including social workers and administrative staff, are rumored to be resigning from the department.

Kim, a staff who did not want to disclose their job title or name, mentioned to Stand News reporters, saying that he is still torn between whether to sign the declaration or not. The staff said that there is a lot to consider, for example, whether or not there are consequences to signing or whether he would be held accountable if he refuses.

He said he would have to cross a psychological hurdle to leave such a secure job in the current economic environment.

He also described it as a choice between "bread or dignity" "It is written on paper that we have to be loyal to the SAR and to the Basic Law. However, everything that has happened in the past year or two is still fresh in my mind. I still vividly remember those who went on the streets to protest against the power and how the government has treated them, signing the declaration makes me feel like I am surrendering to the regime."

"Should I remain at my job so that I can play my role and fulfill my responsibilities from the inside? or is this the moment when should I stand up for what I believe is right? I will have to make a decision."

He also said that not only civil servants but everyone under the National Security Law are either those who cannot speak freely or are faced with a difficult decision. He said, "In this era, I believe that people with a conscience will need to make a choice on when is the right time to take action to declare their stance."

Source: Stand News #Feb16

#FailedState #Resignation #SocialWelfareDepartment
#PoliticalOppression #DistrictCouncil
HK Pro-democracy District Councillors Resign as Authorities Demand #Oath of Allegiance

In Hong Kong, pro-democracy District Councillor To Ka-lun of the Yuen Long District Council resigned on April 6, 2021, as he refused to take the oath required by the government.

He emphasized that no matter what, "we are always Hongkongers. This is something that can’t be taken away.”

He mentioned that under the current circumstances, both the Legislative Council and the District Council have been unable to do anything. To make it worse, the authorities require the district councilors to take an oath of allegiance.

"The legal provisions are harsh and vague," To questioned that the authorities might randomly sue the seat holders based on the oath.

He described that it is a difficult decision to take the oath or not. He hopes his supporters and fellow councillors would understand the difficult situation.

As of April 7, 2021, at least 5 pro-democracy district councilors havr announced their resignations. Among them, Gary Fan of the New Democratic League and Lam Cheuk-ting of the Democratic Party were charged with "conspiracy to subvert state power" for participating in the primary elections of the democratic camp in 2020. They are currently reprimanded and have resigned from their positions as district councilors.

Eastern District Councillor Wong Yee resigned due to health problems. Lai Ming-Chak of Sai Kung District also resigned recently.

Source: InMedia #Apr7

https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1081875

#ToKaLun #GaryFan #WongYee #LaiMingChak #LamCheukTing #Resignation
#Resignation #FailedState
#ScoutAssociation led by #CarrieLam violates gathering ban, Commissioner: Ashamed to be part of the group

Source: Stand News #Apr23

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#Resignation #FailedState
#ScoutAssociation led by #CarrieLam violates gathering ban, Commissioner: Ashamed to be part of the group

The Scout Association of Hong Kong, where Carrie Lam is named the Chief Scout, held a graduation dinner for the first class of Senior Executive Training Class. The event has reportedly violated the gathering ban as about 100 people attended the dinner.

According to Apple News, a former senior executive of the Association and current member of the Hong Kong police force at the scene, however, claimed that the dinner was a “private event” and therefore did not violate the ban. His speech aroused discontent among many scout members.

Wong Wai-chun who has been involved in the scout team for years expressed his frustration on Facebook. He posted a photo of a destroyed letter of appointment issued by Carrie Lam and indicated that he decided to quit his position as a commissioner of the headquarters.

Wong said, the incident has broken the trust in the team. Many scout leaders and members felt disappointed and angry because they were strictly “advised” even when they held events that were following the healthcare guidelines. The dinner held by the headquarters showed the double-standard of the organization.

Wong said he reflected his thoughts to the senior level, but his opinion was not considered. He felt that quitting the team was the only way to show his frustration, and he was “ashamed to be part of the group”.

Source: Stand News #Apr23

https://www.thestandnews.com/society/%E7%AB%A5%E8%BB%8D%E7%B8%BD%E6%9C%83%E6%99%9A%E5%AE%B4%E7%96%91%E9%81%95%E9%99%90%E8%81%9A%E4%BB%A4-%E5%8A%A9%E7%90%86%E7%B8%BD%E9%83%A8%E7%B8%BD%E7%9B%A3%E6%96%A5%E6%AC%A0%E8%AA%A0%E4%BF%A1-%E6%92%95%E7%88%9B%E5%A7%94%E4%BB%BB%E6%9B%B8%E8%AB%8B%E8%BE%AD-%E6%81%A5%E8%88%87%E7%82%BA%E4%BC%8D/
#Resignation #Censorship
More Journalists and Producers Quit RTHK as Management Tighten Grip

Source: Stand News #May6

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#Resignation #Censorship
More Journalists and Producers Quit RTHK as Management Tighten Grip

Paul Lee, the executive producer of "Hong Kong Connection", resigned on May 3, 2021.

"Hong Kong Connection" is an award winning documentary programme of the public broadcaster RTHK in Hong Kong. The programme is known for its in-depth analysis and journalistic integrity.

The cause of Lee's resignation was reportedly related to the management's refusal to show new episodes on the 2019 Yuen Long mob attack and the commemorations of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The management has censored many programmes since Patrick Li became the head of RTHK.

It was said that the producers of "Hong Kong Connection" were told that the programme could only cover livelihood stories in the future, instead of current affairs.

An episode of Hong Kong Connection about the aforemention Yuen Long mob attack just won the Chinese-language documentary prize at the 2021 Human Rights Press Awards. Six RTHK staff received accolades from the same award, but the station announced that they would not received the awards.

Source: Stand News #May6
https://bit.ly/3nQNnYJ
#Solidarity #Hongkongers
Paul Zimmerman: I will not immigrate and will keep trying

Since news has been spreading in Hong Kong that the government would disqualify the directly elected district councilors who did not take the oath of allegiance for the Basic Law and would demand them to return their entire salary.

A resignation wave has since taken place. As of July 12, 2021, at least 204 district councilors had left.

In the Southern District Council, there are only four members remaining. The vice chairperson #PaulZimmerman sighed, "Suddenly it's all gone, it's sad."

Zimmerman said he will not immigrate nor leave:

"I want to get good things done, that's the only reason I am here, changing the harbour, changing heritage, changing street market."

Source: InMedia #Jul13
https://bit.ly/2U6EY8T

#Resignation #DistrictCouncils #OathofOffice #Intimidation
#FailedState
Hong Kong quarantine pushes Cathay pilots to 'breaking point'

//#CathayPacific has been hit by a wave of pilot resignations in recent weeks as resentment over Hong Kong's strict quarantine regime boils over and crew scramble for emerging opportunities overseas.

The departures come as Hong Kong ties itself to Beijing's closed-border zero-Covid strategy - a move that has kept the city coronavirus-free but internationally isolated.

Hong Kong's leaders say normalising travel with China must come before the rest of the world, a strategy that has caused growing alarm within multinationals in a finance hub that dubs itself "Asia's World City".

AFP interviewed four Cathay pilots who requested anonymity. Each said they knew more than a dozen colleagues who had resigned in the last few weeks.

Pilots fear Hong Kong's future as one of Asia's busiest transport hubs is now at risk.

"Once airlines move infrastructure like technicians, ground crew and pilots out of Hong Kong to places like Seoul and Bangkok, trust me, they're not coming back," one pilot said.

One pilot who flies commercial said he had been unable to see his family overseas for more than 20 months because of the quarantine restrictions and his need to stay flying to top up his depleted salary.

He said he felt Hong Kong's leaders have abandoned the idea of the city being an international hub at the request of "our overlords to the north" - a reference to Beijing.

"I love Hong Kong but if we're not going to plan our way out of this with a roadmap the question becomes what am I doing here?" he said.

"I can't take another year of this."//

Image: Stand News
Source: AFP; Straits Times #Dec2

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/hong-kong-quarantine-pushes-cathay-pilots-to-breaking-point

#Beijing #Covid19 #Pandemic #Quarantine #Pilot #Resignation
#University
Editorial Committee of Hong Kong Baptist University's Students' Union resigns en masse due to #Censorship

On January 28, 2022, students’ Union Editorial Board of the Hong Kong Baptist University (#HKBU) revealed on Facebook that the university managenent had repeatedly interfered in students' editorial work.

The student board said the university had asked them to stop using the term “Wuhan virus” in their reports, interfered their coverage of the university’s national security curriculum, and asked them to withdraw copies of a recent issue of their student magazine, “Jumbo”.

The board accused the university of suppressing the students' publication, and announced that all its members would resign with immediate effect.

The university, meanwhile, decided to discontinue its relationship with the students' board and terminate students' rights to use all the facilities on campus. The university management claimed that they would take disciplinary action against the students concerned.

Source: Luminant Hong Kong; #Jan28
https://t.me/luminanthk/5224

#StudentUnion #PressFreedom #Resignation #HongKongStudents
#Resignation
Around 1% of Hong Kong civil servants quit in 2021/22

In Hong Kong, a rise in civil servants and Administrative Officers of the Government quitting their jobs is noticeable in recent years.

In the first 9 months of 2021/22, 8,274 civil servants have left the government, among them, 2,800 handed in their resignation.

The resignations, which represented a 50% increase than last year, were said only made up a small percentage of those who left at the same period. An official source from Civil Service Bureau claimed.

Hong Kong has around 178,000 government workers as of the end of March 2022. Those resigned accounted 1.6%, the highest figure since the return of Hong Kong to China.

The labour union representing civil service employees raised their concern over the vacancy arising from the increase in departure and decline in recruitment, amidst also political and work pressure.

Source: Ming Pao; #Apr19

https://bit.ly/3KaPqAc

#FailedState #CivilServant