#2022NewYear #NeverGiveUp
#Hongkongers create human chain and cheer “May Glory to Hong Kong” amidst white terror and #CCP grip

In Hong Kong, on New Year's eve (December 31, 2021), many citizens went up to the #LionRock to count down to the year 2022. Among them, some brought neon light signs that read “GLORY HK” and “FREE HK”.

While some citizens on the site were occupied taking pictures, others lighted up their handphones to form a human chain. Just like the pro-democracy “Hong Kong Way” demonstration in 2019, a line of human chain was soon created, displaying the outline of Lion Rock with the light from the mobile phones.

Together Hongkongers counted down and cheered “May glory to Hong Kong” to welcome 2022.

Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/5iBypsfJaL8

On the hilltop, some elderly walked by and uttered words of encouragement to the youngsters, “hang on,” “don’t give up”, while others passed on drinks to them.

Down the hill, some citizens raised laser pointers and pointed towards the hill top to echo and show their support.

[Editors' notes: Inspired by the Baltic human chain in 1989, the “Hong Kong Way” was organized by pro-democracy HongKongers in August 2019 during the #AntiELAB Movement.

The human chain expresses Hongkongers' yearning for freedom and basic human rights. Tens of thousands of Hongkongers lined up on pavements, overpasses, waterfronts and parks, snaking a line of nearly 30 miles (50km) long through Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Source: Boomhead; #Jan1

#FreeHK #GlorytoHongKong #HumanChain #HongKongWay #NewYear #Solidarity #Perseverance #Resistance

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

#Breaking #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Citizen News announces its closure 5 years after its establishment

Established on 1 Jan 2017, the online news media Hong Kong Citizen News (#hkcnews) announces its closure on its social media platforms. This 6-time Human Rights Press Award recipient will cease its operation on 4 Jan 2022, shortly after the closure of the Stand News. Below is the press’ open letter to its readers.

Source: Citizen News; #Jan2
#Media #CloseDown

Read below: ⬇️⬇️

#Breaking #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Citizen News announces its closure 5 years after its establishment

Below is the press’ open letter to its readers:

A farewell from Hong Kong Citizen News

Today is 2 Jan 2022, hkcnews has to say goodbye to all our readers 5 years after our establishment.

It is still in our vivid memory that on 1 Jan 2017, hkcnews was established. During the press conference for announcment, many experienced reporters had expressed their concerns over press freedom in Hong Kong, hoping that hkcnews could uphold the spirit of professionaism, stay true to the essence of journalism, and serve the public. During that time, we "hoped that this tiny step we take could gradually encourage the industry to protect the freedom of press".

Then, albeit facing extremely scarce resources, hkcnews slowly made our tiny stpes, paving our way into the news reporting world. We strove our best to cover exclusive news, data analysis, interviews, investigative reports, feature articles, court news, Chinese news, etc.. Although our coverage might not be the broadest, nor the fastest, but this little team of us has never stopped striving for depth and accuracies in our reports.

We started from having only 10 people in our team, now we are proud colleagues of dozens professionals, and from being a nobody, to hearing people saying they have been reading our articles.

It’s been 5 years. We truly thank all for your support.

─────────

The first news article of hkcnews, published on 1 Jan 2017.

"Hong Kong Citizen News was born on this special new year because we want you all to remember, regardless of situations, that 'This land we cherish, into our bones this love we’ve etched, happy or sad, in life or death, it's still Hong Kong, our land'."

We all love this place, yet with regret, we are not only facing a storm, but a tornado and tsunami.

We have never forgotten the reason we started. Unfortunately, with the radical change in our society, the environment for journalism has been deteriorating. We can no longer strive for our aim fearlessly.

Right in the eye of the typhoon, the little boat of us is in severe situation of waves and winds. We have to first make sure everyone in hkcnews is safe under such dangerous situation.

Therefore it is with utmost sadness that we announce:

Starting from 4 Jan 2022, Hong Kong Citizen News will cease operation. We will stop updating our websites, which will be shut down sometime later.

We sincerely thank our subscribers and readers for all of your support, which we will hold dearly onto, and remember, forever.

All those we have gone through in the past 5 years will be cherished memories of ours.

Hong Kong Citizen News

Source: Citizen News; #Jan2
#Media #CloseDown #Solidarity #Humanity #PressFreedom #PoliticalOppression #Readers #Hongkongers #WhiteTerror

#Cantopop #HongKongSinger
Denise Ho Sing On After Arrest and Thank Late Cantopop Diva Anita Mui: "Do what you should do in the limited time you have"

Source: InmediaHK; #Jan2

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31806

#Cantopop #HongKongSinger
Denise Ho Sing On After Arrest and Thank Cantopop Diva Anita Mui: "Do what you should do in the limited time you have"

Pro-democracy Hong Kong Cantopop singer #DeniseHo (#HOCC) is among the 6 Stand News staff members and directors who were arrested by National Security Police on suspicion of "conspiring to publishing seditious publications."

After being released on bail on December 30, 2021, Ho carried on with her online concert "HOCC MINILIVE" on 2 January 2022, as scheduled.

At the end of the concert, Ho thanked her mentor and Cantopop legend, the late #AnitaMui, for mentoring her and taking her in as family. "Without her, I believe I wouldn't find the courage to stand up at this very important moment."

During her detention, Ho resorted to meditation and chanting scriptures to pass time. Later she started singing songs by fellow pro-democracy musicians Anita Mui and Anthony Wong. "As I sang, I realized the power of music," Ho recalled. "It goes beyond entertaining people; it offers healing and companionship."

Ho has been insistent at holding this concert. In a broken voice, she thanked her supporting staff; with only a brief exchange of glances, her crew members understood that she wanted to go ahead with this concert, "no matter if she would be here or not."

She also offered words of encouragement to herself and her supporters, "Do what you should do in the limited time you have," and "do well at what you do best."

Source: InmediaHK; #Jan2
https://bit.ly/3sRBLZY

#DeniseHo #HongKongMusic #StandNews #Crackdown #Culture #Conscience

====
Related articles
Pro-democracy Hong Kong Singer #DeniseHo Arrested by National Secutity Police: I feel Alright
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31773

Hong Kong Authorities' #Crackdown on #StandNews
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31752

#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

#AntiELAB #PolyUseige #LOTR #HongKongAidUK

Source: RFA; #Nov17

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31808

#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

Read Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31792

Continue with Part 2:
As he was born after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, he does not have a #BNO passport. He can only seek #PoliticalAsylum in the UK.

During the waiting process, he could not work for a living, resulting in a difficult time. He revealed that when he first arrived in the UK, he was a "hard labour" for his "parents" in the UK from HK, limiting his freedom.

After a while, he got rid of them and stayed at a temporary dormitory provided by the UK government.

Ivan said, "the accommodation is very disrespectful nor feeling staying alone. I don't think they treat me like a person. Throughout the time, there was one fellow staying with me but left. The rest were asylums from other countries. Only a few of us are from Asia, and I am the only person from Hong Kong.

Going with the psychological shadow

The accommodation for asylum is lonely and with occasional sudden room-check by the staff at the outsourcing company of management. This action recalls Ivan's fear of police arresting him at his home's door before leaving HK after the siege.

In addition, he had his first political asylum interview in June this year. However, he couldn't finish the interview due to emotional problems after 6 hours of examination. The application is still yet to be approved after a year.

He has only recently received £8 each week from the British #HomeOffice.

Ivan stated, "life is obviously not too well financially, but the most difficult is to face the uncertain future. Applying for political asylum is complicated, with many interviews and evidence preparations. The waiting duration increases asylum's mental health burden as we can't work and may need to sign in with the police frequently."

The guilt of a "survivor"

Ivan and his friends founded "#HongKongAidUK" for HKers in the UK, supporting other political asylum seekers from Hong Kong with his own experience, providing suggestions and referrals. The organisation recently provides winter clothes for financially tight people.

Apart from helping UK HKers, he continues to speak out for democracy - calling to boycott #Beijing2022 Olympics with #Tibetan and #Uyghur groups, as well as setting up a street exhibition about HK on the #RemembranceDay. He also reminds the foreign HKers not to forget the November in 2019, full of blood.

Despite his work for HK, Ivan can hardly get away from his contradiction and guilt from his heart, and he uses it as a self-sarcasm.

He indicated, "I always say that there should have no separation between myself and the place, but then I left. It makes me feel guilty for being a survivor and think about what I can do more for HK.

If I go into imprisonment, I will not be able to come out in a short term, which means I will spend a lot of time in jail. Yet, since I arrived in a foreign country, I can use this time to do things according to my will."

Contnue Reading Part 3

Source: RFA #Nov17
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/hk-polyu-11172021060537.html

Britain’s diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics will not send officials to attend

Source: Stand News #Dec09

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

Britain’s diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics will not send officials to attend

Following the United States and Australia, Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, indicated in Parliament on Wednesday (Dec 8) that they will not send ministers or officials to attend the Winter Olympics in February next year. He described this as an “actual” diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Iain Duncan Smith, the Former Chairman of the Conservative Party, said, “The authoritarian and brutal Chinese regime is persecuting religious minorities and threatening Muslim Uyghurs”, and ask the UK to diplomatically boycott Beijing Winter Olympics.

Johnson responded that he did not believe boycotting sports activities was a wise approach. But he indicated, “No ministers or officials are expected to attend, which will actually be a diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympic”.

Source: Stand News #Dec09

https://thestandnews.page.link/oCxHShMVEKzDyhQG8

#UnitedKingdom #BeijingWinterOlympic #Uyghurs #Muslim #BorisJohnson

‘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

#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

#AntiELAB #PolyUseige #LOTR #HongKongAidUK

Source: RFA; #Nov17

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31813

#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

Read Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31791

Read Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31807

Continue with Part 3:
People inside the city want to escape; people outside want to return

#HongKongWatch, a UK #HumanRights organisation, estimates that there are 120 political asylum seekers from HK at the moment and 200 to 300 HKers with a temporary or expired tourist visa in the UK.

Some UK #MPs suggested amending BNO application terms and conditions that a Hker could have the right to stay in the UK if one of the parents qualified for a #BNOvisa, including HK young people born after 1997.

The amendment bill is an aid for people like Ivan, whose parents do not want to leave for the UK and need to be political asylums.

The total amount of these people are estimated to be 100 thousand, expanding HKer groups in the UK. However, the #parliament rejects the decision after a 2-days discussion on Dec 8 due to the scale of expansion.

While people in the city try to get out very hard, people outside the city earnestly want to get back. Ivan hopes to see HKers can have shumai (a traditional Cantonese dim sum) at home together.

"I really want to return to Hong Kong"

Ivan sees Hong Kong as his home even though he is in the UK now. When he saw people giving applause welcoming the soldiers on Remembrance Day, he wished to have another Liberation Day for Hong Kong, the day when he could go back to Hong Kong.

He expressed, "I would like to say to everyone one day: let's return to HK. An ethnic group has nothing wrong to go back to their origin. Hong Kong was colonised by the UK and is colonised by the #CCP. I feel very unwilling as HKers have fought for a long term but can't make any decision for themselves. If Hong Kong is liberated one day, do still I have a chance to travel, or am I "lying in a box covered by a blanket"?"

No one can predict when it will be, but Ivan will continue to embrace this hope to survive in a foreign country.

#LOTR

Source: RFA #Nov17
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/hk-polyu-11172021060537.html

#PoliceState
Hong Kong Police Targets Pro-democracy Restaurants under the #Pandemic

Several pro-democracy restaurants in Hong Kong have reportedly become the targets of police inspection as soon as the government rolled out mandatory contact-tracing app at the premises on December 9, 2021.

These pro-democracy "yellow" restaurant were ordered by the authorities to halt dinner dine-in services for two weeks after some customers allegedly failed to scan the #LeaveHomeSafe app.

On December 18, 2021, the police and the staff from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (#FEHD) inspected the Kwong Wing Catering branch in Mong Kok. They claimed that one male customer did not scan the, a defecto tracing app, as required by the government.

It was the third Kwong Wing Catering branch to be penalised within a week for similar alleged violations. The inspection was “suspicious,” the eatery wrote on Facebook, saying police arrived less than 20 minutes after the customer concerned sat down.

After reviewing the security footage, Kwong Wing Catering said the male customer came in with another person, who did scan the app. That person then put the device in the man’s backpack while he appeared to be searching for his phone. He eventually presented his companion’s phone to the restaurant staff.

Other affected pro-democracy restaurants included Kabo Burger, Dine Inn, Explorer Fusion Restaurant, Thai Cool, DK Pizza Cafe, WE TIME CAFE, Santgria Kitchen and more.

Source: #FirstHand; #Dec18

#COVID #Discrimination #Planting #Regime