Tong has been an assistant boxing trainer and fitness coach for over 10 years.
The decision to close his fitness center was not because business was bad, he stressed; rather, he and his wife did not want to be willing accomplices in the government's plans in gathering citizens' personal information.
Resuming business is a "normal, expected right", he says, and it should come with no conditions attached. "If I help them with this [collecting personal information], I would be too ashamed to face my clients. I don't want to hand over all their information without them authorizing it. This would be very disrespectful; it's a big breach of trust. I don't even know what kind of people will end up with the information I'd collect."
Beside the Leave Home Safe app, a slew of surveillance-oriented programs, such as bluetooth-tracking light poles and mandatory real-name SIM cards, are coming at Hongkongers.
Tong says that the government is gathering personal information from more and more channels, reaching ever deeper into citizens' lives. "They violate our human rights, and interfere with our daily lives in so many ways."
Tong does not hide his disappointment or reluctance at closing his fitness center. He is also aware that, to many people, their decision is regrettable, rash, and even unwise. To the young couple, however, it is the bottom line.
"A lot of people feel that closing the business is giving up, or a loss. Actually, I don't think it's that serious ..."
Over the two years, the center is the couple's blood, tears, and toil; moreover, it's their memories. "We come away with so many memories from it. Plus, in the end, we stayed true to ourselves."
Source: Stand News #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3tZqODM
The decision to close his fitness center was not because business was bad, he stressed; rather, he and his wife did not want to be willing accomplices in the government's plans in gathering citizens' personal information.
Resuming business is a "normal, expected right", he says, and it should come with no conditions attached. "If I help them with this [collecting personal information], I would be too ashamed to face my clients. I don't want to hand over all their information without them authorizing it. This would be very disrespectful; it's a big breach of trust. I don't even know what kind of people will end up with the information I'd collect."
Beside the Leave Home Safe app, a slew of surveillance-oriented programs, such as bluetooth-tracking light poles and mandatory real-name SIM cards, are coming at Hongkongers.
Tong says that the government is gathering personal information from more and more channels, reaching ever deeper into citizens' lives. "They violate our human rights, and interfere with our daily lives in so many ways."
Tong does not hide his disappointment or reluctance at closing his fitness center. He is also aware that, to many people, their decision is regrettable, rash, and even unwise. To the young couple, however, it is the bottom line.
"A lot of people feel that closing the business is giving up, or a loss. Actually, I don't think it's that serious ..."
Over the two years, the center is the couple's blood, tears, and toil; moreover, it's their memories. "We come away with so many memories from it. Plus, in the end, we stayed true to ourselves."
Source: Stand News #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3tZqODM
#Arrest #Sedition
Singer activist Tommy Yuen arrested under National Security Law
Sources: Inmediahk, Luminant, RTHK; #Feb15
#TommyYuen #NSL #MoneyLaundering
Singer activist Tommy Yuen arrested under National Security Law
Sources: Inmediahk, Luminant, RTHK; #Feb15
#TommyYuen #NSL #MoneyLaundering
#Arrest #Sedition
Singer activist Tommy Yuen arrested under National Security Law
Tommy Yuen Man-on was arrested in the morning of February 15 by the Hong Kong national security on suspicion of sedition and money laundering.
In a press briefing, the police said the 41-year-old singer was arrested over content he published on social media since last September that incites hatred towards the government, the police and judges.
The Senior superintendent of the force’s national security unit, also accused the singer of smearing the government’s Covid policies, and singing a song that contains a banned protest slogan during an online concert.
Yuen, a former member of boyband E-kids, has been an activist supporting the pro-democracy camp over the past few years and at the height of the 2019 social unrest.
He had actively participated in the city's political events, including the Human Rights Day Rally on December 8, 2019, where he led the protest march.
Sources: Inmediahk, Luminant, RTHK; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3sNZqZQ
#TommyYuen #NSL #MoneyLaundering
Singer activist Tommy Yuen arrested under National Security Law
Tommy Yuen Man-on was arrested in the morning of February 15 by the Hong Kong national security on suspicion of sedition and money laundering.
In a press briefing, the police said the 41-year-old singer was arrested over content he published on social media since last September that incites hatred towards the government, the police and judges.
The Senior superintendent of the force’s national security unit, also accused the singer of smearing the government’s Covid policies, and singing a song that contains a banned protest slogan during an online concert.
Yuen, a former member of boyband E-kids, has been an activist supporting the pro-democracy camp over the past few years and at the height of the 2019 social unrest.
He had actively participated in the city's political events, including the Human Rights Day Rally on December 8, 2019, where he led the protest march.
Sources: Inmediahk, Luminant, RTHK; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3sNZqZQ
#TommyYuen #NSL #MoneyLaundering
獨立媒體
消息：藝人阮民安涉違《國安法》被捕 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
（獨媒報導）消息指，藝人阮民安（Tommy）涉嫌違反《港區國安法》，今早遭警方拘捕，涉及煽動意圖行為及洗黑錢。 警方較早前發出採訪通知，稱拘捕兩人同涉嫌作出煽動意圖行為及「處理已知道或相信為代表從可公訴罪行的得益的財產」，稍後將見記者交代。 阮民安為前E-kids成員，自2019年反送中運動以來積極表態，曾多次在社交媒體發文，高調支持黃店和有案件在
#Censorship #InternetFreedom
Pro-democracy NGO #HongKongWatch website reportedly blocked in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Watch; Hong Kong Free Press; InMedia #Feb15
Read more
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Pro-democracy NGO #HongKongWatch website reportedly blocked in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Watch; Hong Kong Free Press; InMedia #Feb15
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Censorship #InternetFreedom
Pro-democracy NGO #HongKongWatch website reportedly blocked in Hong Kong
On February 15, 2022, the website of Hong Kong Watch, a NGO based in the UK, cannot be accessed in Hong Kong, unless a VPN is used.
It is reported that the Hong Kong authorities have requested internet service providers such as PCCW, CMHK, HKBN and Navigator networks among others, to delist the website.
In 2021, the Hong Kong government has taken down other websites including HKChroniclees.com, Transitional Justice Commission, and HK Charter 2021.
Benedict Rogers, CEO of Hong Kong Watch, said:
“If this is not just a technical malfunction, and Hong Kongers will no longer be able to access our website because of the #NationalSecurityLaw, then this is a serious blow to internet freedom. With the steady drip of website removals, there are fears that China could begin introducing its Great Internet Firewall into the city."
Source: Hong Kong Watch; Hong Kong Free Press; InMedia #Feb15
https://www.hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2022/2/14/hong-kong-watch-website-blocked-by-internet-firms-in-hong-kong
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/02/15/website-of-ngo-hong-kong-watch-appears-blocked-amid-rising-fears-of-internet-censorship/
https://bit.ly/3uRjQDQ
Pro-democracy NGO #HongKongWatch website reportedly blocked in Hong Kong
On February 15, 2022, the website of Hong Kong Watch, a NGO based in the UK, cannot be accessed in Hong Kong, unless a VPN is used.
It is reported that the Hong Kong authorities have requested internet service providers such as PCCW, CMHK, HKBN and Navigator networks among others, to delist the website.
In 2021, the Hong Kong government has taken down other websites including HKChroniclees.com, Transitional Justice Commission, and HK Charter 2021.
Benedict Rogers, CEO of Hong Kong Watch, said:
“If this is not just a technical malfunction, and Hong Kongers will no longer be able to access our website because of the #NationalSecurityLaw, then this is a serious blow to internet freedom. With the steady drip of website removals, there are fears that China could begin introducing its Great Internet Firewall into the city."
Source: Hong Kong Watch; Hong Kong Free Press; InMedia #Feb15
https://www.hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2022/2/14/hong-kong-watch-website-blocked-by-internet-firms-in-hong-kong
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/02/15/website-of-ngo-hong-kong-watch-appears-blocked-amid-rising-fears-of-internet-censorship/
https://bit.ly/3uRjQDQ
Hong Kong Watch
Hong Kong Watch website blocked by internet firms in Hong Kong — Hong Kong Watch
Reports are emerging that Hong Kong Watch’s website can no longer be accessed through certain networks in Hong Kong. We are hearing that the website cannot be accessed via PCCW, CMHK, HKBN and Netvigator networks among others, and that the behaviour is…
Novak Djokovic : prepared to miss #Wimbledon and #FrenchOpen if forced to have COVID vaccine
#NovakDjokovic said missing the next two Grand Slam tournaments, where he is reigning champion, "is the price that I'm willing to pay".
He told the BBC: "I was never against vaccination... but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.
Sources: Now TV, Sky News,CBC ; #Feb15
https://news.now.com/home/international/player?newsId=466579&refer=Share
#NovakDjokovic said missing the next two Grand Slam tournaments, where he is reigning champion, "is the price that I'm willing to pay".
He told the BBC: "I was never against vaccination... but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.
Sources: Now TV, Sky News,CBC ; #Feb15
https://news.now.com/home/international/player?newsId=466579&refer=Share
Swedish Gold Medalist says China's hosting of Olympics 'extremely irresponsible' amid human rights abuses
Source: Taiwan News #Feb15
Read more
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Source: Taiwan News #Feb15
Read more
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Swedish Gold Medalist says China's hosting of Olympics 'extremely irresponsible' amid human rights abuses
//Swedish speed skater Nils van der Poel, who won two gold medals at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, on Sunday, February 13, 2022, condemned the International Olympic Committee (#IOC) as being "extremely irresponsible" in handing over the games to a country that "violates human rights as blatantly" as China does.
25-year-old Nils van der Poel took gold in the men's 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter speed skating competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics, setting the world record in the latter.
...He compared the games to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
He said that the Olympics is a "fantastic sporting event where you unite the world and nations meet," but he added that "so did Hitler before invading Poland, and so did Russia before invading Ukraine," referring to the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the invasion of Ukrainian territory in Crimea by Russia in 2014.
As for Beijing's hosting of the Winter Games, Van de Poel said, "I think it is extremely irresponsible to give it to a country that violates human rights as blatantly as the Chinese regime is doing."//
Read full article:
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4444098
Source: Taiwan News #Feb15
#NilsVanDerPoel #Sweden #WinterOlympics #Beijing #China
//Swedish speed skater Nils van der Poel, who won two gold medals at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, on Sunday, February 13, 2022, condemned the International Olympic Committee (#IOC) as being "extremely irresponsible" in handing over the games to a country that "violates human rights as blatantly" as China does.
25-year-old Nils van der Poel took gold in the men's 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter speed skating competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics, setting the world record in the latter.
...He compared the games to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
He said that the Olympics is a "fantastic sporting event where you unite the world and nations meet," but he added that "so did Hitler before invading Poland, and so did Russia before invading Ukraine," referring to the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the invasion of Ukrainian territory in Crimea by Russia in 2014.
As for Beijing's hosting of the Winter Games, Van de Poel said, "I think it is extremely irresponsible to give it to a country that violates human rights as blatantly as the Chinese regime is doing."//
Read full article:
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4444098
Source: Taiwan News #Feb15
#NilsVanDerPoel #Sweden #WinterOlympics #Beijing #China
Taiwan News
Swedish skater says China's hosting of Olympics 'extremely irresponsible' amid human rights abuses
Van der Poel condemns IOC for allowing China to host Olympics amid blatant human rights violations | 2022-02-15 18:43:00
#FailedState
Hong Kong Chief Executive's popularity remains at historic low as 34% respondents gave her zero mark : survey found
#HKPORI
Source: Inmediahk; #Feb15
Read more
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Hong Kong Chief Executive's popularity remains at historic low as 34% respondents gave her zero mark : survey found
#HKPORI
Source: Inmediahk; #Feb15
Read more
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#FailedState
Hong Kong Chief Executive's popularity remains at historic low as 34% respondents gave her zero mark : survey found
Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institution's (#HKPORI) survey showed that the latest popularity rating of Chief Executive Carrie Lam is 31.9 marks, with 34% of respondents giving her 0 mark. Lam's net popularity stands at negative 53 percentage points.
On a scale of 0 to 10, people’s ratings on the five core social indicators ranked from the highest to the lowest are “rule of law” (5.13), “freedom” (5.09), “prosperity” (4.97), “stability” (4.94) and “democracy” (4.25).
Compared to the last survey, the rating of “efficiency” dropped significantly, while the ratings of “social welfare sufficiency”, “civilization”, “efficiency” and “equality” have all registered all-time lows since records began in 1997.
As for the ten freedom sub-indicators, freedom of “speech”, “freedom to strike”, “association”, “press”, “publication” and “procession and demonstration” all score lower than 5 marks.
Freedom of “entering or leaving Hong Kong” has dropped significantly when compared to the last survey and registered a historical low since records began in 1997.
PORI successfully interviewed 1,012 Hong Kong residents by a random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers in early February.
Read full survey results:
https://www.pori.hk/press-release-en/2022-02-15-pm.html?lang=en
Source: Inmediahk; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3rQ5em1
Hong Kong Chief Executive's popularity remains at historic low as 34% respondents gave her zero mark : survey found
Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institution's (#HKPORI) survey showed that the latest popularity rating of Chief Executive Carrie Lam is 31.9 marks, with 34% of respondents giving her 0 mark. Lam's net popularity stands at negative 53 percentage points.
On a scale of 0 to 10, people’s ratings on the five core social indicators ranked from the highest to the lowest are “rule of law” (5.13), “freedom” (5.09), “prosperity” (4.97), “stability” (4.94) and “democracy” (4.25).
Compared to the last survey, the rating of “efficiency” dropped significantly, while the ratings of “social welfare sufficiency”, “civilization”, “efficiency” and “equality” have all registered all-time lows since records began in 1997.
As for the ten freedom sub-indicators, freedom of “speech”, “freedom to strike”, “association”, “press”, “publication” and “procession and demonstration” all score lower than 5 marks.
Freedom of “entering or leaving Hong Kong” has dropped significantly when compared to the last survey and registered a historical low since records began in 1997.
PORI successfully interviewed 1,012 Hong Kong residents by a random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers in early February.
Read full survey results:
https://www.pori.hk/press-release-en/2022-02-15-pm.html?lang=en
Source: Inmediahk; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3rQ5em1
獨立媒體
香港民研：林鄭民望逾三成市民評零分 「出入境自由」創1997年後新低 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
（獨媒報導）香港民意研究所今日公布最新的民意調查結果，特首林鄭月娥的民望評分比上月下跌1.9分，當中更逾34%受訪者評予零分。在核心指標方面，「出入境自由」更首次錄得低於6分，創1997年以來新低。 是次調查於今年2月7日至10日期間進行，以電話隨機訪問1012名18歲或以上操粵語的香港居民。結果顯示，特首林鄭月娥的評分為31.9分，比上月下跌1.
#Authoritarianism #FailedState
HK Cheif Executive refuses to wear face covering in press briefing while tightening COVID control measures
In a press briefing on mid-February, Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, insisted on not wearing a #mask during her press conference.
When reporters again asked why she wasn't wearing a face covering, she taunted that reporters should let go of this matter, and focus on COVID-control measures.
On another press conference last month, Lam had explained that she had gone mask-less because "people need to understand and feel my feeling".
#COVIDControlMeasure
Source: Inmediahk; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3szjFu0
HK Cheif Executive refuses to wear face covering in press briefing while tightening COVID control measures
In a press briefing on mid-February, Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, insisted on not wearing a #mask during her press conference.
When reporters again asked why she wasn't wearing a face covering, she taunted that reporters should let go of this matter, and focus on COVID-control measures.
On another press conference last month, Lam had explained that she had gone mask-less because "people need to understand and feel my feeling".
#COVIDControlMeasure
Source: Inmediahk; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3szjFu0
Chinese Mobile Phones May Send User Data to China, Belgium Warns
Source: Technews #Feb15
Read more
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Source: Technews #Feb15
Read more
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Chinese Mobile Phones May Send User Data to China, Belgium Warns
Belgian justice minister Vincent #VanQuickenborne has warned that mobile phones made by Chinese brands may pose spying risks to users, Le Soir reported.
Given the laws under which Chinese #smartphones are produced, Van Quickenborne said, the data they hold may be sent to the Chinese authorities or exposed to #espionage.
According to Le Soir’s report, Chinese law requires companies to store their data on Chinese servers and grant the Chinese authorities access to the IT system.
While #Europe has been slower than the US in its crackdown on Chinese telecom firms, Sino-European relations have become increasingly tense following #China ’s sanctions against Lithuania and as fears of espionage and data theft grow.
#Belgium had previously cautioned athletes attending the #BeijingWinterOlympics against hackers.
Source: Technews #Feb15
https://technews.tw/2022/02/15/huawei-xiaomi-china/
Belgian justice minister Vincent #VanQuickenborne has warned that mobile phones made by Chinese brands may pose spying risks to users, Le Soir reported.
Given the laws under which Chinese #smartphones are produced, Van Quickenborne said, the data they hold may be sent to the Chinese authorities or exposed to #espionage.
According to Le Soir’s report, Chinese law requires companies to store their data on Chinese servers and grant the Chinese authorities access to the IT system.
While #Europe has been slower than the US in its crackdown on Chinese telecom firms, Sino-European relations have become increasingly tense following #China ’s sanctions against Lithuania and as fears of espionage and data theft grow.
#Belgium had previously cautioned athletes attending the #BeijingWinterOlympics against hackers.
Source: Technews #Feb15
https://technews.tw/2022/02/15/huawei-xiaomi-china/
TechNews 科技新報
比利時官員警告：使用中國手機恐將用戶數據送至中國
比利時晚訊報（Le Soir）報導，比利時司法部長 Vincent Van Quickenborne 警告，使用中國手機品牌可能對用戶帶來間諜風險。 Van Quickenborne 指出，由於中國智慧手機生產受到背後的法律環境影響，用戶使用這些手機時，當中的數據可能會被傳到中國當局手中，或暴...