HK #LegislativeCouncil structure and Functional Constituency explained
Exercise your right to vote! Register as a voter NOW!
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19381
Exercise your right to vote! Register as a voter NOW!
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19381
Last Man Standing
1623 | #LegCo
Fernando Cheung is the last pro-democracy lawmaker remaining in the chamber of the legislature, as all others had been swept away by the pro-Beijing camp. He chanted "Starry Lee oversteps power!" before the chairperson's seat for at least 20 minutes.
The following are some of the Pro-democracy lawmakers who were expelled by pro-Beijing Starry Lee under the force of the Council's security team:
- Andrew Siu-kin Wan
- Hoi-dick Chu
- Roy Kwong
- Chi-wai Wu
- Jeremy Man-Ho Tam
- Cheuk-ting Lam
- Raymond Chi-chuen Chan
Source: iCable News #May8
#LegislativeCouncil #Filibuster
1623 | #LegCo
Fernando Cheung is the last pro-democracy lawmaker remaining in the chamber of the legislature, as all others had been swept away by the pro-Beijing camp. He chanted "Starry Lee oversteps power!" before the chairperson's seat for at least 20 minutes.
The following are some of the Pro-democracy lawmakers who were expelled by pro-Beijing Starry Lee under the force of the Council's security team:
- Andrew Siu-kin Wan
- Hoi-dick Chu
- Roy Kwong
- Chi-wai Wu
- Jeremy Man-Ho Tam
- Cheuk-ting Lam
- Raymond Chi-chuen Chan
Source: iCable News #May8
#LegislativeCouncil #Filibuster
Last Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Gone
1703 | #LegCo
Following the order of Beijing loyalist Starry Lee, the Council's security guards removed Fernando Cheung, the last pro-democracy lawmaker in the chamber.
Previously, the security team ignored the request made by the committee chairperson Dennis Kwok, a barrister of the pro-democracy front, concerning the removal of Starry Lee who has allegedly abused her power in the legislature.
Source: Now News #May8
#LegCo #LegislativeCouncil #FernandoCheung
1703 | #LegCo
Following the order of Beijing loyalist Starry Lee, the Council's security guards removed Fernando Cheung, the last pro-democracy lawmaker in the chamber.
Previously, the security team ignored the request made by the committee chairperson Dennis Kwok, a barrister of the pro-democracy front, concerning the removal of Starry Lee who has allegedly abused her power in the legislature.
Source: Now News #May8
#LegCo #LegislativeCouncil #FernandoCheung
#Newspaper
Hong Kong Ocean Park gave no explanation when requests for funding; Animal protection groups denounce the Park using animal welfare as a threat for the 5.4.billion grant
(Independent media special report)
Hong Kong amusement park Ocean Park has recorded a severe deficit in the past four years. The loss was as high as 560 million HK dollars last year which put the Park in possible bankruptcy. It requested the Finance Committee of the Hong Kong Legislative Council to approve 5.4 billion dollars for "salvation". As the Park has not publicly explained the animal placement plan, several animal protection groups denounce the Park's board of directors using Park's animal welfare as a threat. The animal protection groups urged the park to explain animal placement plan and the use of the funds as soon as possible.
Legislative Council member, Claudia Mo Man-ching denounced the mismanagement of Ocean Park as a long term problem and questioned that Ocean Park keeps more animals than the claimed 7,500. She asked, "for the unclaimed animal, is the Park sending them for Animal euthanasia?" Mao also criticized the Director of the Environment Bureau Wong Kam-sing has never expressed his stance on this incident.
Roni Wong, Administrative Secretary of Dolphin Family, criticized Ocean Park for "emotional blackmailing", using the animal welfare to threaten the legislative council for 5.4 billion dollars for funding. Wong also stated that he had written to Ocean Park multiple times to inquire about the quality of animal lives in the park, the quality of meals, hours of practice completed, the medical benefits provided to them, etc. However, no reply was provided by the Park. He urged Ocean Park to explain how much of the funding will be spent on animals. He continued to point out that one of the zoos in Germany was faced with the same situation of poor management. The park created a “slaughter list” for the animals. Some animals were executed to feed other animals. Wong worried that the same situation would happen in Ocean Park and questioned how the Park would settle the animals.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, Viena Mak, said that she has repeatedly called on Ocean Park to reference the foreign experience and study the possibility of setting up a beach shelter. This will allow the animals in the park to enjoy their “retirement”. Mak also added that the animals in the park have been kept in captivity for many years and are not suitable for wild nature. Ocean Park, as a party that imported dolphins, needs to take care of the animals' life until death.
Excerpt: Inmediahk, (14-May)
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1073405
#OceanPark #Funding #LegislativeCouncil #FailedState #PublicMoney
Hong Kong Ocean Park gave no explanation when requests for funding; Animal protection groups denounce the Park using animal welfare as a threat for the 5.4.billion grant
(Independent media special report)
Hong Kong amusement park Ocean Park has recorded a severe deficit in the past four years. The loss was as high as 560 million HK dollars last year which put the Park in possible bankruptcy. It requested the Finance Committee of the Hong Kong Legislative Council to approve 5.4 billion dollars for "salvation". As the Park has not publicly explained the animal placement plan, several animal protection groups denounce the Park's board of directors using Park's animal welfare as a threat. The animal protection groups urged the park to explain animal placement plan and the use of the funds as soon as possible.
Legislative Council member, Claudia Mo Man-ching denounced the mismanagement of Ocean Park as a long term problem and questioned that Ocean Park keeps more animals than the claimed 7,500. She asked, "for the unclaimed animal, is the Park sending them for Animal euthanasia?" Mao also criticized the Director of the Environment Bureau Wong Kam-sing has never expressed his stance on this incident.
Roni Wong, Administrative Secretary of Dolphin Family, criticized Ocean Park for "emotional blackmailing", using the animal welfare to threaten the legislative council for 5.4 billion dollars for funding. Wong also stated that he had written to Ocean Park multiple times to inquire about the quality of animal lives in the park, the quality of meals, hours of practice completed, the medical benefits provided to them, etc. However, no reply was provided by the Park. He urged Ocean Park to explain how much of the funding will be spent on animals. He continued to point out that one of the zoos in Germany was faced with the same situation of poor management. The park created a “slaughter list” for the animals. Some animals were executed to feed other animals. Wong worried that the same situation would happen in Ocean Park and questioned how the Park would settle the animals.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, Viena Mak, said that she has repeatedly called on Ocean Park to reference the foreign experience and study the possibility of setting up a beach shelter. This will allow the animals in the park to enjoy their “retirement”. Mak also added that the animals in the park have been kept in captivity for many years and are not suitable for wild nature. Ocean Park, as a party that imported dolphins, needs to take care of the animals' life until death.
Excerpt: Inmediahk, (14-May)
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1073405
#OceanPark #Funding #LegislativeCouncil #FailedState #PublicMoney
#FirstHand #Sept6 #LegCoElection
Hongkonger on Cancelled Election Day: “We are still going to get 35+ seats next year, silly.”
A man was seen with a piece of paper stuck to his back, reading 'We are still going to get 35+ seats next year, silly', in an attempt to mock the government's desperate actions to prevent and deter HongKongers from facilitating and voting in pro-democracy legislators to form a majority of the Legislative Council.
September 6, 2020 was supposed to be the election day for the Legislative Council. The government postponed the election by a year citing the pandemic as a reason on 31 July 2020.
Editor's note: “35+” indicates the number of Legislative Council Seats. “35+” means getting a majority in the Legislative Council, which has been the goal of the pro-democracy camp in elections since 1997.
#Plan35Plus #LegislativeCouncil #FailedState
Hongkonger on Cancelled Election Day: “We are still going to get 35+ seats next year, silly.”
A man was seen with a piece of paper stuck to his back, reading 'We are still going to get 35+ seats next year, silly', in an attempt to mock the government's desperate actions to prevent and deter HongKongers from facilitating and voting in pro-democracy legislators to form a majority of the Legislative Council.
September 6, 2020 was supposed to be the election day for the Legislative Council. The government postponed the election by a year citing the pandemic as a reason on 31 July 2020.
Editor's note: “35+” indicates the number of Legislative Council Seats. “35+” means getting a majority in the Legislative Council, which has been the goal of the pro-democracy camp in elections since 1997.
#Plan35Plus #LegislativeCouncil #FailedState
#DQ #LegCoElection
Beijing Disqualify Elected Legislators in Hong Kong to Silence Critics, says #FiveEyesAlliance
The Five Eyes Alliance, an intelligence coalition formed by the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, issued a joint statement expressing serious concern regarding decision of China's Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) on “Issues Relating to the Qualification of the Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, which resulted in the disqualification of four elected legislators, describing it as part of a campaign to silence all critical voices.
The statement urge Chinese government to reconsider their decision, and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members. It stated that for the the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong authorities must respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions. It further reminds China as a leading member of the international community, is expected to live up to its international commitments and its duty to the people of Hong Kong.
Source: Stand News #Nov19
#UK #UnitedStates #Canada #Australia #NewZealand #HongKong #China #Disqualification #LegislativeCouncil #NPCSC
Beijing Disqualify Elected Legislators in Hong Kong to Silence Critics, says #FiveEyesAlliance
The Five Eyes Alliance, an intelligence coalition formed by the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, issued a joint statement expressing serious concern regarding decision of China's Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) on “Issues Relating to the Qualification of the Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, which resulted in the disqualification of four elected legislators, describing it as part of a campaign to silence all critical voices.
The statement urge Chinese government to reconsider their decision, and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members. It stated that for the the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, China and Hong Kong authorities must respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions. It further reminds China as a leading member of the international community, is expected to live up to its international commitments and its duty to the people of Hong Kong.
Source: Stand News #Nov19
#UK #UnitedStates #Canada #Australia #NewZealand #HongKong #China #Disqualification #LegislativeCouncil #NPCSC
Nathan Law Testifies at US Senate Committee on the Crisis in Hong Kong and Warns “The Election in Hong Kong Has Become SELECTION”.
On Mar 10, Nathan Law, a former legislative council member who has currently exiled to Britain, testified at a hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He criticised the Chinese government for suppressing Hong Kong’s liberty rights and expanding its dictatorial politics globally, such as secretly supporting the military in Myanmar. Law called for cooperation among global democracy countries to form alliances and aim for an annual 1% increase in the V-Dem (Variety of Democracy) Liberal Democracy Index in the next five years to reverse the global decline of democracy.
Law also said Hongkongers were thankful for the United States passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to support Hongkongers’ fight for freedom, democracy and autonomy in 2019. However, that did not stop CCP from suppressing Hongkongers’ fight. Banning assemblies, conniving police brutality and implementing National Security Law forced democracy movements in Hong Kong to silent. He also mentioned the 47 democracy activists being arrested in Hong Kong just because they planned to use constitutional power to run in elections and to oppose the government's acts. Replying to Beijing’s recent announcement about “improving” Hong Kong's election system, Law said, “They’re planning to make the legislative council into a ‘National People's Congress-style rubber stamp’ council”. He also added, “the election in Hong Kong has become SELECTION”.
Source: Stand News #Mar11
https://bit.ly/38Q3rUq
#NathanLaw #HongKong #US #USsenateCommittee #VDem #MassArrest106 #LegislativeCouncil
On Mar 10, Nathan Law, a former legislative council member who has currently exiled to Britain, testified at a hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He criticised the Chinese government for suppressing Hong Kong’s liberty rights and expanding its dictatorial politics globally, such as secretly supporting the military in Myanmar. Law called for cooperation among global democracy countries to form alliances and aim for an annual 1% increase in the V-Dem (Variety of Democracy) Liberal Democracy Index in the next five years to reverse the global decline of democracy.
Law also said Hongkongers were thankful for the United States passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to support Hongkongers’ fight for freedom, democracy and autonomy in 2019. However, that did not stop CCP from suppressing Hongkongers’ fight. Banning assemblies, conniving police brutality and implementing National Security Law forced democracy movements in Hong Kong to silent. He also mentioned the 47 democracy activists being arrested in Hong Kong just because they planned to use constitutional power to run in elections and to oppose the government's acts. Replying to Beijing’s recent announcement about “improving” Hong Kong's election system, Law said, “They’re planning to make the legislative council into a ‘National People's Congress-style rubber stamp’ council”. He also added, “the election in Hong Kong has become SELECTION”.
Source: Stand News #Mar11
https://bit.ly/38Q3rUq
#NathanLaw #HongKong #US #USsenateCommittee #VDem #MassArrest106 #LegislativeCouncil
#FailedState #CCP
HK Authorities Replace Hong Kong’s #Bauhinia Insignia with Chinese Emblem in #LegislativeCouncil
The change, ahead of the “patriots only” legislative election, is said in line with the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, which states that it must be displayed for the swearing-in of officials.
The oath-taking ceremony for new lawmakers is set to take place early 2022.
The main chamber of the Legislative complex is undergoing an expansion to accommodate 20 extra lawmakers destined to sit in the newly-expanded legislature.
Although more lawmakers will be sworn in, democratic representation was reduced by around half following the Beijing-led overhaul of the system in May 2021.
Source: Citizen News, HKFP; #Dec17
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/49208/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83-%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD-%E5%AE%A3%E8%AA%93%E5%B0%B1%E8%81%B7-49234/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E5%BB%B3%E6%94%B9%E6%8E%9B%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD
HK Authorities Replace Hong Kong’s #Bauhinia Insignia with Chinese Emblem in #LegislativeCouncil
The change, ahead of the “patriots only” legislative election, is said in line with the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, which states that it must be displayed for the swearing-in of officials.
The oath-taking ceremony for new lawmakers is set to take place early 2022.
The main chamber of the Legislative complex is undergoing an expansion to accommodate 20 extra lawmakers destined to sit in the newly-expanded legislature.
Although more lawmakers will be sworn in, democratic representation was reduced by around half following the Beijing-led overhaul of the system in May 2021.
Source: Citizen News, HKFP; #Dec17
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/49208/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83-%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD-%E5%AE%A3%E8%AA%93%E5%B0%B1%E8%81%B7-49234/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E5%BB%B3%E6%94%B9%E6%8E%9B%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urges Beijing not to misjudge the situation in New Year speech
In Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a New Year's speech in which she reiterated her concern about the situation in Hong Kong and stressed that the military was not an option for resolving cross-strait differences, urging Beijing not to misjudge the situation.
In her 2022 New Year's speech at the presidential palace, Tsai Ing-wen set out the four main plans for her administration this year, including continuation on global engagement, maintaining the economic momentum, strengthening the social security network, and safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty.
She said that the interference in the election of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the arrest of media personnel had raised concerns about human rights and freedom of speech in Hong Kong.
"The pursuit of democracy and freedom is not a crime, and Taiwan's position in support of Hong Kong will not change. Aside from showing our concern, we will cherish our own hard-earned freedom and democracy even more deeply", Tsai said.
Source: Now News #Jan01
https://news.now.com/home/international/player?newsId=461848&refer=Share
#Taiwan #TsaiIngWen #LegislativeCouncil #Election #TheStandNews #Arrest #PressFreedom
[Translator note: Some wordings are following the report from Focus Taiwan, a CNA English News agency]
In Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a New Year's speech in which she reiterated her concern about the situation in Hong Kong and stressed that the military was not an option for resolving cross-strait differences, urging Beijing not to misjudge the situation.
In her 2022 New Year's speech at the presidential palace, Tsai Ing-wen set out the four main plans for her administration this year, including continuation on global engagement, maintaining the economic momentum, strengthening the social security network, and safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty.
She said that the interference in the election of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the arrest of media personnel had raised concerns about human rights and freedom of speech in Hong Kong.
"The pursuit of democracy and freedom is not a crime, and Taiwan's position in support of Hong Kong will not change. Aside from showing our concern, we will cherish our own hard-earned freedom and democracy even more deeply", Tsai said.
Source: Now News #Jan01
https://news.now.com/home/international/player?newsId=461848&refer=Share
#Taiwan #TsaiIngWen #LegislativeCouncil #Election #TheStandNews #Arrest #PressFreedom
[Translator note: Some wordings are following the report from Focus Taiwan, a CNA English News agency]
Now 新聞
蔡英文新年談話 促北京勿誤判情勢
【Now新聞台】在台北，蔡英文總統發表新年談話，重申關注香港局勢，並強調軍事不是解決兩岸分歧的選項，促請北京不要誤判情勢。
#CCPinfluence #Discrimination
Hong Kong Lawmaker: Legalizing same sex marriage destroys social value and violates national security law
In a reply to Legislative Council member Regina Ip, chairperson of the New People Party, about the legislation schedule of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (#SDO), the Equal Opportunities Commission (#EOC) chairperson Chu Man-kin said that there was no timetable for the ordinance at the moment and should not have a rigid one.
But he said that an internal study has reached a consensus on some of the issues.
However, another legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu said that legalising homosexual marriage is a matter of right and wrong, and will directly destroy the composition of society and families.
He claims that the dissemination of undesirable ideologies like this was prohibited under Article 23 of the National Security Law of the People's Republic of China.
Source: Inmediahk, #May16
#SDO #LegislativeCouncil #EOC
https://bit.ly/3LnlWjg
Hong Kong Lawmaker: Legalizing same sex marriage destroys social value and violates national security law
In a reply to Legislative Council member Regina Ip, chairperson of the New People Party, about the legislation schedule of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (#SDO), the Equal Opportunities Commission (#EOC) chairperson Chu Man-kin said that there was no timetable for the ordinance at the moment and should not have a rigid one.
But he said that an internal study has reached a consensus on some of the issues.
However, another legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu said that legalising homosexual marriage is a matter of right and wrong, and will directly destroy the composition of society and families.
He claims that the dissemination of undesirable ideologies like this was prohibited under Article 23 of the National Security Law of the People's Republic of China.
Source: Inmediahk, #May16
#SDO #LegislativeCouncil #EOC
https://bit.ly/3LnlWjg
25th Anniversary of the Transferral of Hong Kong's Sovereignty: "Huge fallback of democracy"
In 2022, the sovereignty over Hong Kong has been transferred from Britain to the PRC for 25 years but with no plans for universal suffrage. The currrent electoral system is a "huge fallback of democracy".
With the enactment of Hong Kong National Security Law (#NSL) since 2020, the #CentralGovernment largely changed Hong Kong's electoral system, as the city's #LegislativeCouncil (#LegCo) no longer has an opposite voice.
With the enormous change in the political system and the environment in Hong Kong, what hapened to the promise of "High Degree of Autonomy" and "Hong Kong ruled by Hong Kong people"?
"When I was in Hong Kong, I saved my diary for the first time in my life. I hope it can be the evidence of Hong Kong being a British colony with a democratic society." said former and the last Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.
Hong Kong once experienced a higher level of democracy and more freedom. However, the circumstances have changed a lot in the last 25 years. The promise of a "real universal suffrage" has never been fulfilled. Worse still, the electoral system had been changed.
Source: RFA #July01
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/features/hottopic/feature-71-07012022024423.html
#HighDegreeofAutonomy #ChrisPatten #ElectoralSystem #Handover
In 2022, the sovereignty over Hong Kong has been transferred from Britain to the PRC for 25 years but with no plans for universal suffrage. The currrent electoral system is a "huge fallback of democracy".
With the enactment of Hong Kong National Security Law (#NSL) since 2020, the #CentralGovernment largely changed Hong Kong's electoral system, as the city's #LegislativeCouncil (#LegCo) no longer has an opposite voice.
With the enormous change in the political system and the environment in Hong Kong, what hapened to the promise of "High Degree of Autonomy" and "Hong Kong ruled by Hong Kong people"?
"When I was in Hong Kong, I saved my diary for the first time in my life. I hope it can be the evidence of Hong Kong being a British colony with a democratic society." said former and the last Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.
Hong Kong once experienced a higher level of democracy and more freedom. However, the circumstances have changed a lot in the last 25 years. The promise of a "real universal suffrage" has never been fulfilled. Worse still, the electoral system had been changed.
Source: RFA #July01
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/features/hottopic/feature-71-07012022024423.html
#HighDegreeofAutonomy #ChrisPatten #ElectoralSystem #Handover
Radio Free Asia
【主權移交25年（二）】政治篇——「港人治港、高度自治」之路如何了？
香港主權移交25年，不但普選沒有實現，選舉制度更是「民主大倒退」。隨著近年《港區國安法》出台，中央大幅修改選舉制度，立法會再無反對聲音，香港的政治制度和環境出現重大改變，「港人治港、高度自治」的路，還可以怎樣走下去？本台今集繼續走訪港英兩地，從政治角度審視香港主權移交中國第25年的變遷。