#Tofu #PRC #Corruption
Collapsed Quarantine Hotel: Just Another Tofu-dreg Project in China
A hotel in Fujian province that was used as a Coronavirus quarantine site suddenly collapsed.
The incident has left at least 20 dead and 41 people injured, with many more trapped under the debris.
This is, however, not an isolated incident in China. Back in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, many schools collaspsed, killing countless innocent students. These buildings with a jerry-built structure were outcome of corruption, the lack of quality control during the construction.
Source: Apple Daily #Mar10 #ChinesePneumonia
Collapsed Quarantine Hotel: Just Another Tofu-dreg Project in China
A hotel in Fujian province that was used as a Coronavirus quarantine site suddenly collapsed.
The incident has left at least 20 dead and 41 people injured, with many more trapped under the debris.
This is, however, not an isolated incident in China. Back in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, many schools collaspsed, killing countless innocent students. These buildings with a jerry-built structure were outcome of corruption, the lack of quality control during the construction.
Source: Apple Daily #Mar10 #ChinesePneumonia
#Index #EconomicFreedom
WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
Source: Apple Daily, #Mar10
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WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
Source: Apple Daily, #Mar10
Read more
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#Index #EconomicFreedom
WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
In a letter written by Paul Chan Mo-po and published in the newspaper on March 10, the Financial Secretary argued that Hong Kong should continue to be included in the Index of Economic Freedom, after the Heritage Foundation dropped the SAR from the annual ranking, citing Beijingās increasing control over the city's economic policies.
The finance chief had described the think tankās explanation for the move as āflawed and inexplicableā, insisting that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law and "One Country Two Systems".
However, the #WSJ Editorial Board wrote back on the same day, striking down Chanās arguments in an article titled āHong Kong Illusionistā.āChan has the impossible task of denying what everyone can plainly see: Chinaās Communist Party is remaking Hong Kong in its own mainland image,ā it wrote.
While the Sino-British Joint Declaration laid out the terms of Hong Kongās autonomy under the āOne Country, Two Systemsā framework, the board said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang had in 2017 declared the historical document void.
āHongkongers have every reason to believe him after watching China ram through an unpopular national-security law whose provisions include allowing Beijing to take some Hong Kong cases to China for trial,ā the article said.
#LaughingStock
Source: Apple Daily, RTHK; #Mar10
===Related article
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29021
WSJ lashes out at HK Financial Secretary for claiming a "high degree of autonomy" no longer exists
In a letter written by Paul Chan Mo-po and published in the newspaper on March 10, the Financial Secretary argued that Hong Kong should continue to be included in the Index of Economic Freedom, after the Heritage Foundation dropped the SAR from the annual ranking, citing Beijingās increasing control over the city's economic policies.
The finance chief had described the think tankās explanation for the move as āflawed and inexplicableā, insisting that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law and "One Country Two Systems".
However, the #WSJ Editorial Board wrote back on the same day, striking down Chanās arguments in an article titled āHong Kong Illusionistā.āChan has the impossible task of denying what everyone can plainly see: Chinaās Communist Party is remaking Hong Kong in its own mainland image,ā it wrote.
While the Sino-British Joint Declaration laid out the terms of Hong Kongās autonomy under the āOne Country, Two Systemsā framework, the board said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang had in 2017 declared the historical document void.
āHongkongers have every reason to believe him after watching China ram through an unpopular national-security law whose provisions include allowing Beijing to take some Hong Kong cases to China for trial,ā the article said.
#LaughingStock
Source: Apple Daily, RTHK; #Mar10
===Related article
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29021
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#Index #EconomicFreedom
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
For more than two decades, Hong Kong occupied the top position in the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom at a high score of 89.1. The Washington-based foundationā¦
HK kicked from the world's freest economies league table
For more than two decades, Hong Kong occupied the top position in the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom at a high score of 89.1. The Washington-based foundationā¦
#Exile #InternationalLobbying
Ted Hui Granted a Visit to Australia as an Exemption Under the Pandemic
Source: Apple Daily #Mar10
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Ted Hui Granted a Visit to Australia as an Exemption Under the Pandemic
Source: Apple Daily #Mar10
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#Exile #InternationalLobbying
Ted Hui Granted a Visit to Australia as an Exemption Under the Pandemic
A former legislative council member Ted Hui, who fled Hong Kong to the UK through Denmark in December last year, has relocated to Australia on Mar 9 to continue his job at international lobbying. During an interview with local media, Hui thanked the Australia governmentās help to allow his visit to the country as an exemption under the closed border situation. He was allowed to board on an Australian citizens-only flight from London to Australia. According to ABC News, Hui was the first Hong Kong activist to be granted a visit to Australia since the pandemic. A response from the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, was still pending.
An Australian local media reported that Hui was granted a 12-month tourist visa. He arrived in Australia on Mar 9 morning and will self-quarantine for 14 days in a hotel. Antony Dapiran, an Australian lawyer in Hong Kong, said that Huiās move will be welcomed by the dissidents in Hong Kong but will be criticised by the Beijing government.
Source: Apple Daily #Mar10
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210310/EUJCJB34LRBVZJ3BZ7I2P5XHP4/
#COVID19 #TedHui #UK #Australia #TouristVisa
Ted Hui Granted a Visit to Australia as an Exemption Under the Pandemic
A former legislative council member Ted Hui, who fled Hong Kong to the UK through Denmark in December last year, has relocated to Australia on Mar 9 to continue his job at international lobbying. During an interview with local media, Hui thanked the Australia governmentās help to allow his visit to the country as an exemption under the closed border situation. He was allowed to board on an Australian citizens-only flight from London to Australia. According to ABC News, Hui was the first Hong Kong activist to be granted a visit to Australia since the pandemic. A response from the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, was still pending.
An Australian local media reported that Hui was granted a 12-month tourist visa. He arrived in Australia on Mar 9 morning and will self-quarantine for 14 days in a hotel. Antony Dapiran, an Australian lawyer in Hong Kong, said that Huiās move will be welcomed by the dissidents in Hong Kong but will be criticised by the Beijing government.
Source: Apple Daily #Mar10
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210310/EUJCJB34LRBVZJ3BZ7I2P5XHP4/
#COVID19 #TedHui #UK #Australia #TouristVisa
Help Hong Kong residents flee before it's too late, fugitive democracy figure urges
Time is running out to help Hongkongers before the expected introduction of powers banning people from leaving as China tightens its grip on the city.
A pro-democracy politician Ted Hui, who exiled to the UK while on bail before moving to Australia, said world must provide ālifeboat plansā ahead of expected travel bans.
The Hong Kong government recently unveiled proposed legislation to give the immigration department āunfettered powersā to stop people leaving. With no remaining opposition in Hong Kongās legislature, the amendment is likely to pass and would take effect on 1 August.
Source: The Guardian #Mar10
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/help-hong-kong-residents-flee-before-its-too-late-fugitive-democracy-figure-urges?fbclid=IwAR2J7dKnbN0NXV6bNAZMjedvWdg3iBg93YrJ0voQOT2wDzKF4ey7yWESqYg
#TedHui #HKProDemocracyExile #Australia #UK #HKLifeBoat
Time is running out to help Hongkongers before the expected introduction of powers banning people from leaving as China tightens its grip on the city.
A pro-democracy politician Ted Hui, who exiled to the UK while on bail before moving to Australia, said world must provide ālifeboat plansā ahead of expected travel bans.
The Hong Kong government recently unveiled proposed legislation to give the immigration department āunfettered powersā to stop people leaving. With no remaining opposition in Hong Kongās legislature, the amendment is likely to pass and would take effect on 1 August.
Source: The Guardian #Mar10
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/help-hong-kong-residents-flee-before-its-too-late-fugitive-democracy-figure-urges?fbclid=IwAR2J7dKnbN0NXV6bNAZMjedvWdg3iBg93YrJ0voQOT2wDzKF4ey7yWESqYg
#TedHui #HKProDemocracyExile #Australia #UK #HKLifeBoat
#PoliceState #PressFreedom
IG's attempt to remove a video showing youngsters being subdued by Hong Kong police triggers concern over press freedom
In Hong Kong, a 15-year-old boy was reportedly pinned to the ground by three plainclothes officers at a basketball court in Wong Tai Sin, according a video shared by online media Channel C HK.
The footage ā shot by an eyewitness ā appeared to show three men holding down a teenager whose mask came off as they struggled. The boy can be heard saying: āYou pushed first.ā
This 6-min footage, uploaded on Instagram, received over 300,000 views.
Although the footage has included comments from Hong Kong police, the video was lifted by IG for 10 hours, citing "assisting to hurt people" as reason.
Hours later, the video was released again, although IG failed to provide any reason.
The online media outlet expressed frustration and disappointment as IG has never explained their actions.
Source: Channel C; #Mar10
https://youtu.be/I81DlV6_K7M
IG's attempt to remove a video showing youngsters being subdued by Hong Kong police triggers concern over press freedom
In Hong Kong, a 15-year-old boy was reportedly pinned to the ground by three plainclothes officers at a basketball court in Wong Tai Sin, according a video shared by online media Channel C HK.
The footage ā shot by an eyewitness ā appeared to show three men holding down a teenager whose mask came off as they struggled. The boy can be heard saying: āYou pushed first.ā
This 6-min footage, uploaded on Instagram, received over 300,000 views.
Although the footage has included comments from Hong Kong police, the video was lifted by IG for 10 hours, citing "assisting to hurt people" as reason.
Hours later, the video was released again, although IG failed to provide any reason.
The online media outlet expressed frustration and disappointment as IG has never explained their actions.
Source: Channel C; #Mar10
https://youtu.be/I81DlV6_K7M
#PressFreedom #Censorship
Pro-democracy media rejected at government funded events
A Hong Kong government funded community group, newly established to combat COVID-19 outbreak extended invitation to local media to publicise their attempts to relief supply shortage of anti-epidemic items in elderly homes.
Reporters from Inmediahk, a pro-democracy online media were among those being invited.
Unfortunately, when reporters from Inmediahk showed up at the press briefing, they were stopped at the door and rejected.
A staff member said only those "friendly media" are invited. Without providing any convincing reasons, they were barred from entering the venue and asked to leave.
Source: inmediahk; #Mar10
https://bit.ly/363rmRx
Pro-democracy media rejected at government funded events
A Hong Kong government funded community group, newly established to combat COVID-19 outbreak extended invitation to local media to publicise their attempts to relief supply shortage of anti-epidemic items in elderly homes.
Reporters from Inmediahk, a pro-democracy online media were among those being invited.
Unfortunately, when reporters from Inmediahk showed up at the press briefing, they were stopped at the door and rejected.
A staff member said only those "friendly media" are invited. Without providing any convincing reasons, they were barred from entering the venue and asked to leave.
Source: inmediahk; #Mar10
https://bit.ly/363rmRx
#WuhanPneumonia #FailedState
"It took us more than an hour to find help": Son Recounts Losing his Father to COVID-19, after Numerous Hospitals Turned Them Away
Source: HK01; #Mar10
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"It took us more than an hour to find help": Son Recounts Losing his Father to COVID-19, after Numerous Hospitals Turned Them Away
Source: HK01; #Mar10
Read more
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#WuhanPneumonia #FailedState
"It took us more than an hour to find help": Son Recounts Losing his Father to COVID-19, after Numerous Hospitals Turned Them Away
Mr. Chan's father became unwell on the night of February 26. At first, he needed help to walk to the bathroom; soon, his condition worsened, and he threw up several times.
Mr Chan called the 999 emergency hotline for his father, but the call did not go through.
He knew that the emergency units at Kwong Wah Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, two hospitals near the Chans' home in Kowloon, had been fully occupied for days. After considering his options, Chan decided to seek treatment for his father at St. Teresa's Hospital, a private hospital.
The elderly Chan was found to have a slight fever when he arrived at St Teresa's Hospital, and he was immediately turned away. Instead of admitting the elderly man for medical treatment, Chan and his father were given a list of private hospitals that have signed up for COVID-19 patients. They were asked to leave and find their own medical assistance.
It was a cold evening, with temperature dropping to around 10ā°C. Chan called every hospital on the list, but their efforts were in vain.
Frustrated, Mr Chan took his father all the way to Hong Kong Island, to the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH).
There, rapid testing confirmed that his father was infected with COVID-19. Thus, HKSH also turned them away.
Feeling helpless and at a loss of what to do, Mr Chan called the emergency line again. After many more dropped calls, Chan eventually was connected to emergency services, and was diverted to the Ambulance command centre of the Fire Department.
Yet, after waiting on the line for 20 minutes, Mr Chan was told that no Ambulance service was available.
Totally disappointed in public services, Mr Chan took his father to the Queen Mary Hospital by taxi.
After arriving at Queen Mary Hospital, Chan explained his father's condition to the nurses in painstaking detail. Only that they were asked to wait another 45 minutes before a doctor's consultation.
Mr. Chan told reporters, "it took us more than an hour to find out where to take my father for emergency medical treatment. It was painful to watch my father vomiting dozens of times. I am totally disappointed. There is no guideline of how to handle these serious medical cases."
3 days later, Chan's father passed away. Whenever Chan recalled the agony of watching his father suffer with no doctor to be found, he couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Why did I even bring him to the hospital?" he said, still in grief for his father's death. "I wish we stayed home, so he could die in peace."
Source: HK01; #Mar10
"It took us more than an hour to find help": Son Recounts Losing his Father to COVID-19, after Numerous Hospitals Turned Them Away
Mr. Chan's father became unwell on the night of February 26. At first, he needed help to walk to the bathroom; soon, his condition worsened, and he threw up several times.
Mr Chan called the 999 emergency hotline for his father, but the call did not go through.
He knew that the emergency units at Kwong Wah Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, two hospitals near the Chans' home in Kowloon, had been fully occupied for days. After considering his options, Chan decided to seek treatment for his father at St. Teresa's Hospital, a private hospital.
The elderly Chan was found to have a slight fever when he arrived at St Teresa's Hospital, and he was immediately turned away. Instead of admitting the elderly man for medical treatment, Chan and his father were given a list of private hospitals that have signed up for COVID-19 patients. They were asked to leave and find their own medical assistance.
It was a cold evening, with temperature dropping to around 10ā°C. Chan called every hospital on the list, but their efforts were in vain.
Frustrated, Mr Chan took his father all the way to Hong Kong Island, to the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH).
There, rapid testing confirmed that his father was infected with COVID-19. Thus, HKSH also turned them away.
Feeling helpless and at a loss of what to do, Mr Chan called the emergency line again. After many more dropped calls, Chan eventually was connected to emergency services, and was diverted to the Ambulance command centre of the Fire Department.
Yet, after waiting on the line for 20 minutes, Mr Chan was told that no Ambulance service was available.
Totally disappointed in public services, Mr Chan took his father to the Queen Mary Hospital by taxi.
After arriving at Queen Mary Hospital, Chan explained his father's condition to the nurses in painstaking detail. Only that they were asked to wait another 45 minutes before a doctor's consultation.
Mr. Chan told reporters, "it took us more than an hour to find out where to take my father for emergency medical treatment. It was painful to watch my father vomiting dozens of times. I am totally disappointed. There is no guideline of how to handle these serious medical cases."
3 days later, Chan's father passed away. Whenever Chan recalled the agony of watching his father suffer with no doctor to be found, he couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Why did I even bring him to the hospital?" he said, still in grief for his father's death. "I wish we stayed home, so he could die in peace."
Source: HK01; #Mar10