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3 Years of #August31Incident, HKers in Britain not to Give Up

Source: RFA #Sep01

https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/uk-831-09012022095619.html

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3 Years of #August31Incident, HKers in Britain not to Give Up

HKers gathered at no less than 12 British cities for the three years of the August 31 incident. Participants condemned the Hong Kong police for helping the regime to suppress citizens. They continue to ask for the truth and request the authority and the MTR company to make the CCTV recording public.

Around a thousand participants mourned the incident in front of Parliament Square in London. The host read out the names who gave their lives to the #AntiELAB movement. Names include Leung Ling Kit, the first to jump off from Pacific Place after hanging the slogan next to the building, Leung Kin-Fai, who stabbed a police officer on #Jul01 last year, Chan Yin-lam and Chow Chi-Lok, who still have an unknown cause of death up til now.

On the night of Aug 31, 2019, a group of protesters had arguments with the passengers who opposed the protests inside Prince Edward Station. Many riot police and Special Tactical Squad members then rushed into the station and had an indiscriminate attack on citizens with batons, guns and pepper spray both on the platform and in the train.

The police force even locked the station for more than 30 hours afterwards, obstructing journalists' interviews and rescue work. No one can understand the factual situation inside the station, nor can hold Hong Kong police accountable for using excessive force.

#PrinceEdward #LeungLingKit #LeungKinFai #ChanYinLam #ChowTszLok #ParliamentSquare

Source: RFA #Sep01
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/uk-831-09012022095619.html
Zero-Covid: How Xi's flagship policy is spoiling his party

The idea was to have China in stable and tip-top shape when thousands of delegates gather in Beijing to usher in a historic third term in power for Xi Jinping.

However, the coronavirus is not playing nicely.

In recent weeks, tens of millions of people have again been confined to their homes in lockdowns across 60 towns and cities and this is bringing political pressure on the man who has become the most powerful Chinese figure since the first Communist-era leader Mao Zedong.

The government's ongoing "Dynamic zero-Covid" strategy is inextricably linked to Mr Xi. Its success is his success. Its failure? Well, it would be a brave person who tried to pin it on him.

Source: BBC News #Oct07

#China #Covid19 #ZeroCovid #XiJinping

https://t.co/xhgjq0TUKX
Chinese websites adding Invisible Watermarks for national security? A spine-chilling method to stop netizens from taking screenshots and force down the Great Translation Movement

Source: Winandmac #Sep06

https://www.winandmac.com/2022/09/ccp-new-way-to-restrict-freedom-of-speech/

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Chinese websites adding Invisible Watermarks for national security? A spine-chilling method to stop netizens from taking screenshots and force down the Great Translation Movement

On 06 Sept 2022, a Hong Kong netizen, Ben, posted about a few big websites in Shenzhen and Hebei, including Douban and Zhihu, have implemented the “Invisible Watermark” function. This means that when a netizen makes a screen capture of the websites, the image will automatically record their information such as account logins and geographic location as a watermark that is invisible to the user. The information hidden in the “Invisible Watermark” can only be read using the specialized software for frequency domain filtering. This indicates that if a Chinese netizen took screenshots secretly and send to others for the Great Translation Movement, it will be very easy for the Chinese government to find out who took the screenshots and take actions for criminal accusation.

Ben also mentioned that the technology was used to protect copyrights, but it was not common a decade ago. “Now the Mainland China is using the Invisible Watermarks all over the internet, it is for national security needs and also to suppress dissent, of course they won’t mind using traps.” Ben said that there are still some ways to check if an image has an invisible watermark on it to not, which a Chinese netizen, Liang, who claims to be a CTO has also demonstrated ways to check invisible watermarks on Twitter. Ben mentioned “Bilibili, Weibo, WeChat and TikTok are catching up (with Douban and Zhihu), and soon it will become an unspoken rule for operation. He is also worried that “It’s not difficult to deepen the technology”, and in long term, “The deterrent force of being caught due to the privacy leak through screenshot images will inevitably heat up.”

Some netizens discussed this “Invisible Watermark incident” on Twitter and social platforms. It is mentioned that sharing screenshots or even taking photos of the screenshots will be dangerous for mainland netizens in the future, and the government is not keeping this a secret to create a chilling effect.

Source: Winandmac #Sep06

#Chinese #Website #Watermark

https://www.winandmac.com/2022/09/ccp-new-way-to-restrict-freedom-of-speech/
Case of the 47 democrats update: Lau Wing-hong & Wong Pak-yu's hearing

Lau Wing-hong and Wong Pak-yu, who planned to plead guilty, attended their hearings on 8 Oct 2022.

Lau stated that since his legal aid application was cancelled, he had to represent himself. He requested a Chinese hearing since "we are all Chinese" and this "shows the spirit of national security", yet his request was denied by the judge.

When discussing their sentences, both Lau and Wong wished to be sentenced before the hearing.

Source: The Witness #Sep08

#47Democrats #Chinese #LauWingHong #WongPakYu

https://bit.ly/3qlENDm
Exclusive: University of Hong Kong makes library users register to access some politically sensitive books

The library at Hong Kong’s top university has introduced a new system under which readers must register in advance to gain access to some politically sensitive books or archive materials. 

A Hong Kong researcher said the new policy, which follows moves by the city’s public libraries to remove some titles, might impede study of more “sensitive” topics.

The new system has been installed at the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Special Collections, a space separated by a glass wall within the Main Library building. The area “houses a unique collection of Hong Kong materials, rare books, and microforms,” according to HKU’s website. 

Source: HKFP #Oct31

#HKU #Library #Sensitive #Book

https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/31/exclusive-university-of-hong-kong-makes-library-users-register-to-access-some-politically-sensitive-books
The High Court orders confiscation of Spark Alliance's 70 million

The High Court ordered the confiscation of 70 million from Spark Alliance, an organisation that helped raise funds for activists arrested in the anti-ELAB movement. The police stated that since two involved parties escaped, they applied for a court order for the condiscation, which the judge approved because it was in line with the law.

Spark Alliance was formed in 2016 after the Mongkok riot. During the movement in 2019, they raised funds to support arrested activists' legal and daily life needs. The police arrested 4 people from this organsiation on 19 Dec 2019, accusing them of money laundering and froze around 70 million.

Source: Inmedia #Sep26

#SparkAlliance #HighCourt #Orders #Confiscation

https://bit.ly/3DVyRca
Wray: China continues to 'lie, cheat, and steal' in bid for tech dominance

FBI director Christopher Wray said Monday that newly disclosed charges against Chinese intelligence officers are the latest example of China's efforts to gain an unfair economic advantage over U.S. companies, particularly in the technology sphere.

Two Chinese intelligence officers are accused of attempting to "obstruct, influence, and impede a criminal prosecution" of a China-based global telecommunications company, U.S. attorney general Merrick Garland said during a news conference Monday. The company was not identified. The complaint against the two intelligence officers was unsealed Monday in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, Garland said.

Source: Protocol #Oct24

#FBI #China #US #Technology

https://t.co/uKDDhtaJYp
UK Media: China had been stocking PPEs months before the pandemic outbreak

Three years since the COVID-19 pandemic has started, US former officials revealed that China had been stocking personal protective equipment a few months before announcing the pandemic, including limiting exports of these products and purchasing them from the West. This showed that the CCP tried to hide the truth about the pandemic, confirming the theory of a Wuhan laboratory creating the coroanvirus.

The Daily Telegraph reported on 8 Oct that China had been stocking PPEs a few months before announcing the COVID-19 pandemic, including limiting the exports of gowns and masks. At the same time, China purchased these PPEs from Europe, US and Australia. These foundings raised suspcision on the source of the coronavirus and the time of the outbreak.

Source: RFA #Oct10

#China #COVID19 #PPE #Pandemic

https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/covid-10102022113254.html
Pro-democracy publishing house in Thailand targeted for shutdown by Chinese buyer

A pro-democracy publishing house in Thailand was approached by a Chinese businessman who wanted to pay it to shut down to boost his relationship with Beijing in the wake of the ruling Chinese Communist Party congress, its editors said in a statement.

A private investigation agency contacted Sam Yan Press in May with an offer of two million baht from a Chinese businessman who wanted to buy the company in order to shut it down, the publishing house said in a statement on its website dated Oct. 26.

Source: RFA #Oct28

#Thailand #Beijing #Businessman #CCP

https://t.co/NygVq66J94
UK summons China diplomat over Hong Kong protester beating at consulate, as MP says consul-general involved

full article: Hong Kong Free Press #Oct19

https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/18/breaking-uk-summons-chinese-rep-over-beating-of-hong-kong-protester-outside-manchester-consulate/

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UK summons China diplomat over Hong Kong protester beating at consulate, as MP says consul-general involved

The UK’s foreign minister has summoned the Chinese chargé d’affaires after a Hong Kong protester was dragged into the Chinese consulate grounds in Manchester and beaten up on Sunday, as a major Communist Party Congress began in Beijing.

Minister of State Jesse Norman told parliament that the government was “extremely concerned” about officials allegedly beating demonstrators, and they will meet with the Chinese ambassador’s deputy on Tuesday afternoon.

“Peaceful protest, as this house has always recognised, is a fundamental part of British society and our way of life,” he said.

Lawmakers repeatedly urged the government to oust any Chinese officials found to be involved in the incident, during the Q&A session at parliament. “It is a question of law as to what offences were committed on British soil,” Norman said.

He added that the Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang had not been summoned, when asked by MP Iain Duncan Smith.

full article: Hong Kong Free Press #Oct19
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/18/breaking-uk-summons-chinese-rep-over-beating-of-hong-kong-protester-outside-manchester-consulate/

see also:
China Consulate in Manchester Drags Hong Kong Protesters Inside Gate and Assaults Them, Damaging Props and Tearing Out Hair
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/978

#CCP #ManchesterConsulate #HongKongProtest #UKParliament
Lawmakers urge more scrutiny of Chinese firms in wake of charges

Members of Congress are urging more scrutiny of Chinese companies in the U.S. after the Justice Department this week announced that two Chinese agents sought to obstruct prosecution of a telecommunications company reported to be Huawei Technologies.

The criminal charges unsealed Monday against the two Chinese intelligence officers are the latest twist in the case against the company, which the department indicted in 2020 for federal racketeering and conspiring to steal U.S. companies’ trade secrets. The Justice Department described the company as “a global telecommunications company that is a charged defendant in an ongoing prosecution.” The New York Times reported that the company was Huawei.  

Source: Rollcall #Oct26

#Chinese #US #Huawei #Scrutiny

https://t.co/zCG8KoJIZQ
Hong Kong’s 47 democrats national security case: 19 things since March 2021 you must know

By Translated by BeWaterHK – Sep 3, 2022 • 15 September 2022

A total of 47 democrats were charged with "conspiracy to subversion" for participating in and organising the "35+ primary election" in Hong Kong. Committal proceedings were completed in July 2022 for transfer to the High Court. Under Magistrates Ordinance Section 87A (Restrictions on reports of committal proceedings), journalists have been prevented from reporting on the pre-trial hearings until the win in the appeal by Tonyee Chow Hang-tung to remove media report restrictions on court proceedings of a case related to Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC)…

Reporter: Alvin Chan • 18 August 2022

#47Democrats #NSL #HighCourt #AlvinChan

Full Story:

https://telegra.ph/Hong-Kongs-47-democrats-national-security-case-19-things-since-March-2021-you-must-know-09-14
Judicial repression becomes the norm in Hong Kong

On 26 September 2022, a university professor, two former lawmakers, a Cantopop singer and a Catholic cardinal were charged by the Hong Kong government for failing to register a humanitarian aid fund with the police. The five defendants — 90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen, singer Denise Ho, cultural studies professor Po-Keung Hui and former lawmakers Margaret Ng and Cyd Ho — are well-known supporters of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

The five founded the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund in 2019 to assist protestors who faced financial difficulties in seeking legal and medical assistance during the six-month-long anti-extradition bill movement. The Fund also sponsored various civil society activities, including peaceful rallies and international advocacy…

Source: Eastasiaforum #Oct26

#HumanitarianReliefFund #NSL #Democracy #Movement #HongKong

https://t.co/mHhmJ3Wc17
Hong Kong protest anthem played at Rugby Sevens series in Korea

Source: Korea Times #Nov15

#Incheon #RugbySevens #HongKong #NationalAnthem #GloryToHongKong

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Hong Kong protest anthem played at Rugby Sevens series in Korea

The Korea Rugby Union, the local operator of the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series held in Korea between Nov. 12 and 13, apologized for playing "Glory to Hong Kong," a protest anthem widely sung during the 2019-2020 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, instead of the Chinese national anthem, "March of the Volunteers," during the men's final round between Hong Kong and Korea held in Incheon, Korea on Sunday.

The Hong Kong government chastised Asia Rugby Monday morning about what happened and asked for an "in-depth investigation." However, the remarks of the Korean operator contradict those of the Hong Kong government.

Stressing that playing the Hong Kong pro-democracy protest anthem was "simply a mistake" by the Korea Rugby Union and that the Korean union immediately announced the mistake in the stadium and delivered an official apology to the Chinese and Hong Kong teams, a public relations representative from the Korean organization told The Korea Times Monday that "We ask each country to submit national anthems to play, but failed to get one (from the Hong Kong team)."

The person added that "our staff saved 'the Hong Kong national anthem' listed on the top of a search engine in the file folder named, 'Hong Kong.'"

The person continued that the Korea Rugby Union was later informed by Asia Rugby that the organization should play China's national anthem for the Hong Kong team but failed to delete the mistakenly saved file and delivered it to the broadcasting team. The official added that a staff member of the broadcasting team played the song in the file when Hong Kong made it to the final.

Also, the person said that the organizer then played the Chinese national anthem for the Hong Kong team during the award ceremony, after Hong Kong won the final.

Some pro-democracy restaurants in Hong Kong made the issue into a promotional event, giving those with Korean passports in Hong Kong discounts and some coupons for what happened.

Cafe de JarGor, a local food restaurant chain in Hong Kong that is known to support the anti-government movement and is vocal about anti-government issues, posted on Instagram that they will give a 50 percent discount to Korean passport holders that visit its restaurants for dinner today with the hashtag, "#thankyou" in Korean.

Source: Korea Times #Nov15

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2022/11/600_339811.html

#Incheon #RugbySevens #HongKong #NationalAnthem #GloryToHongKong
U.S. FBI director says TikTok poses national security concerns

The U.S. operations of Chinese-owned TikTok raise national security concerns, FBI Director Chris Wray said on Tuesday, flagging the risk that the Chinese government could harness the video-sharing app to influence users or control their devices.

Risks include "the possibility that the Chinese government could use [TikTok] to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations," Wray told U.S. lawmakers.

Source:Reuters #Nov15

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-fbi-director-says-tiktok-poses-national-security-concerns-2022-11-15/

#FBI #TikTok #Security #China
Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours

source: In-Media HK #Sep04

#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization

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Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours

Following the Education Bureau's (#EDB) push to increase emphasis on "Citizenship and National Security Education", many Hong Kong schools have scheduled numerous activities around patriotic topics.

Read more:
Hong Kong's “National Education Calendar” suggests discussing #ChineseCommunistParty development and watching three "patriotic anti-Japanese" films a year
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/866

According to the "Primary School Profiles 2022" published by the EDB in September, these activities include exchange trips with schools in mainland China and quiz competitions. Out of the 500-plus primary schools in Hong Kong, 59 will be organizing flag-raising teams this year.

HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School, run by the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (#HKFEW), plans to establish exchange tours with sister schools in mainland China. The school aims to "deepen the students' knowledge of the history and culture of the motherland" through poetry reading, studying Chinese music and water painting.

Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong, ranked among the top primary schools in the city, will host a "Life in the Mainland Experience Tour" in primary year 5, "to let students gain a deeper understanding of student life in poorer areas, and to learn to give and be thankful". ELCHK Hung Hom Lutheran Primary School will have "scholarship tours", sending students abroad on exchanges with sister schools in places such as Canada and Beijing, so they could learn more about the world and the motherland. Several schools belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals will also participate in the EDB's mainland exchange program.

Many schools have followed the EDB's suggested calendars and planned events on "important dates". ELCHK Faith Love Lutheran School explains: "Through activities such as Nanjing Massacre memorial day, constitution day, flag-raising ceremonies, and Speeches under the National Flag, students will learn National Security Education, and develop their concept of their country and respect for rule of law."

[editor's note: "Speeches under the National Flag" is a routine part of flag-raising ceremonies in China's schools, featuring speeches by teachers and outstanding students, as well as individuals deemed "model workers" by the Communist Party. The practice is prescribed under China's National Flag Law, so that students from kindergarten onward could "develop a sense of duty to love the country."]

In addition to events on "important dates", many schools are integrating national security education into their regular curriculum. Diocesan Girls' Junior School and SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School are among the schools who stated this intention.

source: In-Media HK #Sep04

https://bit.ly/3CXtNDM

#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization