📡Guardians of Hong Kong
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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#Apology
Belarusian Police Tortured and Threatened Protesters with Rape,
Officials Apologize for police Violence and Release All Protesters

Source: Stand News #Aug14
#Belarus #BelarusProtest #PoliceBrutality #PoliceViolence

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24424
#Apology
Belarusian Police Tortured and Threatened Protesters with Rape,
Officials Apologize for police Violence and Release All Protesters


More than 6,700 protesters were arrested in the anti-government demonstrations triggered by the Belarusian presidential election on August 9. The detention centers were overcrowded as a result. Many media sources showed that the detained protesters were physically abused by the police. Amnesty International pointed out that the protesters were tortured extensively. Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov said that all protesters would be released by 6 a.m. Friday morning (Aug 14). So far more than 2,000 protesters have been released.

Inhumane custodial conditions
Protesters beaten without getting treatments

Some released protesters posted photos on Nexta, which showed that they have suffered a lot of injuries, including large purple bruises and swelling on their backs or buttocks. They said the injuries were caused by the police. Amnesty International stated that some arrestees were stripped naked, beaten and threatened with rape.

Many journalists and pedestrians were arrested as well. One of the released Russian journalists, Nikita Telizhenko, disclosed her three-day detention life. She mentioned that many detainees were forced to sleep on the ground which had blood and faeces. They were not allowed to use the toilet or even change their lying positions for many hours. Ms. Telizhenko has already returned to Russia.

Source: Stand News #Aug14
#Belarus #BelarusProtest #PoliceBrutality #PoliceViolence
#ForeignMinister #LeYuCheng
#China #US #Sanction

Beijing Diplomat: China Wishes to Talk

Le Yucheng, China’s foreign vice-minister said in an interview with Chinese news site Guancha, “dialogues should not be put on hold, in particular, there should be no ‘radio silence’ between the two foreign ministries.” Le called for cooperation and for dialogue to resume between the two governments, saying, “no matter how difficult and complex the issues may be, they should be put on the table for discussion.” Le said he is standing ready for talks with his U.S. counterpart at any time.

Le said, it is normal for two countries to disagree. However, differences should be handled in a rational and pragmatic manner, avoid widening conflicts, let alone creating new ones. There are enough problems on both sides, so we can't do addition, but instead must find a way to do subtraction [meaning to remove, rather than adding new problems to widen the conflict].

Source: Union News #Aug12
https://udn.com/news/story/12605/4775409
#HongKongChronicles #11Aug2019
What Happened in Hong Kong on 11 August 2019

Watch video:
https://youtu.be/DzrQPFuo7FU

Hong Kongers would never forget the day of 11 August in 2019, when police ignore civilians' lives and public safety to frighten citizens.

The free-to-air Television Boadcast Channel (TVB) even tried to conceal police brutality by editing video before broadcasting.

"Bullets can punch through helmets, but they cannot destroy justice and ethics."

Video source: Citizens Press Con
#TVB #CCTVB #PoliceBrutality #NeverForget #NeverForgive
#FailedState #CoronavirusPandemic
Dismissing Privacy Concern, HK Gov't Insists in Carrying Out Universal Test and Health Code

The Chief Executive Carrie Lam on August 21 urged Hongkongers to take part in the COVID19 test run by the Chinese companies appointed by the HK government from September 1 onwards. Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip reassured that information will "not be sent outside of Hong Kong".

Despite public concern over data collection and privacy, Lam said that the government will implement a health code plan to exempt qualified Hong Kong-China travellers from quarantine restrictions, similar to what China had already installed in Macau and Guangdong.

Secretary for Innovation and Technology Alfred Sit dismissed privacy concern. He stated that the health code users will have to acknowledge that they 'agree' to have their data sent to their destination, i.e. the Chinese authorities, if travelling to China.

Meanwhile, microbiologist Ho Pak-leung, head of the University of Hong Kong's Centre for Infection, has doubt in universal COVID-19 testing. He called it "a waste of bullets" if people with higher risk of infection are not tested.

Ho suggested to test all patients in public hospitals, and carry out repeated tests for elderly home workers and frontline medical staff, instead.

Source: RTHK #Aug21
#BigData #HealthCode #CarrieLam #AlfredSit #HoPakLeung #PersonalPrivacy #DNA
#PublicOpinionPoll #Anaylsis
Should Incumbent Lawmakers Serve in Extended Term Under Beijing's LegCo Arrangement?

HK Public Opinion Research Institute (#HKPORI) released two sets of survey results from online discussion groups and phone interviews, randomly sampled.

Q: The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has extended the current LegCo term for no less than 1 year. Do you agree or disagree for incumbent lawmakers to serve in the extended term?

Survey results:
• Online opinion groups: Agree 35%;Disagree 47% Sampling threshold +/- 1%
• Random phone interview: Agree 37%;Disagree 41% Sampling threshold +/- 3%

==============
A few reflections are offered by CUHK lecturer and research Dr. Leung Kai-chi:

1. Methodology

Two sets of survey results were devised from different methodologies,
Since netizens and political figures were involved in mobilizing citizens to register and take part in this survey, this set of survey result can be used as a reference to those being politically influenced.

Interviews via phone calls (including landline and mobile) were randomly sampled, not being directly influenced by political opinion leaders. These set of survey result can be regarded as an overall reflection of the mass population in Hong Kong.


2. Beyond Methodology

Leading researcher of the survey, Dr Leung Kai-chi explained, “methodology cannot be a solution to all the problems as some are matters of value judgement.” For instance, should a lawmaker make a deciaion in accordance to HK people’s opinion or his potential supporters? In the same light, should legislators of Functional Constituencies only look into opinions of his/her constituency, disregarding the rest? Should there also be a middle-ground / alternative solution, or should lawmakers only follow a dominant opinion with an absolute majority support?

Dr Leung admitted that many disagreements may arise. He said “I do not have an answer to them. Hopefully, we can face these questions unruffled and in unity.”

Source: Dr Leung Kai-chi’s Facebook #Aug21
https://www.facebook.com/594642803906393/posts/3197828276921153/

#ProvisionalLegCo #Methodology #LeungKaiChi

=========
Further Reading:

#HKPORI Public opinion poll: a large majority of 76% Hong Kong citizens reject “Health Code” https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24410
#TVB #CCTVB
"#FakeNews": Pro-Beijing TV Channel Broadcast Misleading Report of Postponed Elections Overseas

Sources: Patrick Yeh's Facebook; Joshua Wong's Facebook; Kau Yim Media #Aug18

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24430
#TVB #CCTVB #WhiteWash #Election
"#FakeNews": Pro-Beijing TV Channel Broadcast Misleading Report of Postponed Elections Overseas

Beijing-friendly TVB reported on 17 August 2020 on several postponed elections in other countries. However, its graphic titled "Five Eyes Alliance Postpones Elections" quickly angered netizens, who accused the TV station for whitewashing Beijing's forceful postponement of Hong Kong's legislative elections.

The report was seen as portraying other nations' election delay to legitimize what happened in Hong Kong. Some netizens outright called it "fake news".

In fact, out of the five countries listed, New Zealand is the only one postponing a federal-level election, and that only by one month. Britain's parliamentary elections was last held in 2019, and the next one will not be held until 2024. The elections cited by TVB were for a number local councils and mayors. Australia's is for the provincial government of New South Wales, and it is only delayed by four weeks. In Canada's case, the dates were for municipal elections in the single province of New Brunswick.

Joshua Wong noted that, most significantly, the decision to delay these elections were made by democratically-elected governments, who are voted in and can be voted out by their citizens. In contrast, Hong Kong's postponement was singlehandedly decided by China's National Congress, precluding and overruling any decision the Hong Kong Legislature might make, thus giving Hongkongers no say in the matter.

The screenshot of the TVB graphic was widely circulated in a Facebook post since yesterday. As citizens from the countries concerned confirmed that no federal elections were scheduled, netizens accused TVB for using the information to mislead and justify China postponing Hong Kong's legislative election, which is indeed a top-level election. Some are calling for the TV station to immediately issue a correction and clarification.

Sources: Patrick Yeh's Facebook; Joshua Wong's Facebook; Kau Yim Media #Aug18

Actual News on Election Postponements:

Britain:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/parliament-and-elections/elections-elections/coronavirus-faqs-on-postponed-election/

Australia:
https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Elections/Local-government-elections/Local-Government-Elections-2021

Canada:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/municipal-elections-postponed-covid-1.5500648

#FiveEyesAlliance
#iCable #LayOff #Petition
200+ employees petition for i-Cable management to reveal reasons behind dismissal of engineering team heads

Source: Stand News #Aug22
https://bit.ly/31ghHSS

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24432
#iCable #LayOff #Petition
200+ employees petition for i-Cable management to reveal reasons behind dismissal of engineering team heads

More than 200 employees from the Public Information of i-Cable petitioned, requesting for the management to reveal their true intentions behind the firing of 3 heads of the engineering team.

i-Cable responded to not affect the operation of the public information department

i-Cable filled the vacant roles in what seemed like an unbroken succession. The 3 heads of the engineering team were fired on 21 August on immediate notice.

Read here: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24406

More than 200 people in Public information Department, including every editors and journalists from the Hong Kong News team and all journalists from the China news team signed the petitioned directed to the i-Cable chairmen, David Chiu Tat -Cheong, and the Chief financial officer (CFO), Kwok Chi-Kin.

The employees felt “shocked, puzzled and angry” and expressed that this move would result in an “irrevocable loss of i-Cable”

They mentioned in the open letter that they did not approve of the management's decision to that dismiss the 3 heads without any prior notice. They also doubted the claims that from the management that this doing had no adverse effects on the daily operation of the company. They also requested for the management to explain the reasons behind the personnel changes.

The 3 new senior management officers mentioned in the letter are ex-senior management of another pro-Establishment TV station ATV, Anderson Chan Hing-cheong, Edna Tse, and Oscar Lee. Fung Tak-hung was reappointed to be an advisor.

i-Cable responded that the dismissal of the 3 people from engineering teams was a result of a “regular review of organisation structure and Human Resources”. They also mentioned that a reasonable and sufficient compensation package have been arranged according to the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance of Labour Department. They further reiterated their claims the dismissal "will not affect the daily operation of public information department”.

Source: Stand News #Aug22
https://bit.ly/31ghHSSn

#ATV #Management
#PoliceState #Abduction #Kidnap #AsiasFinest
Video Shows Alleged Kidnapping of Citizen by HK Police

Watch video: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24433

A video submitted to “Stand News” on 20 August, 2020 showed that 5-8 plainclothes police seized and forced a lady into a black seven-seat van under the bridge at the junction of O’Brien Road and Jaffe Road in Causeway Bay. The lady in the video, which has been circulating on the internet continued, shouted for help while being manhandled in the van. Police had been suspected to ”kidnap” civilians.

Police later posted in their official Facebook at night to clarify that the lady in the video has been arrested of the violation of “Access to a computer with criminal or dishonest intent”. They condemned netizens on the accusation of “kidnapping” by police officers on duty without warrant. Also, they denounced netizens attempted inciting hatred.

Source: Stand News #Aug20
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1361504794044825&extid=XqzSwPQH0G21ei9D
#ProtesterStory #YuenLong721
#Interview

Former Anti-Riot Police: the 21 July Incident was Absurd

Wah, a former anti-riot police, joined the police force because he wanted to help others. The night of the Yuen Long attack on 21 July 2019 was a life changing event for him. Disappointed with how the police had mishandled the violent incident, he became disillusioned and decided to leave the force. In this interview with Apple Daily, Wah recounted the 721 story from his perspective and exposed the permissive culture within the Hong Kong Police Force.

Full article:
https://telegra.ph/Former-Anti-Riot-Police-the-21-July-Incident-was-Absurd-08-22

* * * * *

Related reading:

https://telegra.ph/Ryan-Lau-published-a-book-on-the-721-Yuen-Long-Attack-to-prevent-distortion-of-history-08-08


https://telegra.ph/Lest-we-forget-July-21-PLA-veteran-armed-with-a-mattock-handle-stood-against-the-white-gang-I-will-remember-this-to-my-last-day-07-17
#NetizensVoice

Discovery in Fairwood: HIKVISION thermal camera

(21 Aug) What is the correlation between body temperature and the customers’ appearance? Food For Thought.

What is HIKVISION?

Source: Facebook

⬇️⬇️⬇️ Continue
#NetizensVoice

Discovery in Fairwood: HIKVISION thermal camera

What is HIKVISION?

//“The Courier” reported HIKVISION manufactures surveillance facilities used by the CCP in suppressing Tibetan and Uyghur populations and installed in detention camps in Xinjiang. Their products have already been banned from sale in the US.//
(Fairwood wanna make people happy?)

//“The Mercury”, which is owned by a Media tycoon of Rupert Murdoch and the editorial department is in Hobart, reported on 15 August with the heading of “Concern over Chinese ‘spy’ cameras near parliament”.

In the report, O’Connor, leader of United Tasmania Group and councillor of House of Assembly, stated that HIKVISION communication products not only have a security concern but also the company has deliberately created loopholes.”//
(For just to dine, do I have to have my data sent to the neighboring country?)

//HIKVISON SSD is in crisis lately. A famous KOL in China alleged NAND Flash chips in its high-end SSD model, “C200, has been changed to inferior parts. In another model of consumer-grade, “C160 SSD”, it was used-NAND collected from a Western Digital (WD) drive. Many chinese users have made videos on this debacle. So, its image in mainland China has been blemished.

It’s not the first time for HIKVISION to have an integrity issue. Customers have complained about suspicious false advertisement of HIKVISION C2000 SSD. The promotion material mentioned Toshiba Memory Chips, but Micron Chips was used in products. After videos circulate on the internet, HIKVISION removed its products and amended product information rapidly. All wordings of “Toshiba Chips” have been completed removed and replaced by “3D TLC.//
(Really make the best possible use of the epidemic, responds to comrade Xi’s call long time ago)

Source: Facebook
Translated by: Hong Kong Echo

#Fairwood #Surveilance #HIKVISION #BodyTemperature #Epidemic
#Newspaper

Beijing softened rhetoric after being attacked repeatedly by the US but critics believes it is only stopgap

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Continue
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24442
#Newspaper

Beijing softened rhetoric after being attacked repeatedly by the US but critics believes it is only stopgap
 
(10 Aug) As the U.S. and China confrontation continues to escalate and expand its scope, China urgently adjusts its strategy - abandoning wolf warrier diplomacy and adopting a more flexible policy. The Chinese media and major propaganda channels have been ordered to change anti-U.S. propaganda slogans to advocate cooperation to achieve a win-win relationship.  Many people in the media industry believe that this is only an expedient measure of the Communist Party of China (CCP), and the nature of the CCP has not changed

//prohibit verbal abuse and attacks on the United States... so as not to trigger a greater backlash... defuse the aggressive offensive from the Trump administration.

//Without this idiot, it is impossible to be in this situation

//the sudden change of Hua's words could not be her personal will but the direction from the government.

//this is a consistent practice of the Communist Party".

//CCP's sudden change of tone was only towards the US. CCP currently adopted an even more aggressive approach to the United Kingdom and European countries.


Full translation:
https://telegra.ph/Beijing-softened-rhetoric-after-being-attacked-repeatedly-by-the-US-but-critics-believes-it-is-only-stopgap-08-21

Source: Radio Free Asia
Transited by: Hong Kong Echo

#China #US #Relationship #Xi #CCP #expedientmeasure #Diplomacy #ChinesePropaganda
#Military #China #US #PLA
Chinese Military Will Not Fire the First Shot, Beijing Stated to the US

Source: Stand News #Aug12

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24444