📡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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#Censorship #Freespeech
#University in HK to Tighten Control of the Opinion Expression: Posts on #DemocracyWall Requires Real Name and Restricts Content

In the universities in Hong Kong, the "Democracy Wall", a free posting notice board on campus, has been a symbol of free speech.

After the forceful enactment of National Security Law (#NSL) in Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) has pressured the Students Union for several times about the setting up of the pro-democracy #LennonWall.

Recently, the Student Union committee members received an email from the Staff-Student Central Management Committee about an online meeting to be held on Dec 8, 2020, which will discuss "new rules" for the Democracy Wall. The new rules proposed by the university include real-name posting and content which cannot "go against the facts".

The students union acting president Au Cheuk-hei said that the university intended to tighten the freedom of speech inside the campus.

Source: Apple Daily #Dec4
#Education #BrainWash
Pro-Beijing School Allegedly Imposes Political Censorship, Forbidding Students to Wear Black or Yellow Masks

Wong Kam Fai Primary and Secondary School, affiliated with Hong Kong Baptist University, was suspected of imposing #PoliticalCensorship. Stand News was informed that the school's annual journal had blurred the background in some class pictures to obscure drawings of “Pepe”, a cartoon popular amongst pro-democracy protesters.

The school was also said to have banned students from wearing black or yellow masks. Students who broke the new rule would be given demerit points. The informant told Stand News that the new rules, already being enforced by the school, were only announced verbally during morning assembly, instead of via official written notices to parents.

Source: Stand News #Dec11
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/王錦輝中小學年刊河蟹-pepe-壁報-禁戴黑-黃色口罩-規管學生校外及網上-不當行為/

#Censorship #FaceMask #FreeSpeech
#Censorship #CCPControl
China Blocks Shipments of "Freedom and Democracy" Calendars to Hong Kong

Chinese customs may have held up an order of new year calendars printed for district councils in Hong Kong, Yau Tsim Mong District councillor Lee Wai-fung wrote in a Facebook post.

The calendars, with the text "Pursue Freedom and Democracy" in golden calligraphy, was scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong in mid-November, so that they will be given out to civilians on Dec 16, 2020.

However, Lee was later informed that order was detained in China, without an official explanation from either the print shop nor the Chinese customs. The councillors ended up printing labels with their names and pictures, and handing out regular calendars with their labels attached.

Yuen Long District councillor Henry Wong Pak-yu experienced similar issues with the Chinese customs. He was informed by the print shop in China that printed products for district councils in Hong Kong are now being scrutinized much more closely by Chinese customs, because some of their previous materials contained "sensitive content". The printer was not allowed to send out the shipment, and Wong may not be able to receive his calendars in time for the new year.

Source: Stand News #Dec16

#NewYearCalendar #FreeSpeech #ChineseCustoms #DistrictCouncil
#SelfCensorship #PublishingIndustry
Hong Kong Bookstores Refuse to Distribute Book by American Writer Residing in Hong Kong to "Stay Under Radar" of
#NationalSecurityLaw

American writer Kent Ewing's new political title, "Hong Kong On The Frontline 1997-2020", was scheduled to come out in September 2020; however, Hong Kong English bookstore chain Bookazine refused to stock the political title over national security law fears.

Kent Ewing, who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 30 years, said that he is always proud of Hong Kong being his home, and saddened to see that the implementation of the national security law has fueled self-censorship in the publishing sector.

Ewing said the "invisible hand" has become "ironclad" censorship: "it [national security law] wants to keep everyone's mouths shut."

Nevertheless, Ewing stated that he will not give up writing and criticizing social affairs, and plans to publish the book in Taiwan.

According to Ewing, he received an email from the publisher FormAsia in mid-September 2020, informing him that Bookazine wished to "stay under radar" because of the national security law, and refused to stock the book.

FormAsia also dropped out of their collaborative project, and stopped funding the book for publication. The Stand News has inquired with Bookazine and FormAsia and is waiting for their replies.

Source: Stand News #Dec16

#Books #KentEwing #FreeSpeech
#RealNameSimCard #MassSurveillance
Hong Kong Authorities Plan to Ban Anonymous SIM Card, Official Says: It'll Be a Displeasure in Cinema In Case of Bomb Threat

The Hong Kong government will have a 'public consultation' regarding real-name registration for the sim card.

In a press conference held on 29 Jan, 2021 at 2:30 pm, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah, the Secretary for Security Sonny Au Chi-kwong and the Deputy Director-General of Communications (Telecommunications) John Leung Chung-yin announced the public consultation details.

The reasons the Secretary for Security Sonny Au cited to enforce real name registration include "the displeasure in the cinema", "the inconvenience at the MTR station" and "the flight delay at the airport" if "someone used an anoymous prepaid phone card to call and claim there is a bomb somewhere".

The real-name registration of phone card was mandatory in China since 2010. However, it is never a mandate in Hong Kong. Civilians can purchase SIM card without the need for registion as so-called “pre-paid SIM card".

Source: Stand News; InMedia #Jan29

https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/749884489286469

https://bit.ly/2NLiebc

#FailedState #FreeSpeech #SimCard #Telecommunications
#Bomb #AuChikwong
#WhiteTerror #Regime
Hong Kong Authorities Charge Pro-democracy Radio Host for
"Acting with a Seditious Intention"


#Giggs, a radio host in Hong Kong, was charged with four counts of "acting with a seditious intention" for an online programme he hosted between August and October 2020.

Despite the fact that the alleged offences fall outside the #NationalSecurityLaw, the case was handled by the national security office in Hong Kong.

National Security Judge and chief magistrate #VictorSo said the court didn't have sufficient grounds to believe that Giggs, will not re-offend if granted bail.

The authorities accused Giggs of intending to "bring hatred or contempt against" the Chinese and the Hong Kong SAR governments and inciting Hong Kong people to "revolt like the Ukrainian" which forced their "Chief Executive to self-exile". The vocal radio host was also criticized for showing support for the primary election of the pro-democracy game and "encouraging citizens to attend illegal assembly".

The authorities also condemned Giggs for regarding Hong Kong and Mongolia as independent entities, distorting the national flag and the Chinese authorities in his comments.

The case was adjourned to May 10, 2020 awaiting further police investigation.

Source: InMediaHK.net; #Feb10
https://bit.ly/3jIVHYw

Related article:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28553

#RadioHost #FreeSpeech #FreedomofExpression #Sedition #Court #Censorship
#GreatFireWall #Censorship
Hong Kong Authorities Purportedly Block the Website of Taiwan's Transitional Justice Commission

The official website of the Transitional Justice Commission (https://www.tjc.gov.tw/), established in Taiwan in 2018, is reportedly blocked in Hong Kong, as on Feb 12, 2021.

The Stand News reveals that it is impossible to connect to the website via Internet providers in Hong Kong including HKT, China Mobile, Smarttone and CSL.

On Feb 12, 2021, the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Government gave a written reply to the media inquiry that they will not comment on any guess on police operation; while the police orally refused to reply and claimed that any response from the Security Bureau is "accurate".

The Stand News managed to access the said website via VPN connected to servers outside of Hong Kong with IP addresses such as in Japan and Taiwan.

Source: Stand News #Feb12
https://bit.ly/3tSSMkw

#FailedState #FreeSpeech #Internet #Taiwan #TransitionalJusticeCommission
#University #Censorship
#HKU Denies Contract Renewal for Renowned & Outspoken Hepatologist

At the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Faculty of Medicine's Professor of Medicine and Hepatology, Lai Ching-lung, rejected from renewing his contract.

This decision of the University management will possibly lead to the departure of Lai as early as in June 2021.

It was reported that the HKU's Faculty of Medicine had already recommended Lai to have his contract renewed, but the recommendation was not taken by the University Selection and Promotion Committee.

The 72 year-old professor is socially conscious, and had participated in a sit-in during the 2019 anti-ELAB movement wearing a black mask, holding a slogan condemning the police for "obscuring the truth".

In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Lai also appeared at the rally for healthcare professionals fighting to lock Hong Kong's borders with China.

Source: Apple Daily, #Mar2
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210302/X7FFHG4DWBCCVL4MZEU5U4FNFQ/

#LaiChingLung #Scholar #AcademicFreedom #FreeSpeech
#Censorship
HK Government Allegedly Follows China-funded Media's Criticism to Censor "Hong Kong" "Independence" on Artwork in Public Park

In 2020, pro-China media controlled by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government condemned the appearance of individual characters denoting "Hong Kong" and "independence" on a boat sculpture displayed at Sai Kung Waterfront Park in Hong Kong.

The sculpture is modeled after a origami boat that is made of a piece of newspaper. The words which the China-funded media criticized are, in fact, random characters that appear on the newspaper.

According to Sai Kung district councilor Leung Hin-yan on May 25, 2021, the Hong Kong government has "renovated" the paper boat and that words like "'Hong Kong" and "independence" were removed. Leung suspected that the act is a censorship based on the authorities' political motif.

Source: Stand News #May25
https://bit.ly/2QQ8yOx

#FreeSpeech #ChinaMedia #PoliticalSuppression #HongKong #Independence #5cents
#FailedState #PoliceState
#WhiteTerror Spreads to #Sport Sector: Pro-China Legislator Condemns Hong Kong Athletes

According to Hong Kong's Chief Executive #CarrieLam, the SAR Government had purchased the broadcasting rights for the #Tokyo #OlympicGames, and arranged for five TV stations to broadcast.

In the panel meeting on Home Affairs at the Legislative Council (#LegCo), athletes representative of Hong Kong were, however, attacked by the pro-Beijing DAB party.

For instance, Leung Che-cheung, a #DAB member, criticized the Hong Kong Ladies’ Foil Team members, for reportedly hand signing the pro-democracy “Five Demand, Not One Less” slogan during the 2019 World Cup.

The pro-China legislator comdemns it as an action "against the Government".

Leung continued to ask the Government to follow up with this matter.

Concuring with Leung, the Government's Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung claimed that “politics should be separated from sports”.

Yeung said that athletes must sign a guideline before participating in competitions, and should not express political demands on the Olympic occasions. Yeung emphasized that there is any violation, the game would be suspended and the personnel would be penalized.

Source: InMedia #Jun18
https://bit.ly/3gCIbV4

#HomeAffairs #FreeSpeech #NationalTeam
#Censorship #PoliceState
Hong Kong Authotities Amend #FilmCensorshipOrdinance, Demanding Censors to Ban Films that “Endanger National Security”

The Hong Kong government amended and implemented the guideline for censors under the Film Censorship Ordinance on June 11, 2021.

The amendments are associated to the #NationalSecurityLaw that has been forcefully enacted in June 2020.

The government demands the Censors to check whether a film contains any content that portrays "activities that endanger national security", and any content that is “objectively and reasonably capable of being perceived as endorsing, supporting, promoting, glorifying, encouraging or inciting such act or activity”. The Ordinance allows censors to ban the film.

Source: InMedia #Jun11 https://bit.ly/3xeNoJy

#HongKongCinema #FilmCensor #FreeSpeech #WhiteTerror
#WhiteTerror
#CarrrieLam Insists Actions Against HKU Students; University Management Deregisters Students' Union

On July 13, 2021, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam demands the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) to take action against students. This is followed by the #StudentsUnion Council passing a motion on July 8 to express condolences to a Hong Kong man who died after knifing a policeman and stabbing himself on July 1.

Even the Students' Union's Council has already apologized by resigning on July 9, Lam insisted disciplinary actions on students.

On the same day, the University Management announced that the Students' Union would no longer be recognised as an independent registered association.

Previously, the government, the police and pro-Beijing figures have condemned students for breaching the #NationalSecurityLaw and claimed to invite the National Security Police for investigation.

Source: RTHK; InMedia #Jul13

#Education #University #FailedState #FreeSpeech #StateTerrorism
HKUSU, Undergrad and Campus TV searched by National Security Department, students and press forbid to enter

1514 | #HKU
At around 15:15, The National Security Department (NSD) Police arrived at Undergrad's office at 2/F, Fong Shu Chuen Building in the University of Hong Kong. They will search for evidence in The Hong Kong University Students' Union (HKUSU) composite building and Undergrad's office.

According to the press on the spot, more than 10 police from the NSD entered HKUSU's office. The office of HKU's Campus TV and faculties have also been searched.

Police forbid anyone to enter HKU Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre, including students and press. It is known that Editor-in-chief and vice editor-in-chief assisted for investigation and have not been released.

Source: i-Cable, Undergrad

Editor's note: Undergrad is the only media from HKUSU, and publish student newspaper in HKU.

#WhiteTerror #NSL #FreeSpeech #StateTerrorism #HKUSU
#FreeSpeech #WhiteTerror
RTHK Bans Wordings that Suggest Taiwanese Sovereignty

#RTHK chief Patrick Li issued an internal notice today (July 20) to lay out new wording guidelines for the station's programs when describing #Taiwan, effective immediately.

The notice pointed out that RTHK's mission, as set out by its charter, includes increasing citizens' knowledge of "One Country, Two Systems". Therefore, the station's programs must strictly adhere to this principle with its word choices regarding Taiwan.

Specifically, names and prefixes such as "Republic of Taiwan", "National", "Executive Yuan" must not be used; Taiwan must never be referred as an independent sovereign state. The noticed also listed examples such as using "Taiwan regional leader" instead of "Taiwan president", and "Taiwan authorities" instead of "Taiwanese government".

Source: Stand News #Jul20

https://bit.ly/3kEXSP2

#NewSpeak #OneCountryTwoSystems
Young men arrested for “sending angry emoji” targeting pro-China media outlet in Hong Kong

Source
: Inmedia HK #Jul29
#PoliceState #WhiteTerror #TVB #BoycottTVB #FreeSpeech

Read More: ⬇️⬇️
Young men arrested for “sending angry emoji” targeting pro-China media outlet in Hong Kong

On July 29, Hong Kong police arrested two men over a suspected media boycott campaign. The 18-year-old and 26-year-old were allegedly connected to a Facebook group that contained intimidating messages against a media firm and the Police Force.

The two men were accused of inciting others to attack staff from the firm, police officers and their relatives, as well as on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal intimidation and inciting others to take part in unlawful assembly.

Reporters questioned whether “boycott” and “sending angry emoji” are criminal offences.

Superintendent Wilson Tam, from the force's Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau claimed officers had gone through all the posts, targeting over 100 entities. The particular Facebook group had pressurised them to withdraw advertisements on that media organization, which could cause financial losses to the media company, or damage its reputation.

The Facebook page, “Boycott TVB”, responded to the case in the afternoon, stating that they are not connected to the those being arrested. The page reiterated that they have always been advocating via “peaceful, rational and non-violent” means for advertises to stop partnering with controversial media and oppose any means to damage media organizations, advertisers' personal or property.

Source: Inmedia HK #Jul29
#PoliceState #WhiteTerror #TVB #BoycottTVB #FreeSpeech
#PoliceState #Flag #FreeSpeech
Hong Kong government outlaws acts desecrating Chinese flag on the internet

Source: Stand News; #Aug13

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
#PoliceState #Flag #FreeSpeech
Hong Kong government outlaws acts desecrating Chinese flag on the internet


On August 13, 2021, the Hong Kong SAR Government arranged the gazettal of the National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Bill following a briefing in the city’s Legislative Council. Both the first and second reading on the amendment bill is scheduled on August 18, 2021.

The amendment Bill outlawed publication of desecrating acts, meaning that “public and intentional desecrating acts in relation to the national flag and national emblem committed in both real life and the virtual world would be an offence.” The document listed “publishing an image of a defiled national flag on Facebook” as an example.

The Bill also proposed extending the time allowable for a prosecution for up to two years “to allow sufficient time for the Police to complete an investigation.”

The Bill stipulated that the national emblem of the national flag should be used appropriately, including not to hang or place the national flag upside down, not to hang the national emblem upside down, not to discard the national emblem of the national flag at will.

At the end of an event, the national emblem and the national flag should be taken down and dispose in accordance with the way prescribed by the Chief Executive.

Following the Amendment, it is an offence to desecrate the national flag and national emblem publicly and intentionally in both the real and virtual world. The maximum penalty remains unchanged, with a maximum fine of 50,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Source: Stand News; #Aug13
Photo: Firsthand

https://bit.ly/37WbXQH
University Management Hurries to Cordon Off the "Wall of Democracy" As Student Union Halts Operation

On October 7, 2021, the management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) cordoned off the #WallofDemocracy, a bulletin board located in Cultural Square for students to freely express one's views and opinions. Students are notified that the Wall is closed for maintenance, after the agenda had been passed in September. Security guards were also deployed.

The Wall has been managed by the 50-year-old Student Union until the group stopped operating on the same day.

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31205

During the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Bill Amendment Movement (#AntiELAB), the university management has threatend to resume the wall already.

Text: InMedia #Oct7
Photo: #FirstHand

#PoliticalSuppression #Bulletin #StudentUnion #University #Opinion #FreeSpeech
#PoliticalOppression
China State-Owned Media Reports "Chinese Beats Up Pro-Hong Kong Independence Supporter" In London

On 27 November, 2020, an anti-racism rally in London resulted in a fight in Chinatown, where at least one Chinese person been arrested. The incident stirred up a discussion on the Internet about "who beat who".

One of the organisers of the rally, The Monitoring Group, gave a statement that no members who participated in the meeting were involved, and none of their supporters was arrested.

Suresh Grover, the Director of Monitoring Group, revealed that, "it was an attack by people opposing our rally".

The China state owned media Global Times had its story to tell. The CCP-funded newspaper said "Chinese people were chasing after and beat up the supporters ofHong Kong Independence."

Source: Stand News #30Nov
https://bit.ly/3D69395

#AntiRacism #London #WhiteTerror #ChinaTown #FreeSpeech #HongKongIndependence