📡Guardians of Hong Kong
9.58K subscribers
21.6K photos
1.88K videos
27 files
9.99K links
We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/BeWaterHongKong
Instagram: @guardiansofhk
Website: https://guardiansofhk.com/
Download Telegram
#Alert #CoronavirusOutbreak
Urgent Update of #WuhanPneumonia as of #Feb13

Tenfold Increase of Confirmed Infection in Hubei, China

The number of deaths in China has increased sharply by 242 as Health Officials in Hubei adopted new data categorization, the cumulative death in Hubei Province reached 1,364.

New cases in Hubei have also leaped by 14,986, a tenfold increase on the day before. The nation-wide total in China is now nearly 59,716.

#Hubei #Tenfold
Japanese Health Officer Contracts Coronavirus Potentially from Quarantined Cruise Ship

As of Feb 13, there have been 174 confirmed cases of new coronavirus infection on Diamond Princess, a British cruise ship currently docked at Yokohama, Japan.

Among the infected included one Japanese quarantine officer who conducted tests on passengers and crew on board. The Health Authorities in Japan is tracing the source of his infection.

Text: RTHK #Feb13
Photo: Reuters; AFP

#Japan #DiamondPrincess #SeaQuarantine #ChinesePneumonia
#ChinesePneumonia
Nearly 60,000 infected and over 1,300 deaths in China; Wartime Regulations Enacted in City

In China, diagnosed cases of Coronavirus increased to almost 60,000, while more than 1,300 did not survive. After the Hubei Province authorities included clinical diagnosis cases in their data scope, more than 14,800 new patients were confirmed in just one day on Feb 12. On the same day, 242 deaths, the highest number since the outbreak, were recorded.

The Hubei Province alone where Wuhan is located has over 48,000 cases with 1,310 casualties. In Shiyan City, the Zhangwan District became the first area to employ Wartime Regulations. All housing estates would be sealed off for 14 days. Daily necessities and vital medications would be purchased and delivered. Those with fever or close contact with infected cases would be quarantined in Zhangwan Medical Observation Center.

Chinese Communust Party leader Xi Jinping ordered 2,600 medics of the Liberation Army to be sent to Wuhan.

Source: RTHK #Feb13
#Quarantine #ChinesePneumonia
At Least 10 Hongkongers Confirmed With Coronavirus Infection on Diamond Princess,
Families Reprimand HK Government's Failure to Assist


Mr Wong revealed in a phone-in programme on NOW TV on February 13 that his mother, a passenger of the cruise Diamond Princess, was diagnosed with the new coronavirus infection. He was also told that his mother has not been sent to a hospital for more than 24 hours and she is still sharing a room with her husband in the cabin, though they are allowed to go out.

On the same day, Mr Wong immediately contacted the Hong Kong's Immigration Department, only to know that the Department were not even aware of the case. Further to his discussion with the immigration officer, a case file has been opened to follow up with the cruise company. Mr Wong reiterated that he has contacted the cruise company, which replied that the cruise is moored in Yokohama, Japan so nothing can be done from Hong Kong.

Source: NOW news #Feb13
Photo: CNN
#Japan #Cruise
#DailyUpdate #Feb13

COVID-19 Updates (13/2):


The number of infected is now standing at 60407 while the number of deaths is now at 1370.

In China, 14840 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 today, making the total 59822, it is the highest number of case confirmed in a single day. A total of 1367 people died in China due to the epidemic.

Provincial leader at the center of the outbreak was ousted by the Chinese communist party.

ZhangWan District of Shiyan implemented "wartime regulations" for 14 days. It prohibits citizens from leaving their residences. Violators will be immediately arrested. Resources are also rationed by the authority.

2 American airline companies announced an extension of flight suspension between China and America to late April.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan invoked Japanese residents in China to return to Japan as soon as possible.

America and Singapore stop receiving letters and packages from Hong Kong and Macau.

A report from South Korea said that a North Korean official was executed for not following quarantine regulations.

First confirmed case was found in London, United Kingdom.

Cruise ship Westerdam, which had been rejected from docking by multiple countries, was allowed to dock at Cambodia. Passengers and staff onboard are required to receive health checks.

44 more cases were confirmed on cruise ship Diamond Princess, docked at Japan, making the total on the ship 218.

Taiwan extended the ban on mask exports until late April.

US Postal Service and Universal Postal Union stop handling transit mail & parcel if its destination is China, Hong Kong or Macao.

Source: Now News, RTHK, Mail Online, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, USAToday, CCTV

#COVID19
#FaceMasks #Shortage #FailedState
Granny rather wears home-made napkin mask, saving medical masks and disinfectants for family members

On February 13, over 300 seniors rallied to the Government House, the Chief Executive's residence, urging Carrie Lam to explain the actual usage of filter masks made by prisoners in Hong Kong.

A 70-year old granny Chan, despite wearing a home-made napkin mask, commuted a long way from Yuen Long to Chater Garden in Central to join the rally. She explained that her daughter had given her masks and disinfectants, which she refused to use. Seeing the shortage of supply, Chan would rather want her daughter to keep those masks for her own family as a priority.

Chan added that she had queued up for masks for more than 1.5 hours but for nothing in the end. Chan pointed out that she just could not afford any expensive masks in the market. The Hong Kong government has not offered any masks.

Source: Inmedia
http://bit.ly/2OPC2aZ

#Feb13 #ChinesePneumonia #GlobalOutbreak
#FailedState #HealthCrisis
Resident of Coronavirus-hit Building Attributes the Government's Incompetence to the Epidemic Outbreak

Residing in Hong Mei House where infection cases were found, Reeve expressed absolute frustration with the Hong Kong authorities for perpetrating a series of mistakes in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. This included the government's refusal to completely seal the borders with China, leading to the epidemic outbreak in local community.

Living in the Coronavirus-hit environment with inadequate supply, Reeve bought takeaways for his family before queuing up to get the disinfection pack distributed by pro-democracy district councilor.

In order to avoid infecting his family after going out, he only ate takeaways in the corridors to lessen close contact with his wife and son.

Source: InMedia
https://bit.ly/2UNBq9M

#Feb13 #ChinesePneumonia #GlobalOutbreak #SupplyShortage
#StateTerrorism #PoliceBrutality
Hong Kong Police Verbally, Physically and Sexually Abuse Reporter: Threat of Gang Rape After Arrest

On 9 February at around 2am, Hong Kong police arrested a reporter from the City Broadcasting Channel (CBC) on the suspicion of theft. The reporter remained in police custody for 24 hours. In those 24 hours before he could be released on bail, he was exposed to repeated threats and was sexually harassed by police officers.

Police arrested the reporter in Tseung Kwan O while he was covering the conflict there. The reporter was hit by pepper spray from the police. As he attempted to clean the residue of the spray, an agitated police officer pointed at the reporter, exclaiming "this was the guy who was obstructing me, arrest him!”

CBC made a public announcement to denounce the violent and inappropriate actions of the police that night. CBC emphasised that their reporter was attacked despite carrying a press pass and wearing his reflective vest which clearly indicated the victim’s identity as a reporter.

Furthermore, before being arrested, the reporter did not obstruct the police while performing their duties in any way. Yet, the police still arrested the reporter and swote at him, branding him as a “corrupt reporter" during the arrest. These actions are not only extremely disrespectful to professional reporters, it is also a clear violation to the freedom of the press under the Basic Law.

In addition, while transporting the reporter to the police station, the policemen on board verbally abused and sexually harassed the reporter repeatedly. The policemen even went as far as calling the reporter “A damned gay cxxt” and threatened to gang rape the reporter multiple times.

These remarks are in clear violation of Section 2(5) of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480, LHK), which states that a person (howsoever described) sexually harasses a woman if

(a) the person
(i) makes an unwelcome sexual advance, or an unwelcome request for sexual favours, to her; or
(ii) engages in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to her,
in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that she would be offended, humiliated or intimidated; or
(b) the person, alone or together with other persons, engages in conduct of a sexual nature which creates a hostile or intimidating environment for her."

Although the CBC reporter is male, it is worth noting that the ordinance covers sexual harassment of both men and women, and the above definition shall have effect regarding sexual harassment of men with such modifications as are necessary. (Section 2(8) of the Ordinance).

The Police's abuse of power and threats made against the CBC journalist showed the utter lack of respect the Hong Kong Police Force have for the arrested.

Furthermore, according to Chapter 39-05 of the Police General Orders, all officers at the scene of an incident shall:-

(a) facilitate the work of the news media as much as possible and accord media representatives consideration and courtesy; and
(b) not block camera lenses.

This proves that the actions of the officers involved in this incident are not only illegal, but also breached the police general orders, which is a set of rules that the police must follow before exercising their powers in public in order to protect the interests of Hong Kong people.

This incident is just one of many where the police have been suspected of using excessive violence and abusing their power and authority while handling protests and other related events.

Source: City Broadcasting Channel
https://www.facebook.com/207097505984138/posts/3577712285589293/
#Feb13
#MeToo #SexualAbuse #VerbalAbuse #Threat #PoliceState
China’s Covid-19 Vaccine Diplomacy Boosts Its Influence in Europe

Some small European governments are turning to China for Covid-19 vaccines as European Union procurement stumbles and Western vaccine makers’ production hiccups hamper the continent’s fight against the pandemic.

The trend could increase China’s influence in the region as it campaigns to present itself as a reliable ally in fighting the coronavirus that was first detected on its soil.

Serbia was the first in Europe to start using the Chinese vaccine. Serbia’s successful use of Chinese shots inspires other European nations to seek Beijing’s assistance

Hungary became the first EU member to separately authorize and buy Sinopharm’s shot in Jan. The Czech Republic, also in the EU, is considering the same.

Source: WSJ #Feb13

https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-covid-19-vaccine-diplomacy-boosts-its-influence-in-europe-11613221201

#CovidVaccineDiplmomacy #China #Sinopham #EU
China refused to provide WHO team with raw data on early COVID cases, team member says

Source: Reuters #Feb13

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
China refused to provide WHO team with raw data on early COVID cases, team member says

China refused to give raw patient data on on 174 cases that China had identified from the early phase of the outbreak in Wuhan in December 2019 to a World Health Organization-led team probing the origins of the pandemic

“That’s standard practice for an outbreak investigation,” said Dominic Dwyer, an Australian infectious diseases expert who is a member of the team.

He said that gaining access to the raw data was especially important since only half of the 174 cases had exposure to the Huanan market, the now-shuttered wholesale seafood centre in Wuhan where the virus was initially detected.

Dwyer said. “Why that doesn’t happen, I couldn’t comment. Whether it’s political or time or it’s difficult ... But whether there are any other reasons why the data isn’t available, I don’t know. One would only speculate.”

Source: Reuters #Feb13

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-china/china-refused-to-provide-who-team-with-raw-data-on-early-covid-cases-team-member-says-idUSKBN2AD090

#WHOProbe #COVIDRawDataInChina #China
Hong Kong: alarm over proposed law that could ban anyone from leaving

The Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA) expressed alarm on Feb 12 in a paper submitted to the city’s legislative council about the proposed law, which could bar any individual, whether resident or not, from boarding a carrier out of the financial hub.

In the submission, HKBA stated there was no rationale for the proposed legislation, no explanation for why such a power is necessary or even intended to be used.

“If a new power to prevent Hong Kong residents and others from leaving the region is to be conferred ... It should be for the courts, not the director, to decide when it is necessary and proportionate to impose a travel ban,” HKBA added.

Source: The Guadrian #Feb13

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/13/hong-kong-alarm-over-proposed-law-that-could-ban-anyone-from-leaving

#HongKong #HKBA #NationalSecurityLaw
Pro-democracy Dessert Shop Attacked by Men in Black; 1 Arrested While 4 on the Loose

#YellowEconomy #Assult #CCP

Sources: InMedia, Hk9cake; #Feb13

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Pro-democracy Dessert Shop Attacked by Men in Black; 1 Arrested While 4 on the Loose

Hk9cake, a dessert shop in Kwai Chung Plaza was been ransacked in late evening on February 12, with five people clothed in black barging into the shop with plastic rods, and attacking two employees, who were cleaning the shop at the time. The two employees had fallen down during the attack.

A 30-year-old employee surnamed Tai had injuries on his hands and head, while the other 24-year-old employee surnamed Ho had injuries on the back and head.

A 38-year-old man had injuries on his hands while attempting to put a stop to the attack. They were sent to Princess Margaret Hospital to be treated.

Watch the secutity camera footage released by the dessert shop
https://youtu.be/NR5ZxYZSUo4

The Police intercepted at 37-year-old man surnamed Keung, who was sent to the hospital after he reported injuries to his foot.

After initial investigations, the Police has arrested Keung on charges of wounding. The case is being followed up by Kwai Tsing District Investigation Team Four. Four people are still on the loose.

#Hk9cake posted on their social media on Saturday night, stating that at around 10pm, two employees were attacked by five people clothed in black. The employees suffered bone fractures and were bleeding, and were sent to the hospital.

Hk9cake also stated that pro-Beijing supporters had instigated a verbal confrontation earlier at noon, and were suspected of stepping into the shop’s boundaries in the afternoon.

They asked for the public to provide information regarding the attack, and promised a reward for their troubles. The shop remains closed until an unspecified date.

Hk9cake was opened by #AhLong (阿龍), an engineer arrested during the protests, in July 2020. The shop sells soufflé pancakes, and had organised several “limtied-edition shop manager days” to support those arrested in the protests.

#YellowEconomy #Assult #CCP

Sources: InMedia, Hk9cake; #Feb13
https://bit.ly/3GFE4CE
Cabinet ministers voice security fears as Boris Johnson seeks closer ties to China

A cabinet split over UK-China relations has deepened after it emerged the prime minister is seeking to boost trade with the economic superpower.

Boris Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak are looking to form what sources close to them describe as a more pragmatic and balanced approach to ties with Beijing.

The tone adopted by No 10 and 11 is at odds with what some cabinet figures view as a mounting threat to British security from the world’s second-largest economy.

Source: Independent #Feb13

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-china-security-cabinet-b2014060.html

#China #UK #BorisJohnson