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Pressurized by Beijing?: John Hopkins University Groups Hong Kong and Taiwan Under China

John Hopkins University runs an interactive map indicating the development of the coronavirus outbreak around the world. Since xx, statistics in Hong Kong and Taiwan were merged and placed under China.

The sudden change has cause discontent among people in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Taiwanese netizens left comments on the facebook of the university: Some pointed out that Taiwan is not a part of China; some indicated that one needs a visa to travel between the two places; some reminded that the CIA website does differentiate Taiwan from China. John Hopkins University did not responded to these posts, nor the inquiry sent from Hong Kong's Stand News concerning whether the decision was made under the pressure of China.

Source: Stand News #Mar11
#Coronavirus #JohnHopkins #ChinaPolicy #HongKong #Taiwan
#FailedState #WuhanPneumonia #ChinaEconomy
Work Resumption Plan Cancelled in Hubei, Epidemic is Not Under Control in China

Just in one day the work resumption order issued for Qianjiang City, located in China's epicenter Hubei Pronvince, was withdrawn by the authorities.

The authorities did not directly explain the change of plan, but stressed that traffic restriction is still in effect. The order contrasts the saying that China has the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic under control.

Source: am730 #Mar11
#QianJiang #HuBei
#PoliceState
Officer Caught Swearing at Citizens in Protest. HKPF: The Inappropriate Behaviour of the Policemen Involved ā€œwill be Addressedā€ ā¬‡ļø

Photo: Citizen News #Mar11
Officer Caught Swearing at Citizens in Protest. HKPF: The Inappropriate Behaviour of the Policemen Involved ā€œwill be Addressedā€

During the Tseung Kwan O protest on Mar 8, some journalists witnessed a group of policemen surrounding a citizen and recorded the incident. The man was asked to apologise to all the officers at the scene one by one before the police were willing to release him. While detaining the man, the police hurled profanities and cursed at the man, threatening him. When asked about the incident, the spokesperson for the police claimed that the policemen involved in the incident were using ā€œinappropriate languageā€. He claimed that the Force is alarmed by such misbehaviour and will address the discipline of individual police officers. He reiterated that the police force takes the conduct and the discipline of its officers seriously. They have strict guidelines and protocols that ensures police officers are using appropriate language while communicating with citizens so as to preserve a professional image of the police force. The Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch claimed they will launch an investigation into this complaint that is fair and complies with current protocol.

Editorā€™s note: The police have been seen uttering a wide array of profanities countless times. If they were able to follow their protocol correctly, major incidents 6.12, 7.21 and 8.31 and so on would not have happened. When would the Hong Kong police follow their doctrine and protocols then? Probably when pigs fly.

Source: RTHK #Mar11 #PoliceState
Four arrestees in a bomb case were not granted bail, Defending Lawyer Complained - Police Threatened Arrestees to Confess

Police arrested 12 men and 5 women on 7 March. They were suspected of being involved in the explosions at 3 locations, and six of them were charged.

The case was mentioned on 11 March. Two defendants suffered from bone fracture under arrest.

Defending lawyer pointed out that one defendant was arrested with his girlfriend. Police threatened him to plead guilty, or else his girlfriend or other arrestees would be harassed or beaten severely. An officer tried to induce him to make false declarations at least four times before recording the cautioned statement. Another forced him to hand out his phone and the entrance password of his home.

Other defendants also complained that their confessions were controversial under absence of lawyers, intimidation and influence by the police.

Source: Stand News #Mar11 #PoliceState
Sharing Full-Face Masks and Washing Wounds Without Gloves: Insufficient Protective Gear Remains a Severe Issue in Hospitals

Insufficient protective equipment in hospitals continued to be a predicament for many frontline medical staff. Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) sent a formal letter to Hospital Authority and the Labour Department to report complaints such as sharing a full-face mask among 10 staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, and using bare hands to wash wounds due to the lack of disposable gloves at Shatin Hospital.

HAEA stated that they have been receiving complaints from members reporting cases of senior officials suspending the use and supply of protective equipment, which is seriously endangering the safety of medical staff.

In the medical ward of Princess Margaret Hospital, staff complained that full-face masks have to be shared among 8-10 of them for 2 weeks, and they can only sanitize it with alcohol wipes between uses. A medical staff reported that they had to wear a plastic bag over their head as protection since they are not allowed to wear a full-face mask even when the patient is coughing at them.

Medical staffs at Shatin hospital medical ward also reported the serious problem of having an insufficient supply of disposable gloves, so that staff will need to wash wounds, test blood sugar and change patientā€™s diapers with their bare hands. Some staff even had to use the same pair of gloves to bathe more than one patient.

HAEA mentioned that according to the occupational safety and health regulations, it is the responsibility of Hospital Authority as the employer to provide sufficient personal protective equipment to ensure that employees work in a safe environment. HA Employees Alliance also demanded them to explain and clarify whether their recent change in the guidelines has met international standards. They also urged the Labor Department to investigate.

Source: Stand News #Mar11
#MedicalStaff #Masks #ChinesePneumonia
Wedding In Times Of Coronavirus

Under the outbreak of Wuhan pneumonia, a wedding banquet in Hong Kong has become a take-away for 150 guests.

Source: Sky Post #Mar11
#WeddingBanquet #WuhanPneumonia #Takeaway
"Break free from fate!" District councillor had bail revoked, but exhorts Hongkongers to fight on

Yuen Long district councillor Ng Kin-wai, one of the 47 charged under national security law for taking part in last year's primary election, had his bail revoked today after the Department of Justice's appeal. Members of Tin Shui Wai Connection, of which he is the convener, attended the court hearing and spoke to media afterwards.

Fellow #TSWConnection member Lam Chun recounted that Ng had remained strong throughout the difficult time in custody. "Even though he may be facing a very long jail term," Lam said, "he hopes to see Hongkongers continue to stand up for their beliefs."

When Ng heard the judge revoking his bail, he called out to the citizens in attendance: "Stay strong, everyone! See you in 10 years!" He also shouted the group's slogans in call-and-answer fashion, to roaring replies from their members in attendance: "May my life be purified for the defense of our city!" "Citizens saving ourselves; break free from fate!"

Lam felt that these slogans aptly describe the path they had walked in this past year and a half. He urged Hongkongers to continue to pay attention to the court cases, both for the 47 and for activists arrested in other cases, so that none of them would feel left behind.

#FirstHand #Mar11 #Court #YNWA
#FirstHand #Court
High Court hears govt's challenge to activists' bail

The HK High Court held two separate hearings for former Democratic Party lawmaker #HelenaWong, and Yuen Long district councillor #NgKinWai on March 11, for the prosecutors' challenge to a lower courtā€™s decision to grant bail to 11 pro-democracy activists.

The two are among the #47Democrats charged under the national security law for taking part in last year's primary election.

Dozens of people lined up to attend the bail hearing; some came as early as 1 am. There was a heavy police presence around the court building.

Sighted on the scene was Granny Wong who made a long trip to show her respect. Shortly afterwards, several police officers arrived and asked her leave.

Lam Chun, a member of #TSWConnect and fellow supporters of Ng Kin-wai, were also seen outside the court.

== Related Article
"Break free from fate!" District councillor had bail revoked, but exhorts Hongkonger to fight on
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29019

#Mar11
#FirstHand #Mar11
Former Lawmaker on Suspicion of Security Law Breach Granted Bail

On March 11, the High Court in Hong Kong granted bail to former Democratic Party lawmaker #HelenaWong, one of the #47Democrats from the mass arrest charged with subversion under the national security law.

In addition to surrendering her travel document, observing a curfew and reporting to the police station regularly, Wong is also banned from making speeches, contacting foreign officials and engaging herself in any act contravening the National Security Law.

#HelenaWong #HighCourt #MassArrest #Subversion #NationalSecurityLaw

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#FirstHand #Mar11
Former Lawmaker on Suspicion of Security Law Breach Granted Bail

The decision came as the High Court continued to deal with a challenge by the prosecutors to a lower courtā€™s decision to grant bail to 11 of the pro-democracy activists and politicians, including Wong.

When leaving the court, Wong was welcomed by a large group of supporters.

She stopped briefly to talk to media representatives, saying that she wanted to go home and share some time with her family.

Soon afterwards, she left the scene with her husband and friends.

#HelenaWong #HighCourt #MassArrest #Subversion #NationalSecurityLaw
Nathan Law Testifies at US Senate Committee on the Crisis in Hong Kong and Warns ā€œThe Election in Hong Kong Has Become SELECTIONā€.

Source: Stand News #Mar11

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Nathan Law Testifies at US Senate Committee on the Crisis in Hong Kong and Warns ā€œThe Election in Hong Kong Has Become SELECTIONā€.

On Mar 10, Nathan Law, a former legislative council member who has currently exiled to Britain, testified at a hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He criticised the Chinese government for suppressing Hong Kongā€™s liberty rights and expanding its dictatorial politics globally, such as secretly supporting the military in Myanmar. Law called for cooperation among global democracy countries to form alliances and aim for an annual 1% increase in the V-Dem (Variety of Democracy) Liberal Democracy Index in the next five years to reverse the global decline of democracy.

Law also said Hongkongers were thankful for the United States passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to support Hongkongersā€™ fight for freedom, democracy and autonomy in 2019. However, that did not stop CCP from suppressing Hongkongersā€™ fight. Banning assemblies, conniving police brutality and implementing National Security Law forced democracy movements in Hong Kong to silent. He also mentioned the 47 democracy activists being arrested in Hong Kong just because they planned to use constitutional power to run in elections and to oppose the government's acts. Replying to Beijingā€™s recent announcement about ā€œimprovingā€ Hong Kong's election system, Law said, ā€œTheyā€™re planning to make the legislative council into a ā€˜National People's Congress-style rubber stampā€™ councilā€. He also added, ā€œthe election in Hong Kong has become SELECTIONā€.

Source: Stand News #Mar11

https://bit.ly/38Q3rUq

#NathanLaw #HongKong #US #USsenateCommittee #VDem #MassArrest106 #LegislativeCouncil
EU to Sanction Chinese Officials Over Human-Rights Violations

Several diplomats said that EU beckons to target China with sanctions over human-rights abuses for the first time since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, blacklisting four people and one entity in Xinjiang. Senior EU officials agreed to use its new human-rights sanctions regime to target the Chinese official

The sanctions including a travel ban and assets freezing, are being imposed because of Beijingā€™s actions in Xinjiang that the U.S. and some European capitals have labeled a genocide against the Uyghur Muslim minority.
However, the decision still needs formal sign-off, which is expected to happen when foreign ministers meet later in March.

Source: WSJ #Mar11

https://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-to-sanction-chinese-officials-over-human-rights-violations-11615493507

#EUSanctionChina #China #Genocide #Xinjiang #EU
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China

Source: The Guardian #Mar11

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Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China

24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong

They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until Chinaā€™s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.

The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: ā€œGiven that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kongā€™s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.ā€

Source: The Guardian #Mar11

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china

#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
Chinese students in Australia fear reprisals at home if they speak out, inquiry hears

Chinese students in Australia are afraid to speak out on politically sensitive issues because of potential repercussions for relatives back home

Human Rights Watch has said its ongoing research into academic freedom in Australia had found anxiety and loneliness among Chinese students, with some engaging in self-censorship to avoid a backlash from Beijing.

ā€œAll these very young people who said that their greatest fear was their parents being visited back in China because of something they said or did or participated in while they were in Australia,ā€ a former ABC journalist McNeill told the joint committee on intelligence and security in Canberra.

Source: The Guardian #Mar11

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/12/chinese-students-in-australia-fear-reprisals-at-home-if-they-speak-out-inquiry-hears?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

#Australia #China #ChineseStudents
#Censorship #Smear
CCP mouthpieces in HK attempt to smear HKPORI for contravening National Security Law

Source: Inmediahk; #Mar11

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#Censorship #Smear
CCP mouthpieces in HK attempt to smear HKPORI for contravening National Security Law

On March 11, the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (#HKPORI) announced its decision to cancel a press briefing initially scheduled in the afternoon on "Russian-Ukraine Invasion".

Dr Kim-Wah Chung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of HKPORI explained that a fake draft questionnaire of the survey has gone vital since morning.

The fake questionnaire has sparked off a wave of criticisms among pro-establishment media outlets, including CCP mouthpiece in Hong Kong. Some alleged that the questionnaire could risk violating the National Security Law.

Chung, however, rebuffed that the draft questionnaire circulated online was fabricated and it did not exist. He called these news reports deliberate smear attempts targeting HKPORI.

Chung went on challenged integrity of SpeakOut.HK, a pro-government online media, which was the first one that started the chain of media reports surrounding the fake questionnaire.

Chung asked, "isn't fact-check fundamental to any press reports."

Source: Inmediahk; #Mar11
https://bit.ly/369gPEq
#Solidarity
HK-based brewery Yardley Brothers joins "Brew for Ukraine" campaign to say no to dictatorship

The Ukraine brewery, #PravdaBrewery, that switched from producing beer to making #Molotov cocktails, is calling on fellow brewers around the world to show solidarity with by brewing their "Victory series" to raise funds for Ukrainians suffering from Russian invasion.

Pravda launched its #BrewforUkraine campaign on March 8 with a live-streamed brewing session. They have made their recipes open-source on Facebook.

A total of over 140 breweries around the world has joined the campaign, including Hong Kong's #YardleyBrothers.

The Hong Kong-based brewery wrote on its Facebook, "We can't stand the fact that people in the other end of the world suffers the oppression from totalitarianism and dictatorship". Luke, the brewer's founder, said that they must extend a helping hand for those suffering under such regimes.

Source: Inmediahk, #Mar11
https://bit.ly/3CpQZYJ