How much longer is our illustrious leader going to stay on the sidelines on this one? What soundbite has Cummings got for him?
HK begins crackdown despite foreign condemnation
The account we receive from expat friends resident there is far from cotton wool version reported in MSM.
HK might be small but it is a culture unto itself and the Western world is sitting back watching it being eroded from the history books.
HK begins crackdown despite foreign condemnation
The account we receive from expat friends resident there is far from cotton wool version reported in MSM.
HK might be small but it is a culture unto itself and the Western world is sitting back watching it being eroded from the history books.
Hong Kong police have made their first arrests under a sweeping new national security law imposed on the Asian financial hub by Beijing that has drawn international condemnation.
A day after Chinese President Xi Jinping signed the legislation into law in Beijing, Hong Kong police on Wednesday cracked down on thousands of protesters who defied Beijing to hold an annual march to mark the anniversary of the territory’s handover from the UK to China in 1997.
Riot police pepper-sprayed and detained protesters in a busy shopping district after officers displayed a banner warning them that they might be committing a secession- or subversion-related crime by joining the demonstration.
Police tweeted a picture of a man arrested for carrying a Hong Kong independence flag — an illegal item under the new law, which punishes activities such as secession with up to life imprisonment.
“This is the first arrest since the law came into force,” police said, adding that they had arrested more than 70 people for alleged offences including violation of the national security law, illegal assembly, obstructing police and possession of offensive weapons. They said one officer was stabbed in the arm while making an arrest.
The US, Europe and Australia have condemned the legislation, which critics said undermined the high degree of autonomy and rule of law promised to Hong Kong on its handover 23 years ago.RecommendedInstant InsightJames KyngeHong Kong’s pre-eminence threatened by new lawTerrorism, subversion and collusion with foreign elements will also attract penalties of up to life imprisonment under the new law.One Hong Kong protester, Hannah, an 18-year-old secondary school student, said the national security law had “made Hong Kong like China”.“We have more fear compared to before . . . but we have to show the world we’re still resisting,” she said, standing in front of a fire protesters had lit in the middle of the road.In the US, the administration of President Donald Trump said the security law was a “violation” of China’s commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration that established Hong Kong as an autonomous region.“As Beijing now treats Hong Kong as ‘One Country, One System,’ so must the United States,” said John Ullyot, the National Security Council spokesperson.“The United States will continue to take strong actions against those who smothered Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy. We urge Beijing to reverse course immediately.”But Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said at a press conference on Wednesday that China would retaliate if the US launched sanctions.“Of course we're not intimidated. Gone are the days when Chinese people had to be at somebody's disposal or rely on others for the air one breaths,” he said.Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the legislation demonstrated Beijing’s determination to improve the functioning of “one country, two systems”, the model of governance under which Hong Kong has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy.She said Hong Kong had failed to better educate and promote “the nation’s history and culture” to the city’s young people.The law will allow Chinese state security agencies to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time.The legislation not only applies to people in Hong Kong but to those not in the territory. That means that foreign nationals who speak in favour of independence for the territory, or advocate sanctions against China, could be prosecuted upon entering Hong Kong or mainland China.Damaging public transport with intent to cause “serious social harm” is considered a terrorist act under the new law, which also gives Beijing the power to adjudicate national security crimes when requested by Hong Kong’s new state security bureau.On Tuesday Marise Payne, Australia’s foreign minister, said: “Australia is troubled by the law’s implications for Hong Kong’s judicial independence, and on the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, both of which underpin the city’s success.” She added that “the eyes of the world will remain on Hong Kong”.Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, said the law was a “grave step, which is deeply troubling”.Brussels also criticised the passage of the law. “We deplore the decision,” said Charles Michel, president of the European Council of leaders of EU member states. “This law risks seriously undermining the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong and having a detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.”
A day after Chinese President Xi Jinping signed the legislation into law in Beijing, Hong Kong police on Wednesday cracked down on thousands of protesters who defied Beijing to hold an annual march to mark the anniversary of the territory’s handover from the UK to China in 1997.
Riot police pepper-sprayed and detained protesters in a busy shopping district after officers displayed a banner warning them that they might be committing a secession- or subversion-related crime by joining the demonstration.
Police tweeted a picture of a man arrested for carrying a Hong Kong independence flag — an illegal item under the new law, which punishes activities such as secession with up to life imprisonment.
“This is the first arrest since the law came into force,” police said, adding that they had arrested more than 70 people for alleged offences including violation of the national security law, illegal assembly, obstructing police and possession of offensive weapons. They said one officer was stabbed in the arm while making an arrest.
The US, Europe and Australia have condemned the legislation, which critics said undermined the high degree of autonomy and rule of law promised to Hong Kong on its handover 23 years ago.RecommendedInstant InsightJames KyngeHong Kong’s pre-eminence threatened by new lawTerrorism, subversion and collusion with foreign elements will also attract penalties of up to life imprisonment under the new law.One Hong Kong protester, Hannah, an 18-year-old secondary school student, said the national security law had “made Hong Kong like China”.“We have more fear compared to before . . . but we have to show the world we’re still resisting,” she said, standing in front of a fire protesters had lit in the middle of the road.In the US, the administration of President Donald Trump said the security law was a “violation” of China’s commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration that established Hong Kong as an autonomous region.“As Beijing now treats Hong Kong as ‘One Country, One System,’ so must the United States,” said John Ullyot, the National Security Council spokesperson.“The United States will continue to take strong actions against those who smothered Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy. We urge Beijing to reverse course immediately.”But Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said at a press conference on Wednesday that China would retaliate if the US launched sanctions.“Of course we're not intimidated. Gone are the days when Chinese people had to be at somebody's disposal or rely on others for the air one breaths,” he said.Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the legislation demonstrated Beijing’s determination to improve the functioning of “one country, two systems”, the model of governance under which Hong Kong has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy.She said Hong Kong had failed to better educate and promote “the nation’s history and culture” to the city’s young people.The law will allow Chinese state security agencies to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time.The legislation not only applies to people in Hong Kong but to those not in the territory. That means that foreign nationals who speak in favour of independence for the territory, or advocate sanctions against China, could be prosecuted upon entering Hong Kong or mainland China.Damaging public transport with intent to cause “serious social harm” is considered a terrorist act under the new law, which also gives Beijing the power to adjudicate national security crimes when requested by Hong Kong’s new state security bureau.On Tuesday Marise Payne, Australia’s foreign minister, said: “Australia is troubled by the law’s implications for Hong Kong’s judicial independence, and on the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, both of which underpin the city’s success.” She added that “the eyes of the world will remain on Hong Kong”.Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, said the law was a “grave step, which is deeply troubling”.Brussels also criticised the passage of the law. “We deplore the decision,” said Charles Michel, president of the European Council of leaders of EU member states. “This law risks seriously undermining the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong and having a detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.”
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