Tag: National security law

Japan slams Beijing over electoral changes in Hong Kong
15Mar By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Japan slams Beijing over electoral changes in Hong Kong

Japan has expressed its concerns regarding China’s decision to change the electoral system in Hong Kong, saying that the resolution passed by China's National People's Congress to change the electoral system in Hong Kong is a major setback to the city's autonomy and that it "cannot overlook" the resolution."The decision this time will further undermine the confidence in the 'one country, two systems' framework, as provided for in the Hong Kong Basic Law and the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.The ministry said that Japan's concerns were growing due to the recent arrest and prosecution of a number of opposition politicians and activists.It also called on Beijing to hold elections in Hong Kong that were open to candidates "represen...
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US condemns Beijing’s move to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system
13Mar By Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

US condemns Beijing’s move to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system

After Beijing approved a resolution to drastically overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure only 'patriots' can rule the city, the United States publicly condemned China for its “continuing assaults on democratic institutions”."We condemn the People's Republic of China (PRC's) continuing assaults on democratic institutions in Hong Kong," US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing."The changes approved by the National People's Congress today, on March 11, are a direct attack on Hong Kong's autonomy, its freedom and democratic processes limiting political participation, reducing democratic representation, and stifling political debate in order to defy the clear will of people in Hong Kong and deny their voices in their own governance," he added.On Thurs...
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Hong Kong govt calls for tighter supervision of city’s public broadcaster
24Feb By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, USA

Hong Kong govt calls for tighter supervision of city’s public broadcaster

In a move which is seen as an attempt to curtail freedom of the press, the Hong Kong government has called for tighter supervision of city’s public broadcaster.In a 157-page report, the Hong Kong government accused the public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) of often reporting critically on officials and lacking transparency and objectivity.The report came hours after the government announced that the head of the public broadcaster would leave his post six months before his tenure ended. However, his replacement is a civil servant from outside the broadcasting service with no journalism experience.For supporters of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, RTHK’s troubles signalled the fate of independent journalism under an intensifying crackdown on dissent. Often compared to the B...
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China makes representation to UK over meddling in Hong Kong Affairs: Foreign Ministry
7Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

China makes representation to UK over meddling in Hong Kong Affairs: Foreign Ministry

A day after the United Kingdom slammed China for the arrest of over 50 pro-democracy politicians and activists, Beijing on Thursday said that Hong Kong was a territory of China and any interference in its domestic affairs amounted to an “infringement on its sovereignty.“In response to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab’s statement, China made a strong representation to the UK side,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Thursday.Hua claimed that Hong Kong was a territory of China and, therefore, any interference in its domestic affairs amounted to an “infringement on Chinese sovereignty.”“The United Kingdom should abandon its colonizer mentality and illusions about the continuing colonial influence on Hong Kong. It should as well abandon hypocrisy and double standards, ...
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Hong Kong Police arrest 8 more pro-democracy legislators
9Dec By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Hong Kong Police arrest 8 more pro-democracy legislators

The Hong Kong police on Tuesday arrested eight more pro-democracy legislators over their role in an unauthorized protest last summer.According to media reports, while the police have only said that the arrested people were of age between 24 and 64, local media has said that former pro-democracy legislators and veteran activist Leung Kwok-hung, known as Long Hair, was among them.Meanwhile, a Twitter post of former legislator Eddie Chu said he too had been arrested.“Chu Hoi Dick was arrested and searched by the police at 0640am this morning,” the post read. “He was charged with two crimes related to July 1st: holding or organizing an unauthorized assembly, and knowingly participating in an unauthorized assembly,” the post added.The arrests came less than a week after police sentenced three o...
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China denounces statement of ‘five eyes’ on Hong Kong as meddling
30Aug By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, USA, World

China denounces statement of ‘five eyes’ on Hong Kong as meddling

The Chinese embassy in Canada has denounced the five eyes alliance for their statement on Hong Kong government's disqualification of candidates and postponement of Legislative Council elections.On July 9, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the five eyes) had said that the disqualification of candidates and postponement of elections have undermined the democratic process that has been fundamental to Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.In a sharp response, the Chinese embassy in Canada, in a statement said, “…the foreign ministers of Canada and other countries made a statement which once again contained irresponsible comments on the Hong Kong affairs and amounted to gross interference in China's domestic affairs. China expresses its strong dissatisfac...
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National Security Law will bring Chinese system to Hong Kong: Report
21Jun By Walter Parez1 Comment
China

National Security Law will bring Chinese system to Hong Kong: Report

The Hong Kong national security legislation will effectively bring China’s legal system to the city and will give power to the Chinese government to apply pending law without the approval of Hong Kong's legislature, say critics.Beijing is yet to confirm the legislation's relevant clauses, however, officials have indicated that those in breach of the law, could be extradited to the mainland for trial."This national security legislation shows that the Communist Party has lost its patience and confidence in 'one country, two systems', as well as the Hong Kong people and our administration," Civic Party opposition lawmaker Tanya Chan said."This is a warning and a reminder to Hong Kong people about who is the boss," Chan said.China says the law is aimed at tackling separatist activity, subversi...
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