Fiasco over Hong Kong’s solid waste charging scheme highlights flaws in the way government works

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/28/fiasco-over-hong-kongs-solid-waste-charging-scheme-highlights-flaws-in-the-way-government-works/

Report: Human Rights in Hong Kong Have Deteriorated Further, but Believes Hongkongers Are Still Resisting Oppression READ: https://www.theepochtimes.com/china/report-human-rights-in-hong-kong-have-deteriorated-further-but-believes-hongkongers-are-still-resisting-oppression-5574298?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=telegram&utm_campaign=USChinaWatch

Glitch in Hong Kong’s ‘patriots’ District Council election was caused by system overload, investigation finds

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/29/glitch-in-hong-kongs-patriots-district-council-election-was-caused-by-system-overload-investigation-finds/

Censorship, AI, disinformation, and repression undermine Asian elections in 2024

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/29/censorship-ai-disinformation-and-repression-undermine-asian-elections-in-2024/

Chinese University of Hong Kong college students’ union to shutter citing ‘unprecedented risks’ over registration

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/29/chinese-university-of-hong-kong-college-students-union-to-shutter-citing-unprecedented-risks-over-registration/

'Staff couldn't say no to Jimmy Lai's orders'

The national security trial of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai on Monday heard that staff of the now-defunct outlet must follow “without choice” the editorial policy set out by their former boss.During cross-examination by the defence, former publisher Cheung Kim-hung described Lai as someone he could not say no to.The court heard that Cheung and other senior executives shared the same values as Lai, such as freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and believed the media should serve as the fourth estate to monitor the government.But Cheung dismissed a suggestion from senior counsel Robert Pang, who’s representing the defendant, that the editorial policy of Apple Daily was based on those shared values. “For example, on the extradition bill, Lai’s editorial policy was to urge people to take to the streets and demonstrate, putting pressure on the government to revoke the ordinance,” Cheung said.“This was not purely about freedom, democracy or freedom of expression, but it was about the approach the newspaper should take.” The ex-publisher added he did not believe that Apple Daily staff would produce such reports without a clear editorial policy set by its founder.The court also heard a charter for the newspaper stipulated there was editorial independence. “It was an idea for us to have editorial independence. But for Lai’s editorial policy, it was what he ordered and we had to follow without choice,” Cheung said.Separately, Pang argued that Apple Daily had taken “a very strong stance on political issues” prior to 2014 – the year in which the court previously heard that Lai had begun to be actively involved in the newspaper’s editorial decisions – presenting four articles published before that year.“There was a sea change in Apple Daily in 2014. It was no longer about calling on people every June 4 and July 1 to take part in candlelight vigils and processions,” Cheung said in response, adding that in 2014 Lai was behind a campaign to promote an unofficial referendum on universal suffrage and voiced opposition to a white paper on One Country, Two Systems by central authorities.Cheung is among six former staff who admitted to conspiracy to commit collusion.Lai has denied three conspiracy charges relating to collusion with foreign forces and sedition.The trial continues on Tuesday.

2024-01-29 17:43:32 (1)

Xinjiang to step up counter-terrorism efforts

The chairman of the Xinjiang regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said on Monday that the region would step up its fight against terrorism to safeguard national interests and maintain social stability. Speaking at the opening of the committee's annual session, Nurlan Abilmazhinuly accused the United States of interfering in Xinjiang's affairs.He said the region was opposed to false accusations. "We have to make positive publicity and have the courage to fight. We oppose slander and sanctions by the United States and Western countries. Our committee members will refute inaccurate, negative and harmful remarks to show Xinjiang's new face of openness and self-confidence," he said.Li Xuan from the region's commerce department said Xinjiang's foreign trade reached a new high last year, with interest from Central Asian countries under the Belt and Road Initiative. He pointed to more opportunities for cooperation with European, Hong Kong and Macau companies to invest in Xinjiang. Meanwhile, Xu Ruijun from the region's department of culture and tourism said the region would focus on improving the quality of tourism services, especially winter tourism such as ski resorts. The annual session of the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress begins on Tuesday.

2024-01-29 17:47:49

妮歌潔曼網劇含雨傘運動
全球播映 但香港無法觀看
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2pKktvIZXz/

Government to consult public on Article 23 legislation

Chief Executive John Lee will hold a press conference on Tuesday to announce the public consultation on national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Secretary for Security Chris Tang will also attend the press conference at government headquarters in Tamar. The CE said last week that he would lead a publicity campaign to inform the public about the new national security legislation, which the government plans to introduce by the end of the year.The government has said it will submit a bill to the Legislative Council to enact such legislation, as required by Article 23 of the Basic Law, and a draft is expected to be presented soon.

2024-01-29 20:41:09

Mainland court orders on civil, commercial matters can now be enforced in Hong Kong

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/29/mainland-court-orders-on-civil-commercial-matters-can-now-be-enforced-in-hong-kong/

Trial against 8 Hong Kong police officers accused of beating street sleepers adjourned until April

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/29/trial-against-8-hong-kong-police-officers-accused-of-beating-street-sleepers-adjourned-until-april/

Hong Kong Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was not a boss you could say no to, ex-publisher tells national security trial

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/29/hong-kong-apple-daily-founder-jimmy-lai-was-not-a-boss-you-could-say-no-to-ex-publisher-tells-national-security-trial/

經濟學人：香港中國化已成定局 變得不再是國際城市
https://channelchk.com/a/16109

香港早前被戲稱已淪為國際金融遺址，加上外國人離開，大批內地人進駐。著名財經雜誌《經濟學人》的最新報道指出，香港變得不再是國際城市，中國化已成定局。

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BREAKING: Hong Kong begins public consultation for new, homegrown security law Article 23

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/01/30/breaking-hong-kong-begins-public-consultation-for-new-homegrown-security-law-article-23/

Govt launches Article 23 public consultation

The government on Tuesday launched a public consultation on enacting Basic Law Article 23 national security legislation.In making the announcement, Chief Executive John Lee said Article 23 legislation must be enacted as soon as possible because of the national security risks the SAR faces."After the colour revolution and black riot in 2019, we all understand the importance of national security, and that risks to national security are serious, real and can be unexpected," he said."Also, the geopolitical situation is getting more complicated. We must remedy this shortcoming as soon as possible."Lee also said enacting Article 23 national security legislation is a constitutional duty that Hong Kong has not fulfilled in the past 26 years, since its return to the motherland in 1997.He said the legislative principles include safeguarding the country's sovereignty, safety and development interests, as well as protecting people's rights and freedoms.Lee said the government proposes enacting a new ordinance, as well as revising some of the city's existing laws.The implementation of Article 23 legislation takes into consideration existing laws in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions, as well as the SAR's own situation, he added."We are confident, we are proud and we stand high because the principles we adopt conform with the international standard, and we're doing it in exactly the same way as other countries are doing."We will be respecting and safeguarding the freedoms and rights lawfully enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, by the organisations (operating) in Hong Kong."Lee also called it a "defensive law"."No businessman wants to see their investment, their business, be disrupted or destroyed by violence or in a war zone," the CE said."I think the new law aims to create a stable and safe environment so that when people attack us, then we will be protected. And this is a law to tell people not to attack us. It is, in a way, a defensive law."Members of the public have until February 28 to submit their views regarding the proposed legislation.Lee described the consultation arrangements as "appropriate", saying Hong Kong people already have a consensus on the issue and there's the need to plug the security loophole as soon as possible. He also said there are no provisions in the legislation that would send suspects to the mainland to stand trial.Officials will brief lawmakers on the proposal in the afternoon.

2024-01-30 10:17:40 (6)

'Law-abiding residents have nothing to worry about'

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said on Tuesday that law-abiding residents need not worry about inadvertently violating national security laws under Article 23 of the Basic Law, noting that the legislation will be clearly specified.Speaking at a press conference to launch the government's public consultation on the legislation, Lam said the laws target an extremely small number of people who threaten national security."One of the principles of the rule of law is that there should be reasonable certainty in the law. The proposed legislation will clearly define the elements of the relevant offences, including criminal conduct and intent, and will be targeted precisely at acts that endanger national security," he said."We are considering including appropriate exceptions and defence provision so that law-abiding residents do not have to worry about inadvertently breaking the law."He noted that maintaining national security is consistent with protecting human rights. Lam explained that, as people can see from the social unrest in 2019, without national security, residents cannot exercise their rights and freedoms, while their personal security and assets are threatened. That's why the purpose of national security legislation is to better protect everyone's life, property, investment, rights and freedoms, he said. The security minister added that the enactment of national security legislation is an international practice and there are many overseas examples in the consultation document. The government said it take reference from security laws in other jurisdictions, but will not simply copy them for the SAR's implementation.

2024-01-30 11:58:48 (1)