Forwarded from Politically Incorrect News
🇨🇳 No freedom in communist China
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2020/october/chinese-christian-bookseller-given-7-year-prison-sentence-for-illegal-business-operations-authorities-track-down-buyers
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2020/october/chinese-christian-bookseller-given-7-year-prison-sentence-for-illegal-business-operations-authorities-track-down-buyers
CBN News
Chinese Christian Bookseller Given 7 Year Prison Sentence, Authorities Track Down Buyers
A Chinese Christian who operates an online bookstore was sentenced to seven years in prison for selling religious material that wasn't approved by the Communist government.
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#MI5 Head: Russian and #ChineseThreats to #UK Grow in Severity
//The head of MI5 said the U.K.’s domestic spy agency wants to “do more” to tackle Chinese activities that threaten the intellectual property of British companies and universities.
In his first public remarks since taking on the role earlier this year, #KenMcCallum said he will “carefully” prioritize the agency’s resources against China’s “covert activities.”//
//He directly specified “the differing national security challenges presented by Russian, Chinese, Iranian and other actors” and said they were “growing in severity and in complexity – while terrorist threats persist at scale”.
Examples of the changing threat include claims that China tried to spy on the EU by targeting a former MI6 officer, Fraser Cameron, who allegedly sold classified information to undercover operatives from Beijing. Cameron denies the allegations.
China, McCallum added, was beginning to engage in an “interference in politics”.//
Source: Guardian; Bloomberg #Oct14
//The head of MI5 said the U.K.’s domestic spy agency wants to “do more” to tackle Chinese activities that threaten the intellectual property of British companies and universities.
In his first public remarks since taking on the role earlier this year, #KenMcCallum said he will “carefully” prioritize the agency’s resources against China’s “covert activities.”//
//He directly specified “the differing national security challenges presented by Russian, Chinese, Iranian and other actors” and said they were “growing in severity and in complexity – while terrorist threats persist at scale”.
Examples of the changing threat include claims that China tried to spy on the EU by targeting a former MI6 officer, Fraser Cameron, who allegedly sold classified information to undercover operatives from Beijing. Cameron denies the allegations.
China, McCallum added, was beginning to engage in an “interference in politics”.//
Source: Guardian; Bloomberg #Oct14
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#CCPPropaganda
China Claims "Hundreds of Espionage Cases" from Taiwan; Broadcasts "Confession Video" from Taiwanese Man
On Oct 11, one day after Taiwan's national day, China's state media, CCTV, announced that China's national security bureau has recently arrested a large number of "spies" from Taiwan involved in hundreds of espionage cases.
30 minutes after the news was reported by the CCTV, Global Times, a newspaper owned by Chinese Communist Party government, published a detailed story of how a Taiwanese called Lee Meng-chu (李孟居) was suspected of "violating national security" by participating in Hong Kong's Anti-ELAB movement in August 2019.
According to this China's state owned media, Lee arrived in Hong Kong on August 18 and took some photos at the protest. Lee crossed the border to Shenzhen the next day. He was later arrested in Shenzhen when he was about to leave on Aug 20, 2019.
On Oct 31, 2019, Chinese authorities authorized the national security bureau to "officially arrested" Lee, but Lee has reportedly been detained by China since August.
Lee's confession was broadcasted on China's CCTV. In the video, Lee "confessed" that he was "swayed" by pro-Taiwan independence sentiments. He also said that he "regretted" joining the activities that "went against China and brought chaos to Hong Kong". He said in front of the camera that "Taiwan independence" and "Hong Kong independence" are "dead-ends".
According to the Guangdong branch of China's national security bureau, there were many more cases related to the involvement of Hong Kong affairs. The Chinese authorities warned that any infringement of Hong Kong's national security law may result in sentences lasting from 3 years in jail, all the way to a life sentence.
After the news came out on China's state media, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (#MAC) condemned China for causing harm to the cross-strait relationship and affecting the normal daily life of Taiwanese.
Source: Stand News; Now News #Oct11
https://bit.ly/3nDzWKZ
China Claims "Hundreds of Espionage Cases" from Taiwan; Broadcasts "Confession Video" from Taiwanese Man
On Oct 11, one day after Taiwan's national day, China's state media, CCTV, announced that China's national security bureau has recently arrested a large number of "spies" from Taiwan involved in hundreds of espionage cases.
30 minutes after the news was reported by the CCTV, Global Times, a newspaper owned by Chinese Communist Party government, published a detailed story of how a Taiwanese called Lee Meng-chu (李孟居) was suspected of "violating national security" by participating in Hong Kong's Anti-ELAB movement in August 2019.
According to this China's state owned media, Lee arrived in Hong Kong on August 18 and took some photos at the protest. Lee crossed the border to Shenzhen the next day. He was later arrested in Shenzhen when he was about to leave on Aug 20, 2019.
On Oct 31, 2019, Chinese authorities authorized the national security bureau to "officially arrested" Lee, but Lee has reportedly been detained by China since August.
Lee's confession was broadcasted on China's CCTV. In the video, Lee "confessed" that he was "swayed" by pro-Taiwan independence sentiments. He also said that he "regretted" joining the activities that "went against China and brought chaos to Hong Kong". He said in front of the camera that "Taiwan independence" and "Hong Kong independence" are "dead-ends".
According to the Guangdong branch of China's national security bureau, there were many more cases related to the involvement of Hong Kong affairs. The Chinese authorities warned that any infringement of Hong Kong's national security law may result in sentences lasting from 3 years in jail, all the way to a life sentence.
After the news came out on China's state media, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (#MAC) condemned China for causing harm to the cross-strait relationship and affecting the normal daily life of Taiwanese.
Source: Stand News; Now News #Oct11
https://bit.ly/3nDzWKZ
Forwarded from RTHK Latest News
Beijing slams US for warship's Taiwan Strait transit
Beijing said on Thursday that the United States was seriously undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait after a US Navy destroyer sailed through the waters.Zhang Chunhui, spokesman for the PLA's eastern theatre command, said in a statement that the military followed and monitored the USS Barry when the destroyer made what the US Navy called a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" on Wednesday.Seventh Fleet spokeswoman Reann Mommsen had said in a statement that the ship's transit "demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific".Taiwan's defence ministry, meanwhile, said the USS Barry sailed in a northerly direction through the strait and that its forces also monitored the warship, adding that the situation was as normal."The US Navy regularly conducts so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the Taiwan Strait and the operations always provoke strong responses from Beijing.Beijing views the passage of foreign vessels through the Strait as a violation of its sovereignty.Washington and many other countries, on the other hand, see the waterway as part of international waters and therefore open to all. (AFP/Reuters)
2020-10-15 08:59:47 (3)
Beijing said on Thursday that the United States was seriously undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait after a US Navy destroyer sailed through the waters.Zhang Chunhui, spokesman for the PLA's eastern theatre command, said in a statement that the military followed and monitored the USS Barry when the destroyer made what the US Navy called a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" on Wednesday.Seventh Fleet spokeswoman Reann Mommsen had said in a statement that the ship's transit "demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific".Taiwan's defence ministry, meanwhile, said the USS Barry sailed in a northerly direction through the strait and that its forces also monitored the warship, adding that the situation was as normal."The US Navy regularly conducts so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the Taiwan Strait and the operations always provoke strong responses from Beijing.Beijing views the passage of foreign vessels through the Strait as a violation of its sovereignty.Washington and many other countries, on the other hand, see the waterway as part of international waters and therefore open to all. (AFP/Reuters)
2020-10-15 08:59:47 (3)
Forwarded from RTHK Latest News
Qingdao removes health chief after Covid resurgence
The mainland city of Qingdao has suspended the head of its municipal health commission after a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. Sui Zhenhua will be put under investigation, after more than dozen local cases were reported in the past days. The Qingdao party committee also decided to remove Deng Kai, the director of the Qingdao Chest Hospital, to which most of the new cases are apparently linked. The entire population of more than 9 million people in the city are being tested for the coronavirus in light of the new cases.On Wednesday, the health authorities said 12 people had so far contracted Covid-19, and one patient was in a critical condition, while three were "severely" ill.The outbreak followed the mid-autumn holiday on the mainland, during which about 4.47 million tourists visited the city during the holiday period, according to the officials there.
2020-10-15 11:47:50 (1)
The mainland city of Qingdao has suspended the head of its municipal health commission after a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. Sui Zhenhua will be put under investigation, after more than dozen local cases were reported in the past days. The Qingdao party committee also decided to remove Deng Kai, the director of the Qingdao Chest Hospital, to which most of the new cases are apparently linked. The entire population of more than 9 million people in the city are being tested for the coronavirus in light of the new cases.On Wednesday, the health authorities said 12 people had so far contracted Covid-19, and one patient was in a critical condition, while three were "severely" ill.The outbreak followed the mid-autumn holiday on the mainland, during which about 4.47 million tourists visited the city during the holiday period, according to the officials there.
2020-10-15 11:47:50 (1)
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
Chinese Ambassador Says India Is Not Doing Anyone Favour by Limiting Chinese Investment
The Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong has said India’s limitations on Chinese businesses and investments were not benefitting anyone. He added that any action that heightened and complicated the tension was no solution and that engaging in dialogue was the right way and the way out. The more difficult the situation was, he said, the more crucial it was to have stability and mutual trust.
Hosting a video conference celebrating China’s national day and the Mid-Autumn festival with representatives of Chinese expats in India, Sun discussed the recent status of China-India relations. He said it was vital for the two countries to move forward in the right direction under the current circumstances. Being two major developing countries, he said, China and India should focus on such challenges as beating the pandemic, economic recovery, and improving livelihoods. He said what the two countries needed was collaboration and not confrontation, mutual trust and not mutual suspicion. He said it was normal for China and India, being neighbours, to have differences, but arguments should come in the right place in their relations and must not be allowed to get in the way.
Source: RTHK #Oct06
#India #China #SunWeidong #Diplomacy
https://bit.ly/3iV1GHL
The Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong has said India’s limitations on Chinese businesses and investments were not benefitting anyone. He added that any action that heightened and complicated the tension was no solution and that engaging in dialogue was the right way and the way out. The more difficult the situation was, he said, the more crucial it was to have stability and mutual trust.
Hosting a video conference celebrating China’s national day and the Mid-Autumn festival with representatives of Chinese expats in India, Sun discussed the recent status of China-India relations. He said it was vital for the two countries to move forward in the right direction under the current circumstances. Being two major developing countries, he said, China and India should focus on such challenges as beating the pandemic, economic recovery, and improving livelihoods. He said what the two countries needed was collaboration and not confrontation, mutual trust and not mutual suspicion. He said it was normal for China and India, being neighbours, to have differences, but arguments should come in the right place in their relations and must not be allowed to get in the way.
Source: RTHK #Oct06
#India #China #SunWeidong #Diplomacy
https://bit.ly/3iV1GHL
news.rthk.hk
中國駐印度大使：印度限制中國企業投資 損人不利己
中國駐印度大使孫衛東表示，印度對中國企業和投資，採取的相關限制措施，不符合任何一方利益，損人而不利己，任何令矛盾擴大、複雜的做法，無助於解決問題，對話談判才是正道和出路，越是困難的時候，越要把大局穩固好，把互信維護好。 孫衛東日前與在印度的中國同胞代表，舉行國慶中秋視頻座談時，介紹中印關係近況，指出當前形勢下，如何正確把握中印關係的前進方向尤為重要。作為兩個發展中大國，中印面臨的挑戰是戰勝疫情、復蘇經濟、改善民生，需要的是合作而不是對抗，是互信而不是猜忌。作為鄰居，中印存在一些分歧是正常的，要把分歧放在…
Forwarded from RTHK Latest News
Chinese Australians rile at 'McCarthyism' at probe
Three Australian citizens of Chinese ethnicity who were asked to condemn the Chinese Communist Party as they appeared before a government inquiry into diaspora issues have criticised the incident as like "McCarthyism".A senate committee is examining problems facing diaspora communities, and the three Chinese Australians had been invited to attend a hearing on Wednesday.The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation has told the inquiry that diaspora communities are often victims of interference from foreign governments, and threats had been made against individuals on the basis of their political opinions.Australia has a tense diplomatic relationship with China, its largest trading partner, and there has been intense domestic political debate and media coverage of allegations the Chinese government is involved in foreign interference.There are also concerns Chinese communities in Australia are experiencing racism as a by-product.The Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Eric Abetz, known for hawkish views on China, asked the three Chinese Australians to "tell me whether they are willing to unconditionally condemn the Chinese Communist Party dictatorship", a transcript shows.Yun Jiang, a China analyst who previously worked in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet, had spoken to the committee about the "toxic environment for Chinese-Australians who engage in public policy debates right now"."Senator Abetz proceeded to interrogate each of us on our views of the Chinese Communist Party, as some sort of loyalty test", Jiang said in a statement on Thursday.Wesa Chau, Labor's Deputy Lord Mayor candidate for Melbourne, said "in race-baiting McCarthyism, myself and two other Chinese-Australian witnesses were subjected to a public loyalty test".Chau is a board member of the Australian government's National Foundation for Australia-China Relations."McCarthyism" refers to US Senator Joseph McCarthy's much-vilified campaign in the 1950s to expose Communist sympathisers in the United States, including in Hollywood and the arts.Osmond Chiu of the Per Capita think tank wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald that he was born in Australia, and refused to answer Abetz's question because it was demeaning.Senator Abetz responded in a statement on Thursday: "Standing firm against ugly dictatorships is everyone's duty. I, therefore, make no apology for the exchange."Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan wrote in a submission to the inquiry that a national anti-racism strategy is needed to protect Australia's multicultural society because the country's national security also depends on its capacity to protect unity."No Australian should have their loyalty to this country questioned or undermined because of their ethnic origin, nor should they be required to prove their loyalty," Tan said, in comments reported by SBS, the multicultural broadcaster on Thursday. (AFP)
2020-10-15 16:16:05
Three Australian citizens of Chinese ethnicity who were asked to condemn the Chinese Communist Party as they appeared before a government inquiry into diaspora issues have criticised the incident as like "McCarthyism".A senate committee is examining problems facing diaspora communities, and the three Chinese Australians had been invited to attend a hearing on Wednesday.The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation has told the inquiry that diaspora communities are often victims of interference from foreign governments, and threats had been made against individuals on the basis of their political opinions.Australia has a tense diplomatic relationship with China, its largest trading partner, and there has been intense domestic political debate and media coverage of allegations the Chinese government is involved in foreign interference.There are also concerns Chinese communities in Australia are experiencing racism as a by-product.The Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Eric Abetz, known for hawkish views on China, asked the three Chinese Australians to "tell me whether they are willing to unconditionally condemn the Chinese Communist Party dictatorship", a transcript shows.Yun Jiang, a China analyst who previously worked in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet, had spoken to the committee about the "toxic environment for Chinese-Australians who engage in public policy debates right now"."Senator Abetz proceeded to interrogate each of us on our views of the Chinese Communist Party, as some sort of loyalty test", Jiang said in a statement on Thursday.Wesa Chau, Labor's Deputy Lord Mayor candidate for Melbourne, said "in race-baiting McCarthyism, myself and two other Chinese-Australian witnesses were subjected to a public loyalty test".Chau is a board member of the Australian government's National Foundation for Australia-China Relations."McCarthyism" refers to US Senator Joseph McCarthy's much-vilified campaign in the 1950s to expose Communist sympathisers in the United States, including in Hollywood and the arts.Osmond Chiu of the Per Capita think tank wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald that he was born in Australia, and refused to answer Abetz's question because it was demeaning.Senator Abetz responded in a statement on Thursday: "Standing firm against ugly dictatorships is everyone's duty. I, therefore, make no apology for the exchange."Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan wrote in a submission to the inquiry that a national anti-racism strategy is needed to protect Australia's multicultural society because the country's national security also depends on its capacity to protect unity."No Australian should have their loyalty to this country questioned or undermined because of their ethnic origin, nor should they be required to prove their loyalty," Tan said, in comments reported by SBS, the multicultural broadcaster on Thursday. (AFP)
2020-10-15 16:16:05
Forwarded from RTHK Latest News
Taobao Taiwan to shut over registration furore
Alibaba Group's e-commerce site, Taobao, is shutting its site in Taiwan after the government there ordered the firm to re-register as Chinese investment or leave the island. Taobao Taiwan – which is run by British-registered firm Claddagh Venture Investment – said it will shut the e-commerce site due to what it sees as multiple uncertainties in the market. The company said it will close its Taiwan operations by the end of 2020, adding that it will help merchants deliver existing orders to buyers. The company said in a statement that it had to make the "painful decision" to stop running on December 31, but didn't elaborate further.Taiwan's Investment Commission in August fined Claddagh NT$410,000 for violating local law governing Chinese investments and gave it six months to "rectify" the situation or withdraw its investment.The commission started the probe after a former lawmaker claimed the firm was illegally operating on the island as it shared the same platform with Alibaba-owned Taobao.Under Taiwan's regulations, a company is considered a Chinese investment if a Chinese entity owns more than 30 percent of its shares or has "effective control" over its operations.The commission ruled that Claddagh is in effect controlled by Alibaba, even though it holds less than 30 percent of its shares. (Additional reporting by AFP)
2020-10-15 16:46:45 (1)
Alibaba Group's e-commerce site, Taobao, is shutting its site in Taiwan after the government there ordered the firm to re-register as Chinese investment or leave the island. Taobao Taiwan – which is run by British-registered firm Claddagh Venture Investment – said it will shut the e-commerce site due to what it sees as multiple uncertainties in the market. The company said it will close its Taiwan operations by the end of 2020, adding that it will help merchants deliver existing orders to buyers. The company said in a statement that it had to make the "painful decision" to stop running on December 31, but didn't elaborate further.Taiwan's Investment Commission in August fined Claddagh NT$410,000 for violating local law governing Chinese investments and gave it six months to "rectify" the situation or withdraw its investment.The commission started the probe after a former lawmaker claimed the firm was illegally operating on the island as it shared the same platform with Alibaba-owned Taobao.Under Taiwan's regulations, a company is considered a Chinese investment if a Chinese entity owns more than 30 percent of its shares or has "effective control" over its operations.The commission ruled that Claddagh is in effect controlled by Alibaba, even though it holds less than 30 percent of its shares. (Additional reporting by AFP)
2020-10-15 16:46:45 (1)
Forwarded from Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Beijing slams US Sec. Mike Pompeo for criticising China’s renewed seat on UN Human Rights Council; NGOs ‘dismayed’
https://hongkongfp.com/2020/10/15/beijing-slams-us-sec-mike-pompeo-for-criticising-chinas-renewed-seat-on-un-human-rights-council-ngos-dismayed/
https://hongkongfp.com/2020/10/15/beijing-slams-us-sec-mike-pompeo-for-criticising-chinas-renewed-seat-on-un-human-rights-council-ngos-dismayed/
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Beijing slams US Sec. Mike Pompeo for criticising China's renewed seat on UN Human Rights Council; NGOs 'dismayed' | Hong Kong…
Beijing said that comments made by Mike Pompeo were “very absurd” after the US Secretary of State criticised China’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) earlier this week. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Pompeo accused the UNHRC of “embracing”…
Forwarded from RTHK Latest News
China angered as US names rights envoy for Tibet
China accused the United States on Thursday of seeking to destabilise Tibet, after the Trump administration appointed a senior human rights official as special coordinator for Tibetan issues.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday that Robert Destro, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, would assume the additional post, which has been vacant since the start of President Donald Trump's term in 2017.China has consistently refused to deal with the US coordinator, seeing it as interference in its internal affairs."Tibet affairs are China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference," said Zhao Lijian, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry."The setting up of the so-called coordinator for Tibetan issues is entirely out of political manipulation to interfere in China's internal affairs and destabilise Tibet. China firmly opposes that," Zhao said at a regular media briefing.The appointment comes at a time when US-China relations have sunk to the lowest point in decades over a range of issues, including trade, Taiwan, human rights, the South China Sea and the coronavirus.Destro "will lead US efforts to promote dialogue between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected", Pompeo said in a statement.China seized control over Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a "peaceful liberation" that helped the remote Himalayan region throw off its "feudalist" past."People of all ethnic groups in Tibet are part of the big family of the Chinese nation, and since its peaceful liberation, Tibet has had prosperous economic growth," Zhao said.Everyone in Tibet enjoyed religious freedom and their rights were fully respected, he added.But critics, led by exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, say Beijing's rule amounts to "cultural genocide". (Reuters)
2020-10-15 17:36:32
China accused the United States on Thursday of seeking to destabilise Tibet, after the Trump administration appointed a senior human rights official as special coordinator for Tibetan issues.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday that Robert Destro, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, would assume the additional post, which has been vacant since the start of President Donald Trump's term in 2017.China has consistently refused to deal with the US coordinator, seeing it as interference in its internal affairs."Tibet affairs are China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference," said Zhao Lijian, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry."The setting up of the so-called coordinator for Tibetan issues is entirely out of political manipulation to interfere in China's internal affairs and destabilise Tibet. China firmly opposes that," Zhao said at a regular media briefing.The appointment comes at a time when US-China relations have sunk to the lowest point in decades over a range of issues, including trade, Taiwan, human rights, the South China Sea and the coronavirus.Destro "will lead US efforts to promote dialogue between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected", Pompeo said in a statement.China seized control over Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a "peaceful liberation" that helped the remote Himalayan region throw off its "feudalist" past."People of all ethnic groups in Tibet are part of the big family of the Chinese nation, and since its peaceful liberation, Tibet has had prosperous economic growth," Zhao said.Everyone in Tibet enjoyed religious freedom and their rights were fully respected, he added.But critics, led by exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, say Beijing's rule amounts to "cultural genocide". (Reuters)
2020-10-15 17:36:32