Foreign passport rules for the election committee again expose the hypocrisy of Hong Kong’s top officials

https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/17/foreign-passport-rules-for-the-election-committee-again-expose-the-hypocrisy-of-hong-kongs-top-officials/

Dozens of my family members have disappeared – it’s time for the world to stop denying Uyghurs’ suffering

https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/17/dozens-of-my-family-members-have-disappeared-its-time-for-the-world-to-stop-denying-uyghurs-suffering/

Is Hong Kong's MTR Corporation a transport company? Or a property company which runs a metro system?

Hong Kong Book Fair: Two local publishers keep titles on sale despite security law complaints

https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/17/hong-kong-book-fair-two-local-publishers-keep-titles-on-sale-despite-security-law-complaints/

#BigData #MassSurveillance
China’s Gene Company Shares Genetic Data Obtained Around the World with Military

A Reuters’ investigative report found that the China-based gene company #BGI group has been collecting #GeneticData from over 8 million pregnant women for sweeping research on the traits of populations via selling prenatal tests around the world.

The research was said to be developed in collaboration with the Chinese military.

These genetic data were amassed without names, but contsined infornation of nationality, height, and weight. Such prenatal tests were also available in Hong Kong.

BGI is one of the Hong Kong Government appointed institutions for COVID-19 tests in Hong Kong. In recent years, BGI has been trying to mark its reputation by selling and donating millions of COVID-19 detection tools around the world.The U.S. security services warned that it is a well-established means for the company to collect worldwide genetic data.

Reuters report pointed out that BGI’s prenatal test, No Invasive prenatal gene testing for Fetal Chromosomal Abnormalities (NIFTY) is a source of genetic data for the company. These data were collected in 52 countries around the world among 8 million pregnant women.

Source: Stand News; #Jul8

https://www.thestandnews.com/society/%E8%B7%AF%E9%80%8F%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E8%8F%AF%E5%A4%A7%E5%9F%BA%E5%9B%A0%E5%85%A8%E7%90%83%E6%94%B6%E9%80%BE-800-%E8%90%AC%E5%A5%B3%E6%80%A7%E6%95%B8%E6%93%9A-%E8%88%87%E8%A7%A3%E6%94%BE%E8%BB%8D%E5%85%B1%E4%BA%AB%E5%81%9A%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6

Climate Change Is Not a Reason to Give China a Pass on Human Rights

In a widely-publicized July 8 letter, four dozen American advocacy groups—including the Sunrise Movement and the Union of Concerned Scientists—demanded that President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats reverse their “antagonistic posture” in favor of a more cooperative relationship with Beijing to “combat the climate crisis.” The signatories also attempted to frame the current administration’s China approach as a surrender to pressure on the right that’s counterproductive to global governance as well as responsible for xenophobia against individuals of East and Southeast Asian descent, and therefore “doing nothing to actually support the wellbeing of everyday people in either China or the United States.”

Source: Slate Magazine #Jul14

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/07/china-climate-change-democracy-human-rights.html

#Climate #China #HumanRights #JoeBiden

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse in Hong Kong…

https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/18/just-when-you-thought-things-couldnt-get-any-worse-in-hong-kong/

Beijing’s 2022 Winter Olympics: Why taking a stand on Hong Kong could pose safety risks to athletes

https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/18/why-taking-a-stance-on-hong-kong-could-pose-safety-risks-to-athletes-at-beijings-2022-winter-olympics/

#WhiteTerror #Censorship
Would Karaoke become a crime?: Hong Kong School Politicizes Cantopop Lyrics and Censors Singing Contest

In Hong Kong, two students from the ELCHK Yuen Long Lutheran Secondary School decided to perform a Cantonese pop song titled "銀河修理員” (Translated as: Galatic Repairman) at the school's singing contest.

The song was originally performed by the local band #DearJane.

The school, however, rejected the song, calling certain lyrics "political". The students were forced to modify their performance and only allowed to perform a makeover version call 疫情加油（Translated as: Pandemic Add Oil").

In the end, the two students entered the finals and performed on stage. They sang the song with the original lyrics and chanted "HongKongers Add Oil" after the performance.

The two were disqualified for performing the song without the school's approval and each were given a demerit. They were also banned from performing for the school in the future which could affect their chances of going to college.

Stand News made inquiries to the school about the incident, but the vice principal, Tam refused to give a response.

Source: Stand News #Jul7

https://thestandnews.page.link/eVu9qPBVGz6S9cvq6

#Karaoke #School #Cantopop #SingCon

Canadian Parliament Passes First Reading of Taiwan-Relations Bill to Strengthen Ties

Following the passage of a series of bills in the United States to enhance relations with Taiwan, the Canadian House of Commons recently passed the Canada-Taiwan Relations Framework Act on first reading by unanimous applause.

The bill, introduced by Conservative Representative Michael Cooper, provides a basis for normalizing Canada's relations with Taiwan and for Taiwan's international standing. The bill contains nine provisions covering legal designation, property, legal capacity, intergovernmental agreements and reciprocity, as well as providing for parliamentary oversight. Of greater interest is the renaming of the Taiwan government's representative office in Canada as the "Taiwan Representative Office", relaxing visa requirements for unofficial visits to Canada by Taiwanese officials, and allowing Canada to enter into agreements with Taiwan and treat the Taiwanese government as one of the foreign governments. Canada will also be concerned about the situation in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with the bill, and will view sanctions, embargoes and other non-peaceful means against Taiwan as a threat to the Asia Pacific region, and the Canadian government should speak out on this issue.

Source: Stand News #Jun19

#Canada #Taiwan #AsiaPacific

https://bit.ly/3zju5jl

#WhiteTerror #Censorship
5 Universities in Hong Kong Crackdown on Students' Unions

In the past year, multiple students' unions in Hong Kong have been targeted and oppressed by the university management for their pro-democracy stance.

On July 15, 2021, the Hong Kong Lingnan University announced thst they would no longer collect the member fees on behalf of the Students' Union. This makes the 5th Students Union being targeted in Hong Kong universities-- after CityU, CUHK, HKU and PolyU.

After the HKUSU committee passed the proposal to mourn Leung Kin Fai's death, the university was critized heavily by Carrie Lam and other pro-establishment parties. The university responded immediately by reprimanding the SU and claimed that they would no longer acknowledge the SU, and demanded the SU to leave the building before July 21st. On the 11th of July, the university took down all the posters in the building, democratic wall and notice boards.

CUHK also stated that their SU made false claims about the university and urge the SU to take legal responsibility for their actions. The SU stepped down after only being elected for one day.

Source: Stand News #Jul15
https://thestandnews.page.link/LercnyuR77m3Sk6w6

HKU student union may have violated security law for thanking police attacker, says Hong Kong top cop

https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/19/hku-student-union-may-have-violated-security-law-for-thanking-police-attacker-says-hong-kong-top-cop/

Observatory cancels Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1601434-20210719.htm

Hong Kong movie wins Cannes short film prize
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1601358-20210718.htm

Product designer jailed for rioting near PolyU
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1601480-20210719.htm

Community service order for reporter who resisted cop
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1601282-20210717.htm