Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong jailed as media tycoon Jimmy Lai writes from prison April 13, 2021 Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been jailed for four months today for ‘unauthorised assembly’ and breaching an anti-mask law during a demonstration in October 2019. Among 47 others charged under a national security law, Wong is currently serving a separate 13.5-month jail term for organising an unauthorised assembly outside police headquarters in June [...]
Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law granted asylum in Britain April 8, 2021 Nathan Law has been granted asylum in Britain after he arrived last July following the imposition of a national security law in Beijing. The move is likely to ramp up tensions between London and Beijing as Britain opens its doors to potentially more than five million Hong Kong residents in the wake of the contentious [...]
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai and six others found guilty of ‘unauthorised assembly’ April 1, 2021 Seven high profile democracy supporters, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai and barrister Martin Lee, have been found guilty today of unauthorised assembly charges by a Hong Kong court. The 73-year-old media tycoon was arrested in late February for his ‘unauthorised assembly’ at the former British colony’s 2019 pro-democracy protests and for allegedly intimidating a reporter, [...]
Hong Kong’s democratic dreams have been trashed by Chinese power grab – the UK must use Magnitsky sanctions March 31, 2021 The Chinese government’s actions in Hong Kong are a textbook case study of an authoritarian power-grab. Redefine national security. Exercise emergency powers in the name of national security and use these powers to take total control. Lock up the opposition. Rig the elections. Rewrite the constitution. The details of Beijing’s electoral reforms for Hong Kong [...]
BBC journalist flees China amid Beijing’s criticism of ‘fabricated’ reporting March 31, 2021 BBC News has said this morning that one of its journalists based in China has relocated to Taiwan, as he revealed information China ‘did not want the world to know’. The move comes amid growing criticism from Beijing about the broadcaster’s reports on alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which led to BBC World News [...]
China tightens grip on Hong Kong as it limits parliament to ‘patriots’ March 30, 2021 China has passed new laws slashing the number of directly-elected politicians to Hong Kong’s parliament, further tightening Beijing’s control over the financial hub. The changes will almost halve the number of representatives who are directly elected and increase the number of Beijing-approved officials. The overhaul is intended to ensure that only “patriots” can rule the [...]
EU to impose sanctions on Chinese officials over human rights abuses March 17, 2021 The European Union agreed today to sanction Chinese officials for human rights abuses, two diplomats have said, the first penalties against Beijing in over three decades. EU envoys authorised travel bans and asset freezes on four Chinese figures and one entity, whose name has not been made public. The Chinese officials were accused of human [...]
UK says China ‘hollows out democratic debate in Hong Kong’ in latest spat March 11, 2021 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has condemned Beijing parliament’s decision today to impose measures that will assess Hong Kong politician’s loyalty to Beijing. “This is the latest step by Beijing to hollow out the space for democratic debate in Hong Kong, contrary to the promises made by China itself,” Raab said in a statement. “This can [...]
Hong Kong’s Rosewood eyes $400m SPAC listing amid flurry of deals in Asia March 1, 2021 Hong Kong-based luxury Rosewood Hotel group has filed for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listing that could raise around $400m, two sources close to matter have disclosed. The luxury hotel group, with close familial ties to property developer New World Development (NWD) has recruited Credit Suisse and UBS to arrange the US SPAC listing, [...]
Hong Kong media tycoon denied bail in landmark security law case February 23, 2021 A Hong Kong court denied media tycoon Jimmy Lai bail on Tuesday due to the risk of him committing further offences. The case is being closely watched as it shows how Hong Kong’s independent judiciary resolves conflicts between the security law drafted in Beijing. Guilty until proven innocent New legislation puts the duty on the [...]