HSBC to invest further in China amid row over support for Hong Kong law July 3, 2020 HSBC has announced plans to make new investments in its wealth management and insurance operations in mainland China, after coming under fire for backing the controversial new security law in Hong Kong. The UK-based lender has been criticised by investors and politicians over its support for the new National Security Law in Hong Kong, which [...]
Hong Kong man charged with terrorism in first use of new security law July 3, 2020 A man carrying a sign reading “Liberate Hong Kong” as he drove a motorbike into police at a protest has become the first person charged with inciting separatism and terrorism under a new security law. Beijing imposed the legislation on the former British colony earlier this week despite protests from Hong Kongers and Western nations, [...]
‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’ slogan deemed illegal July 3, 2020 The popular protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” has been deemed illegal by the city’s government. Hong Kong has said the slogan is separatist, becoming a crime covered under the new national security law imposed by Beijing. The saying is plastered over placards at rallies, clothes and accessories and written on post-it [...]
China’s new Hong Kong law ‘a betrayal’, says US Vice President Pence July 2, 2020 US Vice President Mike Pence has described China’s new national security law covering Hong Kong as a betrayal of an international agreement. Politicians in the US and UK have condemned the legislation, which was introduced earlier this week, as an attempt by Beijing to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong. “The national security law [...]
China tells UK to stop ‘interfering’ in Hong Kong’s affairs July 2, 2020 China has urged the UK to stop “interfering” in Hong Kong’s affairs, warning that there would be consequences if the British government offers almost 3m citizens visas and a path to citizenship. The Chinese embassy in London said today that it “firmly opposes” Britain’s offer for Hong Kong citizens with British National Overseas passports to [...]
Don’t sacrifice Hong Kong for bankers’ bonuses, Raab tells HSBC July 1, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab today criticised HSBC and other British banks for supporting China’s controversial new security law in Hong Kong, saying the rights of its citizens should not be sacrificed for bankers’ bonuses. HSBC and fellow Asia-focused lender Standard Chartered have come under fire from politicians in the UK and US after the banks [...]
China passes national security law in turning point for Hong Kong June 30, 2020 China’s parliament passed national security legislation for Hong Kong today, setting the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony’s way of life since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago. State media is expected to publish details of the law later today. It comes in response to last year’s often-violent [...]
Hong Kong: Protests continue after thousands attend Tiananmen vigil June 5, 2020 Dozens of pro-democracy protesters marched through a Hong Kong shopping centre this morning after thousands had defied a police ban to attend a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Protesters gathered in the heart of the financial hub for peaceful demonstrations against China’s new national security laws, which many fear will wipe out the [...]
HSBC Asia chief backs new Chinese security law for Hong Kong June 3, 2020 HSBC’s chief executive in Asia has signed a petition backing China’s imposition of a new national security law on semi-autonomous Hong Kong. The bank today confirmed that chief Peter Wong had signed the petition, and also said on social media that it “respects and supports all laws that stabilise Hong Kong’s social order”. The declaration [...]
UK urges China to reconsider Hong Kong security law May 29, 2020 The UK has urged Chinese authorities to reconsider the implementation of a new security law on the city of Hong Kong, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said today. “We have urged China to reconsider the implementation of this law and live up to its responsibilities as a leading member of the international community,” Number 10 said. “We [...]