Hong Kong’s National Security Law one year on: Pockets of activism still exist June 30, 2021 It’s been a year since Beijing implemented a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong, aiming to crack down on months of pro-democracy protests. Pockets of activism still exist in the city today, with people regrouping behind an invisible front line that is harder to disrupt with tear gas and rubber bullets. Watch the full [...]
Hong Kong paper Apple Daily to close after Beijing crackdown June 23, 2021 Hong Kong pro-democracy paper Apple Daily will shut down after 26 years following a fierce crackdown by Beijing. The tabloid, which was known for its criticism of mainland China, will end its print and digital editions on Saturday 26 June. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said today that it marks a “chilling blow” to freedom [...]
Hong Kong races ahead of London and New York in bid to get bankers back in the office June 21, 2021 Hong Kong races ahead of London and New York in bid to get bankers back in the office
China passes law to retaliate against foreign sanctions June 10, 2021 China has passed a law today that will allow it to counter foreign sanctions, according to state broadcaster China Centra Television (CCTV). The bill was passed by China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) standing committee after a second review, after a secret first review in April. Little is yet known of the law, but it comes [...]
Wealthy Chinese and Hong Kong nationals flock to the UK via investor visa June 8, 2021 Research by real estate firm Astons has found that wealthy Chinese and Hong Kong nationals are the most likely to head to the country via the UK Tier One Investor visa during the pandemic. Meanwhile, over 34,000 Hong Kong citizens so far this year have applied for the UK’s bespoke BNO visa scheme that was launched [...]
Foreigners’ flight from Hong Kong means Britain must step up even more June 4, 2021 Earlier this month, a survey by The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong found that 42 per cent of foreigners were planning or considering leaving the city, with more than half citing fears over the draconian national security law imposed by China last year. However on Tuesday, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam brushed aside [...]
Hong Kong HSBC and Citibank bankers threatened with prison if they deal with billionaire Jimmy Lai’s accounts May 27, 2021 Hong Kong HSBC and Citibank branches have been sent letters by the city’s security chief over billionaire media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s accounts – threatening up to seven years in prison, according to Reuters. The media moguls’ assets, including his stake in publisher Next Digital and local bank accounts, have come under fire in recent weeks [...]
Hong Kong working on ‘fake news’ laws to curb ‘misinformation’, Carrie Lam says May 4, 2021 Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam has confirmed today that her government is working on “fake news” legislation, to curb “misinformation, hatred and lies” in the city, as concerns grow over media freedoms. Since Beijing imposed the controversial national security law in 2002, Hong Kong has taken an authoritarian turn, which has forced new bouts of [...]
London homes snapped up by Hong Kong buyers quadruples April 29, 2021 The number of London homes being bought by Hong Kong buyers has quadrupled since the UK’s visa scheme has allowed many to relocate. Hong Kong buyers now account for four per cent of transactions in the capital, up from one per cent, according to client data from property firm Benham and Reeves. Since the British National [...]
Hong Kong protestors sentenced to 14 months jail for pro-democracy demonstrations April 16, 2021 Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is among several of the territory’s most prominent pro-democracy figures to be handed a tough jail sentence today after being found guilty of unauthorised assembly. Lai, who founded the island’s Apple Daily tabloid, was jailed for a total of 14 months under Beijing’s fresh crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations. Eight [...]