A Hong Kong court convicted Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, one of the most senior Roman Catholic bishops in Asia, guilty of failing to register a now-disbanded fund for pro-democracy demonstrators and fined him HK$4,000 ($512).&nbsp;

Some Western governments had criticised the city's national security officers for detaining Zen and four other people in May because it was perceived as part of a crackdown on dissent under a broad national security law enforced by China.&nbsp;

"The fund had political objectives and thus it was not established solely for charitable purposes," said Principal Magistrate Ada Yim in her ruling.

The fund's secretary, Sze Ching-wee, received a smaller penalty than the other four trustees, which included lawyer Margaret Ng, academic Hui Po-Keung, politician Cyd Ho, and singer Denise Ho.&nbsp;

Zen, a longtime supporter of democratic rights and liberties and an opponent of the Chinese Communist Party, emphasised that the fund's primary goal was to assist those in need.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/decision-over-passing-on-patriot-air-defence-to-kyiv-lies-with-nations-nato-chief-537421">Decision over passing on Patriot air defence to Kyiv lies with nations: NATO chief</a>

"I'm just a Hong Kong citizen who strongly supports providing humanitarian assistance," he told reporters after the verdict.

"Although I'm a religious figure, I hope this (case) won't be associated with our freedom of religion. It's not related."

The six were accused of failing to properly establish the "612 Humanitarian Relief Fund," which assisted in covering the legal and medical costs of people detained during pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. All entered not-guilty pleas.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A Hong Kong court convicted Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, one of the most senior Roman Catholic bishops in Asia, guilty of failing to register a now-disbanded fund for pro-democracy demonstrators and fined him HK$4,000 ($512).

A Hong Kong court convicted Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, one of the most senior Roman Catholic bishops in Asia, guilty of failing to register a now-disbanded fund for pro-democracy demonstrators and fined him HK$4,000 ($512). Some Western governments had criticised the city's national security officers for detaining Zen and four other people in May because it was perceived as part of a crackdown on dissent under a broad national security law enforced by China. "The fund had political objectives and thus it was not established solely for charitable purposes," said Principal Magistrate Ada Yim in her ruling. The fund's secretary, Sze Ching-wee, received a smaller penalty than the other four trustees, which included lawyer Margaret Ng, academic Hui Po-Keung, politician Cyd Ho, and singer Denise Ho. Zen, a longtime supporter of democratic rights and liberties and an opponent of the Chinese Communist Party, emphasised that the fund's primary goal was to assist those in need. Also Read: Decision over passing on Patriot air defence to Kyiv lies with nations: NATO chief "I'm just a Hong Kong citizen who strongly supports providing humanitarian assistance," he told reporters after the verdict. "Although I'm a religious figure, I hope this (case) won't be associated with our freedom of religion. It's not related." The six were accused of failing to properly establish the "612 Humanitarian Relief Fund," which assisted in covering the legal and medical costs of people detained during pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. All entered not-guilty pleas. (with inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong: Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, found guilty of funding pro-democracy protests

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will hold her first talks with the public on Thursday in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of sometimes violent protests and plunged the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-firmly-support-carrie-lam-in-leading-hong-kong-china-247307">Chinese-run</a> city into chaos.

Beijing-backed Lam will hold a dialogue with 150 members of the community, with each participant given around three minutes to express their views, city authorities have said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-in-hong-kong-reject-carrie-lams-assertion-extradition-bill-dead-threaten-mass-rallies-234227">Tight security</a> is expected around the venue in the commercial and nightlife district of Wan Chai, where some schools and businesses planned to close early ahead of the meeting scheduled at 1100 GMT.

"Deep wounds have been opened in our society. These will take time to heal," Lam said in an opinion piece in the New York Times.

"But it remains this government's hope that conversation will triumph over conflict and that through its actions, calm can be restored and trust can be rebuilt within the community", she added.

But resident Poon Yau-Lok, 62, was sceptical of the talks making any difference.

"They wouldn't listen when 200,000 people marched on the street. Why would they listen to just 150?", she said.

What started as protests over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy, among other demands.

There has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-says-rule-of-law-being-damaged-citys-recovery-will-take-long-time-242574">violent unrest</a> in parts of the former British colony over the last three months, but life for most people goes on as normal most of the time.

The protests have taken a heavy toll on some businesses as tourists stay away. Cathay Pacific, the city's flagship carrier, has been the biggest corporate casualty after China demanded it suspend staff involved in the protests.

Cathay CEO Rupert Hogg and Chairman John Slosar have since left the company.

Rail operator MTR Corp has also suffered, with passenger numbers on the high-speed rail link to mainland China plunging 30 per cent to 1.14 million people in August from July.

Passengers on the Airport Express, which links the city to the airport where protesters have disrupted operations, were down 10 per cent over the same period to 1.3 million people.

The MTR has at times suspended city rail services during the protests, preventing some demonstrators from gathering and making it a target of attack, with protesters vandalising stations and setting fires near some exits.

The rail operator halted services at Sha Tin station on Wednesday night after protesters vandalised facilities there for a second time since the weekend.

Train services resumed on Thursday.

The protesters are also angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedom that are not enjoyed on the mainland.

China says that it is committed to the arrangement and denies meddling. It has accused foreign governments including the United States and Britain of inciting the unrest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-to-hold-dialogue-aimed-at-easing-tensions-250100">Hong Kong</a> is on edge ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, with authorities eager to avoid scenes that could embarrass the Central Government in Beijing.

The Asian financial hub also marks the fifth anniversary this weekend of the start of the 'Umbrella' protests, a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 that failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will hold her first talks with the public on Thursday in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of sometimes violent protests and plunged the Chinese-run city into chaos.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will hold her first talks with the public on Thursday in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of sometimes violent protests and plunged the Chinese-run city into chaos. Beijing-backed Lam will hold a dialogue with 150 members of the community, with each participant given around three minutes to express their views, city authorities have said. Tight security is expected around the venue in the commercial and nightlife district of Wan Chai, where some schools and businesses planned to close early ahead of the meeting scheduled at 1100 GMT. "Deep wounds have been opened in our society. These will take time to heal," Lam said in an opinion piece in the New York Times. "But it remains this government's hope that conversation will triumph over conflict and that through its actions, calm can be restored and trust can be rebuilt within the community", she added. But resident Poon Yau-Lok, 62, was sceptical of the talks making any difference. "They wouldn't listen when 200,000 people marched on the street. Why would they listen to just 150?", she said. What started as protests over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial have evolved into broader calls for greater democracy, among other demands. There has been violent unrest in parts of the former British colony over the last three months, but life for most people goes on as normal most of the time. The protests have taken a heavy toll on some businesses as tourists stay away. Cathay Pacific, the city's flagship carrier, has been the biggest corporate casualty after China demanded it suspend staff involved in the protests. Cathay CEO Rupert Hogg and Chairman John Slosar have since left the company. Rail operator MTR Corp has also suffered, with passenger numbers on the high-speed rail link to mainland China plunging 30 per cent to 1.14 million people in August from July. Passengers on the Airport Express, which links the city to the airport where protesters have disrupted operations, were down 10 per cent over the same period to 1.3 million people. The MTR has at times suspended city rail services during the protests, preventing some demonstrators from gathering and making it a target of attack, with protesters vandalising stations and setting fires near some exits. The rail operator halted services at Sha Tin station on Wednesday night after protesters vandalised facilities there for a second time since the weekend. Train services resumed on Thursday. The protesters are also angry about what they see as creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula intended to guarantee freedom that are not enjoyed on the mainland. China says that it is committed to the arrangement and denies meddling. It has accused foreign governments including the United States and Britain of inciting the unrest. Hong Kong is on edge ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, with authorities eager to avoid scenes that could embarrass the Central Government in Beijing. The Asian financial hub also marks the fifth anniversary this weekend of the start of the 'Umbrella' protests, a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 that failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing.

Hong Kong unrest: Leader Carrie Lam to hold first talks in bid to end crisis

China moves paramilitary forces near Hong Kong in an attempt to intimidate the protesters.

WION Gravitas: Is China trying to intimidate Hong Kong?

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Hong Kong: Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, found guilty of funding pro-democracy protests

Hong Kong unrest: Leader Carrie Lam to hold first talks in bid to end crisis

WION Gravitas: Is China trying to intimidate Hong Kong?