The resignation of the 15 remaining pro-democracy lawmakers will ratchet up tensions over the future of Hong Kong

WION Dispatch: Hong Kong disqualifies 4 pro-democracy legislators

Hong Kong on Wednesday stripped four pro-democracy lawmakers of their seats, immediately after China gave the city the power to disqualify politicians deemed a threat to national security.

The ousting comes after 19 pro-democracy lawmakers in the semi-autonomous city's legislature threatened Monday to resign "en masse" if their colleagues were disqualified.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-lawmakers-threaten-mass-resignation-against-beijing-341908">Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten mass resignation against Beijing</a>

The expulsion of the four from Hong Kong's Legislative Council, the former British colony's mini-parliament, deals a further blow to pro-democracy politicians in the region.

The 19 democratic members of the 70-seat city legislature on Monday threatened to resign en masse if any of them was disqualified, saying that would reflect their unity and show how far Beijing was willing to go to crush opposition.

While the assembly is controlled by the pro-Beijing camp, the opposition's resignation would turn it into a rubber stamp.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-sanctions-on-four-chinese-nationals-over-hong-kong-342055">US announces sanctions on four Chinese nationals over Hong Kong</a>

The opposition members have tried to make a stand against what many people in the former British colony see as Beijing's tightening grip over the financial hub, despite a promise of autonomy.

China denies encroaching on Hong Kong's freedoms but authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have moved swiftly to stifle dissent after anti-government protests flared in June last year and plunged the city into crisis.

The city government said in a statement the four legislators - Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung - were expelled from the assembly for endangering national security. It did not elaborate.

They were among 12 legislators who were earlier disqualified from standing in a legislative election, now postponed, for various reasons including collusion with foreign forces and opposition to the new national security law.

The disqualifications are likely to add to concern in the West about Hong Kong's autonomy, promised under a "one country, two systems" formula when Britain handed it to China in 1997, as Joe Biden prepares to take over from Donald Trump as U.S. president, promising to promote democracy around the world.

The decision by the Chinese parliament's top decision-making body comes amid frustration in pro-Beijing circles in Hong Kong over what they see as opposition "delay tactics" to obstruct legislation.

Filibustering has long been common in Hong Kong where only half of the 70 seats in the legislature are elected and the other half stacked with pro-Beijing figures.

Hong Kong on Wednesday stripped four pro-democracy lawmakers of their seats, immediately after China gave the city the power to disqualify politicians deemed a threat to national security.

Hong Kong on Wednesday stripped four pro-democracy lawmakers of their seats, immediately after China gave the city the power to disqualify politicians deemed a threat to national security. The ousting comes after 19 pro-democracy lawmakers in the semi-autonomous city's legislature threatened Monday to resign "en masse" if their colleagues were disqualified. Also read: Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten mass resignation against Beijing The expulsion of the four from Hong Kong's Legislative Council, the former British colony's mini-parliament, deals a further blow to pro-democracy politicians in the region. The 19 democratic members of the 70-seat city legislature on Monday threatened to resign en masse if any of them was disqualified, saying that would reflect their unity and show how far Beijing was willing to go to crush opposition. While the assembly is controlled by the pro-Beijing camp, the opposition's resignation would turn it into a rubber stamp. Also read: US announces sanctions on four Chinese nationals over Hong Kong The opposition members have tried to make a stand against what many people in the former British colony see as Beijing's tightening grip over the financial hub, despite a promise of autonomy. China denies encroaching on Hong Kong's freedoms but authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have moved swiftly to stifle dissent after anti-government protests flared in June last year and plunged the city into crisis. The city government said in a statement the four legislators - Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung - were expelled from the assembly for endangering national security. It did not elaborate. They were among 12 legislators who were earlier disqualified from standing in a legislative election, now postponed, for various reasons including collusion with foreign forces and opposition to the new national security law. The disqualifications are likely to add to concern in the West about Hong Kong's autonomy, promised under a "one country, two systems" formula when Britain handed it to China in 1997, as Joe Biden prepares to take over from Donald Trump as U.S. president, promising to promote democracy around the world. The decision by the Chinese parliament's top decision-making body comes amid frustration in pro-Beijing circles in Hong Kong over what they see as opposition "delay tactics" to obstruct legislation. Filibustering has long been common in Hong Kong where only half of the 70 seats in the legislature are elected and the other half stacked with pro-Beijing figures.

Hong Kong ousts four pro-democracy lawmakers for 'endangering security'

The United States on Monday said it was imposing sanctions on four more Chinese individuals for threatening the peace, security, and autonomy of Hong Kong.

The US&nbsp;Treasury <a href="https://www.state.gov/designations-of-four-prc-and-hong-kong-officials-threatening-the-peace-security-and-autonomy-of-hong-kong/">website</a>&nbsp;named the individuals as Deng Zhonghua, Edwina Lau, Li Jiangzhou and Li Kwai-wah.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-lawmakers-threaten-mass-resignation-against-beijing-341908">Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten mass resignation against Beijing</a>

These individuals will be barred from travelling to the United States and their assets within the jurisdiction of the United States or in the possession or control of US&nbsp;persons will be blocked.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said the sanctions were "absolutely unacceptable, a blatant - and I would use the word 'barbaric' - interference."

"We are not going to be intimidated," Cheung told reporters, speaking at a regular news conference held on Tuesday morning Hong Kong time.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-refuses-to-acknowledge-joe-biden-as-next-president-of-us-341872" hreflang="en">China refuses to acknowledge Joe Biden as next president of US</a>

Washington has called China's enactment of new national security law in Hong Kong this year an unacceptable breach of China's "one country, two systems" commitment.

The designations are the first sanctions imposed on China since Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in last week's US&nbsp;election. Biden is due to take office on January&nbsp;20. Trump so far has refused to concede defeat.

In actions heralding a more authoritarian era for Hong Kong, China opened a new national security office in July, a week after imposing the new national security legislation to punish what it called crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Last month, the US&nbsp;State Department warned international financial institutions doing business with individuals deemed responsible for China's crackdown in Hong Kong that they could soon face tough sanctions.

Washington put sanctions on Carrie Lam, the territory's current and former police chiefs and other top officials in August for what it said was their role in curtailing freedoms in a crackdown on the territory's pro-democracy movement.

Relations between the United States and China, the world's two biggest economies, plunged to the lowest point in decades in the run-up to last week's US&nbsp;election. The two sides are at odds on a wide range of issues including China's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its treatment of Hong Kong.

The United States on Monday said it was imposing sanctions on four more Chinese individuals for threatening the peace, security, and autonomy of Hong Kong. The US Treasury website named the individuals as Deng Zhonghua, Edwina Lau, Li Jiangzhou and Li Kwai-wah.

The United States on Monday said it was imposing sanctions on four more Chinese individuals for threatening the peace, security, and autonomy of Hong Kong. The US Treasury website named the individuals as Deng Zhonghua, Edwina Lau, Li Jiangzhou and Li Kwai-wah. Also read: Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten mass resignation against Beijing These individuals will be barred from travelling to the United States and their assets within the jurisdiction of the United States or in the possession or control of US persons will be blocked. Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said the sanctions were "absolutely unacceptable, a blatant - and I would use the word 'barbaric' - interference." "We are not going to be intimidated," Cheung told reporters, speaking at a regular news conference held on Tuesday morning Hong Kong time. Also read: China refuses to acknowledge Joe Biden as next president of US Washington has called China's enactment of new national security law in Hong Kong this year an unacceptable breach of China's "one country, two systems" commitment. The designations are the first sanctions imposed on China since Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in last week's US election. Biden is due to take office on January 20. Trump so far has refused to concede defeat. In actions heralding a more authoritarian era for Hong Kong, China opened a new national security office in July, a week after imposing the new national security legislation to punish what it called crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. Last month, the US State Department warned international financial institutions doing business with individuals deemed responsible for China's crackdown in Hong Kong that they could soon face tough sanctions. Washington put sanctions on Carrie Lam, the territory's current and former police chiefs and other top officials in August for what it said was their role in curtailing freedoms in a crackdown on the territory's pro-democracy movement. Relations between the United States and China, the world's two biggest economies, plunged to the lowest point in decades in the run-up to last week's US election. The two sides are at odds on a wide range of issues including China's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its treatment of Hong Kong.

US announces sanctions on four Chinese nationals over Hong Kong

When protests swept Hong Kong last year, Alexandra Wong, better known as “Grandma Wong,” always seemed to be there. Day after day, she stood out among the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators as a small woman with short gray hair waving a large British flag.

Then, during a few tumultuous days in August when the police fired tear gas in a subway station and protesters shut down the city’s airport, Wong, 64, suddenly vanished.

Her friends in the movement quickly had their suspicions. They believed she had disappeared into China’s opaque legal system, an alarming outcome for protesters that has become all the more chilling after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong this year. When Wong finally reemerged last month, she confirmed that she had been detained by the Chinese authorities.

“I worried that I would die in China,” she said.

For many in Hong Kong, her detention was a reminder of what had brought them to the streets in the first place: an extradition bill to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. Her arrest was confirmation that Beijing’s creeping authoritarianism had hardly been curbed by the bill’s failure to pass and that the protesters had been right to sound the alarm when they did.

In August, 12 activists were detained by Chinese officials while trying to flee Hong Kong by speedboat. They still haven’t been allowed to see their lawyers.

“Her experience shows that the whole anti-extradition bill movement was correct,” said Fernando Cheung, a pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong who helped Wong during her detention. “It shows that the worries we had about the extradition bill were true. Look at how they execute the law in the mainland.”

Wong has never married and has no children. She grew up in Hong Kong and worked in the city as an accountant. But in 2006, as the cost of living ballooned, she moved to Shenzhen, a neighboring city in the Chinese mainland with more affordable housing.

She had long written to Hong Kong officials with suggestions on how to address the city’s growing income inequality — a higher minimum wage, stipends to support artists — but felt she had been ignored. Her activism grew more serious about a decade ago. She participated in some of the city’s biggest demonstrations, like the annual vigil to remember those killed in the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown and marches calling for direct elections in Hong Kong.

During the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in 2014, she spent weeks sleeping on the streets. After the protest encampments were removed by the authorities, she returned and stayed outside the government headquarters for more than a month, lining the sidewalks with umbrellas.

The playful yellow toy ducks she carried became her mascots.

In Shenzhen, where the police have more leeway to prosecute political dissent, Wong would often complain about excessive security checks. But unlike in Hong Kong, few of her friends would join her in protest. When she disappeared, many assumed she had been stopped by the mainland police on her way home from protesting.

Wong said she had been detained while crossing the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on Aug. 14, and spent 15 days in administrative detention without being told of her crimes. Investigators grilled her about the protests, the British flag and whether she used violence, she said. They showed her photos of protesters and asked her if she knew them.

They showed her news photos of herself: “Is that you?”

She was then sent to a second detention center and kept in a small cell with 15 other people. “It was very difficult for an old woman,” she said. The authorities also took her on a five-day trip from Shenzhen to Shaanxi Province in northwest China. She had visited there years before as a volunteer for a Christian charity organization.

The return trip with the authorities was meant to show her how quickly the area had been developed under Communist Party rule, and to instill a sense of patriotism. While there, she said she had been asked to take photos with the Chinese flag and to sing the national anthem. She was eventually released on a form of bail that prevented her from leaving Shenzhen.

The Shenzhen police did not respond to requests for comment, but Wong provided documentation on her bail and a receipt for items that were held while she was in detention. Before she was released, she said, she was forced to say on video that she had not been abused while in custody, that she would not talk to the news media about her experience and that she would never protest again.

Last month, one full year after the initial bail period began, she was given the necessary paperwork allowing her to leave Shenzhen and return to Hong Kong. She now stays in a small hotel room in Hong Kong’s New Territories, but the city she has returned to is much different from the one she remembers.

The streets are no longer filled with protesters and police officers. The government has banned gatherings of more than four people, a measure meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus that has also proved useful against the protests.

And the national security law has been used to target dissidents for what the authorities have called secession and terrorism. Activist Tony Chung, 19, was charged with secession and conspiracy to publish seditious material. He was arrested last month near the United States Consulate, where, an advocacy group said, he had planned to seek shelter. Tim Luk, another activist, was arrested Monday and accused of aiding Chung.

The United States has criticized the growing crackdown in Hong Kong and sanctioned key officials. On Monday, it added four more Chinese and Hong Kong officials to its list, barring them from traveling to the U.S. and freezing any assets they might have in the country.

For Wong, protesting now comes with greater risks. Waving a Union Jack — in her mind a symbol of the rights protected by the British government, not an endorsement of colonialism — has become “very dangerous,” she said. But detention has only strengthened her resolve for democracy.

Despite the pledges she made under duress, she continues to protest, and recently took the subway for an hour to the northeast corner of Hong Kong Island, where a trial is scheduled to begin for six young demonstrators charged with illegal assembly.

She walked to the courthouse carrying a handwritten sign: “Save HK Youths.”

The police officers at the courthouse paid little attention to her, and when she spoke to reporters, her voice barely carried over the breeze. “I have to continue so that we will be victorious one day,” she said. “I am sure we will overcome.”

The ducks have also returned with Wong.

She held them in a short video she sent to supporters last month.

“We are safe and sound because we are here on Hong Kong soil,” she said. But the city, she added, “has already changed.”

When protests swept Hong Kong last year, Alexandra Wong, better known as “Grandma Wong,” always seemed to be there. Day after day, she stood out among the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators as a small woman with short gray hair waving a large British flag.

When protests swept Hong Kong last year, Alexandra Wong, better known as “Grandma Wong,” always seemed to be there. Day after day, she stood out among the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators as a small woman with short gray hair waving a large British flag. Then, during a few tumultuous days in August when the police fired tear gas in a subway station and protesters shut down the city’s airport, Wong, 64, suddenly vanished. Her friends in the movement quickly had their suspicions. They believed she had disappeared into China’s opaque legal system, an alarming outcome for protesters that has become all the more chilling after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong this year. When Wong finally reemerged last month, she confirmed that she had been detained by the Chinese authorities. “I worried that I would die in China,” she said. For many in Hong Kong, her detention was a reminder of what had brought them to the streets in the first place: an extradition bill to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. Her arrest was confirmation that Beijing’s creeping authoritarianism had hardly been curbed by the bill’s failure to pass and that the protesters had been right to sound the alarm when they did. In August, 12 activists were detained by Chinese officials while trying to flee Hong Kong by speedboat. They still haven’t been allowed to see their lawyers. “Her experience shows that the whole anti-extradition bill movement was correct,” said Fernando Cheung, a pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong who helped Wong during her detention. “It shows that the worries we had about the extradition bill were true. Look at how they execute the law in the mainland.” Wong has never married and has no children. She grew up in Hong Kong and worked in the city as an accountant. But in 2006, as the cost of living ballooned, she moved to Shenzhen, a neighboring city in the Chinese mainland with more affordable housing. She had long written to Hong Kong officials with suggestions on how to address the city’s growing income inequality — a higher minimum wage, stipends to support artists — but felt she had been ignored. Her activism grew more serious about a decade ago. She participated in some of the city’s biggest demonstrations, like the annual vigil to remember those killed in the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown and marches calling for direct elections in Hong Kong. During the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in 2014, she spent weeks sleeping on the streets. After the protest encampments were removed by the authorities, she returned and stayed outside the government headquarters for more than a month, lining the sidewalks with umbrellas. The playful yellow toy ducks she carried became her mascots. In Shenzhen, where the police have more leeway to prosecute political dissent, Wong would often complain about excessive security checks. But unlike in Hong Kong, few of her friends would join her in protest. When she disappeared, many assumed she had been stopped by the mainland police on her way home from protesting. Wong said she had been detained while crossing the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on Aug. 14, and spent 15 days in administrative detention without being told of her crimes. Investigators grilled her about the protests, the British flag and whether she used violence, she said. They showed her photos of protesters and asked her if she knew them. They showed her news photos of herself: “Is that you?” She was then sent to a second detention center and kept in a small cell with 15 other people. “It was very difficult for an old woman,” she said. The authorities also took her on a five-day trip from Shenzhen to Shaanxi Province in northwest China. She had visited there years before as a volunteer for a Christian charity organization. The return trip with the authorities was meant to show her how quickly the area had been developed under Communist Party rule, and to instill a sense of patriotism. While there, she said she had been asked to take photos with the Chinese flag and to sing the national anthem. She was eventually released on a form of bail that prevented her from leaving Shenzhen. The Shenzhen police did not respond to requests for comment, but Wong provided documentation on her bail and a receipt for items that were held while she was in detention. Before she was released, she said, she was forced to say on video that she had not been abused while in custody, that she would not talk to the news media about her experience and that she would never protest again. Last month, one full year after the initial bail period began, she was given the necessary paperwork allowing her to leave Shenzhen and return to Hong Kong. She now stays in a small hotel room in Hong Kong’s New Territories, but the city she has returned to is much different from the one she remembers. The streets are no longer filled with protesters and police officers. The government has banned gatherings of more than four people, a measure meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus that has also proved useful against the protests. And the national security law has been used to target dissidents for what the authorities have called secession and terrorism. Activist Tony Chung, 19, was charged with secession and conspiracy to publish seditious material. He was arrested last month near the United States Consulate, where, an advocacy group said, he had planned to seek shelter. Tim Luk, another activist, was arrested Monday and accused of aiding Chung. The United States has criticized the growing crackdown in Hong Kong and sanctioned key officials. On Monday, it added four more Chinese and Hong Kong officials to its list, barring them from traveling to the U.S. and freezing any assets they might have in the country. For Wong, protesting now comes with greater risks. Waving a Union Jack — in her mind a symbol of the rights protected by the British government, not an endorsement of colonialism — has become “very dangerous,” she said. But detention has only strengthened her resolve for democracy. Despite the pledges she made under duress, she continues to protest, and recently took the subway for an hour to the northeast corner of Hong Kong Island, where a trial is scheduled to begin for six young demonstrators charged with illegal assembly. She walked to the courthouse carrying a handwritten sign: “Save HK Youths.” The police officers at the courthouse paid little attention to her, and when she spoke to reporters, her voice barely carried over the breeze. “I have to continue so that we will be victorious one day,” she said. “I am sure we will overcome.” The ducks have also returned with Wong. She held them in a short video she sent to supporters last month. “We are safe and sound because we are here on Hong Kong soil,” she said. But the city, she added, “has already changed.”

Hong Kong protest icon mysteriously vanished. Then she returned unbowed

Pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers will resign "en masse" if China's top legislative body moves to disqualify four of their colleagues for violating the semi-autonomous city's Basic Law, a spokesman for the bloc said Monday.

"The pro-democratic camp has decided that if the NPCSC (National People's Congress Standing Committee) decides to disqualify lawmakers, all pro-democratic lawmakers will resign en masse," Wu Chi-wai, head of the Democratic Party, told a press conference.

It comes amid reports that&nbsp;China intends to oust at least four pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s elected legislature.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/hong-kong-protests-china-timeline-of-hong-kongs-struggle-against-chinese-hegemony-309674">Timeline of Hong Kong's struggle against Chinese hegemony</a>

China's top authoritative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, was relied upon to consider during a two-day meeting that begins Tuesday whether the legislator's activities disregarded their vows, HK01 revealed Monday, referring to individuals it didn't distinguish. The gatherings were probably going to bring about the preclusion of Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki, Kenneth Leung and Alvin Yeung, the news site stated, leaving the 70-seat Legislative Council with only 16 resistance officials.&nbsp;

China has found a way to intercede in the undertakings of the previous British settlement since a rush of truly huge and now and then vicious popular government fights held the city a year ago. Since June, the Chinese government has forced a general public security law and broadened the details of sitting officials to permit the neighborhood government to defer nearby races for a year.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-is-stifling-press-freedom-in-hong-kong-330040">How China is stifling press freedom in Hong Kong</a>

Any transition to preclude chose legislators would underscore worldwide worries about Hong Kong's independence similarly as President-elect Joe Biden gets ready to get to work on a guarantee to shield vote based qualities around the globe. The Trump organization recently leveled sanctions against 10 authorities over their functions in checking Hong Kong's self-governance.&nbsp;

While the HK01 report didn't determine the justification for preclusion, the four administrators have been condemned by experts for utilizing defer strategies regular inequitable lawmaking bodies the world over. The sum total of what four had been recently banned from looking for re-appointment to the chamber, another strategy the legislature has progressively used to quiet its faultfinders.&nbsp;

'Not Suitable'&nbsp;

Hong Kong's sole agent to the NPC Standing Committee, Tam Yiu-Chung, cautioned that legislators who participate in such defer strategies "are not reasonable" for public office, the South China Morning Post paper announced independently Monday. "It isn't acceptable to utilize different intends to upset LegCo's ordinary activity," Tam said.&nbsp;

Such preclusions bring up new issues about the fate of Hong Kong's resistance, which has utilized the lawmaking body as a stage to challenge Beijing's plan since the city's re-visitation of Chinese guidelines in 1997. After a few extremist "localist" activists were among a record 29 resistance legislators chosen in 2016, China passed on a decision that prompted the preclusion of about six officials.&nbsp;

Two resistance officials surrendered their seats in September in challenging China's choice to broaden the assembly's term by a year without a political decision. A few leftover administrators are likewise dealing with criminal indictments identified with different fights against the legislature, incorporating seven accused lately of partaking in a May fight at the Legislative Council.

Pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers will resign "en masse" if China's top legislative body moves to disqualify four of their colleagues for violating the semi-autonomous city's Basic Law, a spokesman for the bloc said Monday.

Pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers will resign "en masse" if China's top legislative body moves to disqualify four of their colleagues for violating the semi-autonomous city's Basic Law, a spokesman for the bloc said Monday. "The pro-democratic camp has decided that if the NPCSC (National People's Congress Standing Committee) decides to disqualify lawmakers, all pro-democratic lawmakers will resign en masse," Wu Chi-wai, head of the Democratic Party, told a press conference. It comes amid reports that China intends to oust at least four pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s elected legislature. Also see: Timeline of Hong Kong's struggle against Chinese hegemony China's top authoritative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, was relied upon to consider during a two-day meeting that begins Tuesday whether the legislator's activities disregarded their vows, HK01 revealed Monday, referring to individuals it didn't distinguish. The gatherings were probably going to bring about the preclusion of Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki, Kenneth Leung and Alvin Yeung, the news site stated, leaving the 70-seat Legislative Council with only 16 resistance officials. China has found a way to intercede in the undertakings of the previous British settlement since a rush of truly huge and now and then vicious popular government fights held the city a year ago. Since June, the Chinese government has forced a general public security law and broadened the details of sitting officials to permit the neighborhood government to defer nearby races for a year. Also read: How China is stifling press freedom in Hong Kong Any transition to preclude chose legislators would underscore worldwide worries about Hong Kong's independence similarly as President-elect Joe Biden gets ready to get to work on a guarantee to shield vote based qualities around the globe. The Trump organization recently leveled sanctions against 10 authorities over their functions in checking Hong Kong's self-governance. While the HK01 report didn't determine the justification for preclusion, the four administrators have been condemned by experts for utilizing defer strategies regular inequitable lawmaking bodies the world over. The sum total of what four had been recently banned from looking for re-appointment to the chamber, another strategy the legislature has progressively used to quiet its faultfinders. 'Not Suitable' Hong Kong's sole agent to the NPC Standing Committee, Tam Yiu-Chung, cautioned that legislators who participate in such defer strategies "are not reasonable" for public office, the South China Morning Post paper announced independently Monday. "It isn't acceptable to utilize different intends to upset LegCo's ordinary activity," Tam said. Such preclusions bring up new issues about the fate of Hong Kong's resistance, which has utilized the lawmaking body as a stage to challenge Beijing's plan since the city's re-visitation of Chinese guidelines in 1997. After a few extremist "localist" activists were among a record 29 resistance legislators chosen in 2016, China passed on a decision that prompted the preclusion of about six officials. Two resistance officials surrendered their seats in September in challenging China's choice to broaden the assembly's term by a year without a political decision. A few leftover administrators are likewise dealing with criminal indictments identified with different fights against the legislature, incorporating seven accused lately of partaking in a May fight at the Legislative Council.

Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten mass resignation against Beijing

Low taxes. Duty-free shopping. Sandy beaches. The Communist Party even wants to put people on yachts.

China wants to turn Hainan province, an island the size of Maryland in the South China Sea, into a free-trade port and international commercial hub. The island, with 9.5 million full-time residents, is offering new incentives to transform the snowbird haven into a destination for global companies, jet-setting financiers and sophisticated shoppers alike.

China already has a place like that: Hong Kong, with 7.5 million people. But the future of the former British colony has been thrown into doubt. After last year’s pro-democracy protests, the Chinese government has brought Hong Kong to heel with a stringent national security law and a crackdown on dissenters. It is not clear whether the events have permanently damaged the longtime bastion of economic liberty.

Transforming Hainan would give China a financial and corporate Plan B. Still, copying Hong Kong will not be easy. Much of Hong Kong’s success comes from its laissez-faire regulation, independent judicial system, unfettered movement of money across its borders and the free exchange of information — liberties all lacking in the mainland.

Beijing has shown little inclination to relax its control in a way that would allow Hainan to fully match Hong Kong. Hainan also lacks Hong Kong’s educated, often worldly workforce and Hong Kong’s proximity to China’s Guangdong province manufacturing belt.

Still, in areas like shopping or luring corporate offices, Hainan is starting to compete.

“You don’t need a visa, it’s easy to get there and the COVID situation may drag on for months or a few years before they fully reopen the border with Hong Kong,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor of political science at Hong Kong Baptist University. “What’s happening in Hainan is adding to the sense of marginalization in Hong Kong.”

Chinese officials say they want to complement Hong Kong, not replace it. And in any case, making Hainan a free-trade mecca will not be easy. Over the past few years, at least 21 free-trade zones have been introduced in places like Tianjin, Shanghai and elsewhere. Most never took off.

Efforts specific to Hainan have faltered in the past, too. Local officials have for years looked for a way to further develop the province, which is more famous in China for property booms and busts than for finance or shopping. They have repeatedly explored gambling, only to be told no each time by Beijing.

Local officials say their new campaign is different. Rather than catering to importers and exporters, they have unveiled efforts to appeal to shoppers, the wealthy and even those seeking face-lifts.

“The level of Hainan’s opening up is much greater than the mainland free-trade zones,” said Xia Feng, a professor at Hainan University who studies free-trade areas.

Shopping is a big part. New rules allow anyone from the mainland to buy about $15,000 a year worth of goods on Hainan without paying China’s usual import, sales and luxury taxes. The previous limit was only $5,000.

By contrast, tariffs and other taxes raise the price of imported cosmetics on the mainland by half.

Tourists like Xu Yang, a 33-year-old from Qingdao, have been mobbing Hainan stores for brands like Lancôme, SK-II, La Mer and Dior. Xu said Estée Lauder liquid makeup foundation costs about one-third less at the duty-free store in the Hainan capital, Haikou, than at home.

That was worth enduring the crowds of shoppers. Tourist visits jumped by nearly two-thirds after the policy changed July 1 compared with a year ago.

“It’s crazy here, and the line is so long,” Xu said.

Brands like Tiffany and Prada have opened stores in Haikou in recent weeks to reach Chinese buyers who no longer travel overseas because of the outbreak.

“Shopping in Hainan is more convenient,” Mary Liu, a Beijing resident, said as she browsed Coach handbags in Haikou.

Hainan still lacks Hong Kong’s sheen. It lacks the restaurant options of Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and New York. Some of the most haute luxury brands are missing. Kering, the Parisian luxury house, has opened Gucci Sunglasses and Gucci Perfume stores in the Hainan beach city of Sanya but not shops for its elite Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux watches. Kering declined to comment.

“You can imagine what shopping atmosphere there is,” said Rachel Qian, a 33-year-old Shanghai resident who took frequent shopping trips to Tokyo before the pandemic.

She is giving Hainan a pass to avoid rubbing elbows with people who will buy premium brands only to sell them elsewhere in China.

“People are not there for the fun of shopping but to make money,” she said.

In skills, too, officials are trying to overcome Hainan’s deficiencies. The central government has dispatched to the province experienced officials who have overseen successful development programs. Hainan’s governor, Shen Xiaoming, previously ran Shanghai’s free-trade zone and helped persuade Tesla to set up its first overseas car assembly plant there.

To draw skilled workers, the Hainan government bought private preschools all over the island last spring and made them public, with preferential enrollment for the children of well-educated parents who move there.

“There will be more and more high-end talent in the future,” predicted Yu Lei, a telecommunications engineer who has moved there from the city of Chongqing and has just enrolled his 3-year-old daughter in a newly public preschool.

To lure companies and the rich, Hainan officials have slashed taxes. They have cut personal and corporate taxes for some to 15%. In mainland China, high-earning individuals face a 45% income tax rate, while a wide range of corporations pay 25%.

Some wealthy individuals have rushed to set up personal companies on the island to route part of their paychecks through there and save on taxes, say those who work with them. Similarly, Chinese companies are exploring setting up subsidiaries there.

“I persuaded my customers to go there to register companies,” said Kevin Shi, a banker in Shenzhen, across the Chinese border from Hong Kong. “They are exploring how they can benefit there, and there are discussions with the government on what they can do, what they can get.”

Hainan officials hope low taxes will attract new types of business. For example, hospitals and cosmetic surgery offices could use Hainan to lure well-heeled patients who might seek residency while they recuperate. Hong Kong, with its advanced medical care, currently plays this role.

Shi said that he had taken executives from hospitals and other health care businesses to Hainan in September. A team from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Beijing that visited the island in late September concluded that affluent Chinese may start going to Hainan instead of Hong Kong, Thailand or Europe.

Still, building Hainan as a low-tax, low-regulation haven will be a tough task. Other provinces may come to resent its low taxes and other perks and prompt the central government to push back.

Beijing is not about to give up control. In recent months, even as Hainan officials laid out their plans for the island, Beijing officials pledged to keep in place strict limits on money movement and other restrictions on daily life.

That includes some lingering tariffs. Shen, the island’s governor, said at a news conference in June that someone buying a $1.4 million yacht could save more than $500,000 in tariffs and taxes.

Zou Jiayi, a Chinese vice finance minister, threw cold water on that idea within minutes at the same event. Imported cars, buses and yachts are exempt from tariffs only if used for tourist businesses, she said.

And unlike other goods, they may not be taken back to the mainland.

Low taxes. Duty-free shopping. Sandy beaches. The Communist Party even wants to put people on yachts. China wants to turn Hainan province, an island the size of Maryland in the South China Sea, into a free-trade port and international commercial hub.

Low taxes. Duty-free shopping. Sandy beaches. The Communist Party even wants to put people on yachts. China wants to turn Hainan province, an island the size of Maryland in the South China Sea, into a free-trade port and international commercial hub. The island, with 9.5 million full-time residents, is offering new incentives to transform the snowbird haven into a destination for global companies, jet-setting financiers and sophisticated shoppers alike. China already has a place like that: Hong Kong, with 7.5 million people. But the future of the former British colony has been thrown into doubt. After last year’s pro-democracy protests, the Chinese government has brought Hong Kong to heel with a stringent national security law and a crackdown on dissenters. It is not clear whether the events have permanently damaged the longtime bastion of economic liberty. Transforming Hainan would give China a financial and corporate Plan B. Still, copying Hong Kong will not be easy. Much of Hong Kong’s success comes from its laissez-faire regulation, independent judicial system, unfettered movement of money across its borders and the free exchange of information — liberties all lacking in the mainland. Beijing has shown little inclination to relax its control in a way that would allow Hainan to fully match Hong Kong. Hainan also lacks Hong Kong’s educated, often worldly workforce and Hong Kong’s proximity to China’s Guangdong province manufacturing belt. Still, in areas like shopping or luring corporate offices, Hainan is starting to compete. “You don’t need a visa, it’s easy to get there and the COVID situation may drag on for months or a few years before they fully reopen the border with Hong Kong,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor of political science at Hong Kong Baptist University. “What’s happening in Hainan is adding to the sense of marginalization in Hong Kong.” Chinese officials say they want to complement Hong Kong, not replace it. And in any case, making Hainan a free-trade mecca will not be easy. Over the past few years, at least 21 free-trade zones have been introduced in places like Tianjin, Shanghai and elsewhere. Most never took off. Efforts specific to Hainan have faltered in the past, too. Local officials have for years looked for a way to further develop the province, which is more famous in China for property booms and busts than for finance or shopping. They have repeatedly explored gambling, only to be told no each time by Beijing. Local officials say their new campaign is different. Rather than catering to importers and exporters, they have unveiled efforts to appeal to shoppers, the wealthy and even those seeking face-lifts. “The level of Hainan’s opening up is much greater than the mainland free-trade zones,” said Xia Feng, a professor at Hainan University who studies free-trade areas. Shopping is a big part. New rules allow anyone from the mainland to buy about $15,000 a year worth of goods on Hainan without paying China’s usual import, sales and luxury taxes. The previous limit was only $5,000. By contrast, tariffs and other taxes raise the price of imported cosmetics on the mainland by half. Tourists like Xu Yang, a 33-year-old from Qingdao, have been mobbing Hainan stores for brands like Lancôme, SK-II, La Mer and Dior. Xu said Estée Lauder liquid makeup foundation costs about one-third less at the duty-free store in the Hainan capital, Haikou, than at home. That was worth enduring the crowds of shoppers. Tourist visits jumped by nearly two-thirds after the policy changed July 1 compared with a year ago. “It’s crazy here, and the line is so long,” Xu said. Brands like Tiffany and Prada have opened stores in Haikou in recent weeks to reach Chinese buyers who no longer travel overseas because of the outbreak. “Shopping in Hainan is more convenient,” Mary Liu, a Beijing resident, said as she browsed Coach handbags in Haikou. Hainan still lacks Hong Kong’s sheen. It lacks the restaurant options of Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and New York. Some of the most haute luxury brands are missing. Kering, the Parisian luxury house, has opened Gucci Sunglasses and Gucci Perfume stores in the Hainan beach city of Sanya but not shops for its elite Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux watches. Kering declined to comment. “You can imagine what shopping atmosphere there is,” said Rachel Qian, a 33-year-old Shanghai resident who took frequent shopping trips to Tokyo before the pandemic. She is giving Hainan a pass to avoid rubbing elbows with people who will buy premium brands only to sell them elsewhere in China. “People are not there for the fun of shopping but to make money,” she said. In skills, too, officials are trying to overcome Hainan’s deficiencies. The central government has dispatched to the province experienced officials who have overseen successful development programs. Hainan’s governor, Shen Xiaoming, previously ran Shanghai’s free-trade zone and helped persuade Tesla to set up its first overseas car assembly plant there. To draw skilled workers, the Hainan government bought private preschools all over the island last spring and made them public, with preferential enrollment for the children of well-educated parents who move there. “There will be more and more high-end talent in the future,” predicted Yu Lei, a telecommunications engineer who has moved there from the city of Chongqing and has just enrolled his 3-year-old daughter in a newly public preschool. To lure companies and the rich, Hainan officials have slashed taxes. They have cut personal and corporate taxes for some to 15%. In mainland China, high-earning individuals face a 45% income tax rate, while a wide range of corporations pay 25%. Some wealthy individuals have rushed to set up personal companies on the island to route part of their paychecks through there and save on taxes, say those who work with them. Similarly, Chinese companies are exploring setting up subsidiaries there. “I persuaded my customers to go there to register companies,” said Kevin Shi, a banker in Shenzhen, across the Chinese border from Hong Kong. “They are exploring how they can benefit there, and there are discussions with the government on what they can do, what they can get.” Hainan officials hope low taxes will attract new types of business. For example, hospitals and cosmetic surgery offices could use Hainan to lure well-heeled patients who might seek residency while they recuperate. Hong Kong, with its advanced medical care, currently plays this role. Shi said that he had taken executives from hospitals and other health care businesses to Hainan in September. A team from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Beijing that visited the island in late September concluded that affluent Chinese may start going to Hainan instead of Hong Kong, Thailand or Europe. Still, building Hainan as a low-tax, low-regulation haven will be a tough task. Other provinces may come to resent its low taxes and other perks and prompt the central government to push back. Beijing is not about to give up control. In recent months, even as Hainan officials laid out their plans for the island, Beijing officials pledged to keep in place strict limits on money movement and other restrictions on daily life. That includes some lingering tariffs. Shen, the island’s governor, said at a news conference in June that someone buying a $1.4 million yacht could save more than $500,000 in tariffs and taxes. Zou Jiayi, a Chinese vice finance minister, threw cold water on that idea within minutes at the same event. Imported cars, buses and yachts are exempt from tariffs only if used for tourist businesses, she said. And unlike other goods, they may not be taken back to the mainland.

China envisions a new Hong Kong, firmly under its control

&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader Carrie Lam will travel to Beijing next week for a three-day visit to discuss plans to revive the global financial hub's economy which has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-government protests.

Lam, speaking at a weekly news briefing on Tuesday, said she would leave on November&nbsp;3 for the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, where she will take a coronavirus test before traveling to Beijing.

"My trip to Beijing this time is solely on the economic side that is in light of the economic situation, which of course is very serious in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong," Lam said on Tuesday.

"We need more support measures from the mainland of China, especially in light of the overall direction that&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;should move to better integrate with the mainland of China especially in the Greater Bay Area."

The Beijing-backed leader postponed her annual policy address earlier this month in order to travel to the mainland for talks on how the central government can support the former British colony's economic recovery.

She said she still plans to deliver her policy address by the end of November.

Lam has repeatedly touted the importance of the Greater Bay area - a region that includes&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, Macau, and nine cities in China's Guangdong province - as a key pillar to provide economic benefits to the Chinese-ruled city.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is reeling from the double blow of anti-government protests that plunged the city into its biggest crisis in decades last year and the impact of coronavirus.

Beijing imposed a national security law on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in June that punishes what authorities broadly define as secession, sedition and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail, following a year of sometimes violent demonstrations.

Western governments and international human rights groups have expressed concern the law will crush freedoms in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

Authorities in Beijing and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;have said the law is necessary to bring stability to the city.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will travel to Beijing next week for a three-day visit to discuss plans to revive the global financial hub's economy which has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-government protests.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will travel to Beijing next week for a three-day visit to discuss plans to revive the global financial hub's economy which has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-government protests. Lam, speaking at a weekly news briefing on Tuesday, said she would leave on November 3 for the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, where she will take a coronavirus test before traveling to Beijing. "My trip to Beijing this time is solely on the economic side that is in light of the economic situation, which of course is very serious in Hong Kong," Lam said on Tuesday. "We need more support measures from the mainland of China, especially in light of the overall direction that Hong Kong should move to better integrate with the mainland of China especially in the Greater Bay Area." The Beijing-backed leader postponed her annual policy address earlier this month in order to travel to the mainland for talks on how the central government can support the former British colony's economic recovery. She said she still plans to deliver her policy address by the end of November. Lam has repeatedly touted the importance of the Greater Bay area - a region that includes Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities in China's Guangdong province - as a key pillar to provide economic benefits to the Chinese-ruled city. Hong Kong is reeling from the double blow of anti-government protests that plunged the city into its biggest crisis in decades last year and the impact of coronavirus. Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in June that punishes what authorities broadly define as secession, sedition and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail, following a year of sometimes violent demonstrations. Western governments and international human rights groups have expressed concern the law will crush freedoms in Hong Kong. Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have said the law is necessary to bring stability to the city.

Hong Kong leader to visit Beijing to discuss plans to revive economy

Hundreds of people marched in Taiwan's capital&nbsp;to demand the release of 12 Hong Kong anti-government protesters who were arrested by mainland Chinese authorities in August.

The 12 were allegedly traveling illegally by boat to Taiwan when Chinese authorities detained them. They&nbsp;were also reportedly suspected of committing crimes including manufacturing or possessing explosives, arson, and rioting in Hong Kong.

They are now facing formal charges for illegal border crossings in Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city that borders Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-helps-taiwan-build-defences-against-china-us-to-sell-missiles-artillery-to-taiwan-337202/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Many demonstrators wore black shirts, with some holding signs demanding "immediate release" for the 12 and others waving yellow umbrellas, a symbol of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.

In the crowd in Taipei on Sunday were activists from several Taiwanese organizations, as well as other residents of the self-ruled democratic island and many Hong Kongers.

Prominent Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law helped launch the campaign on social media.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringThemBack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringThemBack</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAVE12?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAVE12</a> at United Nations Office at Geneva. 
 
Story Filter：<a href="https://t.co/QEWe5GZ19X">https://t.co/QEWe5GZ19X</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/save12hkyouths?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#save12hkyouths</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/save12hkyouths?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@save12hkyouths</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/save12hkyouth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#save12hkyouth</a> <a href="https://t.co/V9qdLsearM">pic.twitter.com/V9qdLsearM</a>
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshuawongcf/status/1320237353307312128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you for all my friends who came to the London rally yesterday in support of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/save12hkyouths?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#save12hkyouths</a> campaign. Really thrilled to be able to give a speech in Cantonese to our beloved Hong Kong people again. 
Some also vowed their support to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StandWithThailand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StandWithThailand</a>. Democracy prevails <a href="https://t.co/sf2jH86doQ">pic.twitter.com/sf2jH86doQ</a>
— Nathan Law 羅冠聰 😷 (@nathanlawkc) <a href="https://twitter.com/nathanlawkc/status/1320283702115651584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said the 12 would have to face justice in the mainland and that her government will provide them with "needed and feasible" assistance.

Ten of them were on bail and not allowed to leave Hong Kong.

Taiwan shares with the Hong Kong protesters a deep antipathy for Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in May became the first government leader globally to pledge measures to help Hong Kong people who leave due to what they see as tightening Chinese controls.

This, however, has further strained Taipei's already poor ties with Beijing, which has ramped up military activities near Taiwan.

Hundreds of people marched in Taiwan's capital to demand the release of 12 Hong Kong anti-government protesters who were arrested by mainland Chinese authorities in August.

Hundreds of people marched in Taiwan's capital to demand the release of 12 Hong Kong anti-government protesters who were arrested by mainland Chinese authorities in August. The 12 were allegedly traveling illegally by boat to Taiwan when Chinese authorities detained them. They were also reportedly suspected of committing crimes including manufacturing or possessing explosives, arson, and rioting in Hong Kong. They are now facing formal charges for illegal border crossings in Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city that borders Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory. Many demonstrators wore black shirts, with some holding signs demanding "immediate release" for the 12 and others waving yellow umbrellas, a symbol of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. In the crowd in Taipei on Sunday were activists from several Taiwanese organizations, as well as other residents of the self-ruled democratic island and many Hong Kongers. Prominent Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law helped launch the campaign on social media. #BringThemBack #SAVE12 at United Nations Office at Geneva. Story Filter：https://t.co/QEWe5GZ19X#save12hkyouths @save12hkyouths #save12hkyouth pic.twitter.com/V9qdLsearM — Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) October 25, 2020 × Thank you for all my friends who came to the London rally yesterday in support of the #save12hkyouths campaign. Really thrilled to be able to give a speech in Cantonese to our beloved Hong Kong people again. Some also vowed their support to #StandWithThailand. Democracy prevails pic.twitter.com/sf2jH86doQ — Nathan Law 羅冠聰 😷 (@nathanlawkc) October 25, 2020 × Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said the 12 would have to face justice in the mainland and that her government will provide them with "needed and feasible" assistance. Ten of them were on bail and not allowed to leave Hong Kong. Taiwan shares with the Hong Kong protesters a deep antipathy for Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in May became the first government leader globally to pledge measures to help Hong Kong people who leave due to what they see as tightening Chinese controls. This, however, has further strained Taipei's already poor ties with Beijing, which has ramped up military activities near Taiwan.

Hundreds rally in Taiwan, call for release for Hong Kong citizens arrested by China

A 64-year-old Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Alexandra Wong is back in Hong Kong after a long period of nearly 14 months.

Grandma Wong returns to Hong Kong; claims to be held 14 months in mainland China

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said he will continue to stand up against China's "coercive diplomacy" and its human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang after being rebuked by Beijing for similar comments earlier this week.

"We will stand up loudly and clearly for human rights all around the world, whether it is talking about the situation faced by the Uighurs, whether it is talking about the very concerning situation in Hong Kong, whether it's calling out China for its coercive diplomacy," Trudeau said in a news conference.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-canada-against-granting-hong-kongers-sanctuary-335802" hreflang="en">China warns Canada against granting Hong Kongers sanctuary</a>

His statement came after a&nbsp;top Chinese diplomat warned Canada Thursday against granting asylum to Hong Kong democracy protesters, adding that doing so could jeopardize the "health and safety" of Canadians living in the southern Chinese financial hub.

The remarks by Cong Peiwu, Beijing's Ottawa envoy, prompted a rebuke from Canada's foreign minister, further escalating tensions between the two countries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-refuses-to-release-emails-over-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhous-arrest-321356">Canada refuses to release emails over Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest</a>

Canada's Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne described Cong's comments as "totally unacceptable and disturbing".

"I have instructed Global Affairs to call the ambassador in to make clear in no uncertain terms that Canada will always stand up for human rights and the rights of Canadians around the world," he said in a statement carried by the Globe and Mail and other Canadian news outlets.

China and Canada are marking 50 years since they forged diplomatic ties but those relations are deeply strained.

Ties plummeted following Canada's arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and daughter of its founder.

Meng was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver and is charged with bank fraud related to violations of US sanctions against Iran.&nbsp;

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said he will continue to stand up against China's "coercive diplomacy" and its human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang after being rebuked by Beijing for similar comments earlier this week.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said he will continue to stand up against China's "coercive diplomacy" and its human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang after being rebuked by Beijing for similar comments earlier this week. "We will stand up loudly and clearly for human rights all around the world, whether it is talking about the situation faced by the Uighurs, whether it is talking about the very concerning situation in Hong Kong, whether it's calling out China for its coercive diplomacy," Trudeau said in a news conference. Also read: China warns Canada against granting Hong Kongers sanctuary His statement came after a top Chinese diplomat warned Canada Thursday against granting asylum to Hong Kong democracy protesters, adding that doing so could jeopardize the "health and safety" of Canadians living in the southern Chinese financial hub. The remarks by Cong Peiwu, Beijing's Ottawa envoy, prompted a rebuke from Canada's foreign minister, further escalating tensions between the two countries. Also read: Canada refuses to release emails over Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest Canada's Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne described Cong's comments as "totally unacceptable and disturbing". "I have instructed Global Affairs to call the ambassador in to make clear in no uncertain terms that Canada will always stand up for human rights and the rights of Canadians around the world," he said in a statement carried by the Globe and Mail and other Canadian news outlets. China and Canada are marking 50 years since they forged diplomatic ties but those relations are deeply strained. Ties plummeted following Canada's arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and daughter of its founder. Meng was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver and is charged with bank fraud related to violations of US sanctions against Iran.

Human rights abuses: Canada refuses to budge on stance despite China's warning

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has postponed her annual policy speech until she travels to Beijing to ask the Chinese central government for help with measures to help her city's battered economy.

Chief executive&nbsp;Carrie&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;had been due to make a key annual address on Wednesday outlining her administration's plans for the politically restless city.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-activists-their-relatives-protest-outside-hong-kong-govt-flying-service-hq-334029/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Lam's speech clashed with Chinese President Xi Jinping visit&nbsp;to the Chinese southern coastal city of Shenzhen to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the special economic zone.

She said she is postponing the address after submitting several proposed measures to Beijing seeking their support to help boost Hong Kong's economy, which has taken a battering due to the coronavirus pandemic and months of anti-government protests last year.

Lam said at a news conference that she will travel to Beijing at the end of October to participate in meetings with various ministries and commissions and see if the central authorities will support the proposed measures. She declined to give details on the proposals.

"It is a matter of responding to a positive indication from the central government that they want to take into account the chief executive's recommendations, that they really want to facilitate those policy measures so that&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;people have more confidence that the economy will bounce back."

The Chinese government has thrown its full support behind&nbsp;Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee, despite her dismal approval ratings.

The central government's role in the semi-autonomous former British colony has been in the spotlight, in particular with the imposition in June of a security law after months of pro-democracy protests - the most intense in decades - last year.

The protests were triggered in part by fears in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;that the central government was whittling away the freedoms granted when the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula.

The protests and later the novel coronavirus have battered the city's economy with full year gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to contract 6&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;to 8 per cent.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has postponed her annual policy speech until she travels to Beijing to ask the Chinese central government for help with measures to help her city's battered economy.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has postponed her annual policy speech until she travels to Beijing to ask the Chinese central government for help with measures to help her city's battered economy. Chief executive Carrie Lam had been due to make a key annual address on Wednesday outlining her administration's plans for the politically restless city. Lam's speech clashed with Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to the Chinese southern coastal city of Shenzhen to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the special economic zone. She said she is postponing the address after submitting several proposed measures to Beijing seeking their support to help boost Hong Kong's economy, which has taken a battering due to the coronavirus pandemic and months of anti-government protests last year. Lam said at a news conference that she will travel to Beijing at the end of October to participate in meetings with various ministries and commissions and see if the central authorities will support the proposed measures. She declined to give details on the proposals. "It is a matter of responding to a positive indication from the central government that they want to take into account the chief executive's recommendations, that they really want to facilitate those policy measures so that Hong Kong people have more confidence that the economy will bounce back." The Chinese government has thrown its full support behind Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee, despite her dismal approval ratings. The central government's role in the semi-autonomous former British colony has been in the spotlight, in particular with the imposition in June of a security law after months of pro-democracy protests - the most intense in decades - last year. The protests were triggered in part by fears in Hong Kong that the central government was whittling away the freedoms granted when the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula. The protests and later the novel coronavirus have battered the city's economy with full year gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to contract 6 per cent to 8 per cent.

Hong Kong leader delays major policy address until Beijing visit

Relatives of some of the 12 Hong Kong activists arrested by Chinese authorities at sea more than six weeks ago as they tried to flee by boat to Taiwan have accused on Thursday (October 8) the Hong Kong government of lying over the circumstances surrounding their capture.

Hong Kong: Activists & their relatives protest outside Hong Kong govt flying service HQ

Hong Kong: Relatives accuse government of lying over surveillance of detainees

There are signs that Canada has begun opening doors for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong as refugees. Canada has already granted refuge to a couple, both in their early 30s on these grounds. Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have been going on on large scale since 2019. The protests started when Hong Kong's leadership tried to enact legislation that paved way for extradition to China.

On September 1, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada told the Hong Kong couple that they had been given asylum as they were determined to be "Convention refugees".

As per Canadian law, a convention refugee is someone who can't return to their home country due to a "well founded fear of persecution" on grounds of "race, religion, political opinion".

Media reports said that the couple was involved in the protests. The man has been associated with a prominent political party in Hong Kong and both of them were part of street protests opposing Hong Kong authorities' efforts to push the legislation.

After the asylum was granted, the man was quoted as saying that he felt safe and no more had to hide.

Hong Kong is a former British Colony. Though it is now controlled by China, the semi-autonomous nature of the city affords it to have regulations that are more liberal than those in the mainland.

There are signs that Canada has begun opening doors for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong as refugees. Canada has already granted refuge to a couple, both in their early 30s on these grounds.

There are signs that Canada has begun opening doors for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong as refugees. Canada has already granted refuge to a couple, both in their early 30s on these grounds. Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have been going on on large scale since 2019. The protests started when Hong Kong's leadership tried to enact legislation that paved way for extradition to China. On September 1, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada told the Hong Kong couple that they had been given asylum as they were determined to be "Convention refugees". As per Canadian law, a convention refugee is someone who can't return to their home country due to a "well founded fear of persecution" on grounds of "race, religion, political opinion". Media reports said that the couple was involved in the protests. The man has been associated with a prominent political party in Hong Kong and both of them were part of street protests opposing Hong Kong authorities' efforts to push the legislation. After the asylum was granted, the man was quoted as saying that he felt safe and no more had to hide. Hong Kong is a former British Colony. Though it is now controlled by China, the semi-autonomous nature of the city affords it to have regulations that are more liberal than those in the mainland.

Canada accepts Hong Kong pro-democracy activists as refugees

China celebrates National Day in Hong Kong amid protests

Big tech firms may be complying to China's confidential&nbsp;requests and handling the data of Hong Kong users to the autocratic country, as per a senior US state department official.

The allegation of cooperation between Hong Kong authorities and major technology company comes after China passed a controversial security law in Hong Kong according to which authorities can demand user sensitive data and threaten action if their request is denied.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-google-twitter-block-hong-kong-govt-from-accessing-user-data-311243">Facebook, Google, Twitter block Hong Kong govt from accessing user data</a>

“There is a possibility that things are happening but because of the restrictions put on by the Hong Kong authorities, they [companies] would not be able to divulge this,” the state department official said.

US tech giants face a reckoning over how Hong Kong's security law will reshape their businesses, with their suspension of processing government requests for user data a stop-gap measure as they weigh options, people close to the industry say.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-google-facebook-and-twitter-resist-sharing-of-data-311313/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

While Hong Kong is not a significant market for firms such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter, they have used it as a perch to reach deep-pocketed advertisers in mainland China, where many of their services are blocked.

But the companies are now in the crosshairs of a national security law that gives China authority to demand that they turn over user data or censor content seen to violate the law - even when posted from abroad.

“As we would with any new legislation, we are reviewing the new law to understand its implications. In the past, we’ve typically received only a relatively small number of requests from Hong Kong authorities, but we are pausing our responses to these requests as we conduct our review,” software and application developer Microsoft said in a statement.

"These companies have to totally reassess the liability of having a presence in Hong Kong," Charles Mok, a legislator who represents the technology industry in Hong Kong said.

If they refuse to cooperate with government requests, he said, authorities "could go after them and take them to court and fine them, or imprison their principals in Hong Kong".

The US internet firms are no strangers to governments demands regarding content and user information, and generally say they are bound by local laws.

The companies have often used a technique known as "geo-blocking" to restrict content in a particular country without removing it altogether.

But the sweeping language of Hong Kong's new law could mean such measures won't be enough. Authorities will no longer need to get court orders before requesting assistance or information, analysts said.

Big tech firms may be complying to China's confidential requests and handling the data of Hong Kong users to the autocratic country, as per a senior US state department official.

Big tech firms may be complying to China's confidential requests and handling the data of Hong Kong users to the autocratic country, as per a senior US state department official. The allegation of cooperation between Hong Kong authorities and major technology company comes after China passed a controversial security law in Hong Kong according to which authorities can demand user sensitive data and threaten action if their request is denied. Also read: Facebook, Google, Twitter block Hong Kong govt from accessing user data “There is a possibility that things are happening but because of the restrictions put on by the Hong Kong authorities, they [companies] would not be able to divulge this,” the state department official said. US tech giants face a reckoning over how Hong Kong's security law will reshape their businesses, with their suspension of processing government requests for user data a stop-gap measure as they weigh options, people close to the industry say. While Hong Kong is not a significant market for firms such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter, they have used it as a perch to reach deep-pocketed advertisers in mainland China, where many of their services are blocked. But the companies are now in the crosshairs of a national security law that gives China authority to demand that they turn over user data or censor content seen to violate the law - even when posted from abroad. “As we would with any new legislation, we are reviewing the new law to understand its implications. In the past, we’ve typically received only a relatively small number of requests from Hong Kong authorities, but we are pausing our responses to these requests as we conduct our review,” software and application developer Microsoft said in a statement. "These companies have to totally reassess the liability of having a presence in Hong Kong," Charles Mok, a legislator who represents the technology industry in Hong Kong said. If they refuse to cooperate with government requests, he said, authorities "could go after them and take them to court and fine them, or imprison their principals in Hong Kong". The US internet firms are no strangers to governments demands regarding content and user information, and generally say they are bound by local laws. The companies have often used a technique known as "geo-blocking" to restrict content in a particular country without removing it altogether. But the sweeping language of Hong Kong's new law could mean such measures won't be enough. Authorities will no longer need to get court orders before requesting assistance or information, analysts said.

Big tech companies may be handling data of Hong Kong users to China

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;authorities on Monday banned a pro-democracy group from holding a rally on China's National Day, the latest refusal in the semi-autonomous city where protest has been all but outlawed.

The People's Republic of China marks its founding on October 1 with a holiday and carefully choreographed celebrations, but in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;it has become a day of grievance for those worried about authoritarian Beijing's increased control over the city.

Last year, the founding's 70th anniversary brought some of the fiercest clashes between protesters and police during seven straight months of pro-democracy demonstrations that swept through&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomats-need-chinas-permission-for-meeting-hong-kong-officials-politicians-report-330813">US diplomats will require China's permission for meeting Hong Kong officials, politicians: Report</a>

"Police objected to the rally on the basis of public health, public security and protection of people’s freedom and rights," Superintendent Cheung Chi-wai told reporters Monday.

The rally application was made by the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF),&nbsp;the coalition that organised record-breaking pro-democracy marches last year,&nbsp;to call for the release of 12&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers in mainland Chinese custody who were caught trying to flee serious protest-linked prosecutions.

The group tried to flee to Taiwan by boat, but were intercepted by Chinese coastguards and have since disappeared into the mainland's opaque judicial system.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;police are taking few chances for this year's National Day. At least 3,000 officers will be on standby in case of protests, a police source said, requesting anonymity to speak freely.

On messaging forums used by protesters last year, people had recently called for evening protests across the city if the official march was banned, but it was unclear whether such gatherings would materialise.

For most of this year, protest has been all but impossible in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

Police have refused applications citing safety fears as well as a coronavirus-related ban on public gatherings of more than four.

Since June, the city has also been blanketed in a sweeping national security law that has criminalised expressing certain opinions and deepened the political chill seeping into the financial hub.

On the rare occasions when protests do bubble up, riot police and plain-clothes officers within the crowds move quickly -- on one day earlier this month nearly 300 people were arrested.

More than 10,000 have been arrested over the last 16 months at protests, and courts are crammed with trials. Many prominent protest leaders face prosecution.

Beijing and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;authorities say stability has been restored.

Hong Kong authorities on Monday banned a pro-democracy group from holding a rally on China's National Day, the latest refusal in the semi-autonomous city where protest has been all but outlawed.

Hong Kong authorities on Monday banned a pro-democracy group from holding a rally on China's National Day, the latest refusal in the semi-autonomous city where protest has been all but outlawed. The People's Republic of China marks its founding on October 1 with a holiday and carefully choreographed celebrations, but in Hong Kong it has become a day of grievance for those worried about authoritarian Beijing's increased control over the city. Last year, the founding's 70th anniversary brought some of the fiercest clashes between protesters and police during seven straight months of pro-democracy demonstrations that swept through Hong Kong. Also read: US diplomats will require China's permission for meeting Hong Kong officials, politicians: Report "Police objected to the rally on the basis of public health, public security and protection of people’s freedom and rights," Superintendent Cheung Chi-wai told reporters Monday. The rally application was made by the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), the coalition that organised record-breaking pro-democracy marches last year, to call for the release of 12 Hong Kongers in mainland Chinese custody who were caught trying to flee serious protest-linked prosecutions. The group tried to flee to Taiwan by boat, but were intercepted by Chinese coastguards and have since disappeared into the mainland's opaque judicial system. Hong Kong police are taking few chances for this year's National Day. At least 3,000 officers will be on standby in case of protests, a police source said, requesting anonymity to speak freely. On messaging forums used by protesters last year, people had recently called for evening protests across the city if the official march was banned, but it was unclear whether such gatherings would materialise. For most of this year, protest has been all but impossible in Hong Kong. Police have refused applications citing safety fears as well as a coronavirus-related ban on public gatherings of more than four. Since June, the city has also been blanketed in a sweeping national security law that has criminalised expressing certain opinions and deepened the political chill seeping into the financial hub. On the rare occasions when protests do bubble up, riot police and plain-clothes officers within the crowds move quickly -- on one day earlier this month nearly 300 people were arrested. More than 10,000 have been arrested over the last 16 months at protests, and courts are crammed with trials. Many prominent protest leaders face prosecution. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities say stability has been restored.

Hong Kong denies approval for protest on China National Day

Taking another step forward in its dissent of Hong Kong, China's Communist party has issued a guideline that will deprive hundreds of journalists of their right to report.

The&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;new media rules exclude recognition of press passes issued by local media associations including the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Journalists Association and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Press Photographers Association (HKPPA), while accepting journalists from 205 bodies registered with the government and international media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-activist-joshua-wong-arrested-for-unauthorised-assembly-329869" hreflang="en">Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested for 'unauthorised assembly'</a>

News associations say the move could limit the work of and raise the risks of arrest for freelancers and student reporters, who have captured some of the most striking scenes of the pro-democracy protests that roiled the city last year, including a video of a police officer shooting a demonstrator in October.

While, China's foreign ministry&nbsp;said on Thursday it supports the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;government in strengthening the management of media in the territory, following a move by&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;police to narrow the definition of "media representatives."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-security-law-sends-jitters-through-citys-feisty-press-314362">Hong Kong security law sends jitters through city's feisty press</a>

The&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Journalists Association (HKJA) said a move by police to narrow the definition of "media representatives" allowed at public events such as protests could limit scrutiny on law enforcers.

Police are suspicious of student reporters, who fit the age group of the most ardent protesters, and say they have discovered fake media badges and been attacked by fake reporters.

"All the police want is to limit us," said HKJA chairman Chris Yeung, appearing next to representatives of HKPPA and six other media unions.

"Journalism students are the future of our industry," he said, speaking in front of a banner reading "Defend the truth, no government vetting."

Some students who said they were reporting for their student union publications have been arrested at protests for suspected crimes including rioting.

Late on Wednesday, Security Secretary John Lee said freedom of the media remained intact.

The change to internal guidelines meant that recognised reporters will be allowed in cordoned zones where media is not usually allowed and could also be offered interviews at the scene, which has also been rare, he said.

Lee said the guidelines do not attempt to change the definition of journalists who can conduct reporting outside cordoned areas.

The Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) said on Wednesday the move was "another step in the erosion of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's once cherished press freedom as it would give the police, rather than reporters and editors,&nbsp;the power to determine who covers the police".

The FCC expressed concerns that journalists not recognised under the new guidelines risked being arrested for unlawful assembly and rioting.

China's foreign ministry branch in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;said on Wednesday that the club should "immediately stop meddling with&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;affairs on the pretext of press freedom".

"The truth is not to be distorted," it said. "By anxiously whitewashing the fake journalists, FCC&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is attempting to endorse the rioters and condone their 'burn with us' violence, thus sowing more trouble in the city."

Pro-democracy protests have been smaller and fewer this year due to coronavirus restrictions on gatherings and since the introduction of a national security law on June 30. There are calls for protests on Oct 1., China's national day.

Taking another step forward in its dissent of Hong Kong, China's Communist party has issued a guideline that will deprive hundreds of journalists of their right to report.

Taking another step forward in its dissent of Hong Kong, China's Communist party has issued a guideline that will deprive hundreds of journalists of their right to report. The Hong Kong new media rules exclude recognition of press passes issued by local media associations including the Hong Kong Journalists Association and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association (HKPPA), while accepting journalists from 205 bodies registered with the government and international media. Also read: Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested for 'unauthorised assembly' News associations say the move could limit the work of and raise the risks of arrest for freelancers and student reporters, who have captured some of the most striking scenes of the pro-democracy protests that roiled the city last year, including a video of a police officer shooting a demonstrator in October. While, China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it supports the Hong Kong government in strengthening the management of media in the territory, following a move by Hong Kong police to narrow the definition of "media representatives." Also read: Hong Kong security law sends jitters through city's feisty press The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said a move by police to narrow the definition of "media representatives" allowed at public events such as protests could limit scrutiny on law enforcers. Police are suspicious of student reporters, who fit the age group of the most ardent protesters, and say they have discovered fake media badges and been attacked by fake reporters. "All the police want is to limit us," said HKJA chairman Chris Yeung, appearing next to representatives of HKPPA and six other media unions. "Journalism students are the future of our industry," he said, speaking in front of a banner reading "Defend the truth, no government vetting." Some students who said they were reporting for their student union publications have been arrested at protests for suspected crimes including rioting. Late on Wednesday, Security Secretary John Lee said freedom of the media remained intact. The change to internal guidelines meant that recognised reporters will be allowed in cordoned zones where media is not usually allowed and could also be offered interviews at the scene, which has also been rare, he said. Lee said the guidelines do not attempt to change the definition of journalists who can conduct reporting outside cordoned areas. The Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) said on Wednesday the move was "another step in the erosion of Hong Kong's once cherished press freedom as it would give the police, rather than reporters and editors, the power to determine who covers the police". The FCC expressed concerns that journalists not recognised under the new guidelines risked being arrested for unlawful assembly and rioting. China's foreign ministry branch in Hong Kong said on Wednesday that the club should "immediately stop meddling with Hong Kong affairs on the pretext of press freedom". "The truth is not to be distorted," it said. "By anxiously whitewashing the fake journalists, FCC Hong Kong is attempting to endorse the rioters and condone their 'burn with us' violence, thus sowing more trouble in the city." Pro-democracy protests have been smaller and fewer this year due to coronavirus restrictions on gatherings and since the introduction of a national security law on June 30. There are calls for protests on Oct 1., China's national day.

How China is stifling press freedom in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chief Executive&nbsp;Carrie&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;said on Monday (September 22) that the 12 Hong Kong nationals recently detained in mainland China should be first tried by mainland authorities, citing that they had "committed a crime in another jurisdiction" for which they must face legal liabilities.

The 12 were arrested on August 23 for illegal entry into mainland Chinese waters after setting off from Hong Kong in a boat bound for self-ruled Taiwan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-says-12-arrested-at-sea-by-china-should-accept-legal-liability-327631">Hong Kong leader says 12 arrested at sea by China 'should accept legal liability'</a>

Their failed bid to flee to Taiwan has highlighted the fears that many people feel in semi-autonomous Hong Kong about what they see as China's determination to end any push for greater democracy in the financial hub.

"Isn't it reasonable and fair that these twelve people should first face their legal liabilities in that other jurisdiction according to the law, and thereafter of course we will arrange for them to come back to face consequences,"&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;said at a weekly news conference.

Lam&nbsp;assured that the Hong Kong government would provide "assistance" to the detainees, but said the mainland authorities' ruling must be respected.

All 12 were suspected of committing crimes in Hong Kong related to anti-government protests that erupted last year. Ten had been charged, released on bail and not allowed to leave the former British colony, and all are now being detained in neighbouring Shenzhen.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Monday (September 22) that the 12 Hong Kong nationals recently detained in mainland China should be first tried by mainland authorities, citing that they had "committed a crime in another jurisdiction" for which they must face legal liabilities.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Monday (September 22) that the 12 Hong Kong nationals recently detained in mainland China should be first tried by mainland authorities, citing that they had "committed a crime in another jurisdiction" for which they must face legal liabilities. The 12 were arrested on August 23 for illegal entry into mainland Chinese waters after setting off from Hong Kong in a boat bound for self-ruled Taiwan. Also read: Hong Kong leader says 12 arrested at sea by China 'should accept legal liability' Their failed bid to flee to Taiwan has highlighted the fears that many people feel in semi-autonomous Hong Kong about what they see as China's determination to end any push for greater democracy in the financial hub. "Isn't it reasonable and fair that these twelve people should first face their legal liabilities in that other jurisdiction according to the law, and thereafter of course we will arrange for them to come back to face consequences," Lam said at a weekly news conference. Lam assured that the Hong Kong government would provide "assistance" to the detainees, but said the mainland authorities' ruling must be respected. All 12 were suspected of committing crimes in Hong Kong related to anti-government protests that erupted last year. Ten had been charged, released on bail and not allowed to leave the former British colony, and all are now being detained in neighbouring Shenzhen.

Hong Kong leader says 12 detained activists should first be tried by China

Cannabis is a controlled, even banned substance in many parts of the world. However, the degree of control varies as per laws in different countries. In Hong Kong, a cafe serving Cannabis Coffee and Cannabis Beer has thrown open its doors for customers. What's more, the cafe is serving the beverages without breaking law of the land.

The cafe, going by the name 'Found' sells Cannabis coffee for USD 10 while you can swig a cannabis beer by paying USD 9.

THC, a compound found in canabis is known for giving person a high. However, CBD, a substance obtained from the cannabis plant is said to reduce stress without the high.

Found is said to have made use of CBD to create unique concoctions on the menu. Media reports quoted some of customers describing cannabis coffee as 'delicious'. Apart from coffee and beer, Found sells biscuits and fruit juices that contain CBD.

As per laws in Hong Kong, illicit import of cannabis or controlled cannabinoids is a crime. But CBD, the substance used to make the product in Found cafe does not fall under controlled cannabinoids. 
&nbsp;

Cannabis is a controlled, even banned substance in many parts of the world. However, the degree of control varies as per laws in different countries. In Hong Kong, a cafe serving Cannabis Coffee and Cannabis Beer has thrown open its doors for customers.

Cannabis is a controlled, even banned substance in many parts of the world. However, the degree of control varies as per laws in different countries. In Hong Kong, a cafe serving Cannabis Coffee and Cannabis Beer has thrown open its doors for customers. What's more, the cafe is serving the beverages without breaking law of the land. The cafe, going by the name 'Found' sells Cannabis coffee for USD 10 while you can swig a cannabis beer by paying USD 9. THC, a compound found in canabis is known for giving person a high. However, CBD, a substance obtained from the cannabis plant is said to reduce stress without the high. Found is said to have made use of CBD to create unique concoctions on the menu. Media reports quoted some of customers describing cannabis coffee as 'delicious'. Apart from coffee and beer, Found sells biscuits and fruit juices that contain CBD. As per laws in Hong Kong, illicit import of cannabis or controlled cannabinoids is a crime. But CBD, the substance used to make the product in Found cafe does not fall under controlled cannabinoids.

Cannabis coffee in this Hong Kong cafe makes you relaxed without giving a high

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie&nbsp;Lam on Tuesday said that the&nbsp;people arrested by China at sea while trying to flee the city by boat are not "democratic activists being oppressed" and "should accept the legal liabilities".

The 12 were arrested on August&nbsp;23 for illegal entry into mainland China after setting off from Hong Kong in a boat bound for self-ruled Taiwan, amid a crackdown by Beijing on pro-democracy activists in the former British colony.

Speaking at her regular weekly news conference,&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;reiterated that the 12 will have to face justice in the mainland and that her government will provide them and their families with the "needed and feasible" assistance.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/families-express-fear-over-china-capturing-12-hong-kongers-during-flee-attempt-327408" hreflang="en">Families express fear over China capturing 12 Hong Kongers during flee attempt</a>

"The reason for them leaving Hong Kong seems to be that they were running away from legal responsibility,"&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;said.

"I want to set the record straight, because certain local and overseas individuals tried to shift the attention, describing them as democratic (activists) being oppressed."

Lam's comments come after relatives of some of the detainees held a news conference on Saturday to demand their urgent return and plead for them to be allowed to call home and consult lawyers appointed by the families and not the Chinese government.

Hours before the families' appearance, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was deeply concerned about the activists, noting they had been denied access to lawyers.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms breeds vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous societies that flourish because their governments are accountable to their citizens. The U.S. will always stand for democracy.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1305679275690012673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

China's foreign ministry on Sunday labelled the group "separatists". Police in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, where they are being held, said on Sunday they were suspected of illegal entry, its first public notice on the matter.

23 for illegal entry into the mainland after taking off on a boat bound for Taiwan as pro-democracy activists fear Beijing's crackdown.

The government said all 12 were suspected of committing crimes in Hong Kong, with 11 charged with offences of arson and manufacturing or possessing of explosives. One was suspected of colluding with foreign forces, a charge under the national security law imposed by Beijing in June and could lead to life imprisonment.

Relatives of the 12, the youngest a boy aged 16, held a news conference on Saturday (September 12) demanding their return.

&nbsp;

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday said that the people arrested by China at sea while trying to flee the city by boat are not "democratic activists being oppressed" and "should accept the legal liabilities".

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday said that the people arrested by China at sea while trying to flee the city by boat are not "democratic activists being oppressed" and "should accept the legal liabilities". The 12 were arrested on August 23 for illegal entry into mainland China after setting off from Hong Kong in a boat bound for self-ruled Taiwan, amid a crackdown by Beijing on pro-democracy activists in the former British colony. Speaking at her regular weekly news conference, Lam reiterated that the 12 will have to face justice in the mainland and that her government will provide them and their families with the "needed and feasible" assistance. Also read: Families express fear over China capturing 12 Hong Kongers during flee attempt "The reason for them leaving Hong Kong seems to be that they were running away from legal responsibility," Lam said. "I want to set the record straight, because certain local and overseas individuals tried to shift the attention, describing them as democratic (activists) being oppressed." Lam's comments come after relatives of some of the detainees held a news conference on Saturday to demand their urgent return and plead for them to be allowed to call home and consult lawyers appointed by the families and not the Chinese government. Hours before the families' appearance, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was deeply concerned about the activists, noting they had been denied access to lawyers. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms breeds vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous societies that flourish because their governments are accountable to their citizens. The U.S. will always stand for democracy. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 15, 2020 × China's foreign ministry on Sunday labelled the group "separatists". Police in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, where they are being held, said on Sunday they were suspected of illegal entry, its first public notice on the matter. 23 for illegal entry into the mainland after taking off on a boat bound for Taiwan as pro-democracy activists fear Beijing's crackdown. The government said all 12 were suspected of committing crimes in Hong Kong, with 11 charged with offences of arson and manufacturing or possessing of explosives. One was suspected of colluding with foreign forces, a charge under the national security law imposed by Beijing in June and could lead to life imprisonment. Relatives of the 12, the youngest a boy aged 16, held a news conference on Saturday (September 12) demanding their return.

Hong Kong leader says 12 arrested at sea by China 'should accept legal liability'

China on Friday told UN experts to stop "meddling" in its affairs after the agency's special advisors published a letter raising fears for Hong Kong's freedoms after the enactment of a draconian new security law.

"Some people disregard facts and... crudely interfere in China's internal affairs," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters, urging the UN advisors to stop "meddling" in its business.

UN&nbsp;human rights experts had told China that&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's&nbsp;new security law&nbsp;"infringes on certain fundamental rights" and voiced concerns that it could be used to prosecute political activists in the former British colony.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-no-legal-authority-to-enact-security-law-for-hong-kong-bar-association-301040">China has no legal authority to enact security law for Hong Kong: Bar Association</a>

Beijing has faced a barrage of criticism over the law, which was imposed in late June after pro-democracy protests rocked the semi-autonomous city last year.

The law, which criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, carries a maximum life sentence and has intimidated many protesters into silence.

In a rare joint letter made public on Friday,&nbsp;the UN advisers warned parts of the legislation "appear to criminalise freedom of expression or any form of criticism" of China.

"The National Security Law... poses a serious risk that those fundamental freedoms and due process protections may be infringed upon," the rapporteurs said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/national-security-law-and-end-of-hong-kong-as-we-know-it-311585">National Security Law and end of Hong Kong as we know it</a>

The letter warned the legislation may "impinge impermissibly on the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and of peaceful assembly."

The rapporteurs had urged China's "reconsideration" of the legislation and for a fully independent reviewer to be appointed to ensure it complies with China's international human rights obligations.

They also expressed concern over one of the most controversial points of the law, which allows cases can be transferred from the jurisdiction of Hong Kong to mainland China, and warned it could undermine the right to a fair trial.

48 hours after it was sent to the Chinese government, they also said provisions of the new law appear to undermine the independence of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's judges and lawyers, and the right to freedom of expression.

The "open letter" reflected a detailed legal analysis of the national security law imposed in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on June 30, which had already drawn UN&nbsp;criticism before its adoption.

The 14-page letter, posted on the website of the UN&nbsp;human rights office, was sent by Fionnuala Ni Aolain, UN&nbsp;special rapporteur on protecting human rights while countering terrorism, and six other UN&nbsp;experts.

The broadly worded law criminalised certain political speech overnight, such as advocating sanctions, and greater autonomy or independence for Hong Kong.

Lawyers acting for some of the more than 20 people arrested under the law so far say police are trawling through historic actions of pro-democracy activists to beef-up their cases.

China on Friday told UN experts to stop "meddling" in its affairs after the agency's special advisors published a letter raising fears for Hong Kong's freedoms after the enactment of a draconian new security law.

China on Friday told UN experts to stop "meddling" in its affairs after the agency's special advisors published a letter raising fears for Hong Kong's freedoms after the enactment of a draconian new security law. "Some people disregard facts and... crudely interfere in China's internal affairs," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters, urging the UN advisors to stop "meddling" in its business. UN human rights experts had told China that Hong Kong's new security law "infringes on certain fundamental rights" and voiced concerns that it could be used to prosecute political activists in the former British colony. Also read| China has no legal authority to enact security law for Hong Kong: Bar Association Beijing has faced a barrage of criticism over the law, which was imposed in late June after pro-democracy protests rocked the semi-autonomous city last year. The law, which criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, carries a maximum life sentence and has intimidated many protesters into silence. In a rare joint letter made public on Friday, the UN advisers warned parts of the legislation "appear to criminalise freedom of expression or any form of criticism" of China. "The National Security Law... poses a serious risk that those fundamental freedoms and due process protections may be infringed upon," the rapporteurs said. Also read: National Security Law and end of Hong Kong as we know it The letter warned the legislation may "impinge impermissibly on the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and of peaceful assembly." The rapporteurs had urged China's "reconsideration" of the legislation and for a fully independent reviewer to be appointed to ensure it complies with China's international human rights obligations. They also expressed concern over one of the most controversial points of the law, which allows cases can be transferred from the jurisdiction of Hong Kong to mainland China, and warned it could undermine the right to a fair trial. 48 hours after it was sent to the Chinese government, they also said provisions of the new law appear to undermine the independence of Hong Kong's judges and lawyers, and the right to freedom of expression. The "open letter" reflected a detailed legal analysis of the national security law imposed in Hong Kong on June 30, which had already drawn UN criticism before its adoption. The 14-page letter, posted on the website of the UN human rights office, was sent by Fionnuala Ni Aolain, UN special rapporteur on protecting human rights while countering terrorism, and six other UN experts. The broadly worded law criminalised certain political speech overnight, such as advocating sanctions, and greater autonomy or independence for Hong Kong. Lawyers acting for some of the more than 20 people arrested under the law so far say police are trawling through historic actions of pro-democracy activists to beef-up their cases.

China warns UN of 'meddling' in affairs after it denounced Hong Kong security law

Police have arrested two&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;opposition lawmakers in relation to anti-government protests in July last year, one of whom was suspected of rioting, the Democratic Party said on Wednesday.

Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui were detained after early-morning raids on their homes, according to their political party and the police.&nbsp;

Both are minority pro-democracy lawmakers in the city's partially elected legislature and vocal critics of both Beijing and the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;government.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-ways-hong-kong-has-changed-under-chinas-security-law-310644#legal-firewall-toppled-310646">Five ways Hong Kong has changed under China's security law</a>

Opposition figures decried the arrests, which add to a mounting toll of prosecutions targeting Beijing's critics in the restless financial hub.

"This is out-and-out political persecution," James To, a veteran lawyer and member of the Democratic Party, told reporters after the arrests.

Lam was arrested on suspicion of rioting on July 21, last year, when pro-democracy protests erupted across the Chinese-ruled city, his party's Facebook page said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-activist-joshua-wong-reveals-fear-of-arrest-322605">Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong reveals fear of arrest</a>

During the unrest that day, protesters in the city's downtown area threw black paint at the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Liaison Office, China's top representative body, while in the Yuen Long district near the mainland border, a mob of over 100 men wielding sticks and poles attacked pro-democracy protesters and bystanders at the train station.

Lam was hospitalised after being wounded in the face as he livestreamed the attack on his Facebook page.

So far, police have arrested 44 people believed to had taken part in the mob attack, seven of whom have been charged with rioting.

It was unclear what caused police to suspect Lam of rioting on that night.

Lam, along with Hui, was also accused of being involved in a protest on July 6 in the Tuen Mun district, where amid rising anti-Beijing sentiment protesters marched against the "noise pollution" caused by middle-aged women singing and dancing to pop songs in Mandarin, the language spoken in mainland China.&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;people speak mainly Cantonese.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a one country, two systems agreement with its former colonial master Britain that promised it wide-ranging freedoms unavailable on the Communist Party-ruled mainland.

The protests last year were fuelled by perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip on those freedoms, which authorities have denied.

They began with peaceful marches against a since-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but clashes between police and protesters became more violent over the following months.

Critics say a new national security law imposed by Beijing on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on June 30 has pushed the city onto a more authoritarian path, while its supporters say it will bring stability after a year of unrest.

The law allows for anything China considers to be secessionist, subversive, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces to be punished with up to life in prison.

There have been more protests this year, though far less relentless than they were in the second half of last year.

Restrictions on crowd sizes because of the coronavirus health scare have also helped limit demonstrations.

The protests last year were fuelled by perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip on those freedoms, which authorities have denied.

Police have arrested two Hong Kong opposition lawmakers in relation to anti-government protests in July last year, one of whom was suspected of rioting, the Democratic Party said on Wednesday.

Police have arrested two Hong Kong opposition lawmakers in relation to anti-government protests in July last year, one of whom was suspected of rioting, the Democratic Party said on Wednesday. Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui were detained after early-morning raids on their homes, according to their political party and the police. Both are minority pro-democracy lawmakers in the city's partially elected legislature and vocal critics of both Beijing and the Hong Kong government. Also see: Five ways Hong Kong has changed under China's security law Opposition figures decried the arrests, which add to a mounting toll of prosecutions targeting Beijing's critics in the restless financial hub. "This is out-and-out political persecution," James To, a veteran lawyer and member of the Democratic Party, told reporters after the arrests. Lam was arrested on suspicion of rioting on July 21, last year, when pro-democracy protests erupted across the Chinese-ruled city, his party's Facebook page said. Also read: Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong reveals fear of arrest During the unrest that day, protesters in the city's downtown area threw black paint at the Hong Kong Liaison Office, China's top representative body, while in the Yuen Long district near the mainland border, a mob of over 100 men wielding sticks and poles attacked pro-democracy protesters and bystanders at the train station. Lam was hospitalised after being wounded in the face as he livestreamed the attack on his Facebook page. So far, police have arrested 44 people believed to had taken part in the mob attack, seven of whom have been charged with rioting. It was unclear what caused police to suspect Lam of rioting on that night. Lam, along with Hui, was also accused of being involved in a protest on July 6 in the Tuen Mun district, where amid rising anti-Beijing sentiment protesters marched against the "noise pollution" caused by middle-aged women singing and dancing to pop songs in Mandarin, the language spoken in mainland China. Hong Kong people speak mainly Cantonese. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a one country, two systems agreement with its former colonial master Britain that promised it wide-ranging freedoms unavailable on the Communist Party-ruled mainland. The protests last year were fuelled by perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip on those freedoms, which authorities have denied. They began with peaceful marches against a since-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but clashes between police and protesters became more violent over the following months. Critics say a new national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong on June 30 has pushed the city onto a more authoritarian path, while its supporters say it will bring stability after a year of unrest. The law allows for anything China considers to be secessionist, subversive, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces to be punished with up to life in prison. There have been more protests this year, though far less relentless than they were in the second half of last year. Restrictions on crowd sizes because of the coronavirus health scare have also helped limit demonstrations. The protests last year were fuelled by perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip on those freedoms, which authorities have denied.

Hong Kong police arrests two pro-democracy lawmakers over 2019 protests

World's first case of Coronavirus reinfection has been found in Hong Kong. A 33-year-old man had a different strain of the Coronavirus than the one he was previously infected with in March.

COVID-19 reinfection: Hong Kong reports world's first 'proven' case

hong-kong-news

Hong Kong News, News on Hong Kong News, stories on Hong Kong News, articles on Hong Kong News, Hong Kong News stories at Wion, Hong Kong News news, Hong Kong News latest news

hong kong-news