Fire in packed Hong Kong building kills five, dozens in hospital
Hong Kong Reuters A fire broke out in a densely populated residential building in Hong Kong’s bustling Kowloon district on Wednesday, killing five people and injuring 35 others, the city’s hospital authority and fire services said. People inside the 16-storey building waved towels at windows to signal for rescue, broadcaster RTHK said, adding that the […]
New Hong Kong security law comes into force amid fears for freedoms
Hong Kong, China Reuters A new national security law came into force in Hong Kong on Saturday despite growing international criticism that it could erode freedoms in the China-ruled city and damage its international financial hub credentials. The law, also known as Article 23, took effect at midnight, days after Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing lawmakers passed […]
Hong Kong passes security law which critics say further threatens freedoms
Hong Kong, China Reuters Hong Kong lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously passed a new national security bill within two weeks of it being presented, fast-tracking a major piece of legislation that critics say further threatens the China-ruled city’s freedoms. The package, known as Article 23, punishes offences including treason, sabotage, sedition, the theft of state secrets, […]
Hong Kong leader says eight overseas activists will be “pursued for life”
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said on Tuesday eight overseas-based Hong Kong activists who were issued with arrest warrants for alleged national security offences would be “pursued for life”. Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for the eight overseas-based activists on Monday, accusing them of national security offences, including foreign collusion […]
In Hong Kong, Xi says “one country, two systems” is here to stay
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters There is no reason to change Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” formula of governance, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on a rare visit to the global financial hub after swearing in the city’s new leader, John Lee, on Friday. Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on 1st July, 1997, with […]
Hong Kong’s next leader endorsed by pro-Beijing elites
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong’s leader-in-waiting, John Lee, was endorsed for the city’s top job on Sunday by a committee stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists, as the financial hub attempts to relaunch itself after several years of political upheaval. Lee, the sole candidate, received the votes of 1,416 members of a pro-Beijing election committee on Sunday […]