China says Hong Kong must “tightly hold” national security line to safeguard development
United State Reuters China’s top official on Hong Kong affairs said the city should “tightly hold” onto the bottom line of national security to safeguard development, in a speech coming weeks after the enactment of sweeping new security laws. “To move towards governance and prosperity, we need to tightly hold onto the bottom line of […]
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 tycoon Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty in national security trial
Hong KongReuters Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to all charges against him in a high-profile national security trial that could see the city’s leading critic of the Chinese Communist Party jailed for life. Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, looks on as he leaves the Court of […]
China clampdown on Hong Kong in spotlight as leading democrat goes on trial
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters A long-awaited national security trial opens in Hong Kong on Monday for leading China critic and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who faces possible life imprisonment on charges he colluded with foreign forces, including the United States. Foreign envoys, business people and legal scholars will be watching the trial closely, saying it looms […]
Hong Kong police widen questioning of relatives of wanted activists
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong national security police on Thursday questioned the brother of exiled former lawmaker Dennis Kwok, media reported, weeks after police issued an arrest warrant and a HK$1 million bounty for the pro-democracy politician. Police on 3rd July issued arrest warrants for eight overseas-based activists for national security offences, including foreign collusion […]
Wanted Hong Kong activist’s relatives taken for questioning by police
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong national security police on Tuesday took away exiled activist Nathan Law’s parents and brother for questioning, local media reported, one week after the police issued an arrest warrant and a bounty on Law’s head. Local media, citing unnamed sources, said Law’s relatives were taken away from their homes in Hong […]
Essay: Bounties on exiled Hong Kong activists show the ambitious reach of China’s political repression
In an article first published on The Conversation, BRENDAN CLIFT, of the University of Melbourne, argues that while the issung of warrants for the arrest of eight exiled pro-democracy figures may be “futile overreach”, the intention behind them remains condemnable…
Hong Kong police arrest four men accused of aiding overseas activists
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong national security police on Wednesday arrested four men it accused of supporting overseas dissidents and of advocating for independence from China, two days after issuing warrants and bounties against several foreign-based activists. The four men “were suspected of receiving funds from operating companies, social platforms and mobile applications to support […]
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 […]