Education Secretary Kevin Yeung boldly declares that the previously undisputed school textbooks were wrong: they should never have said Hong Kong has a system of separation of powers.
This puts him at odds not only with the textbooks, but with public opinion, many lawyers, CCP-run newspaper Ta Kong Pao and the Chief Justice. But…
While certain clauses of the Basic Law appear to guarantee separate executive, legislative and judicial branches, other parts make it clear that the three branches’ autonomy is subordinate to the ‘executive-led’ system, which ultimately means Beijing, which appoints the executive. The key example must be the ‘interpretation’ device by which Beijing can overrule Hong Kong’s judiciary by redefining the words of the Basic Law.
As I said a few days ago, back in the 1990s-2000s Beijing was happy to let you think you have separation of powers. Now they want you to get the message that you don’t.
As with any legal or constitutional dispute with the CCP, they decide what is true. They are above laws or rules, while you must obey them – and they can change their meaning at any time. But doesn’t this mean the Basic Law is worthless, and that we don’t have an independent judiciary? Yes it does.
In a move likely to provoke a big whiny hissy-fit Panda-tantrum about hurt feelings and being the enemy of 1.4 billion people, a Czech parliamentary delegation has the audacity to visit Taiwan. Global Times dismisses the central European country as obscure and irrelevant, while nonetheless denouncing its Senate speaker as ‘a rule-breaker who is trampling on diplomatic civilization. His gilding for his evil deeds is a manifestation of being a political hooligan’. China’s foreign minister, in Europe on a warm and fuzzy charm mission, says they will make him pay with lashings of retribution and revenge, so there.
The Czech government is pissed off. And here is an alleged reply from the mayor of Prague. Hope it’s authentic.
Fans of extreme mouth-froth will be delighted to hear that Yonden Lhatoo of the SCMP has responded to Atlantic’s unflattering coverage accusing him of having unseemly rants, with… an unseemly rant.
Hey, it must feel good knocking a pregnant woman around in the street – it’s been a while now. Sorry, I stand corrected: wrestling a pregnant woman to the ground.
I think Matthew Brooker’s Tweet about Carrie Lam’s latest may be the most accurate: “This may in fact be a statement of fact. Separation of powers used to exist in Hong Kong; it is guaranteed under the Basic Law and the Joint Declaration. It is a central plank of One Country, Two Systems. Does it still exist? Hong Kong’s leader says no.”
https://twitter.com/mbrookerhk/status/1300621256840982528
As for last night’s shennaigans: many people have focused on the pregnant woman. But what of the young kid and elderly man taken into custody by the police for the terrible crime of bringing bouquets of flowers to Prince Edward?
https://twitter.com/sharonyamsy/status/1300389428372832258
I don’t know how much lower this place can fall. Every day brings another injury, another insult another brutality.
Clearly the Gestapo missed “De-escalation Day” during training.
Just kidding! It was never offered!
That letter from the Prague mayor is worth framing. Would be be great to have a drink with him.
Great fan of the Yonden – his missives are a pleasing alternative. I note that most posters here make a big deal about free speech, but they loathe him. The reality is, however, that you lot would rather not have to put up with anyone who doesn’t toe your party line. I find it hilarious. Actually, I thought it was a problem that was restricted to the Millennials and Gen Zedders, but it’s clear that a lot of older people have been infected also. Terrible.
Re the pregnant woman. The Police should prosecute her for placing an unborn child in a potentially life-threatening position. The fact is, she purposely attended an event that any sensible person would predict would have a high probability of many forceful body contacts. She should be ashamed.
OT but a view on why the grandly-named Universal Community Testing Programme is a waste of time and resources:
https://www.samizdata.net/2020/09/test-results-are-not-binary-good-tests-are-not-all-the-same/#more-46022
“Great fan of the Yonden – his missives are a pleasing alternative. I note that most posters here make a big deal about free speech, but they loathe him. The reality is, however, that you lot would rather not have to put up with anyone who doesn’t toe your party line. I find it hilarious. Actually, I thought it was a problem that was restricted to the Millennials and Gen Zedders, but it’s clear that a lot of older people have been infected also. Terrible.”
We can be fans of free speech while still disagreeing with someone’s speech you fucking cretin. Free speech support means no persecution from the State not that we must remain silent when someone says something we don’t agree with.
“Re the pregnant woman. The Police should prosecute her for placing an unborn child in a potentially life-threatening position. The fact is, she purposely attended an event that any sensible person would predict would have a high probability of many forceful body contacts. She should be ashamed.”
There are only body contacts when police are around you blow hard tool.
Just in case you did not get the message, HK Post is delivering a 12-page Universal Community Testing Programme (are universal and community even compatible?) notice to your mail box. I wondered why the bin was full of discarded pamphlets until I sussed the ‘no unsolicited mail’ sticker had exempted my box. Phew.
Twat #4 is certainly smitten by Yonder Latrine
@Mark Bradley re free speech: yes ,#4 seems unaware of what Voltaire didn’t say, namely “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
Moreover, from his posts it would seem that he is also unaware that his position is inherently self-contradictory: the very forces that he shows support for (political parties, social systems, individuals) are those intent on curtailing the freedom of speech he claims to champion. Hmmm.
Why is anyone still wasting time and energy on #4?
I thought Hemlock had blocked Dr George.
#4 is I think a different person A gweilo copper or ex copper from Sai Kung ?