Beijing on Sumption

China’s Ministry of State Security responds (indirectly) to Lord Sumption’s criticism of the HK47 trial, saying…

…the verdict … was a deterrent to “anti-China forces and foreign forces.”

“Those who dare to challenge the bottom line of China’s national security will be severely punished by the law,” the ministry said in a Chinese-language post on WeChat.

…“A criminal and wicked idea brought them together and led them on a path of no return,” it added.

The ministry singled out former law professor Benny Tai, the key organiser of the primary election, as the “chief culprit” of the scheme that it said was directed at sabotaging the functioning of the city government and overthrowing state power. Tai was among those who pleaded guilty.

“The anti-China forces led by Benny Tai… through illegally trying to obtain a majority in the Legislative Council and vetoing the government budget indiscriminately, would create a crisis in governance,” the ministry said.

Some half a million voters took part in the pan-dem primary election in 2020 (following what looked rather like a ‘crisis in governance’ in 2019). Did anyone involved consider the exercise ‘anti-China’ or connected with ‘foreign forces’? Or in any way unconstitutional or illegal?

The Hongkonger talks to a Hong Kong lawyer who has moved to the UK and qualified as a soccer referee…

“Having come to the UK, I find the easiest way to make friends is to follow my hobby. Some of us are good friends by now, as we go to a pub after a match or watch other football games. It really helps me integrate into the community.”

Interestingly, his referee role also forms a lens into British lifestyle and culture. He has observed a glaring difference between men’s and women’s football: male players would argue with him, but the females would praise him to create positive reinforcement so he might be more inclined to side with them.