Private Eye on a certain non-permanent ex-judge on Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal. Will the satirical UK magazine get the Radio Free Asia treatment? The latter outlet incurred the wrath last week with a report on Hong Kong’s announcement that the previous-generation ID cards will become invalid next year. An RFA story (in Chinese) suggested that authorities were trying to lure dissidents and other exiles back to the city, or otherwise make life harder for emigres.
The government issues an angry press release – but it’s not the usual brazen sort used to rebut overseas criticism. This statement omits a lot of the usual phraseology and opts for a genuinely hurt tone, such that you almost want to give them a hug and say “there, there, I’m sure they didn’t mean it”…
By selectively quoting phrases announced by the ImmD at its press conference and elaborating unfounded speculation, the article headlined: “HKSAR government ‘threatens’ citizens to return to Hong Kong and renew their old ID cards – Will there be consequences for overseas Hong Kong residents failing to replace their ID cards?” falsely reported and maliciously distorted the original purpose of the ID card invalidation exercise. Not only did Radio Free Asia cite comments from a purported former immigration assistant who fabricated as an insider and misinterpreted relevant legal provisions and legal consequences, they also did not make any inquiries with the Government prior to publishing the article or conduct any fact checking. Radio Free Asia has completely violated media professional ethics and basic journalistic morality.
The HKSAR Government reiterated that the invalidation of old ID cards aimed to detect impersonation and possession of forged ID cards. The arrangements were in line with the previous replacement exercise, which does not involve any form of intimidation.
…The Radio Free Asia had disregarded journalistic ethics and distorted the Government’s policies and measures in an utterly irresponsible manner. The Government’s good intent in appealing public members for ID card replacement has been manipulated into a conspiracy to suppress Hong Kong people. The report is a piece of scaremongering fake information that smears the HKSAR Government. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns and calls on members of the public to ignore false information and discern the facts.
The problem is that the government has tried to make life harder for emigres, from barring use of departure on a BNO passport as a way to access MPF funds, and of course by putting bounties on exiled dissidents. Maybe people suspect the worst.
Security Chief Chris Tang takes a stern approach, accusing RFA of endangering national security…
“…what this outlet does from afar is that it uses inaccurate information, and comes up with ways to incite the people to distrust or hate the government. These are exactly the sort of potentially illegal activities that we target in safeguarding national security.”
He also accuses the Hong Kong Journalists Association of being an unrepresentative body as it elects a new chairperson amid anonymous threats to dissuade participation…
“Looking at [the list of candidates], it looks more like a foreign journalist association to me. Most of them are journalists from foreign media, some are freelancers, some are not even journalists and their organisations have engaged in political activities,” he claimed in Cantonese.
He also says (report in Chinese) that the HKJA sided with ‘gangsters’ during the protests. As it happens, the Association elects a Wall Street Journal reporter – so if the body comes under pressure to shut down, it could be an international story. She is in fact a Hongkonger – formerly with the HKFP.
Following another one – a 58-year-old for online posts – HKDC adds up the total number of arrests for sedition in Hong Kong, including 15 journalists, 43 people for online speech, 13 for books and two for T-shirts.
An unusual day when there is no commentary. Summer Solstice perhaps? Unusual effect of the moon on the tides? Or just too much noodle and dumpling eating and dragon boat drumming?
I have thought for some time that the CPCCC and HKSARG have different versions of Chat GPT for their respective press releases. You can try for yourself by asking the robot to write the same release first in the style of HK government, and then in the style of China’s government. Try using Lord Sumption’s resignation as the topic. You will notice a distinct dialling up in the rhetoric in the China version, even without specifically asking for it.
I renewed my ID card right at the end of 2019, then decamped to UK to escape disturbances etc, ended up staying here all through COVID and now not thinking about going back. After 42 years in Hong Kong it took me only 2 years away to lose permanent resident status. Wonder how my ID card would react now to being passed through a gate check at CLK?
Had an invasion of local Hongkies over the weekend at home (she who must be obeyed being of that ilk). They are thriving, some a little bored, but not one of them looking back at the decision they’ve made. My hope is that their ‘can do’ spirit can overcome the general post-covid malaise that has set in among the indigenous population here, and that they can navigate the islamist 5th column that is increasingly ruling the roost in civil society (and in the civil service). For the most part I think they are unaware and unperturbed, but this will be their first sight of the UK version of democracy in action with the upcoming election. It will be interesting to get their take on proceedings!
We visited the old country 2 weeks ago and met up with several of our Hongkie friends with zero ties to the UK and none are looking back. Boredom is underrated in a free society.