A former chair professor of law at HK University makes a key point about the HK47’s trial: if it is illegal for lawmakers to reject a government budget, why does the Basic Law set out procedures that follow such an action?
When asked by the radio show host if the 45 democrats had severely interfered with or disrupted the government’s ability to carry out its duties, [Johannes] Chan said: “If we view it from that perspective, it would leave the design of the Basic Law futile.”
The US imposes additional travel-related sanctions on certain Hong Kong officials…
US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Tuesday that the US “strongly condemns” the sentences meted out in Hong Kong’s largest national security case, which ranged from four years and two months to 10 years.
“The 45 defendants sentenced today were aggressively prosecuted, and many now face life-altering imprisonment simply for their peaceful participation in political activities which are protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong,” Miller said.
The Hong Kong government’s issues the inevitable response to overseas criticism from (take a deep breath) ‘some government authorities and officials of Western countries (including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union, Australia, Canada and more), anti-China organisations, anti-China politicians and foreign media’…
“The proposed imposition of the so-called ‘visa restrictions’ on HKSAR officials by the US Government smack of despicable political manipulation to intimidate People’s Republic of China and HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. These grossly interfere in China’s internal affairs and Hong Kong’s affairs, and violate the international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The HKSAR despises such threats and will not be intimidated by such despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will continue to resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security.
As with the HK47, some may find it hard to see exactly what criminal acts Jimmy Lai committed. Although the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry sees otherwise…
Jimmy Lai is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. He is a lawbreaker and an agent and henchman of those hostile to China.
HKFP’s report on his court appearance yesterday. The government needn’t rush to issue a riposte to foreign criticism on this case, as there are weeks (at least) to go.
But still time to squeeze one more in…
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (November 20) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects the groundless attacks, slanders and smears against various aspects of the HKSAR in the so-called “report” issued by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) (Report).
Here’s the offending document. A very long read, but worth a skim…
The Commission recommends [that] Congress require the Administration to produce a determination whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should be designated as a Primary Money Laundering Concern (PMLC) jurisdiction under Section 311 of the Patriot Act due to its growing role as the central sanctions evasion hub and transshipment center for illicit finance and technology to Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
“Despicable” and “resolutely” really got a good workout today!
So-called, i.e., as is central sanctions evasion hub and transshipment center for illicit finance and technology to Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
I guess, the only consolation we can now find is in a recent statement by Malaysia’s former Prime Minister and Asia’s political Grandee Dr. Mahatir Mohammed, who very much meant a particular leader:
“Leaders don’t live forever so policies may change when leadership changes,”
2, 3, 4 years? Who knows……
Predictable contents aside, the government’s English writing style continues to resolutely continue to deteriorate.
Interesting to note the government response doesn’t actually include the words “money laundering” anywhere. An implicit admission by omission?
Bit rich coming from Mahatir whose own longevity has allowed him to meddle for far too long in his own country’s affairs.
As for despicalbe, this is a term native English speakers would consider more appropriate when applied to events like this:
https://hongkongfp.com/2024/11/20/mother-of-jailed-democrat-hendrick-lui-arrested-after-holding-up-a-banner-outside-court-after-sons-sentencing/
Hong Kong is such a dreadful place, I really ought to leave. What with Benny, Joshua, ‘Long Hair’, Claudia et al. being finally sentenced, with most being banged up for years, things are not looking good. That said, I am rather partial to the low taxes, safe streets, not so bad weather for 8 months of the year, excellent travel connections to many interesting places, great night life, access to sex, fantastic infrastructure, absence of bullshitter politicos. I’ll tell you what. I’ll give it another 18 months and see how things pan out.
Individual sanctions will continue to be ineffective until they extend to all immediate family members of the target individual, to include parents, spouses, siblings and children.
That is the only way to give them teeth.
@Low Profile Everyone talks / mocks all the time, but damn. They really are going whole hog on that style of language, aren’t they? Most foreign media wouldn’t repeat or quote their statements out of sheer disgust for the abuse of language. Not to offer unsolicited advice or anything, but if someone from TDC worked on their copy, they’d probably get more attention.
At times I wonder if bureaucrats in the government release whatever unhinged outburst is handed to them by their Liaison Office handlers verbatim as a way of letting us know that they didn’t write it nor are they responsible. Massaging the copy until it doesn’t sound crazy to western audiences would be going above and beyond for a job that they give no shits about, and would probably get them disciplined for interference anyway.
Honestly, I smile at every cack-handed government effort because quiet quitting is the only ethical way to be a civil servant in this environment.
“if someone from TDC worked on their copy, they’d probably get more attention.”
Copy is being written by mainland knuckle draggers in the liaison office who aren’t interested in having their copy punched up.