CNN on the imminent disbandment of the HK Democratic Party…
“A dissolution of the party reflects official Hong Kong’s turn away from popular participation, locally accountable government, and increased transparency toward more authoritarian rule,” [academic John] Burns said.
Eric Lai, a research fellow at the Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said the Democrats’ move “shows there are no more feasible ways for groups to exist as an opposition party.”
“It’s self-conflicting for the government to suggest that nothing has changed,” he said.
Includes a brief history of the party and a video interview with Emily Lau, who days…
“We’ve been around for over 30 years, and we’ve got the support of many Hong Kong people,” she told CNN outside court in February, before another former party lawmaker was jailed on charges of rioting during the 2019 protests.
“I don’t know what they are thinking in Beijing. We have demonstrated, not just words, but by action, that we are reasonable. We are willing to talk, to negotiate, to compromise, reach a deal and go forward.”
Which would be great if talking, negotiating and deal-making with political opponents was a CCP thing.
China Unofficial Archives celebrates a 10th anniversary…
Beneath the calm surface of Hong Kong in 2025 lies the weight of dramatic upheaval. After the 2019 anti-extradition protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Security Law, the “patriots governing Hong Kong” policy, and the passage of the Article 23 National Security Ordinance, the open and free Hong Kong many remember seems to be fading from view. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the independent film Ten Years, once dubbed a “prophecy” about Hong Kong’s future.
…Back in 2015, Ten Years may have seemed dystopian, even absurd. But in the wake of the 2020 National Security Law, it now appears almost restrained.
HKFP op-ed on Chow Hang-tung’s bid to allow female prisoners to wear shorts…
Ms Chow’s suggestion is nevertheless unwelcome, because it comes from her.
…I would respectfully suggest that (government lawyer] Mr Lee drop the argument that uniform wearing is an essential part of maintaining “custodial discipline,” because this leaves him open to the question as to why custodial discipline in male prisons appears to be compatible with allowing shorts as an option.
I think Mr Hamlett may have misunderstood the point about maintaining custodial discipline. I suspect it refers not to the discipline of the prisoners but to that of the prison officers, who, the authorities feel, may not be able to control their urges at the sight of bare female legs.