The government plans to make sure independent Hong Kong unions do not pose a NatSec or foreign-influence risk…
The Hong Kong government has proposed legislative amendments to permanently bar those convicted of national security offences from serving in labour unions and to require all foreign funding to be vetted by the authorities.
…To bar funding from an “external force” that would endanger national security, the government proposed that unions must make an application to the registrar declaring the source and usage of the funds provided, according to a document submitted to the Legislative Council. “Trade unions shall not receive such funds unless approved by the Registrar,” it said.
According to the document, the amendments to the ordinance would adopt the same definition of “external force” under the city’s homegrown national security legislation, to cover foreign governments, political parties, and external organisations “that pursue political ends,” as well as their related personnel.
…As national security offences are “more serious” than existing crimes that would bar one from serving in a union, including fraud, dishonesty, extortion, and triad activities, “we consider that stricter restrictions should be imposed,” the government said in its proposal.
Are there any reasons to suspect that any unions pose some sort of threat to national security?
And a student union cancels the showing of a Burmese film about human rights after officials warn that it might be breaking the law.
Some Taiwanese-themed light relief from YouTube…
Everyday life of an expat family (presumably American) in Taiwan in 1960. They had a maid, great cars, and flew on Civil Air Transport flights (of CIA-front fame).
A 19-minute rom-com called Mentalese Express (turn on subtitles). Set in an office elevator in Taiwan day by day, a young Japanese male expat and a local girl want to get to know each other but don’t dare actually talk. Not a great title, but full of hilarious awkwardness. (Not sure what she sees in the guy.)
Apparently, Australian-born actress Joanne Missingham is one of Taiwan’s top Go players. And if you liked the short film, check out the little BTS documentary about how they shot it. (That’s ‘behind the scenes’, duh.)
If getting a better deal for workers is political, then every trade union is “pursuing political ends”. There was a time when every communist party encouraged international cooperation for this purpose.
Lovely little movie, but Jeez what a drip
Probably worth noting that the Hong Kong Journalists Association is a Trade Union.