US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned business leaders that the United States will treat Hong Kong like other cities in mainland China. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam jumped out to argue that Hong Kong’s status as a global trade and financial center will not change.
Tag: Carrie Lam

Hong Kong — All Remaining Opposition MPs Resign
All of Hong Kong’s opposition MPs resigned en masse on Wednesday in protest of the removal of four of their colleagues by the local government. A new resolution from Beijing allows the Hong Kong government to remove dissident members of the Legislative Council.

Hong Kong: Lam Hails National Security Law
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam today praised the controversial Chinese national security law imposed on Hong Kong, saying that it has restored peace in the city, and helped end the pro-democracy movement protests therein. Lam made her remarks as part of the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Hong Kong — Elections Still Off, Jimmy Lai Arrested
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Sunday released a joint statement in which they urged Hong Kong to hold elections “as soon as possible,” and warned the city’s local authorities to stop “undermining the democratic process.” in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Government Scoffs at U.S. Sanctions
The US has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on the grounds that she is “undermining the autonomy” of Hong Kong. The US Treasury Department made an announcement on Friday to the effect that any assets belonging to Lam, as well as ten other officials, would henceforth be frozen.

Hong Kong Postpones Election, Opposition Cries Foul
In a rather controversial move, the Hong Kong government today postponed the forthcoming parliamentary election that had initially been scheduled for September. The government of the Special Administrative Region cited the Coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind the postponement.

Benny Tai, Pro-Democracy Professor, Fired in Hong Kong
The firing of a university professor who happens to be a very prominent figure in the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, Benny Tai, this Wednesday, is causing outrage at Beijing’s pressure on the former British colony. Through a Facebook post, the professor lamented his sacking.

Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong to Run for Office
Hong Kong activist and system critic Joshua Wong has formally sought to run for Hong Kong’s local parliamentary elections, scheduled for 6th September this year. The September election could be the Democratic opposition’s attempt to regain political influence in the LegCo.

Tam Tak-chi, Hong Kong Opposition Candidate, Arrested
Hong Kong police arrested a pro-democracy activist, Tam Tak-chi, a candidate in the region’s September Legislative Council elections. The former radio host and activist has been slammed with a number of charges, including incitement to participate in an unlawful assembly.

China Opens “Security Office” in Hong Kong
With the opening of a “security office” in Hong Kong, the Chinese leadership has taken another step toward abolishing the “one country, two systems” principle. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam spoke at an official unveiling of a memorial plaque next to the “Security Office” mansion.

China Opens National Security Office in Hong Kong
The Chinese government has opened a “National Security Safeguard Office” in Hong Kong, as enshrined in the newly adopted controversial national security law. The move comes barely a week after the enforcement of the new legislation, imposed on the city of Hong Kong by Beijing.

UN Expresses Alarm Over Hong Kong Law
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed alarm over the many arrests that have been made since Wednesday in Hong Kong courtesy of the controversial new national security law. Hundreds of people have since been arrested in the former British colony since Wednesday.

Beijing to Establish Security Bureau in Hong Kong
China revealed its intentions today of establishing a national security bureau in Hong Kong, as outlined in its recently passed, controversial National Security Law for Hong Kong. The security bureau will report directly to the Chinese central government, and will be located in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong — Lam Urges Residents Not to “Demonize” Security Law
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, implored the Special Administrative Region’s opposition leaders today not to “demonize and stigmatize” the national security law recently passed by Beijing. Lam argues that demonizing the law goes against the interests of the Hongkongers and the territory at large.

Hong Kong Criminalizes Mocking Chinese Anthem on Tiananmen Anniversary
The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region approved a controversial bill that criminalizes offenses against the anthem of the People’s Republic of China Thursday, a bill that the region’s opposition, and democrats at large, regard as undermining the territory’s autonomy.

Hong Kong Police Spark International Condemnation
Hong Kong was today treated to a fresh round of violent protests as hundreds demonstrated against a controversial new bill that is in its advanced stages of implementation. The law criminalizes insulting China’s national anthem, punishable by up to three years in jail.

Beijing to Impose “Security Law” to Crack Down on Hong Kong
In a new step of escalation against the anti-government movement in Hong Kong, the Chinese government submitted to its National People’s Congress a law on “national security” to govern the semi-autonomous city. Last year, Hong Kong witnessed massive protests against the local government and Beijing.

Coronavirus: Hong Kong to Introduce Quarantine on Arrivals from China
The government of Hong Kong will impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all people arriving from mainland China, starting Saturday, due to the new coronavirus epidemic. The announcement was made on Wednesday, by the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam. “The measure is harsh. But I believe after we say all arrivals have to be quarantined for 14 days from Feb 8, the number of arrivals will reduce,” Lam said.

Coronavirus: Hong Konger Becomes Second Death Outside China
Hong Kong reported the first death due to the new coronavirus in its territory Tuesday. The victim is a 39-year-old man who had visited the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease, in January. This is the second death from the virus outside mainland China. The first was a 44-year-old man in the Philippines.

Coronavirus: Hong Kong Announces Travel Restrictions to Chinese Mainland
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, announced a series of drastic new measures as the coronavirus continues to spread. Hong Kong will halt ferry and train services to the mainland, half the number of flights to mainland China, and suspend personal travel permits. Lam is also urging all Hong Kong residents to remain at home for the next 14 days.

Hong Kong New Year’s Celebration Turns Chaotic
A peaceful New Year’s Day march in Hong Kong, with tens of thousands of participants, turned into chaotic street battles as the region’s police forces used tear gas against the crowd. Some of the participants in the march responded with gasoline bombs, and many of the march’s participants ended up being drawn into violent street fights.

Hundreds of Thousands March in Hong Kong
A huge crowd of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday, in a massive demonstration, marking half a year of protests. The massive turn was undoubtedly a sign by the majority of Hong Kong residents of their full support for the anti-government demonstrations that have been witnessed in the Chinese-ruled autonomous region since June.

Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Parties Win Big in Local Elections
Pro-democracy parties won an overwhelming election victory in Hong Kong, obtaining a large majority of the seats for district councilors. The result serves as a political support gauge for the movement behind the protests that began in June and have been ongoing in the region.

Beijing Increases Pressure on Hong Kong as Protests Escalate
The Chinese regime is putting more pressure on Hong Kong following the ongoing demonstrations in the Chinese territory. After five months of increasingly violent protests against the pro-Beijing executive, the Chinese government has still not managed to get a return to calm in the autonomous territory.

Hong Kong Security Forces Continue Siege of Polytechnic University
Fоr the third dау іn a rоw, dozens of рrоtеѕtеrѕ continued thеіr ѕіt-іn аt the Pоlуtесhnіс Unіvеrѕіtу іn Hong Kong, in dеfіаnсе оf thе ѕесurіtу fоrсеѕ besieging the unіvеrѕіtу known fоr іtѕ асtіvіtіеѕ іn ѕuрроrt оf thе сіtу’ѕ protest mоvеmеnt. Chief Executive Cаrrіе Lаm called on protesters to end the situation peacefully.

Hong Kong: Man Dies After Being Hit by Brick
A 70-year-old man died after being hit during a clash involving anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, local authorities said late on Thursday. The media had reported that the man was hit in the head by a brick on Wednesday amid a clash between protesters and a group of locals. The victim was trying, with other people, to remove stones placed by the protesters in a street block.

Report: China Planning to Fire Carrie Lam
According to a report by the international business newspaper, Financial Times, quoting sources with knowledge of the ongoing plans, China is reportedly planning to fire Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, and appoint a temporary leader. That won’t happen, however, until the region has stabilized from its current crisis, sources have revealed.

Hong Kong Government Apologizes to Muslim Community for Spraying Mosque
The government of Hong Kong apologized Monday to the region’s Muslim leaders after riot police sprayed a mosque gate and some people with a water cannon as authorities tried to disperse rowdy protesters on Sunday. Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the police chief visited the Kowloon Mosque to apologize to Muslim community leaders, religious officials told news reporters.

Hong Kong Leader Cancels Speech After Chaos in LegCo
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam was forced to read her annual speech via video after protests from pro-democracy legislators. They reportedly shouted and mocked Lam in the middle of the speech. Lam is being pressured by protests against Chinese intervention which had taken place four months ago. In her speech, she promised to remain committed to restoring trust in the government and asking people to “put aside differences.”

Hong Kong: Carrie Lam Heckled in LegCo, US to Impose Sanctions
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam was forced on Wednesday to stop delivering her speech on future policies for the Special Administrative Region. She had earlier tried to deliver the speech in the Legislative Council amid protests by parliamentarians. After a second attempt was interrupted by lawmakers, Lam ended up delivering the speech via video.

Hong Kong Police Arrest More as “Lady Liberty” Looks On
Hong Kong police carried out new arrests during protests on Sunday, organized in different neighborhoods by pro-democracy protesters. Security forces stormed a shopping center which protesters had vandalized for supporting the pro-Beijing Hong Kong government. On the other hand, a group of protesters secretly transported a statue that became a symbol of their mobilization on top of an emblematic mountain of the ex-British colony, the “Lion Rock” (495 meters), which dominates the peninsula from Kowloon.

Hong Kong Court Rejects Challenge to Mask Ban— Protesters Return in Masks
Tens of thousands of protesters flooded Hong Kong Sunday against a ban on wearing masks in public. Hong Kong’s Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the ban by pro-democracy legislators. The ban, decreed by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, came into effect on Saturday in an apparent bid to halt the protests that have been going on for four months. Instead, the move has sparked even more clashes and destruction over the last two days in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Hong Kong Reopens Subway System, Passes Ban on Masks
Hong Kong’s MTR system has reopened its subway, but some stations remain closed due to “serious damage” during unrest on Friday. Most of Hong Kong’s subway system is closed after a number of stations and businesses were attacked when protesters protested the government. Protesters suffered a blow when the Supreme Court refused to overturn a ban on wearing masks.

Hong Kong: Protests Scheduled Before Chinese National Day
Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong have set themselves a busy schedule for Saturday, Sept. 28, according to Reuters. These schedules include restoring the “Lennon Walls” and celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Golden Umbrella movement. Thousands of protesters gathered in the harbor area on Friday, chanting slogans accusing police brutality of protesters for more than three months of unrest in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Demonstrators Ask Trump to “Liberate” Hong Kong
Demonstrators in Hong Kong launched an “Airport Traffic Stress Test” on Saturday, but the demonstrators failed to assemble at the airport because the Hong Kong police were waiting and blocking them. From Saturday afternoon into the night, Hong Kong demonstrators clashed with police at various subway stations and several people were arrested.

Hong Kong: Lam Announces Formal Withdrawal of Extradition Bill
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced the “formal” withdrawal of the extradition bill that has caused months of massive protests in the autonomous region of China. “The government will formally withdraw the bill in order to fully allay public concerns,” she read from a statement.

Lam Disputes Tape, Will Not Resign as Hong Kong CE
Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s head of Government, said on Tuesday that she has no intentions whatsoever of resigning after an audio recording began trending in which she allegedly said otherwise. According to the viral video, she also apologized for causing the disturbances that have lately shaken the city.

Hong Kong Demonstrations Turn Violent Again
Protests in Hong Kong turned violent again Sunday night, as police deployed water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Police themselves were also attacked by demonstrators.

General Strike in Hong Kong; Beijing Waits, for Now
Hong Kongers from all walks of life, and seven districts of the city, took to the streets Monday as part of a general strike, the largest such demonstration since 1967. Teachers and students, aviation workers, finance employees, and civil servants took part in the protests, aimed at both Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing government and mainland China itself. What initially began as a row over a now-suspended extradition bill has morphed in to a movement against Chinese encroachment, Hong Kong’s non-democratic system, and its unaccountable police force. Now in their ninth week, and showing no signs of slowing down, some fear Beijing may be compelled to act.

Up to a Million Protest Hong Kong Extradition Bill
Hundreds of thousands, and perhaps up to one million people jammed the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday to protest amendments by the Legislative Council, which would allow the extradition of those accused of crimes to mainland China. Opponents believe the bill will allow the communist regime to target political opponents, whether living in or visiting Hong Kong, and threaten the city’s longstanding autonomy. Beijing is said to want the bill “urgently,” and the LegCo pledged to press on regardless.