Hong Kong Closer to Abyss

Large fire started in Wan Chai with thousands of protesters on the streets

CARRIE LAM WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HONG KONG!

Oh wait -- you don't have control of Hong Kong, do you?

The city you supposedly govern is going down in flames literally and figuratively and now we have riot police beating people up in MTR stations.

Innocent victims were beaten up in several MTR stations

Is this the image of "Asia's World City" you want to project to the rest of the planet?

You have said you were open to dialogue and yet you won't give an olive branch and withdraw the extradition bill or initiate an independent inquiry into police brutality against the protesters.

Following a Reuters report we see that your hands are tied because Beijing refuses to let you give into the protesters.

Are you going to continue to let Hong Kong spiral into chaos?

As the leader of this city you need to GOVERN it. Take control and bring peace to this place we all love.

A train carriage at Prince Edward MTR station

That means starting dialogues with everyone, not just moderate protesters, but everyone. You cannot wait for peace -- you need to act NOW.

Or is this how you want to be remembered? The one who destroyed Hong Kong?

You as Chief Executive of Hong Kong have control over the police. 

PLEASE END THIS CHAOS NOW CARRIE.

White Terror in Hong Kong

Agnes Chow and Joshua Wong emerge having been released on bail today

Today reached new heights of shock with a slew of arrests last night, today and more are still happening as the clock approaches midnight Hong Kong time.

On Thursday night, Andy Chan Ho-tin of the now outlawed Hong Kong National Party was detained when he was trying to board a plane to Tokyo. He was arrested on suspicion of rioting and assaulting a police officer during an anti-parallel protest in Sheung Shui last month.

Former HKU student leader Althea Suen was also arrested

Then this morning there was word that Demosisto's secretary general Joshua Wong Chi-fung was arrested at 7.30am when he was in Ap Lei Chau; apparently he was nabbed into an unmarked car and then sent to the Wan Chai police station.

This goes against police regulations -- transporting all those arrested should be in clearly marked cars.

His arrest was quickly followed by another Demosisto member, Agnes Chow Ting, who also picked up in the same manner in Tai Po.

What had they done wrong?

But that wasn't all. The police were looking for Ivan Lam also of Demosisto, but he is in Taiwan now. There was also Althea Suen Hiu-lam, a former student leader at the University of Hong Kong.

Andy Chan was stopped from boarding a flight to Tokyo

And then there were three pro-democracy lawmakers who were taken by police: Cheng Chung-tai for conspiracy of criminal damage in the Legislative Council on July 1, Au Nok-yin for suspicion of obstructing police in the execution of their duties and assaulting police, and then former Cathay Pacific pilot Jeremy Tam for obstructing police officers on July 8, possibly related to clashes that followed a march in Tsim Sha Tsui the day before.

Sha Tin District Council member Rick Hui Yui-yu was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing police officers performing their duty during clashes at New Town Plaza shopping centre on July 14.

Speaking at a press conference, fellow Sha Tin District Council member George Wong Hok-lai said: "The police claimed that he [Hui] was obstructing police operations but as we saw on the news, he was performing his duty as a district councillor to assist the residents and protect them in Sha Tin."

Former Cathay Pacific pilot Jeremy Tam was arrested

A pro-Beijing newspaper had claimed Hui pretended to be a journalist, but Wong said Hui was wearing a reflective vest with a label on the back stating he is a district council member.

Late in the afternoon Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow were released on a HK$10,000 bail each, and outside the court, both were defiant and continued to demand the government withdraw the extradition bill, have an independent inquiry into police brutality, to stop calling the protesters "rioters", and have universal suffrage.

"Beijing just conveniently manipulates Hong Kong people's freedom," Wong said. "I urge the international community to send a message to President Xi, sending troops or using the emergency ordinance is not the way out."

Meanwhile Chief Superintendent John Tse Chun-chung of the police public relations branch, denied the arrests were meant to deter supporters from attending a banned protest march tomorrow, from Chater Garden in Central to the liaison office in Western district.

But so many people in one day?

Au Nok-hin was also taken by police in a series of arrests

Either Hong Kong police are doing this show of force to satisfy Beijing that it has rounded up those who it believes are causing trouble, or it really does believe "black hands" are manipulating these people?

The police also claim to have enough evidence to prosecute all these people...

In the meantime, the planned protest tomorrow has been cancelled, which means anyone near the area could be arrested for illegal assembly. Even bystanders could be nabbed. Some think of lots of people show up then how can the police arrest so many people? But then again they already have arrested 900 people... what's a few thousand more?

As Agnes Chow says, stop the white terror. Hongkongers will find another way to protest.

Shocking Attacks on Right to Assembly

Yuen Long protest organizer Max Chung's back following an attack in Tai Po

In Hong Kong, people have the right to freedom of speech. They have a right to freedom of assembly.

So why were two protest march organizers beaten up in broad daylight today.

Coincidence?

And why is there no outrage from the police or the government?

CHRF convenor Jimmy Sham before he was attacked

Civil Human Rights Front, that has organized some of the biggest marches this summer, on June 9 when 1 million people came out, June 16 when double that number turned out, and August 18 with 1.7 million in the pouring rain.

The group had applied for a protest march permit for this Saturday from Chater Garden in Central to the liaison office in Western district to mark the fifth anniversary of Beijing announcing a restrictive electoral reform package that was eventually rejected by Hong Kong.

Hong Kong police for the first time rejected both the rally and march with reasons laid out in a five-page letter. The force said the police, protesters, journalists and bystanders had sustained "serious injuries" following 22 marches and rallies since June, seven of which were organized by CHRF.

Sham's assistant sustained serious welts on his arms

"Protesters not only resort to violent acts, arson and road blockades, but also use petrol bombs, steel balls, bricks, lances, rods and other self-made weapons to vandalize public facilities on a large scale, committing a breach of the peace and leading to the injuries of others," the letter read.

In response, Bonnie Leung Wing-man, the front's vice-convenor, said the police were "declaring war on all peaceful protesters".

"The rally and march on August 31 were supposed to be another chance for the authorities to resolve the matter in a peaceful manner," she said. "It is the best offer, but they turned it down."

CHRF's convenor Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit said that by banning the application, the police showed the government didn't care to listen to the people.

"Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is the one pushing Hong Kong into an abyss. The people's voice cannot be blocked, it needs to be vented," he said.

August 18 protest organized by CHRF had 1.7 million people

Sham told the media CHRF would appeal the decision but was not optimistic.

Then around 12.50pm, Sham and his assistant were attacked by two men while eating in a cafe in Jordan in Kowloon. The men, who police say were not Chinese, wore face masks and one held a baseball bat, the other a rod. One tried to hit Sham, but his assistant Law Kwok-wai shielded him, bearing serious bruises on his forearms.

Cafe workers called police, but by the time they arrived, the attackers had fled.

Meanwhile another activist, Max Chung Kin-ping, who organized the July 27 Yuen Long protest was also attacked in Tai Po, while he was giving an interview to a reporter with Truth Media Hong Kong, an online news outlet.

Max Chung had been arrested for unlawful assembly

Chung had just been released by Tai Po police station after he was granted unconditional release. He and reporter Jeffrey Cheng were walking along Tai Wo Road when they felt they were being followed. When they turned around they saw four men described as being South Asian who started beating them up with metal rods and umbrellas.

Cheng told the assailants that he was a reporter and they stopped attacking him, but continued beating Chung, who sustained injuries on his back and arms. The reporter was bleeding from the lip. The entire attack lasted about two minutes and again the assailants fled before police arrived.

These brazen attacks in broad daylight are shocking, but also cowardly.

Who did them -- who ordered them?

WHY?

And why does the government not condemn these attacks at all? Much like the triads in Yuen Long who brandished metal rods and bamboo sticks, hitting innocent people in the MTR station?

These attacks will not scare protesters into submission. It only inspires more of them to stand up against these attacks.

Protesters Not Giving Up

Thousands of people crammed in and around Chater Garden for tonight's rally

Tonight the protesters were back in numbers in Chater Garden in Central. This time they were angry about police abuse, particularly the sexual harassment of some female protesters who were arrested.

While the dress code for this rally was purple, most people showed up in black and wore purple ribbons that were pinned to their T-shirts. Others wore purple ribbons around their wrists. There were also people with lipsticks on hand to write #ProtestToo on people's arms, a riff off of #MeToo.

"Investigate police sexual violence!" The rally organizer said. "We believe everyone has the right to participate in political activities and take part in rallies, but the police are using sexual violence as a means to humiliate people of different gender."

Others were waiting for friends outside the MTR station

Some protesters were shining laser pens onto buildings to create an impromptu laser show, others put purple filters on their phone lights to create a pastel purple glow.

Some women came to the stage to talk about their experiences of being sexually harassed by the police, including one who says she was strip searched. She said she felt violated as a woman and is now seeking psychological help.

When I was leaving Chater Garden around 8.20pm, the crowd had spilled out onto Des Voeux Road, and they made way when trams were passing through. All the other vehicles had to go along Queens Road Central, causing a traffic jam.

There were a few police officers on hand, just making sure there were no serious accidents or that the crowd was under control.

As I walked towards the Central MTR station, people were shouting, "Reclaim Hong Kong! Revolution of our times!" or "Hongkongers add oil!". The shouts got louder as people streaming out of the MTR station on the escalator already began chanting.

And as I came into the station, more people were coming out, attaching purple ribbons on their shirts or carrying signs. It was heartening to see so many people all with the same goals with the same fighting spirit.

What else happened today?

The editor-in-chief of Global Times, Hu Xijin rolled into town today. His Twitter post said: "Just arrived in Hong Kong to attend media dialogue. I will also report what I see and hear. Current situation in Hong Kong is a bit special for mainland journalists, but I hope I can have an open trip. Looking forward to having a candid exchange of views."

Global Times' chief editor Hu Xijin has arrived in Hong Kong

Welcome to the city where we have freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, Mr Hu.

See how special Hong Kong is and why protesters are defending it to the death.

They have five demands, but the most crucial is to withdraw the extradition bill. It's really simple to do, but our Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor says it cannot be done.

Perhaps you can persuade her to help us have peace in Hong Kong again?

If not, you will see scores of people out on the streets this weekend to show the government protesters are still asking for their demands to be met. They are not giving up anytime soon.

Carrie's Not Budging Again

Carrie Lam reiterated she would not meet protesters' five demands

This morning Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made an appearance following the violent clashes in Kowloon over the weekend.

She admitted there was a stalemate in that the government would not accede to the protesters' five demands.

"It's not a question of not responding, it is a question of not accepting those demands," she said.

Police officers in one-on-one combat with protesters

People all over Hong Kong could be heard collectively banging their heads against the wall or table. My colleague did.

But Carrie, this is what people want! Lots of people from all walks of life, from students to medical staff to lawyers to accountants to civil servants and even top city leaders and politicians.

While she claimed the extradition bill was "abandoned", it has not technically been withdrawn which is what the people want, and in the Legislative Council, the bill has to be withdrawn. It cannot be "abandoned" or "dead".

When trust in her has plummeted so fast, the least she can do to recover some dignity and integrity is to withdraw the bill.

But no, she refuses to do so and refuses to explain why. It's as if she lives in a parallel universe where the people see things that she can't register at all.

The police have arrested 883 people since June

In her appearance before the media, Lam said she was disappointed to see peace was disrupted by violent protests this weekend and said the government would use the law to bring order into Hong Kong.

"All laws in Hong Kong -- if they can provide a legal means to stop violence and chaos -- the SAR government is responsible for looking into them," she said.

Meanwhile, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying seems to be taking the law into his own hands and wants to do something about these protests disrupting the city.

He has bought the domain name www.803.hk, where he advertises his tip line for people to call in to rat on protesters. And to motivate them he has also put "prices" in terms of what he would pay if someone comes forward with enough information to convict a protester.

"We come from different sectors of society, and we hope Hong Kong can return to calmness as soon as possible," the website says. "The rewards come from the public entirely and we will crowdfund in the future."

A website with a snitch hotline offers bounties for protesters

For throwing the Chinese flag into Victoria Harbour, he will pay between HK$200,000 to HK$1 million, covering the Chinese emblem at the liaison office for HK$1 million, the Bauhinia emblem in the Legislative Council on July 1 is worth HK$500,000 (why half the amount of the Chinese emblem?), and breaking into Legco HK$500,000.

Others include setting a fire at the Tsim Sha Tsui police station, causing chaos at Hong Kong International Airport, and the various incidents in Yuen Long, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, Kwai Fong and North Point.

One reporter called the number to only hear an automated message asking the caller to leave contact details.

How successful will this snitch line be in settling the escalating crisis? Will people be tempted? Or there won't be enough information for a successful prosecution.

The Hong Kong police have already arrested 883 people since June, including a 12-year-old. Do we need more people in jail?

79 Days

Last night protesters fought police around parts of Kowloon

Today is the 79th day of protests starting from June 9 when 1 million people came out to protest against the then proposed extradition bill.

That is the same number of days the Occupy Protests, or Umbrella Movement back in 2014.

Five years ago several main roads were shut down in Admiralty, Central, Causeway Bay and Mongkok for 79 days straight. Now it's every weekend and the odd weekday where traffic is temporarily suspended, the protesters constantly on the move all over the city.

Many have suffered health effects from too much tear gas

This evening two people who call themselves frontline protesters gave a press conference in Chinese and English so there was no mistaking their message.

One of them was a man, Mr Chan, who spoke in Cantonese and was translated by a Miss Wong. Both were covered up with a helmet, goggles and face mask and even gloves.

The man gave a bit of insight into what it's like to be a frontline protester. He talked about how paranoia set in when they discovered some black-clad people were actually undercover police.

There was one incident where he and his friend were accused of being spies and were beaten by some other protesters. But the matter was soon cleared up and both sides reconciled.

"We cannot deny that the pervasive neurosis of catching spies has sown distrust, and has to a certain extent, driven a wedge between not only frontliners, but between frontliners and other citizens. We do not want spy catching to become an epidemic. Frontline protesters are themselves citizens. And if citizens begin to fight among themselves, the anti-extradition movement will be over," Chan says in a prepared speech as Wong translated.

The protesters question why the police were not in Yuen Long

"Infighting between citizens has only produced one winner -- the politicians and the government," he continues. "Infighting between protesters will spell the death of the movement. Infighting between citizens will spell the death of Hong Kong itself. We cannot allow the Hong Kong and Chinese governments to succeed in their divide and conquer strategy."

He questions why the police did not infiltrate the triads when there were already early warnings something may happen in Yuen Long on July 21 and in Tsuen Wan North Point as well.

"Why are the police shooting at the heads of pro-democracy protesters with rifles yet readily seen sharing drinks with white-clad terrorists on park benches? The situation we find ourselves in is absurd," Chan says.

They say Carrie Lam ignored pleas to keep Queens Pier...

"The police and the government aren't even trying to hide their affinity with the triads. The collusion between them is both seamless and shameless. As a frontliner we are always at the front line of battle and always the last to bow out of them."

Chan went on to describe the effects of tear gas on his health. Despite washing his clothes and showering, he still smells or believe he smells tear gas, and suffers from diarrhea, dry mouth, sore throat and rashes on the skin.

These protesters do not think Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is sincere at all, remembering she did not listen to the people when they protested in 2007 about the demolition of Queen's Pier to make way for Central reclamation, as well as "Wedding Card Street" in 2005 that has now become a luxury residential project in Wan Chai with shops and restaurants.

... and Wedding Card Street in Wan Chai

"These [Queen's Pier and Wedding Card Street] were both demolished behind Hongkongers' backs, causing irreparable damage, irreparable damage to Hong Kong's heritage. All but one of the student leaders in the 2014 Umbrella Revolution were imprisoned after accepting her offers for dialogue.

"Her government specializes in spreading white terror, whether it be through AI surveillance lamp posts, or police pretending to be protesters. But we will not allow to let this government to succeed in encouraging infighting, betrayal.. within ourselves. We hope Hongkongers will continue to stand up to our mistreatment by maintaining a unified and undivided voice."

One reporter asked Chan about his biggest concern. Other than admitting he was scared, Chan said the biggest problem he faced was his family, who he described as very "blue" or pro-police. They believe protesters are paid to go out to demonstrate, but even if he tries to explain this is false, they do not accept it so he would rather not talk about it at all.

Students debated the government during the 2014 protests

So these young people are very clear minded and do not trust Lam or Beijing at all. They believe her offers for dialogue are just a ruse after having seen what happened after the Occupy protests. They do not want to fall into the same trap.

These protesters are literally willing to die for their cause. A friend who is goes to most of the violent protests to monitor the young people says these young people are completely fearless.

Does Lam know what she is up against? It's been 79 days and these protesters are far from giving up.

Hong Kong Protests Ratcheted Up

At least three police officers drew their guns tonight in Tsuen Wan

The violence between protesters and police escalated yet again tonight, with the latter drawing their guns and firing a shot in the air in Tsuen Wan.

Later a policeman said his colleague drew his gun as self-defense when he was surrounded by protesters, but when at least three guns were drawn, why kick an old man on his knees begging the officers not to shoot?

Also people are indiscriminately being arrested tonight, such as innocent bystanders and even a 12-year-old. When lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung confronted the police about this, asking what charges they were being arrested for, the officer admitted he didn't know.

Two water cannon vehicles made their debut today

While numerous rounds of tear gas were fired today, two water cannon vehicles were brought into use, though thankfully they were sparingly used and the protesters fled.

When is this going to end?

Perhaps what riled up protesters today was when there was news Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor met with 19 politicians and city leaders to brainstorm how to end the crisis that has plagued Hong Kong for almost 12 weeks now.

Over half of them advised her to withdraw the extradition bill that started the whole mess, and set up an independent inquiry into police brutality at protesters -- two of the demands protesters have been asking for since early June.

"The general mood was that the attendees felt the government needs to give a proper response to the key demands of protesters in order to bring closure to the situation," a source said. "But [Lam] said it is not the time for an inquiry, saying the government has to wait until the situation becomes more peaceful."

A peaceful demonstration in Kwai Fong today in the rain

Another source said Lam admitted there was strong resistance from the police force in having an inquiry, but some attendees gave suggestions of other ways of having public inquiries.

Perhaps more crucially, Lam rejected suggestions of withdrawing the extradition bill.

"She said she cannot spell out that the bill is 'withdrawn'. She cannot use that word," the first source said. "I have the feeling that the matter is out of her hands -- when she said this in front of her ministers."

Even city leaders and politicians have advised Lam to withdraw the bill and she can't do that. What hope do we have of resolving this crisis?

Why does she even bother hosting a brainstorm meeting then?

We all want this to end, but the fact that she cannot or will not meet these two demands by the protesters means more demonstrations, both peaceful and violent.

Carrie Lam's Facebook post this afternoon drew 34,000 comments

This afternoon on her Facebook page, Lam left a vague message, saying how she and her team must engage in direct and in-depth dialogue with the public. She added the platform for dialogue is still being planned out and hoped it would be launched as soon as possible. At the end of her post, Lam invited people to leave suggestions.

They left over 34,000 comments, most of them saying if the five demands are met, then Hong Kong will be peaceful again. Others suggested she look at the Lennon walls all over the city and read the messages people have left there, or complained about the indiscriminate use of tear gas.

What more do people have to do to tell Lam how they feel about the situation?!

It's become exasperating to hear Lam say she wants to talk to the public, and yet for 12 weeks that is what they have been doing in various ways...

And also time's a ticking... she is wasting precious time to get this crisis resolved, or does China want to sacrifice Hong Kong in its bid to bring it closer to the Motherland...

CARRIE YOU CAN SAVE HONG KONG! JUST SAY THE W-WORD! NOW!

The Battle Continues in Kowloon

Protesters were back putting out tear gas on the streets in Kwun Tong today

The peaceful protests last weekend ended today with police firing numerous rounds of tear gas in Kowloon Bay, Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po so far. About 18 people have been arrested and there have been a few serious injuries involving their faces. It's not good.

What has made the situation worse is the MTR has made it harder for everyone to get around. After criticism from Beijing for allegedly aiding and abetting the protesters, the MTR got a court injunction to arrest anyone who vandalizes the stations and trains, or blocks carriages, which is fine, but now it has prevented people from using it whenever there is a demonstration.

Residents angry they can't access the MTR this afternoon

This afternoon the MTR warned it would shut down Kwun Tong station because of the police sanctioned march there. That left residents in the area unable to use the public transport system to get to work or do their shopping or even to come home. They were furious with the MTR staff, and no one senior enough was around to take the verbal abuse.

Perhaps the MTR or Beijing was hoping this harder stance would make it harder for protesters to show up at the march, but the plan backfired. And since the MTR is majority owned by the Hong Kong government, by extension the residents were angry at their government. And again there is no recourse, as everyone needs to use the MTR and taxpayer dollars go there too. So... again this is why Hongkongers need universal suffrage!

Beijing has strong armed Cathay Pacific and now the MTR. Who is next?

One piece of good news is that British consulate employee Simon Cheng Man-kit has been released and is now back in Hong Kong with his family. There was also a group of 10 university students who were detained in Tibet, but they have also been released now.

One protester puts his tennis racquet to good use

Why would anyone want to go to Chinese these days?

Now that Hong Kong is in the international spotlight, China is trying desperately to put up a curtain and say, "Nothing going on here, move along".

A letter sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, says "the so-called 'anti-amendment' is nothing more than a hyped-up pretext," writes Hua Chunying, director general of the Information Department.

"When you look at the current situation, you'll find that those radical, violent and criminal behaviors have gone far beyond freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. They have seriously threatened the safety of Hong Kong residents and their property, severely undermined Hong Kong's rule of law and social order, gravely challenged the bottom line of 'one country, two systems', and pushed Hong Kong to a dangerous brink."

Hua's letter dated August 20 was sent to over 30 foreign media outlets. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying

First of all, what is this "anti-amendment" she is talking about? If she means the anti-extradition protests, they have been dragging out so long because the Hong Kong government has done nothing to address this issue.

Is Hong Kong at a "dangerous brink"? Not yet no. But she is repeating what Beijing has said before. If repeated enough, perhaps people will believe it.

She then advises journalists to take up their "social responsibility and make reports that are neutral, objective, impartial and comprehensive so that your coverage may help those protesters ignorant of the truth to get back on the right path, and help those who have been seriously misled to come to a rational and fair judgment".

That sounds eerily like Uighurs who have been led astray by Islam and need to be sent to concentration camps to be "reeducated".

Again the language shows a hardline paternalistic attitude towards Hong Kong and young people...  

The Hong Kong Way

Lion Rock was lined with lights tonight in the human chain

Exactly 30 years ago today, people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic states, joined hands to form a human chain covering 675 kilometres across the three countries from north to south. This was their way of showing their wish for independence from the Soviet Union on August 23, 1989 at 7pm.

The human chain became known as The Baltic Way, and symbolized the people's desire for self-determination and universal suffrage.

Hongkongers lined up along Connaught Road Central

A Hong Kong entrepreneur based in Tallin, Estonia, proposed that there be a human chain in Hong Kong to mark the 30th anniversary of The Baltic Way on Reddit and within days the event was organized tonight.

No one was quite sure what was going to happen, but around 7pm tens of thousands of people were standing side by side across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Some brought hand sanitizer, some bought work gloves, or just pressed the flesh and joined hands after 8pm.

They went from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, Kowloon Tong to Yau Ma Tei, along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and from Tsuen Wan to Lai King, and to Kwun Tong.

There were even adventurous hikers who climbed up Lion Rock to light up the outline of the mountain ridge that is shaped like the jungle animal. from up at the top they shouted: "Hongkongers add oil!"

There was also a massive gathering at Chater Garden, and at one point participants all turned their phones on to create a giant glow of small lights.

A massive rally took place in Chater Garden tonight

Nearby I saw people standing side by side along Connaught Road Central, around the Court of Final Appeal and around towards Admiralty.

I took the MTR to Kennedy Town but didn't see the human chain and assumed it only reached as far as Sai Ying Pun -- I was wrong -- the people had gathered along the waterfront.

Around 9pm I heard loud shouts of people demanding that the five core demands be met, including the extradition bill be withdrawn and Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor resign.

Speaking of Lam, on Monday she talked about immediately setting up a platform for dialogue to talk to people. She even stressed the word immediately.

It's Friday... we're waiting Carrie...

Alleged Trumped-up Charges

Simon Cheng has been charged with soliciting prostitution. True or false?

Today is the 15th day of Simon Cheng Man-kit's administrative detention in Shenzhen and unfortunately the nightmare for the 28-year-old isn't over yet. This afternoon Chinese state media outlet Global Times claimed the missing British consulate employee was charged with soliciting a prostitute during his visit to the mainland.

In the editorial, the state-run media outlet said police in Luohu district, which is the area right by the border with Hong Kong, told Global Times that Cheng was being detained for violating article 66 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security which includes soliciting prostitutes.

Global Times claims to have an exclusive on Cheng's case

"It is disgraceful to be caught for soliciting prostitutes. Those who are arrested usually wish to hide the truth," the editorial says, and claims Cheng requested to Shenzhen police not to inform his family about his charge.

"In other words, if the British foreign ministry and Western media did not hype it, Cheng could have quietly returned to Hong Kong after being detained for 15 days... However, thanks to the British foreign ministry and media which have been hyping it, the case is now fully exposed."

Cheng's family would not comment on the matter, only to say people can judge for themselves.

First of all -- why would Cheng go during the day to visit a prostitute on a weekday when the consulate said he was there for a business conference. Second of all, if he was soliciting a prostitute, why wasn't he arrested at the scene of the crime and not at the mainland jurisdiction of the West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus?

Cheng worked at the British consulate in Hong Kong

Thirdly, what does hyping Cheng's case have to do with the consulate and Western media? Isn't China supposed to follow rule of law regardless? Trying to put the blame on the British consulate and the media on his detention doesn't make any sense at all.

And fourthly, it's state media that has exposed the alleged charge of soliciting prostitution, not the consulate or the media. It has now sullied Cheng's reputation in the court of public opinion.

If China wants to show that it is a responsible power then it should be more transparent about the whole case to demonstrate it does follow rule of law.

However it refused to divulge the whereabouts of Cheng for almost two weeks and now he seems to be arrested on trumped-up charges.

Apparently Cheng is being held by Luohu police in Shenzhen

This only frightens people even more about going to the mainland. Their phones may be checked and now they could be detained and then arrested on any charge.

This is what Hongkongers were terrified about with the now suspended extradition bill, and these concerns are fast becoming a reality -- without the bill being passed.

And yet China wants young Hongkongers to embrace the Motherland and go there to develop their careers? Cheng's case is hardly reassuring.

What Happened to Simon Cheng?

Simon Cheng works at the British Consulate, but went missing on August 8

Hongkongers are reeling after the news yesterday of local man who had disappeared after he crossed the immigration checkpoint at the West Kowloon terminus of the high-speed railway on August 8.

It seemed things were complicated by the fact that Simon Cheng Man-kit was also working at the British consulate in Hong Kong, which led to speculation that the UK was being dragged into a diplomatic spat with China.

Only yesterday did Cheng's family and Taiwanese girlfriend reveal to the media that he had been missing for almost two weeks. The 28-year-old had been traveling to Shenzhen on business and when he arrived at the station, he texted his girlfriend, saying "Passing through [immigration]".

And then she never heard from him again.

This afternoon, the Chinese Foreign Ministry finally confirmed Cheng was being detained in Shenzhen for violating a law.

"My understanding... about this person is that Shenzhen police ordered him to serve 15 days of administrative detention for violating public security management regulations," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, without elaborating further.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang

"I also want to stress that this worker is a Hong Kong citizen -- not a British citizen -- and he is Chinese. And this is entirely an internal matter of China."

This came after the British government sought answers about Cheng, saying it was "extremely concerned by reports that a member of our team has been detained returning to Hong Kong from Shenzhen".

Cheng has worked as the trade and investment officer of Scottish Development International at the British consulate since 2017.

Perhaps because he works at the British consulate, the media were able to get a response from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, because Cheng's family had hired a mainland-based  lawyer who could not find any record of him in any detention centre in Shenzhen or Guangzhou.

The Mainland Port Area is under Chinese jurisdiction

Regardless the case is shocking, as this is exactly the scenario people were worried about regarding China having an area of jurisdiction in the West Kowloon railway station.

Under the so-called co-location arrangement, the zone beyond the Hong Kong immigration checkpoint at the railway station is a mainland port area, where China's national laws are fully applicable.

On August 9 Cheng's girlfriend and his older sister contacted the consulate about him being missing and the consulate told them to file a report to the Hong Kong police and immigration authorities.

The following day the consulate and immigration department separately confirmed to Cheng's family that he was being detained but had no further details. On August 11, a Hong Kong police investigator assigned to the case couldn't get more information either.

To say this is frightening, shocking and terrifying is an understatement. Surely this is going to stop a lot of Hong Kong people from crossing the border into the mainland if they don't need to. International coverage of Cheng's story will not only put pressure on China, but also confirm suspicions the country is opaque in handling cases of a legal nature.

After his 15 days of detention, Cheng may not necessarily be released -- his family has been told a a criminal investigation could be launched.

What did he do wrong? Can someone tell us?

Carrie Squanders Opportunity

Carrie Lam addressing the media this morning... with not much to say

OH CARRIE, HOW COME SO LITTLE, SO LATE?

After 11 weeks of peaceful protest marches involving millions of people, and then violent clashes with police who fired over 1,800 rounds of tear gas, triad mobs mercilessly attacked innocent people with sticks in Yuen Long and a young medic was shot in the eye by a beanbag round, you only NOW offer to have a platform for dialogue?

"All my principal officials and I are committed to listening to what people have to tell us," she said. "I think it is a very sincere expression of my hope to have dialogue with various sectors of society."

It seems millions out protesting doesn't mean much to Lam

Why not say this 11 weeks ago, or at least after June 16, when 2 million people marched peacefully on the streets?

And anyway what has she been doing for all this time? Hasn't she been reading what's been said online?

Oh wait -- maybe Lam doesn't have the internet installed at Government House, which is why she believes "black hands" have helped young protesters become so organized.

In any event, she was scant on details on how this platform of dialogue would happen. Will she really meet with young protesters on the front lines, or just the kids with the right backgrounds? Is she aware that in visiting certain neighbourhoods she could be pelted with eggs?

Someone hand her a helmet.

Lam also rejected calls for an independent investigation into police brutality, and instead said that an investigation by the government-run Independent Police Complaints Council would be sufficient to look into allegations of police misconduct.

Jimmy Sham wonders about Lam's sincerity for dialogue

Another collective groan.

Many believe Lam is squandering an excellent chance to garner good will from the protesters. We're not talking about the 1,000 or so "radical" ones but several million people who have marched in teh past 11 weeks, including this past weekend in the torrential rain.

"The peaceful march on Sunday was one of the few opportunities that Hongkongers offered Lam to address their calls, but unfortunately, the five demands are again dashed," said front convenor Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit. "Is Lam really sincere about having dialogue?"

Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a political scientist at Chinese University believes protesters have lost trust in her and may see the dialogue as a delaying tactic.

Again Lam refused to withdraw the extradition bill, saying there was "no plan to revive this, in light of the public's concern".

Anthony Neoh says Lam should withdraw the extradition bill

Other than the millions of people who have come out to protest this core issue, top elites in Hong Kong have called for the chief executive to withdraw the bill, including senior lawyer Anthony Neoh, who heads the IPPC.

He has said in an interview published today that the protesters' demand of withdrawing the bill was "eminently reasonable".

"It is only dead int he mind of the government because the government has undertaken not to revive it. That is not the way to withdraw legislation," Neoh said.

So Carrie, the ball is still back in your court.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

The Massive Divide Between HK and China

Some 1.7 million people braved the heavy rain to protest yesterday

I recently met up with a friend who has been crossing the border to the mainland frequently for work. I asked him if he had another phone to use in China as immigration officers are now randomly checking people's phones to see if there are pictures of protests in them.

"Of course I do," he said. "It doesn't have Facebook or anything."

Police have over 1,800 rounds of tear gas at protesters

And then he said he was very sad because he sees the divide between Hong Kong and China as being as big as the ocean.

"When they know you are from Hong Kong then they ask you lots of questions about what is happening here. But when I try to explain to them in the simplest terms as possible, they really don't understand what I'm saying," he says.

I asked if it was because of the propaganda, and he said it doesn't matter what you call it -- they just don't comprehend the issue and why Hongkongers are protesting.

"They say we shouldn't be doing that and not to cause trouble, that they [the Chinese] mean well," he said with a long face.

"When I tell my Hong Kong friends this they are so surprised and I explain to them that it's as if you were born blind and didn't understand what is white and what is black. I can try to explain as much as possible, but if you haven't 'seen' what they are, then you don't understand what I am talking about."

There is a big gap in understanding Hong Kong in China

This is what he finds so sad about the whole thing. His Chinese acquaintances mean well, but they have no understanding of the issues in Hong Kong as they hardly have a complete picture of what has been happening for the past 11 weeks since all the news they receive is heavily censored.

Nevertheless there are some who have been to Hong Kong before so they have a better appreciation of what is going on, but for the most part, everyone else, while they may be curious and pepper him with questions, really can't grasp the issues at all.

"I explain it to them and then they look at me blankly and ask me the same questions again," he says, leaving him exasperated.

Some protesters have become human "Lennon Walls"

Which is why he feels there is a massive gulf between Hong Kong and China, which makes him despondent. How can the two even begin to communicate with each other effectively when one doesn't understand the other?

It's a huge cultural gap... who is going to bridge it and how?