Hong Kong's Student Population is Shrinking

At least 81 Primary One classes were cut this school year

 

In the latest count, there are at least 81 fewer Primary One classes in Hong Kong's public school system. With about 25 students in each class, that means around 2,000 pupils have either emigrated, switched into the private school system, or were mainland students taking Hong Kong classes online and dropped out.

Originally back in March, the Education Bureau released a report on primary schools, saying 66 classes would be cut in the 450 public primary schools in the city.

Many children may have migrated elsewhere

A representative of local principals said he expected the drop could be even bigger next school year, as those students across the border in China may quit taking online classes at Hong Kong schools if the border remains closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chu Wai-lam, chairman of the North District Primary School Heads Association, said his school has already received 20 percent less Primary One admission applications for the coming year.

"Moreover, if the border fails to open, some of the cross-border students who are now learning online will eventually quit school," Chu said. "So it's a double hit."

He believes it will be difficult to fill 3,000 Primary One spaces in North District for the following academic year.

The bureau released a statement noting that such a fluctuation "often reflects the overall changes in the population of school-aged students and its mobility", which includes emigration and people leaving the public school system for private ones.

Mainland students have quit online classes in HK

According to the bureau, 60,000 six-year-olds were eligible to begin Primary One this year. 

In July, official data showed more than 15,000 pupils had quit school in the 12 months leading up to October last year, a 2 percent drop in the primary and secondary school population, which was about 691,000.

Figures from the Census and Statistics Department last month showed a net outflow of about 89,200 residents since mid 2020, when Beijing imposed the new national security law.

The future of Hong Kong is shrinking day by day...

 

Alliance Assets Frozen, Govt to Wind Down Next Digital

Cartoons of Szeto Wah (left) and Zhao Ziyang taken by police

Even though the group that used to organize the annual June 4 candlelight vigils had already decided to disband, the national security police has preempted the process by freezing all the assets, including bank accounts, property such as the June 4 museum which totals to about HK$2.2 million (US$282,000).

On Saturday the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China had voted to disband in a majority 41-4 vote. However, today (Wednesday), the alliance's secretary Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong who is handling the group's dissolution, was notified by the National Security department that it had frozen its assets, including the museum in Mongkok.

Tsoi says the alliance's assets have been frozen

In early September the police had already raided the museum, taking away documents, computers, cardboard presentations, and even large cartoon caricatures of the late Chinese premier Zhao Ziyang and the alliance's late co-founder Szeto Wah.

Tsoi said he would submit a letter to the National Security department asking it to unfreeze the bank accounts and museum as the group needed to process winding-up procedures.

The police accusing the alliance of acting as a "foreign agent", an offence under the national security law, and sent letters to 12 members of the group demanding for more information about its member list, financial reports and activities, a request they refused to comply with.

What will happen? Maybe the alliance can look to what is happening to Next Digital.

Lai's company will be wound up by the govt

The parent company that used to publish Apple Daily is in a similar situation: its HK$18 million in assets were frozen, and now the Hong Kong government is looking to wind up Next Digital for jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has filed a petition to the Court of First Instance to liquidate the 40-year old company under powers granted by the Companies Ordinance and a hearing is scheduled for December 15.

"After considering the interim report, the financial secretary took the view that it would be expedient in the public interest that Next Digital be wound up, and therefore decided to present a winding up petition to the court," the government said.

Market regulator the Securities and Futures Commission also believes it is in the public interest to wind up the company based on its information.

Next Digital's assets amount to HK$18 million

A source said no one was left at Next Digital to handle its assets after key management personnel had resigned.

While a former desk editor at Apple Daily said about 1,000 staff members were still owed salaries, she wondered whether the mandatory winding up would allow the authorities to gain access to sensitive staff information, such as emails and minutes of board meetings.

"If this happens, I don't think the government winding up is a good move as claimed," she said.

 

Foreign Ministry Overwhelmed by Flowers

Meng clutching a giant bouquet after landing in Shenzhen

 

With Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou given a hero's welcome back to China complete with red carpet, dozens of red roses, an army of drones creating messages in the sky, the highest skyscraper in Shenzhen illuminating messages too, and pretty much everyone excited that their "Huawei princess" was back home.

So the Chinese foreign ministry seemed surprised to be overwhelmed with dozens of bouquets for the businesswoman who was under house arrest for over 1,000 days in Vancouver. 

Foreign ministry says it is "a sea of flowers"

As the ministry thanked people for their flowers that were sent as expressions of national pride and gratitude to the government for securing her release, it asked that people stop sending anymore, as the ministry has become "a sea of flowers".

"We greatly appreciate your kindness. And we sincerely suggest that you stop sending flowers, although you are welcome to continue to leave messages," the ministry said.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday her colleagues were deeply touched by the gestures.

"These flowers represent the Chinese people's sincere support and affirmation of the [Communist] Party and the government's ability to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and enterprises, and reflect the hearts of the Chinese people," she said.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all my friends who care about and support Meng Wanzhou and China's diplomacy."

Hua Chunying asks people to stop sending flowers

Right. Diplomacy. More like hostage diplomacy.

But a good way to soften the image is the flood of flowers at the ministry. 

Glad the florists are doing a roaring business these days in China...

New Harbour Views from Fortress Hill

Another new spot to take fantastic panoramic shots of the city

 

Hong Kong Island's harbour front is slowly opening up more for pedestrians to enjoy the view and new public spaces. The latest one to just open is the East Coast Park Precinct in Fortress Hill.

I checked it out tonight the day after the official opening and luckily there weren't too many people. Some of the fixtures like reclining seats look similar to the ones by the Wan Chai promenade, while the area with benches look like the ones found in Kennedy Town.

Do we really need this redundant sign here?

You can walk right up to where a giant "swirl" is, an air purifier and take some great photos looking towards Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Central. This place will probably become the next "Instagram Pier" even though it's hardly a pier.

It will also be a very good spot to catch the fireworks -- if Hong Kong ever has them again.

There are also mini slides for young children to play on and spaces for dogs to roam around too. 

One complaint is the gaudy "Victoria Harbour" sign that lights up the area. Really? Do we really need to put that there? It seems whoever approved the place was worried there was too much empty space.

But that's what public spaces are for, for people to decide what they want to do with it in the time that they are there. Maybe they can have a picnic or children can have more space to run around, play games, or draw chalk drawings.

The other thing the government and designers didn't think through properly was the name of the place. Type it into Facebook or Instagram and you get "East Coast Park, Singapore", a well known spot in the Lion City that is a park and beach, as well as recreation area in the southeastern coast of the city.

From the entrance of the park looking west

So it seems in Hong Kong, they added the word "Precinct" to make it different, but when it's not located on social media sites, East Coast Park Precinct won't get the buzz it needs to make people more aware of the place.

For those interested in finding it, from Fortress Hill MTR, walk along Oil Street and Electric Road, and then walk down Watson Road.

Help Save the Sparrows

There aren't as many Eurasian Tree Sparrows around in HK

 

According to the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, the city's sparrow population has dropped by around 30 percent in the past five years.

In May the group counted 211,100 Eurasian Tree Sparrows, the lowest figure since 305,000 were spotted in the first annual survey in 2016.

They easily adjust to living in urban areas

Pang Chun-chiu, an ornithologist with the society, said further studies needed to be carried out to find out why there has been such a drastic decline, but says it could be due to a lack of nesting space and food shortages.

"They nest in crevices which used to be abundant in a modern city like Hong Kong... [so] the glass [facades] of the buildings might reduce the nesting spaces for sparrows," he said.

Pang explained the decline of the sparrow population might also reflect a worsening urban environment in Hong Kong.

"Sparrows are a tough species, actually. They adapt to changes very quickly, and they eat a wide range of food -- from plant seeds, insects to human leftover food. There might be something getting worse here which is affecting the sparrow population," he said.

In order to protect the birds, he called on people to help, adding residential areas are their favourite spots.

For example, people should not disturb sparrows if they see them making nests in buildings during their breeding season between March and June.

They feed on seeds, insects, and also human food

It's also possible a number of the birds have died or been seriously injured from crashing into glass buildings that confuse them, though one would think they would still be able to find food with Hong Kong's garbage situation not sorted yet.

There is also the possibility of the sparrows suffering from bacterial and viral infections that can cause the failure of eggs to hatch or nesting mortality.

Hopefully these birds can be helped along to increase their survival in the coming years. These sparrows are part of the ecosystem and help with pollination, crucial for flowers, plants, trees and crops.

Two Michaels Return Home

Kovrig (left) and Spavor (second from right) arrive in Calgary

After over 1,000 days, the two Michaels are finally home in Canada.

It is a relief to have this saga that lasted over two years to be over.

The speed at which they were released demonstrates that, as former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson says, it was one for the other.

Robertson says it was clearly a hostage-taking

"China... up until now, has said there's been no linkage between the two, but by putting them on the plane [Friday night], they've clearly acknowledged that this was a hostage-taking."

Lynette Ong, a China specialist at the Munk School of Global Affairs agrees.

"The timing, it's totally undeniable that the two Michaels were unjustly detained because of the arrest of Ms Meng in Vancouver."

It is believed that not only diplomats behind the scenes were working hard to secure their release, but that US President Joe Biden played a pivotal role in lobbying Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While the Canadian side is breathing a sigh of relief and grateful to Biden and its allies, China is playing up Meng's return with a hero's welcome in Shenzhen.

Meng receives hero's welcome

Wearing a red dress and no mask, she was received on the tarmac with a red carpet, and a bouquet of red roses.

"Chairman Xi cares about the safety of every Chinese citizen, and he also has my situation in his heart. I am deeply touched by this," Meng said upon her arrival.

During her flight she also released a statement thanking officials for her release and this interesting statement:

"For the past 1,028 days, I have been stumbling around, and it was difficult to choose between a thousand things; for the past 1,028 days, I have been wandering day and night, even if I had a thousand words to say; for the past 1,028 days, there have been endless mountains and rivers, and I did not know which way to return."

Let us be clear that Meng was released on bail and allowed to live in her luxurious home in Vancouver and come and go as she pleased as long as she abided by the bail conditions.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were subjected to severe prison conditions, living over 1,000 days in tiny cells deprived of being able to speak freely to consular officials and lawyers, let alone access to sunlight and proper meals.

While this saga has finally ended happily for all involved, it does not mean it may not happen again.

Democratic Party to Vote on its Future

Lo (centre) says Democratic Party can continue to be relevant

 

Lo Kin-hei, chairman of the Democratic Party says the party should continue to exist even if it doesn't take part in the Legislative Council elections in December.

Members of the party will vote on Sunday to decide if the party should take part in the elections or not. 

However, former Democratic Party lawmaker Fred Li Wah-ming has already voiced that the party should dissolve if it chooses not to field candidates.

Li says the party should dissolve if not in election

Lo says people should be able to decide for themselves, after months of discussions and deliberations.

"Fred Li is a member who is more publicly known and more experienced. But he is still a party member and he has one vote, and he still has to persuade other party members whether to follow him or not," Lo said.

"The most important thing to me is that the party makes a decision altogether in the [extraordinary general meeting] this coming Sunday and we respect that result no matter what. I think that is the way a political party can go forward in the future."

He believes the Democratic Party will still have influence among the public as long as people agree with its work, and it will continue to speak up for Hongkongers regardless of whether it joins the Legco polls or not.

"We have had no Legislative Council seats for almost one year, and we are still trying to keep up our district and community work," Lo said.

Even if the Democratic Party decides to take part in the elections, the newly elected Election Committee may disqualify the candidates it puts forward.

The Election Committee decides who runs

As part of its policy platform, the Democratic Party suggests human rights should be part of the national education curriculum, and implement Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law to eventually achieve universal suffrage in Hong Kong to "fulfill promises made to Hong Kong people".

The party also suggests scrapping the Lantau Tomorrow Vision project, and end the "small house" policy under which male indigenous villagers in the New Territories and their descendants can build houses without paying a land premium.

Enticing the Elderly with Coupons to get Jab

Some elderly sign up for the jab at Shek Lei Estate, Kwai Hing

From the beginning, people suggested a good incentive would be for the government to handout  HK$5,000 in cash to people who are fully vaccinated.

But did the authorities consider this proposition?

"To offer cash or something physical to encourage vaccination shouldn't be done by the government and may even cause the opposite effect," said Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in late May.

Officials are urging the elderly to get the jab

But vaccination rates would have definitely been at higher levels if the government had done that from the beginning instead of relying on the corporate sector to create lucky draws in order to incentivize more people to get jabbed.

Now the government is desperately trying to get older people inoculated -- the most vulnerable population -- and now it's trying something new -- walk-in clinics and HK$200 in coupons.

Currently there are only 13 percent of those over 80 who are fully vaccinated. Part of the reason is misinformation, part of it is them not being internet savvy. Who would expect elderly people to be able to book an appointment online? The government is naive to think seniors' children will help them.

So today vaccination stations were set up in Shek Lei Estate in Kwai Hing, and one man in his 90s admitted he was there to get jabbed in order to receive HK$200 in supermarket coupons.

Seniors can use walk-in vaccination stations now

"I am poor so that's why [I'm getting the vouchers]," he said. "I was told by a district councillor [about the program today]."

The government will set up vaccination stations in Queen Elizabeth, Tuen Mun, and Queen Mary hospitals next week.

Fifty-eight percent of residents in their 60s have received at least one jab, while for those in their 70s it's 39 percent.

Today 260 seniors got vaccinated at Shek Kei Estate, and another 100 at Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon in Kwun Chung Sports Centre.

C'mon folks! Let's get the jab for HK$200 supermarket coupons!

Lithuania Advises Throwing Away Chinese Phones

 

Lithuania found Xiaomi phones have censorship capabilities

Lithuania has an adverse reaction to Chinese phones, so much so it could erupt into a diplomatic row after its defence ministry has advised residents to avoid buying Chinese phones or even throwing away the ones they have now after a government report found the devices have built-in censorship capabilities.

Xiaomi phones have a built-in ability to detect and censor terms such as "Free Tibet", "Long live Taiwan independence" or "democracy movement", according to Lithuania's state-run cybersecurity body on Tuesday.

Abukevicius advised throwing out Chinese phones

While the capability of Xiaomi's Mi 10T 5G phone software has been turned off for the "European Union region", it can be turned on remotely at anytime, the defence ministry's National Cyber Security Centre said in the report.

"Our recommendation is not to buy new Chinese phones, and to get rid of those already purchased as fast as reasonably possible," said Defence Deputy Minister Margiris Abukevicius when introducing the report.

Xiaomi did not respond to Lithuania's allegations.

The report said the list of terms which could be censored by the Xiaomi phone's system apps, including the default internet browser, currently includes 449 terms in Chinese and is continuously updated. 

"This is important not only to Lithuania, but to all countries which use Xiaomi equipment," the centre said in the report.

The report warns against using any Xiaomi gadgets

Relations soured between Lithuania and China recently after Taiwan announced its mission in Lithuania would be called the Taiwanese Representative Office, causing China to demand Lithuania withdraw its ambassador in Beijing, and said it would recall its envoy to Vilnius.

Usually Taiwanese missions in Europe and the United States use the name of the city Taipei to avoid referencing the island itself, which China regards is its own.

Following Lithuania's report, how many other countries will take heed to its warnings regarding Xiaomi phones?

It will be interesting to find out...

Picture of the day: Full Mid-Autumn Moon

The moon last night near the Wan Chai Ferry

 

The weather is finally starting to cool down, though it's becoming more like Singapore's in that there are intermittent showers for 20 minutes and then it's sunny again.

Mid-Autumn was a protracted one this year -- I started receiving mooncakes back in July as hospitality businesses hoped to make up for some losses by selling earlier. Some restaurants and hotels reported very good sales this year, even though a few raised prices, or customers wanted the most expensive hamper sets to give away as corporate gifts.

This picture on the Wan Chai harbourfront near the ferry pier was taken last night and I saw the moon tonight and it was a bit rounder and brighter (I was out for dinner so I didn't have a chance to admire the moon until afterwards).

In general everyone seems to be happier to celebrate the festival with loved ones, as last year the pandemic restricted numbers in restaurants, or people were not in the mood to go out.

Here's hoping Hong Kong can ride this pandemic out a bit longer, but also keeping in mind borders need to be lifted in order for the economy to get better. There is only so much companies can do to rely on local consumption.

中秋节快乐！

Happy Mid Autumn!

Monday News Bites

National security police arrested Wong this morning

 

Monday morning and more arrests today -- three students of an opposition group called Student Politicism who national security police allege the trio conspired to incite subversion against state power.

Officers carted off books, masks and chocolates

The group is also known for holding fundraisers to buy basic necessities for prisoners, such as surgical masks, sanitizers, snacks and books.

After the trio were arrested, officers broke into the warehouse where Student Politicism store their supplies and these were carted away as evidence.

These students, ranging in age from 18 to 20 years old, and were doing something similar to Wall-fare, in providing sanctioned supplies to inmates. They have been in trouble with the law before and arrested a few times.

One of them, Wong Yat-chin, 20, convenor of Student Politicism, previously said in an interview the value of the group was "to test the red line of the authorities".

They definitely touched the red line today.

How long does it take to count 4,380 ballots?

Media that are not pro-Beijing remarked this morning how it could be possible to take almost 14 hours to count 4,380 votes in yesterday's election for the Election Committee.

Despite the lengthy delay, Beijing's liaison office hailed the exercise as marking a "major step in Hong Kong's democratic movement with its own characteristics".

Definitely, when only 0.06 percent of the population is involved. 

Tung is the owner of a flat at Grenville House

 

Finally a news item from last week -- former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa is a first-time homeowner at the age of 84. Guess there's always a first time for everything.

Unlike most people who have to scrimp and save or hope parents will pitch in for the down payment for a microflat, Tung shelled out HK$160 million (US$20.6 million) for a luxury flat at Grenville House in Mid-Levels.

As Tung paid for it himself, he was subjected to a stamp duty of 4.25 percent, or HK$6.8 million.

Tung is a first-time homeowner at 84 years old

"Tung bought the C2 unit of Grenville House in August this year. The government had rented the same unit during his stint as chief executive," his spokesperson said. 

"After resigning as chief executive, he continued to rent the unit for his own use. He learnt in recent months that the vendor had intentions to sell his property, leading to his decision to purchase the unit at Grenville House."

He had been renting the 3,335 sq ft flat for more than a decade, and it comes with a car park.

It's just really baffling that Tung has never bought a home in Hong Kong before until now.

And by the way the vendor is laughing all the way to the bank. It bought the property for HK$3.9 million in 1982.

The Confederation of Trade Unions Folds Under Pressure

Wong (in blue) confirmed the union will disband next month

 

Another group has decided to disband, this time the Confederation of Trade Unions, which was critical of the government during the protests in 2019 and encouraged people to take part in general strikes.

Yesterday the opposition trade union's chief executive Mung Siu-tat announced on Facebook that he had resigned from the union and had left Hong Kong. He said he was forced to make a choice between two identities -- being a father and the CTU's chief executive.

Mung posted in Facebook he left Hong Kong

Today the union confirmed it was disbanding and expects to dissolve next month over concerns for "members' personal safety".

"Over the past one to two weeks, our members have received more messages," said chairman Joe Wong Nai-yuen. "We felt that the continued operation of the CTU could bring risks to members' personal safety. When our existence itself is already an original sin, even with the resignation of our leaders, it would not make a difference."

He did not say who the message came from or what they were about.

Speaking at a press conference at the confederation's offices in Yau Ma Tei, Wong was emotional when he said that after thorough discussions and "considering the risks and costs of continuing to run the CTU", the union's executive committee members had agreed to begin the process to fold during a meeting on Thursday.

The confederation was active in the 2019 protests

There will be an extraordinary general meeting held on October 3, and will need four-fifths of the votes from participating affiliated unions to support the dissolution to go ahead.

"I also hope to apologize to our affiliated unions, as well as all Hongkongers, as we, the CTU, can no longer hold on and march forward," Wong said.

He added 20, or most of the confederation's executive committee had already resigned, leaving just him, the vice-chairman, and the treasurer to handle the disbandment.

The CTU is one of the opposition and activist groups targeted by pro-Beijing media claiming it was "colluding with foreign forces" when it advocated general strikes and encouraged workers to set up new trade unions to demand greater democracy.  

At the time the CTU refuted the claim, saying having links with international labour unions was "legal" and normal practice.

The CTU was involved in 2013 dock worker strike

The union has links with some large groups, including the Professional Teachers' Union and the Civil Human Rights Front, both of which have already decided to fold under pressure from the authorities.

The CTU was started in 1990 and was co-founded by former opposition lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan, and 31 years later represented more than 80 affiliates, and around 140,000 members as of last month. It was influential in labour movements, including the 2013 strike by dock workers which lasted 40 days.

Lee is currently in jail serving a 14-month sentence for unauthorized assembly, and earlier this month was charged with inciting subversion in relation to the annual June 4 candlelight vigil.

In addition, the CTU announced it will gradually stop running around 200 courses at its 15 centres which will affect around 1,000 people.

Lee Cheuk-yan co-founded the CTU in 1990

Many of the training courses had helped workers switch careers at retirement, such as becoming security guards or cleaners.

Lam Kam-piu, chairman of the 500-member New World First Bus Company Staff Union, an affiliate of the CTU, said he regretted the confederation's plans to disband, but understood the reasons for doing so.

"It is also a pity that our government isn't tolerant enough," he said.

Patriots Governing Hong Kong

Lam got last-minute instructions from Han in Shenzhen

 There's an election tomorrow but us lowly Hong Kong citizens will not be eligible to vote.

Almost 4,900 people will vote for who they want to be in the Election Committee, which will decide who will be the next chief executive as well as future lawmakers in the Legislative Council.

The thought of universal suffrage that was demanded way back in 2014 is far from reality.

Up to 6,000 officers will be deployed tomorrow

Instead the slogan is, "Patriots governing Hong Kong", which means a certain demographic of the city.

In one last meeting in Shenzhen before the election, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor met with Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng, who instructed her not to have any trouble during tomorrow's election, the first under the newly revamped electoral system.

But Han need not worry -- Lam had already planned to deploy between 5,000 and 6,000 police officers on the streets to ensure there is law and order in the city tomorrow.

A total of 4,889 voters representing different professions and trades will cast their ballots at five voting stations in Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun between 9am and 6pm.

The rest of us will see what fate lies for Hong Kong, though the outcome will be pretty much expected.

That's elections with Chinese characteristics.

 

Privileged Few Get Booster Shots

Regina Ip opted to get BioNTech jab for her booster shot

Back in February when Sinovac vaccines were available before BioNTech, pro-establishment lawmakers lined up with their sleeves rolled up to get the jab as a sign of patriotism.

Now it turns out six months later their vaccine has produced zero antibodies and some have lined up again this time to be guinea pigs to see what happens when they get a booster shot.

Ip said she had no detectable antibodies

One of them is Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of the Executive Council. The participants of the study, being conducted at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital in Happy Valley, were given a choice of either staying with the same brand of vaccine as the first two shots, or switching to a different one.

She and two other Exco members chose the BioNTech jab, as they said they did an antibody test and none were detected after they had taken the Sinovac vaccine.

According to Ip, the other Exco members who are taking part in the study are Chow Chung-kong, Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, Joseph Yam Chi-kwong, Dr Lam Ching-choi, and Wong Kwok-kin.

Lam and Wong both advocated for people to get their third shot, but government pandemic adviser Dr David Hui Shu-cheong questioned the need for booster shots if people are generally healthy.

Hui questioned if healthy people need boosters

While higher antibody levels could help reduce the risk of symptomatic infections, their waning after Sinovac shots was consistent with data previously reported on the mainland, which had found levels were undetectable six to eight months after taking the jabs, he noted.

"They still have T cell responses, which can protect them from death or severe conditions," Hui said.

Healthy individuals whose antibodies have significantly dropped following vaccination should not be given priority for third shots, said Hui.

"Priority should be given to immunocompromised people, such as those who have undergone organ or bone marrow transplant, followed by the elderly," he said.

The six Exco members must be relieved to get booster shots -- all in the name of science, right?

June 4 Vigil Group Erases Online Presence

 

The alliance had organized the candlelight vigil for 30 years

The memories of June 4, 1989 in Tiananmen Square and all the candlelight vigils held since then have been wiped out virtually in Hong Kong.

Earlier today the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China was ordered by the national security police to remove all of its material on online platforms by 10pm this evening.

The website page now looks like this

And it has complied, showing a message on its website: "hka8964.wordpress.com is no longer available." And underneath it adds, "The authors have deleted this site."

It has also taken down its accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and noted it does not own or operate the June 4 online museum which is based outside of Hong Kong.

The group had been given a week to comply to the order, which was issued by the police commissioner last Friday.

However, the alliance created a new Facebook account to disseminate information. It now describes itself as a non-profit body. 

The museum was raided last week by police

"The alliance is not trying to defy any order. The police did not ban the alliance from using Facebook or any social media. The police only asked the alliance to delete the messages and content of specific accounts or at specific domains. The alliance still needs a place to disseminate information, thus the new Facebook page," one of the post says.

A police spokesman cited schedule 4 of the implementation rules of Article 43 and said it targeted messages published on electronic platforms that could threaten national security. "The lawful use of the internet by citizens will not be affected," he added.

Last month the alliance was accused of acting as a "foreign agent", an offence under the national security law. Police demanded it hand over its financial, operational, meeting and activity records for the past eight years, but the alliance refused.

As a result vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung and four other standing committee members were charged last week for not handing over the requested information.

Ho (centre) resigned as vice-chairman of alliance

Earlier this week Albert Ho Chun-yan resigned from the alliance as vice-chairman, as well as from two other groups linked to it, effective immediately. He is currently in jail for other charges.

The alliance had already planned to disband after 32 years and will hold an extraordinary general meeting next week to vote on the move.

This is the unceremonious end of the alliance, forced to erase its own existence at the press of a button. 

Security Chief Targets Journalist Association

Tang wants HKJA to reveal member list and financial records

 

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung is very busy these days, constantly on the attack on various targets, and now it's the Hong Kong Journalists' Association.

In a war of words, Tang has accused the HKJA for leading young people astray, going into schools to recruit students as reporters and claiming they aren't properly trained, and wants the professional body to release the membership list and financial records for further scrutiny.

The HKJA hit back, saying Tang's argument is "illogical", saying divulging who its members are would violate privacy laws, and that student reporters only make up 13 percent of its member base.

Chan (left) rebutted Tang's attacks on Wednesday

While speaking to reporters in the Legislative Council Tang said: "My understanding is that journalists need to be trained and accredited professionally, and have certain professional beliefs, values and ethics... If a student can be a student journalist, then how professional are the journalists under the association?"

Tang rebutted and said: "[The HKJA] should explain, for example, in the past five years, did you visit any school and promote your own political ideas?" he said.

"To alleviate public doubts, the association should also consider disclosing the [amount of] money it has received in recent years, as well as the sources of that founding, and whether it was donated by foreign political organizations or people with clear political inclinations."

It is Tang who trying to sow the seeds of doubt, not the public. He is trying to apply pressure to the HKJA in a bid to make it fold, but the group is standing firm -- for now.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the association responded: "We are of the view that Tang's suggestion is illogical and simply incomprehensible. We hope the secretary can understand that the media agency a member works for is also part of his or her personal data.

Chan says HK still has freedom of the press

"We cannot disclose a member's personal data without his or her consent. [Tang's request] is no different than asking us to breach the privacy law."

The HKJA said it has 486 members, 331 are full members, 22 associate members, and 34 public relations members. There are also 56 student members and 43 retired or permanent members. The association did not disclose any names or the media agencies their members were from.

In a separate briefing, HKJA chairman Ronson Chan said the association did not receive any overseas funding.

"We have annual reports and our account statements are audited and furnished annually to the Registry of Trade Unions. If Tang would like to have a look, he can approach the labour secretary for help and there is no need for him to request us publicly to do so," Chan said.

Touche.

He also rejected Tang's suggestion the HKJA was "infiltrating" schools to recruit students.

Chan said that freedom of the press was guaranteed under the Basic Law, and that "all citizens", including schoolchildren and undergraduates, enjoyed the right to undertake reporting tasks in public areas, though he advised them not to put themselves in dangerous situations. 

"What is important is not who is there to cover the event, but what the reporter is doing there and how he or she deals with the situation," Chan said.

Tang accused HKJA of recruiting student reporters

He also suggested Tang be mindful of his comments.

"Tang is a senior official. Is he trying to threaten us or exert pressure on us or just offer some gentle reminders?

"The journalists association has not breached the national security law. We have nothing to fear. We will not easily give up and disband in the face of pressure and we will stay put until the very last minute." 

Back in 2019 the HKJA held a fundraising dinner and at least nine of the table sponsors were related to the government, like the MTR, AsiaWorld-Expo, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, Urban Renewal Authority, and Hospital Authority. 

Other big corporate sponsors include New World Development, Kowloon Motor Bus Company, PCCW-HKT, Sino Group and Standard Chartered Bank.

Maybe Tang should investigate them too for having links with the HKJA?