National Security Job Creation

The second National Security Education Day was last week

Did you learn anything from last week's National Security Education Day on April 15?

Aside from stickers on the backs of bus seats advertising it as well as giant billboards across Hong Kong, there wasn't specifically anything new to learn unless you went onto the website to take a look.

Two former law enforcement chiefs don't think people know enough about national education and are proposing a position in the upcoming administration to promote it further.

People were encouraged to go on the website

Former security chief Lai Tung-kwok is calling for a new post of "national security education commissioner", as the public don't know enough about the issue, and that the annual National Security Education Day is far from sufficient.

During a radio program on RTHK, he said the city needs to work harder to educate people about national security, as it encompasses everything from finance to food.

So how does national security affect food, unless he is referring to ecological security, which is about ecological damage and environmental pollution?

Lai, who is also a New People's Party legislator, said if people had a better understanding of national security, it would be easier to get them to make sacrifices to ensure it is upheld.

Tang (left) and Lai want a NSL commissioner 

With rights and freedoms further eroding because of national security, not many would agree to make sacrifices -- they have no choice really and have to accept that almost everything is for national security reasons.

Meanwhile, former police commissioner Tang King-shing said the public have misunderstood what national security is all about, adding that an ageing population and gender equality issues could also undermine safety and stability.

These two enjoy stirring more fear into the pot with reasons that have zero logic.

How does having an increasingly elderly population and the fight for gender equality undermine safety and stability?

Lai and Tang both seem keen on being this "national security commissioner", if the new Chief Executive decides to create the post.

How do these elderly impact national security?

There is talk that sole candidate John Lee Ka-chiu is looking to expand his administration, and perhaps one of them will be national security education, considering security seems to be a top priority.

A quick scan of the National Security Education website does not mention the elderly or gender equality issues either, so maybe Lai and Tang should study the website first before making these ominous proclamations that are hardly credible?

Controversial Art Taken Down at M+

Comparison of Leung's photo with Wang's work

Still jet lagged and haven't thought of a new blog yet so we will continue on here!

Two disappointing things have happened recently that demonstrate the ongoing deteriorating situation in Hong Kong.

Vidler's firm stops operations on June 3 this year

First is that well known law firm Vidler & Co which handled many human rights cases as well as the 2019 protests, will cease operations from June 3. The announcement was made by the Law Society of Hong Kong, notifying its members of the firm's imminent closure after 19 years.

Senior partner Michael Vidler has not commented publicly about the announcement.

The firm has represented such activists as Joshua Wong Chi-fung, and worked on cases like Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah, who lost an eye after a police projectile allegedly hit her on September 29, 2019. While Vidler & Co filed an application in the High Court in December that year to reveal the identity of the shooter, Vidler told Ming Pao in February the following year that the firm did not represent her anymore.

Vidler represented Veby Mega Indah in 2019

Another case the firm worked on was a woman who was allegedly raped in the Tsuen Wan Police Station. Then police chief Chris Tang Ping-keung claimed the case was an attempt to "mislead the police", alleging the claim was not consistent with the video evidence.

Legal representatives of Vidler & Co hit back, claiming Tang was trying to "publicly discredit" the woman.  

The firm is also known for being involved in LGBTQ cases.

Interesting to note Vidler & Co will be closing the day before the 33rd anniversary of June 4... coincidence?

Also along the same vein, contemporary art museum M+ has reopened, months after the fifth wave began in late December. The new head of M+, Bernard Chan toured the museum on April 21 and notably three works were replaced that were related to Tiananmen.

Wang Guangyi's portrait of Mao

One is Wang Xingwei's New Beijing, painted in 2001 showing two injured penguins on the back of a makeshift tricycle flatbed. It is a riff off of photographer Leung Heung-shing's photograph of a man trying to cycle as fast as he can to take two victims to the hospital.

Another piece is Wang Guangyi's Mao Zedong: Red Grid No. 2 (1989), showing a painted portrait of the Great Helmsman, though with a red grid painted on top as if the leader is in a cage.

Finally, Zhou Tie-hai's Press Conference III (1996) refers to the Cold War. These works are now probably stuck in the museum's gulag, never to be seen in person again, though they can be found online on the M+ website.

M+ response?

"It has always been M+'s plan to rotate over 200 artworks in the first year after its opening," a statement read. "Nine out of over 200 have been rotated before reopening, in particular those which are in greater need for conservation."

Controversial artist Ai Weiwei's work Whitewash, featuring old jars that have been repainted is still there, though the black and white photograph of him giving the middle finger to the Gate of Heavenly Peace across from Tiananmen Square is not available...

This Ai Weiwei photo is not shown at M+

In any event, we can't help but be amused that pro-Beijing stalwarts who are staunchly behind chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu, are angry that their star nominee cannot post his campaign videos on the YouTube video-sharing platform because the company needs to comply with US sanctions against him.

Lee called the sanctions "unreasonable",  a "bullying act" and a means to "exert pressure to make him have hesitations" regarding the upcoming election.

"Any country's official should strive for the best to defend their country's national security," he said. "Their unreasonable act will just strengthen my belief that what I am doing is right."

We hope Lee knows what he is doing because he is also getting a lot of ridicule for the copywriting on his campaign materials. A social media group has criticised the choice of words and grammar in Chinese and English, pointing them out much like a teacher does with a nasty red pen.

Perhaps even more entertaining is that Lee's campaign team actually follow many of these correction suggestions.

All for the greater good, right?

John Lee Secures over 700 Nominations

Lee has secured over three times the necessary nominations

One person is running for the position of Chief Executive, and he already has secured over 700 nominations from almost half of the Election Committee, so is there any point for John Lee Ka-chiu to formally put in his paperwork to participate in the one-horse race?

The one-horse race will cost HK$278 million

But it seems one must go through the motions, and Lee has more than the minimum 188 nominations from the Election Committee, over three times the number... cause no other viable contender has thrown his or her hat into the ring.

"It is time that I let people know the clear indication of standing for the election, so it is appropriate for me to actually register to stand for the election," he said today. 

"I will continue to appeal for people's support. So I will be approaching the Election Committee members again for their support in the eventual voting exercise."

An exercise that will cost taxpayers -- who cannot vote in this election -- HK$278 million (US$35.5 million), with another HK$50 million tacked on because of delays due to the pandemic. 

The 2003 protests led to shelving Article 23

And as expected, one of Lee's priorities if he becomes the next Chief Executive, is to pass Article 23, where the city can enact laws to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, and subversion against the central government, or the theft of state secrets, forbid foreign political organisations from conducting political activities in the region, and to ban political organisations from establishing ties with foreign political organisations.

That seems to be pretty much covered already by the national security law enacted in 2020, but just in case, Article 23 will reinforce this and give the government more leeway to further crush dissent.

As many will remember back in 2003 over 500,000 people came out to protest then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa's attempt to pass the bill, which led to his abrupt exit as well as then security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.

The then protests caused Ip to lose her job

The current Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said back in February that consultations on Article 23 will begin in May.

Guess there's no point in wasting time...

Quote of the Day: John Lee as Conductor

Lee announced he was throwing his hat into the ring today

Former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu is positioning himself as the conductor of a symphony in his bid to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Speaking to reporters today, he launched his campaign with the slogan, "Starting a New Chapter for Hong Kong Together", and said his decision to run was because of his loyalty to the country, love for Hong Kong and his sense of duty to Hong Kong people.

Sounds very familiar to Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's decision to run in 2017. At that time in her manifesto she wrote: "I decided to contest the Chief Executive election because I love this city and I care for the well-being of our 7 million population who live here. I am willing and ready to lead the politically appointed officials and our 170,000 civil service."

Lee likens being a conductor of an orchestra

Lee hopes to build a Hong Kong that is energetic, happy, open, united and peaceful.

"This new chapter will be a new symphony. Being the conductor, each member will be able to leverage his or her strengths to create the synergy effect... Together, we will play a more splendid new piece for Hong Kong," he said.

Never knew Lee was such a classical music lover. 

While he is conjuring the image of everyone working together to channel their energy and efforts to create a rejuvenated city, a conductor does use a baton... which a police officer uses too...

Lee Green Lighted to Run for Chief Executive

The State Council has approved Lee to run for chief executive

Today former Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu held a very short press conference to say one thing -- Beijing has approved his resignation to run for the next chief executive.

"I have been taking part in different positions which provided me with a lot of valuable experience, knowledge and abilities. It has also broadened my vision," he said, adding he would hold another press conference tomorrow to lay out his coming plans.

Cheng supports Lee's nomination as candidate

"I thank Hong Kong and the people of Hong Kong for allowing me to serve Hong Kong in the past 45 years. I shall continue to proceed on the way that I shall be proceeding."

The race has begun -- for one candidate -- with a Facebook page set up but has no picture of Lee, while his campaign spin doctors have started working when it's looking likely to be a one-man race.

As others have noted, why go through the charade of holding a campaign? Just anoint the successor and be done with it.

Some people are dreading the possibility of a Lee authoritarian reign for the next five years, and so there could possibly be another wave in the next two months of people leaving the city.

However, the city's property developers, the tycoons, are all clambering over each other to show their support for Lee.

CK Asset chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi said in a statement he would nominate Lee to run in the upcoming chief executive election, while Sun Hung Kai Properties chairman Raymond Kwok Ping-luen said Lee would help restore the city's order and this will benefit Hong Kong in the long run.

Lam looking for chief secretary replacement

New World Development CEO Adrian Cheng Chi-kong and Henderson Land chairman Lee Ka-shing also threw their support behind Lee.

Meanwhile his former boss Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has nominated someone to replace Lee (for the remaining two months or so) and has yet to hear back from the State Council.

Perhaps workaholic Lam could do both jobs? She was CS before...

Picture of the Day: Fight the Virus!

Inside this bag are tools for people to fight the virus!

I missed the volunteers -- or maybe it was Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor or Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu the other day when they were giving out the "anti-epidemic service bag" and was instead left with a notice from the district office telling me to go pick it up at the nearby government primary school.

So that's what I did this morning. After scanning the LeaveHomeSafe app, I was allowed to enter, and inside the gymnasium were staff who first asked people to fill out the form on the notice -- my name, the first few numbers of my HKID card and phone number, and signature.

Rapid antigen tests, KN95 masks and TCM

Once these were completed she gave me a white plastic bag tied in a knot with a giant blue sticker saying, "United, We Fight the Virus!"

Inside are 20 rapid antigen tests, 20 KN95 masks, and two boxes of "proprietary Chinese medicine" -- Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang. 

Each box contains 24 capsules "To clear scourge, remove toxin, diffuse the lung and discharge heat".

Ah but of course!

The dosage is three times a day, four capsules each time. If each box has 24 capsules, then the traditional Chinese medicine will only last for four days. 

I also received the e-voucher given out by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, but when I went to the MTR station to have the money topped up in my Octopus card, it would only top up enough to the maximum amount of HK$3,000 balance -- not HK$4,000 as promised.

It seems the maximum amount of money the Octopus card will allow is HK$3,000, so my actual deposited amount was about HK$2,930 as I had about HK$70 left in my Octopus card.

So now I need to spend at least HK$1,000 before I can get the rest of the balance owed to me.

Many people were confused today and an MTR staff member had to stand there and explain to each person why they got less than the promised HK$4,000 amount... 

Did no one in the Hong Kong government anticipate this would happen?

John Lee Tipped for Top Job

Lee announces his resignation in a bid to run for CE

The election for Hong Kong's next chief executive has one candidate so far, and he may be the only one Beijing endorses. Former Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu has emerged as the front runner and no other are contesting the top job -- yet.

Earlier today he formally resigned from his position citing his ambitions -- if given Beijing's blessing -- to run in the May 8 election.

"If my resignation is approved by the Central People's Government, I shall plan to prepare to stand for the upcoming Chief Executive Election," he said, adding he would inform the public of his next move if Beijing accepted his decision to quit.

Protests erupted over the extradition bill in 2019

His press conference was only five minutes, making his announcement in Cantonese and English and left without taking any questions from reporters.

The choice of Lee signals Beijing's priority of security over social welfare, the economy or development. 

He has always been involved in law enforcement, beginning his career in the Hong Kong Police force, starting as a probationary officer in 1977, and moving up the ranks.

In 2012, then chief executive Leung Chun-ying made Lee deputy commissioner, joining government circles, and then was promoted again five years later to chief of the Security Bureau. 

Last June he replaced Matthew Cheung Kin-chung as Chief Secretary.

Lee and Lam announcing the bill was "dead"

It should be pointed out that in 2019 it was Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Lee who proposed the extradition bill, which led to millions of people protesting in the streets, and later implementing the national security law.

He also instigated the arrests last year of 47 politicians, activists and academics for holding a primary in 2020 to see which candidates would be best suited to run in the Legislative Council election. 

He claimed their plans would paralyse Hong Kong's government and pull the city into a "bottomless abyss".

So while Beijing will be satisfied with the choice of Lee, Hongkongers are beginning to worry about the consequences of having someone who has no expertise in how to kickstart the city's economy out of the doldrums or care about the underprivileged, or even housing issues.

Many people in this photo are behind bars

Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has hinted he won't be running, while no word yet on former chief executive Leung or former secretary for security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee. Ip may always be the bridesmaid and never the bride...

If Lee does become the next chief executive, things may get more stricter and more authoritarian...

Chief Secretary May be a Chief Executive Hopeful

Lee may run for the next chief executive of Hong Kong

The big news today -- the nominations for candidates to run for the next chief executive kicked off and it is widely believed Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu will throw his hat in the ring.

He was the former Secretary for Security and before that had a career in the Hong Kong Police Force. 

Lee made it easier for CE hopefuls to do their campaigning because he exempted them from bans on public gatherings.

Lam says CE hopefuls can have gatherings

From April 23, candidates whose nominations are validated by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee are also allowed to conduct election-related gatherings with the public in indoor settings.

During her daily Covid-19 briefing, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor explained the government had considered both the need to safeguard public health and the importance of the election.

"I hope people will realise this is a very important occasion for Hong Kong and we would like to see the prospective candidates having this opportunity to seek sufficient nominations during the nomination period, and thereafter for those who have been validated as a CE candidate to participate in all sorts of electioneering activities," she said.

"So the exemptions granted by the Chief Secretary were very well-justified."

Indeed as he will want to take advantage of this chance to press the flesh. But will the 1,462 members of the Election Committee actually come out during this fifth wave, even though the number of cases is dropping daily?

Chan doles out first batch of vouchers April 7

Lam still has not revealed if she will be running again or not.

Nevertheless, while we agree choosing the next chief executive is a very important exercise, it isn't when you're not eligible to vote.

Perhaps that's why Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also announced today that the first batch of electronic vouchers will be doled out on April 7, perhaps to keep people busy in figuring out what to spend their free money on and not get too worked up on not being able to have a hand in picking Hong Kong's next leader...

Today the number of Covid-19 cases was 3,699, and 111 deaths, of which 96 were new, 15 backlogged.

Covid Could Harm Your Penis and Other Horrible News

A study of Covid-infected hamsters yielded interesting results

There might be another way to entice people -- particularly men -- to get vaccinated.

If they don't and catch Covid-19, their sperm count could drop.

That's according to research from the University of Hong Kong, that says the coronavirus could damage testicles, lower sex drive, and affect fertility in men.

The findings were released on Sunday by ProfessorYuen Kwok-yung and his HKU team, based on a study on testicular and hormonal changes in hamsters infected with the virus.

Yuen led the study by HKU researchers

The fact that Yuen even has time to conduct this study while being busy inspecting the airflow and ventilation of buildings whenever there's an infection is quite impressive... and how did they even come up with this hypothesis?!

Nevertheless, it was found that infected hamsters suffered a sharp drop in sperm count and serum testosterone four to seven days after infection.

The rodents also developed chronic testicular atrophy, resulting in a decrease in the size and weight of the testicles. Again aren't those quite small to start with?!

Both Omicron and Delta variants caused similar effects.

At least this is a bit of light-hearted news after days of depressing news and more to come.

Today 6,067 infected cases were recorded, only 12 of which were imported. The Centre for Health Protection has now given up on releasing preliminary positive cases as they did not reflect the true number, but also because they are completely overwhelmed.

Hong Kong officials are throwing their weight behind battling "the enemy", as Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu says the city is in "full-on war mode" he wrote in his blog.

Lee says Hong Kong is in "full-on war mode"

"Now is the most critical time during the two years of anti-pandemic efforts. The SAR government is in a full-on war mode and will follow the important instruction of President Xi Jinping to stabilise the epidemic as an overriding priority, mobilising all forces and resources, taking all necessary steps to protect Hong Kong people's lives and health and ensure Hong Kong's social stability."

So it is under the guise of the pandemic that Hong Kong will follow instructions from Beijing because it is very evident that Hong Kong people cannot govern Hong Kong.

Meanwhile his colleague Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee warned in a radio program that social-distancing measures would be further tightened, but didn't go into details.

What does this mean? People can't even be in groups of two?

Chan says more restrictions to come

It seems the government is intent on making us the most miserable people on earth. We can't eat in a restaurant after 6pm, can't get haircuts or exercise in a gym, watch a movie, attend a concert, go swimming, go to a church/synagogue/mosque service, borrow a book from the library, and attend a wedding or funeral.

And Chan says it's going to get worse?

It's going to be a long, long spring.

Youngest and Oldest Hongkongers Die from Covid

Thousands waiting, is this the most efficient way to fight Covid?

It was tragic to find out a three-year-old girl who was in critical condition with Covid-19 and no underlying health issues has passed away, the youngest victim of the virus so far, while a 100-year-old chronically ill woman also died, being the oldest fatality in Hong Kong.

And yet Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said today: "It is not an option to surrender to the virus", despite the healthcare system being completely overwhelmed. 

Even her deputy, Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu now needs to be isolated after his domestic helper was found to be infected with the virus, while pro-Beijing lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee's chauffeur tested positive too.

Lee is isolating after his helper tested positive

Despite Lam's insistence on achieving "dynamic zero infection", she has not shown any indication of earnestly trying to fight the fifth wave as quickly and effectively as possible.

During the media briefing this morning she suggested that 3,000 flats from three public housing estates could be used as well as 10,000 hotel rooms to isolate people who have tested positive for the virus. Lam did not invoke emergency powers to demand the hotels give up the rooms as soon as possible, but instead has chosen to approach "industry leaders" to expedite the process.

After over two years, how many hotels are going to be willing to be turned into isolation facilities? Who among the staff -- who have no medical training -- would be willing to service these people knowing there would be a high risk of getting infected as seen from quarantine hotels?

And then Lam has suggested that 400 taxis be chosen specifically to ferry infected people to designated medical clinics that will process Covid-19 patients. Again, who is willing to drive these people around, knowing they have tested positive for the virus?

Some 400 taxis will ferry patients to clinics

This plan does not seem feasible, thanks to the government being caught seriously flat-footed knowing Omicron is an easily transmissible virus and seeing how it has affected people overseas -- just looking at Singapore -- and anticipating the worst-case scenarios and preparing for them.

In addition there are another 30 nurses and doctors in 28 hospitals and eight clinics and care homes that have also come down with Covid. Does Lam think that healthcare professionals are limitless? Many already migrated in the past year so there was already a serious shortage.

If that wasn't all, there were pictures circulating on social media of to 60 patients in gurneys outside the Caritas Medical Centre in Sham Shui Po around 2pm, and at Pok Oi Hospital in Yuen Long, about 40 patients treated outside on gurneys or in tents while others sat on chairs. They were given foil blankets if they complained about the cold.

How is this even acceptable in Hong Kong?

Patients in Sham Shui Po treated outside hospital

The best thing people can do to protect themselves and their loved ones other than wearing masks is to get vaccinated. The government is too overwhelmed to help anyone, so it up to all of us to look after ourselves and getting inoculated is the fastest (and cheapest) way to do that.

In the meantime spare a thought for the three-year-old girl's family. We have all been through so much, and yet we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet...

No Lockdown, but No Priority of Vaccines Either

Lee (centre) flanked by senior ministers this evening

When it was announced before 8pm that Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu would be holding a press conference at 9pm, it sounded terribly serious. People on social media began speculating if it was to announce a lockdown. 

Earlier in the day my unvaccinated relatives texted me to suggest that I stock up on pasta and noodles as there was the possibility of a lockdown. I said it was logistically impossible for that to happen, but they were on their way out to buy more food.

Lee said no lockdown, but more help from China

They already have two fridges packed with food and lots of pasta, tissue paper, toilet paper to last them over a month. But they had to get more food...

In the wet market and the supermarket there wasn't much of a panic, people buying what they needed, no shelves were cleared out, and yes there were still lots of vegetables.

It has been announced that Lee along with the secretaries for health, transport, mainland affairs and security would be going to Shenzhen to meet with mainland officials to see how they could clamp down on the fifth wave, which logged a record 1,514 cases, five of which were imported. There are another 1,500 preliminary positive.

So the 9pm press conference ended up not being an announcement about a lockdown, but instead a reiteration of the mainland's support for Hong Kong, and supplying help in genetic testing, more rapid antigen tests, more isolation facilities and more PPE for medical workers. 

There will also now be a joint Hong Kong-mainland expert committee to figure out the best way forward for the city. 

There was talk of getting more testing assistance

When asked by reporters why a lockdown was not considered, Lee said the latest social-distancing measures would be good enough, and with assistance from the mainland, a lockdown was not necessary at this time.

However, this is what medical experts had called for in order to reach zero Covid, but apparently the suggestion caused a lot of pushback, concerned it would cause panic. 

Like my relatives... who now have even more food... 

One reporter asked what the vaccination strategy would be going forward, but Lee skirted the question, which demonstrates how much of a priority getting the population inoculated, particularly the elderly is.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has said she has set the target of 90 percent vaccinated... is Hong Kong anywhere near that? 

As of today 75.75 percent have had at least one jab, 67.34 per cent are fully vaccinated, only 16.33 percent have had their booster.

But still the most vulnerable, those in the 70s and up are still not vaccinated, whereas those 40-49 are 94 percent jabbed.

More tests for residents to endure in fifth wave

With Lee not stressing tonight the importance of getting vaccinated and having a strategy of getting people jabbed then Hong Kong will continue to be in this situation of exponential cases and not enough being done about it.

It just reflects the weakness of the Lam administration in not being able to be tough with getting its residents inoculated and yet still pushing for "zero-Covid" when over 1,500 cases a day is making this goal practically impossible to reach.

Covid-19 Cases Continue to Surge

People waiting in long lines to be tested for Covid-19

There was more shock today to see Hong Kong log another record breaking 1,325 cases today and over 1,500 preliminary positive, which means there could be close to 2,000 cases tomorrow.

Chuang (left) announced 1,500 preliminary cases

If this is not horrifying enough to get people to get vaccinated, I don't know what else to say.

In the last few days there have been some elderly deaths related to Covid-19, practically all were not vaccinated, or had one jab. Unfortunately the Centre for Health Protection does not disclose whether those inoculated had Sinovac or BioNTech; the health authorities will only say both are effective in producing antibodies... 

But there was also a four-year-old boy on Yuen Long who died after having a fever since February 9 and vomited before he passed out and then died. It turns out now from his autopsy that he also had Covid-19.

Lee leads a delegation to Shenzhen tomorrow

Tomorrow Hong Kong and mainland officials will meet in Shenzhen to discuss how to battle Omicron, with the strong possibility of setting up a makeshift hospital. Some people on Twitter are suggesting Hong Kong International Airport's third runway that is being built now be the site, since there aren't anymore flights coming in or out.

Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu is leading the delegation that includes the secretaries for security, health mainland affairs, and transport and housing. 

Hundreds of Cantonese-speaking medical and lab personnel have already come to Hong Kong to help process mass testing.

"The first two batches of colleagues, a few hundred of them, already crossed the border into Hong Kong last week. We gave priority to those who can speak Cantonese, as they will need to interact with Hong Kong people," a Guangdong health official said.

He added these people were mentally prepared to be in Hong Kong for a long stint, as they could not return to the mainland without having completed along quarantine.

How about using third runway for Covid hospital?

It makes being sent to the city sound like a hardship posting...

More Omicron Cases in Triple Digits

Over 100 new cases were uncovered at Kwai Chung estate

Hong Kong is definitely in the midst of its fifth wave with a record 140 new cases, the most number of cases in a single day in 18 months. In addition more than 100 people have tested preliminary positive.

One hundred and twenty-five cases are related to the Kwai Chung housing estate where some 37,000 residents were under lockdown. Two of the five housing blocks, Yat Kwai House and Ying Kwai House have the most serious infections, while of the other three, one had two positive cases, and the other two one each, ending their overnight lockdowns.

Residents heckled Lam, with Lee and Chan

Last night during her press conference, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor warned that the outbreak at the estate was "exponential", but Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee seemed to contradict her. 

"Although the numbers are still increasing, we still have not seen a so-called exponential [rise]," Chan said. "Right now we think our different levels of compulsory testing are effective."

Speaking of Lam, she made a quick visit to the housing estate today with her deputy John Lee Ka-chiu, and housing secretary Frank Chan Fan, but residents there heckled her, some yelling profanities, telling her to "stop putting on a show", while others sarcastically told her not to come as "you will be locked down for five days".

They were angry at meals delivered late and rubbish not being collected because of fears of infections on their floors, but also personal protective equipment lying in a heap that wasn't disposed of either.

Garbage not collected one one floor

Probably wasn't a good day for Lam today.

Meanwhile microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung warned:

"It's obvious that the fifth wave is escalating... It may take around two to three months to calm down," he told a television program. "We have to see if our existing measures are effective enough and hope there can be relatively fewer infections during the outbreak."

He suggested people can open the windows in their flats to get more air ventilation and wear two layers of masks. My aunt tried to follow that advice and nearly suffocated after five minutes from not being able to breathe...

Yuen added the chances of lifting social-distancing measures by February 4 were very slim.

"You don't need to be an expert to confirm this; everyone can see it's obvious that it is impossible to open up by day four [February 4]. There are already more than 100 cases discovered."

Yuen says wave will take 2-3 months to drop

Interestingly he reiterated that Hong Kong's "zero-Covid" strategy was not sustainable, as it was just meant to buy time for residents to get vaccinated so the city could open up and start living with the virus.

With that stance contrary to Beijing and Hong Kong, we wonder how much longer he will still be advising the government...

Stand News Stands Down

Media covering arrest of Stand News editor Patrick Lam

Yesterday Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and six former senior editors and executives were slapped with another charge of allegedly promoting seditious material. 

Early this morning news broke that the national security police arrested seven people related to independent online news outlet Stand News, including former and current editors, former opposition lawmaker Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, musician and activist Denise Ho Wan-sze, and Christine Fang Meng-sang, cousin of former chief secretary Anson Chan Fong On-sang.

Denise Ho was also arrested this morning

Police also froze HK$61 million (US$7.8 million) of Stand News' assets, making it the second news outlet to be accused of breaching the national security law.

Ronson Chan Ron-sing, Stand News deputy assignment editor and chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was also taken from his home in Tai Wai for questioning but was not placed under arrest.

Coincidentally, Chan was at the association's annual dinner two nights ago, in which he deplored the rapid deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong.

In part he said this:

"When the Excom was elected last June, we made a solemn promise to our colleagues and the society. We know that it is a turbulent time, but freedom of the press is one of the pillars of Hong Kong's success. Since its establishment in 1968, HKJA has attached importance to its social responsibility as much as to the needs of our colleagues. Hong Kong needs both truth and reporters. No matter how difficult the road is ahead, HKJA will do our utmost to continue to stand high and shoulder to shoulder. In the face of an uncertain future, we have no other request from our friends and partners other than your encouragement. Our humble wish is to continue to receive words of encouragement even if they may be soft and low."

Chan speaks to reporters after his release

By this afternoon Stand News was shut down, its employees all laid off. By 11pm tonight the website was shut down as well as its social media like Twitter accounts.

More than 200 police officers were involved in Wednesday's crackdown, raiding the Stand News office in Kwun Tong with a warrant, and took away 33 boxes of evidence, including computers and journalistic material, and also searching the homes of some of the accused.

At a press conference today, Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu justified the arrests of the seven which led to Stand News' demise.

"Anybody who attempts to make use of media work as a tool to pursue their political purpose or other interests [and] contravenes the law, particularly offences that endanger national security, they are the evil elements that damage press freedom," Lee said.

Barrister Margaret Ng was arrested by police

"Professional media workers should recognise that these are the bad apples who are abusing their position simply by wearing a false coat of media worker and then, using that position, abuse news as a tool, to pursue their own purposes. They will pollute press freedom. Professional media workers should recognise this, say no to these people and stand far from them."

Senior Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah, of the police force's National Security Department, said they froze Stand News' assets as they questioned where the money came from as the news outlet did not accept sponsors or receive many advertising fees. 

The police also questioned how Stand News could have the money to open a bureau in the UK and if a conspiracy had occurred. 

Stand News was founded on December 29, 2014 and shut down almost seven days later to the day on December 27, 2021.

It became known for its on-the-ground reporting, particularly during the 2019 protests and was a go-to source for news for opposition-leaning readers. Its reporters also did investigative stories, including the latest one on two senior immigration officials allegedly receiving gift hampers from embattled developer China Evergrande.

Screenshot from Ho's live stream of Yuen Long

By law civil servants are not allowed to receive gifts worth more than HK$3,000, but these hampers were priced at HK$3,388. One of the officials surmised that the hampers were bought during an early-bird special so they actually cost under HK$3,000...

During the 2019 protests, it drew 3.8 million viewers when its then reporter Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam, live streamed the attacks in the Yuen Long MTR station on July 21, 2019, and she herself was attacked by the white-clad men with rods. Her video was a chilling record of what happened that night.

But Stand News is no more. 

There are fewer places for Hongkongers to get their news. If anything the mainlandisation of Hong Kong continues to steamroll on, making press freedom in the city even more fragile by the day.