Muted Protests on National Day

Carrie Lam leads the toast to the 71st Chinese national day

 

Although Civil Human Rights Front was banned from holding a march today to protest the 12 people detained by the mainland, some brave people came out anyway in Causeway Bay to voice their dissent against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

The police were prepared -- sending out 6,000 officers as a deterrent and were armed with the usual tools of tear gas, pepper spray and such, and even a water cannon was parked nearby. They chose their usual method of trying to shut things down before they escalated, though the protests happened over several hours and by 10pm this evening at least 86 people were arrested, 74 of which were for illegal assembly, the rest for not social distancing.

At least 86 people were arrested today

 Then how can they explain not arresting about two dozen people gathered together waving Chinese flags and fervently singing the national anthem earlier this morning? How come they are exempted?

The double standards are too obvious to ignore.

Meanwhile protesters in Causeway Bay shouted slogans like "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time", and would dissipate when the police approached them. One young man took out his recorder and played Glory to Hong Kong, though he was taken by police later for questioning.

One senior walked around with a wooden giraffe on a platform with wheels. He called it a "handsome horse" in front of riot police. There is a Chinese idiom of calling a deer a horse, which means criticizing those who fabricate the facts.

Causeway Bay was crawling with police officers

Even a Kim Jong-un impersonator, known as Howard X made an appearance with an inflatable missile. On it he taped a picture of President Xi Jinping with his head shaped like the coronavirus and a sign that read: "F*** the Communist Party".

All those people who were arrested will have to go through the justice system and by the time they are in front of the judge, there will not be enough evidence to prosecute them and the judge will probably dismiss the case. 

Why waste everyone's time and effort?

Rupert Dover (in white) was on honours list

Earlier in the day as part of the national day celebrations, the city's honour list since 1997 was revealed at a record-breaking 687 people; usually it's around 200, though in 2009, there was a record 444. 

Of those honoured, 94 were police officers, including former police chief Stephen Lo Wai-chung. Assistant commissioners Rupert Dover and David Jordan were recognized. Dover was one of six senior officers leading the police ground response on June 12 last year, and ordered the firing of tear gas as crowds of protesters against the extradition bill, pushed towards the Legislative Council complex.

Another commended officer was Chief Superintendent John Tse Chun-chung, who was grilled by reporters regularly for the force's handling of protesters. 

Pansy Ho last year speaking at the UN

Other notables include Bernard Chan Charnwut who is a member of the Executive Council; Pansy Ho Chiu-king, the late Stanley Ho's daughter and last year she spoke to the UN Human Rights Council about the government's handling of the protests; Charles Li Xiaojia who recently announced his resignation as head of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Maestro Jaap Van Zweden.

It is interesting to note there are 143 healthcare workers honoured for their work in battling the coronavirus pandemic, but none of them were the main faces in the media advising the government. I checked the list, and people like Dr David Hui Shu-cheong of Chinese University, University of Hong Kong's Dr Gabriel Leung and Dr Yuen Kwok-yung (previously awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star), or even Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection.

Those gaudy wristbands to wear during quarantine

However, Simon Wong Kwong-yeung was recognized for developing the clunky (and heavy) e-wristband for people to be monitored while doing home quarantine.

Go figure.

 

Farce and Follies in Singapore

Perhaps Trump is saying: Smile! The entire world is watching us!

Today was the big day -- two unpredictable leaders meeting in Singapore, talking about the serious issue of nuclear weapons.

In the end it looked like the perfect photo opportunity for both North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump. They met, shook hands, smiled at the cameras and then retreated to supposedly thrash out a deal.

The two leaders sign a very vague agreement

They unexpectedly signed an agreement where Trump "committed to provide security guarantees" to North Korea, and Kim "reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula."

The agreement has no specific timeline or what exact steps Kim needs to take to prove that he is dismantling nuclear weapons in his country or having inspectors checking for accountability.

Trump even said during a news conference that the naval drills the US and South Korea conducted would be suspended because they were "provocative" -- probably to the horror of South Korea and Japan. Were they even consulted on what Trump would say?

The event was almost as entertaining as their impersonators

And of course these exercises are supposed to be "provocative" to keep North Korea in line, but now Trump is using the same vocabulary as the Pyongyang. What side are you on, Trump?

While Kim retired to his lavish room in the St Regis Singapore that the Singaporean government said would pay for, Trump had a ball taking reporters' questions for over an hour.

Some fantastic quotes:

"I don't want to go against the press. Today is too important."

"He's a very talented man," Trump says of Kim. "I also learned he loved his country very much."

[If Trump is wrong about trusting Kim Jong-un?] "I may be wrong, I mean I may stand before you in six months and say, 'Hey, I was wrong. I don't know that I'll ever admit that but I'll find some kind of excuse."

Maybe Trump should reread his book

While commentators are optimistic that the two leaders have moved away from bellicose statements and now talk of a new relationship between the US and DPRK, the threats were started by Trump himself and now he has deescalated them. Why is he being praised for that?

Without having to promise any specifics, Kim definitely won this round.

Perhaps Trump needs to re-read his book, The Art of the Deal, because he was hoodwinked by Kim who hardly did anything for this summit except show up.

The Big Reveal

Here's the photographic evidence - Kim Jong-un meeting Xi Jinping

The big news on Monday evening was the possibility that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was going Beijing, as an old dark green train that his father had used previously was pulling up to the train station in the Chinese capital and local residents were told to go away -- nothing to see here.

Kim was whisked to the Diaoyutai guest house for secret talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and as per tradition, the footage was not released until after Kim had left China, which was this morning.

An old train was seen pulling into Beijing on Monday evening

The 33-year-old North Korean leader was dressed in a Mao suit and he looked diligent, taking notes while Xi spoke of the importance of their bilateral relationship. Usually he is surrounded by an entourage of people who are frantically taking notes of whatever he says.

Meanwhile Kim said it was important for him to congratulate the Chinese president on the confirmation of his second term, though effectively he could rule for a long time now that the limits of his term have been lifted.

"He [Kim] said it was his obligation to come to congratulate Xi in person, in line with the [North Korea]-China friendly tradition," Xinhua reported.

In return, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency described the meeting as "candid", and said Kim thanked Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan for receiving him like a "blood brother".

Kim took notes while Xi talked as a sign of respect

It turns out that China gets to meet the elusive leader first, followed by South Korea and then the United States. This was Kim's first overseas trip since he took power in 2011 and it was clear he would first pay homage to Xi.

This is a reminder of when, thousands of years ago, tributary states, like Korea, would visit Beijing and pay respects by bearing gifts. And now that Xi has accumulated so much power, it makes sense for Kim to do the right thing.

"North Korea, whether it likes it or not, has to take a kneel to China, and to communicate to China that it respects China and it needs China... it cannot do it alone without Chinese support, so this is a very humbling moment for North Korea in a sense," says Graham Ong-Webb, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Dennis the Mediator

Dennis Rodman (centre) arrived in North Korea today via Beijing

Hmmm former NBA star Dennis Rodman is back in North Korea to hang with his buddy Kim Jong-un.

Rodman arrived earlier today via Beijing and was mobbed by journalists.

"I'm just trying to open the door," Rodman told them. "My purpose is to actually see if I can keep bringing sports to North Korea, so that's the main thing."

Rodman has built a rapport with Kim Jong-un

The former basketball player spoke quietly and was escorted through customs and immigration by two handlers.

Rodman claims to have good relations with US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim, which would put the celebrity athlete in a very good position if he were able to try to lessen tensions between the two countries.

Tensions have heightened on the Korean peninsula due to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests, and it vows to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland, which if it does become a reality would create a very dangerous situation for Trump.

"I am pretty much sure that he [Trump] is happy with the fact that I am over here trying to accomplish something that we both need," Rodman said, when asked if he had spoken to the American president.

He also has a friendship with US President Donald Trump

US Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said today in Tokyo that Rodman was traveling as a private citizen.

"We are aware of his visit. We wish him well. But we have issued travel warnings to Americans and suggested they not travel to North Korea for their own safety," he said.

So the world is watching, Dennis. We hope you can persuade Kim, who you describe as "an awesome kid" to put down his nuclear toys and play basketball with you instead...

Mysterious Murder of Kim Jong-nam

Kim Jong-nam traveled between Macau, China and Paris

The news of the murder of Kim Jong-un's half-brother on Monday is shocking news, and now three suspects have been arrested.

One woman carrying a Vietnamese passport was arrested yesterday. She was seen on CCTV footage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with "LOL" on it, and a long skirt.

CCTV footage of one of the women who was arrested

Is she trying to be ironic?

The other two are an Indonesian woman and Malaysian man.

Kim Jong-nam, 45, was attacked at in the shopping area of the airport before he passed through immigration. There are still questions over what exactly happened -- one story is that two women put a sheet over his head that had poisonous chemicals on it, another is that poisonous darts were shot at him.

But many believe North Korea was behind the assassination, demonstrating Kim Jong-un's undisputed power in eliminating any other critics and rivals in his way.

According to Kim Jong-nam's friends in Macau who knew him as "John", he didn't speak much about the regime in North Korea, but knew he was living on borrowed time, as there had been assassination attempts on him before.

It is believed Kim's son in his early 20s, daughter and wife all live in Macau.

Kim Jong-nam (right) with his father Kim Jong-il

As the oldest son, Kim was believed to be the potential heir to Kim Jong-il, but after he entered Japan illegally to visit Disneyland in 2001 on a false Dominican Republic passport, his prospects ended.

Kim never contested his younger half brother for the leadership, and instead moved to Macau. According to his friend, Kim traveled between Macau, China and Paris, where he liked French wines and food.

Before moving to Macau, Kim had reportedly held senior posts in the Pyongyang government, working in information technology and domestic intelligence.

"He didn't talk much about his brother or the regime, although sometimes he would crack jokes about it," Kim's friend says. "He was mostly reserved in that regard. He never hid that he had some political aspirations. He did not want to succeed his father and he did not agree with his brother's regime, but I think he hoped one day he could play some political role in his country."

The following days and months will reveal more about the autopsy results of the body and perhaps more on why and how Kim was murdered. And to do the dirty deed in another country raises many diplomatic issues...

Thoughts on The Interview

Did you see this to protect freedom of expression?

I finally watched The Interview starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, curious to see what all the fuss was about, that led to threats of terrorist attacks by a group called Guardians of Peace if the movie was released on Christmas Day.

The story, about a TV host who goes to the Hermit Kingdom to interview (and assassinate) the youngest and most elusive leader, Kim Jong-un.

Seth Rogan's and James Franco's characters go to North Korea

What happens is a series of outrageous, racist or sexist jokes or incidents that can only be dreamed up by a bunch of men who are still stuck in their prepubescent period.

It takes the premise of what little people know about North Korea and creates a preposterous plot, with really bad gags and even worse, over-the-top violent scenes that make viewers wonder if they're supposed to be funny or not.

The Interview, as some critics have said, should never have been made. It's just so improbable and heinous that it's shocking that it was even given the green light.

While there has been much talk about how this movie has impacted US-North Korean relations in reality, even more enlightening is that the comedy was filmed in Vancouver.

Rogan and his friend Evan Goldberg made the film with their production company Point Grey Pictures, after their high school, Point Grey Secondary School where the two met.

Downtown Vancouver doubles as New York in the movie

There are scenes of the exterior of the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the downtown area doubling as New York (not). There's also a scene in a newsroom, which is actually the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's office, and there are lots of wilderness scenery with British Columbia trying to be the desolate areas of north eastern China and North Korea.

Attention over the movie has quickly faded since the initial burst of interest on December 25, which makes one wonder if The Interview would have garnered any kind of attention if there were never any threats in the first place.

And hopefully it will fade further in the distance as a very expensive lesson for Sony Pictures, Rogan, Goldberg and Franco to learn.

Randall Park who plays the Supreme Leader, said that when he got the part, he ran it by his immigrant South Korean parents, who he says, thought the premise of the film was hilarious.

Really?

Maybe it's a Hollywood thing...

Shock and Awe

Picture of Jang Song-thak at his military tribunal after which he was executed

We are shocked to read about the demise of Jang Song-thaek, uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Jang was reported executed for treason after a military trial in which he was found guilt of treason.

The military tribunal described the 67-year-old as "despicable human scum who was worse than a dog who perpetuated cursed acts of treachery".

During the trial, Jang, who is married to Kim Jong-un's aunt, was reported by Korean Central News Agency as saying that he attempted to stage a coup d'etat by mobilizing his associates in the military.

"I attempted to stir up complaints among the people and the military that even as the country's economic situation and people's livelihood are in dire situation, the current regime fails to deal with it," he was quoted as saying.

Jang's downfall was apparent earlier this week

On Monday there were images of Jang being pulled out of his chair by uniformed officers at a meeting in Pyongyang. At the time KCNA also accused Jang of taking drugs and squandering money at casinos while having medical treatment abroad.

The news agency added he also had "improper relations with several women and was wined and dined in the back parlours of deluxe restaurants".

KCNA continued the narrative of the coup, saying Jang bided his time when he was under Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, but now "he began to reveal his true colours, thinking that it was just the time for him to realize his wild ambition in the period of historic turn when the generation of the revolution was replaced," it said.'

The swift death of Jang is Kim Jong-un's bid to consolidate his power and to set his uncle as an example of what happens to people allegedly convicted as traitors to the state.

The news is shocking to everyone in the region, particularly South Korea, but also China, which depended on Jang as a dependable liaison. But now he's literally gone and Beijing is further losing its influence that the United States hoped could help ease tensions.

But now things are thrown into further disarray and it'll take a while for the dust to settle before we figure out what's really going on in the hermit kingdom...