Carrie's Compassion Falls Short

Lam finally offered condolences to those who lost loved ones

Today Hong Kong reported 27,647 Covid-19 cases, 15,788 from PCR tests, 11,858 from RAT which shows a slight downward trend, but officials caution residents to remain vigilant and not let their guard down anytime soon.

The number of dead however does not seem to come down, with 285 in total logged, of which 198 were in the past 24 hours, 87 backlogged.

Finally today after four consecutive news briefings, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor acknowledged the high death toll everyday and offered her sympathies, as well as hope.

Leung's brother passed away from Covid-19

"We send our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones, whether you are a legislator or an ordinary citizen," she said, referring to lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun whose brother died of Covid-19 at the age of 63.

"We also hope that through collaboration with all citizens, we can step out of the fifth wave of the pandemic as soon as possible, so people can resume their daily routines, live their lives and go to work healthily in Hong Kong."

Some political watchers are not impressed with Lam's performance, which is making it even harder for Hongkongers to put their trust in her.

Professor Song Sio-chong, from Shenzhen University's Research Centre of Hong Kong and Macau Basic Law, said Lam's remarks only showed her combative character to always resort to a rebuttal.

"If I were her, I would have just said what I have done and to which degree," Song said.

Lau says Lam needs to be more empathetic 

Meanwhile political analyst Lau Siu-kai from the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank says Lam's condolences were overdue, and that showing empathy was a direct way to establish an emotional bond needed for governance.

"One doesn't just keep boasting how good one is or how few mistakes one has made. Establishing emotional bonding can be more effective sometimes," he said.

Looks like Beijing has set off the green light for open season on criticising Lam openly. How is she going to survive the onslaught?

More Propaganda, National Security in HK

China's control over Hong Kong expands with two departments

 

It was bound to happen eventually. Beijing is now setting up two departments in Hong Kong, one to handle national security, the other propaganda.

The new department for national security affairs will be headed by former liaison office legal affairs director Wang Zhenmin, while Yang Guang will lead the department that will manage media outlets and public opinion in the city.

Yang Guang warned HK protesters in 2019

Some may remember Yang is one of the spokesmen for the Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office, and during 2019 he was the one hosting press conferences on the anti-government protests.

At these press conferences -- the first the HKMAO made since the handover in 1997 -- Yang gave strongly-worded warnings to the protesters against street violence.

The propaganda department will take up part of the work from the office's liaison department and cater to the increasing needs to disseminate official information, host more press conferences, approve and coordinate Hong Kong and Macau journalists on the mainland, and "manage the media scene" in the two administrative regions.

Meanwhile Wang served as legal affairs director at Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong from 2015 to 2018. 

Currently the director of the centre for Hong Kong and Macau Research under Tsinghua University, Wang published a 232-page book in January he co-authored with two mainland academics detailing the rationale and legislative process of the sweeping national security law.

Wang Zhenmin is a national security legal expert

In an article in Sing Tao Daily in February 2020, Wang wrote an article explaining the urgent need to reform the central government's governance regime regarding Hong Kong and Macau.

Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yiu-siu says these latest developments are a systemic approach by Beijing to enhance ideological security.

"Beijing firmly regarded Hong Kong's political turmoil as a result of foreign collusion with an aim to overturn the government, so that Beijing planned a series of organizational measures to step up ideological control," he said.

Meanwhile pro-China academic Lau Siu-kai of the semi-official think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies says the departments will step up the fight against anti-China forces. 

"There is a lot to be done to weed out incorrect viewpoints about the central people's government," he said. "The new departments [in the HKMAO] will focus on monitoring public opinion and raising the awareness of Hongkongers' obligation to abide by the law at the societal level," Lau said.

Can China overturn HK people's opinions?

But will the propaganda department make any headway with so many Hongkongers skeptical of anything from across the border? It could make them even more paranoid than before, if reaction to the origins of the pandemic is any indication. 

And with information still relatively free in Hong Kong, including disinformation and misinformation, will the propaganda department be able to cut through all the noise to present its own side of the story in a convincing manner?

It will be interesting to watch its presentation and messaging, though another reminder the motherland is breathing down Hong Kong's back is a sign integration continues whether residents like it or not...

National Security Officer Cleared of Illegal Conduct

Wong says Choi cleared of illegal and immoral conduct

 

This evening the Hong Kong police have cleared the No. 2 national security officer of an illegal or immoral conduct when it was reported last Wednesday Frederic Choi Chin-pang was caught in a raid at an unlicensed massage parlour.

While it was revealed the actual incident took place in late March and only came to light over a month later, Chief Superintendent Ryan Wong Fai refused to divulge why Choi was in the massage parlour in the first place, what he was doing there, and how many times he had visited the illegal establishment.

Choi was caught in unlicensed massage parlour

"At the time Choi was found, at this moment, we have no evidence to suggest he was doing any illegal acts or committing any immoral acts," Wong said.

He added six women were arrested for alleged prostitution during the raid.  

Wong pointed out it was not unlawful to patronize an unlicensed parlour, but the force had investigated Choi out of concern about his integrity as a police officer.

Then why not disclose more details about why Choi was there and what he was doing? Apparently he suffered from back pain for some time, but again, why was he there? Surely a registered chiropractor could sort that out?

Lo mocks Choi's massage hobby

Lo Kin-hei, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party, expressed doubts about the impartiality of the police investigation and called for an independent review, especially as the force confirmed the incident only after the media reported it last week.

"Now what they mean is Choi is a gentleman, and amusingly he didn't choose to go anywhere else but a parlour that provided immoral services to enjoy a decent massage service. This is quite a special hobby," Lo said.

Andrew Shum Wai-nam, of the group Civil Rights Observer, said police should provide further details to explain why such a senior officer visited a place offering sex services.

Shum says police should provide more details

Meanwhile, Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the semi-official Beijing think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the police report might not be detailed enough to win the trust of the public or mainland authorities.

In that case the police may have to really come clean on Choi or they may not have the blessing of Beijing much longer...

National Security Law: More Questions Than Answers

Yoho Mall with protesters against the national security law

The clock is ticking as we are expecting the national security law to come down on Hong Kong by June 30, leaving precious little time when people can legally protest. This afternoon some people went to Yoho Mall in Yuen Long and chanted slogans in their bid to express their concerns about the national security law.

In response riot police -- some in plain clothes -- rushed at the protesters, who were peacefully demonstrating -- and pepper sprayed them, the media and district councillors who were trying to figure out what was going on.

A riot policeman threatens pepper spray on family

And again -- the national security law has yet to be enacted, but the police are acting as if they already have the law in their back pockets. Is this the new normal for Hong Kong when there is any kind of moderate dissent?

Meanwhile it has been explained why the details of the national security law are being released in a drip drip fashion -- the Chinese leadership believe this will minimize adverse reactions, and gradually ease people into the new normal rather than suddenly springing it on them all at once. 

How thoughtful.

But perhaps even more outrageous is the news report that the bill has "unanimous support" from "all walks of life" -- minus opinions from opposition figures and critics.

Lau has yet to see what's in the new law

Senior mainland officials met with 120 people (who represent over 7 million people) from more than 10 sectors and social groups who gave their "honest views" and support of the legislation.

As for the small group of people who will be targeted, one attendee who asked not to be named, said it would involve situations such as spies from the United States. "The jurisdiction power would be very broad, from law enforcement to the judiciary... and yes, that means arrestees could be tried on the mainland."

How reassuring.

Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the semi-official think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau studies suggested the draft legislation might be amended after they listen to the views in Hong Kong.

Lau's comments hardly assuage the public's concerns. Any major legislation needs the feedback of people, and that opportunity isn't even given before it is released.

Even those 120 people who attended these feedback sessions weren't allowed to read the draft, and yet they still supported the bill. Are they all zombies?

To says there is need for feedback from public

How bizarre.

Veteran Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun said, "Passing a security bill first before letting the public know its detailed content is something unimaginable in any civilized society."

While To is right, there is no persuading the Chinese otherwise. They are determined to pass the secretive bill and then unleash it on Hong Kong.

And then the mass exit will begin.

How sad.

Carrie Lam's Report Card

Lam and Xi are colour coordinated, but do they agree on how to end protests?

Today must have been a nerve-wracking one for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor today, meeting her two bosses, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.

In pictures and footage she tries to look eager to please, but Xi seems uninterested in having to attend this meeting. Li's face looks grim too...

While both senior leaders praised Lam for her courage in dealing with the protests in Hong Kong that are stretching into its seventh month, they reminded her to finish her task of ending the violence.

Li looks grim-faced shaking Lam's hand today in Beijing

That puts Lam between a rock and a hard place. How can you end the violence if you give no leeway for political reform or even entertain an independent inquiry?

It seems like the senior Chinese leadership still don't understand the issues in Hong Kong (or aren't being briefed properly), or they are still in denial about the reality of the situation.

Political commentator Johnny Lau Yui-siu said the two state leaders' remarks showed the central government was not fully satisfied with Lam's performance in stopping the violence, but still chose to continue to support her.

"Xi Jinping's appreciation of Lam sticking to the bottom line of the 'one country, two systems' indicates that Beijing puts the chief executive's political loyalty as a top priority," Lau said.

"Beijing has not changed its tough stance on Hong Kong, despite the pro-establishment camp's humiliating defeat in last month's district council elections."


He said Beijing was still holding on to its long-standing view that the deep-rooted problems in Hong Kong stemmed from failure to boost the city's economic development and address the wealth gap.

Johnny Lau says Beijing hasn't changed its stance on HK

"Beijing still skirts Hong Kong people's calls for political reform as reflected in the anti-government protests since June," Lau said.

Meanwhile Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the semi-official think tank The Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said it is unlikely Beijing will meet the protesters other demands.

"Beijing holds the view that Hong Kong's ongoing crisis is the result of foreign influence, so they reiterated their support for Lam and the police, believing that a hardline approach is best to end the street protests," he said.

But giving the police license to crackdown further on the protesters is not going to solve the situation," says opposition lawmaker and Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu.

"It feels like the central government is not entirely connected to what's happening on the ground," he said.

Alvin Yeung says the police may crack down harder on protests

So today's meeting is just a continuation of before, and so the protests will continue.

The central government needs to understand that for the violence and the protests to end, concessions need to be made. 

While this might seem like a big loss of face to the government, surely the ongoing protests and violence and economic recession is an even greater loss of face?

Meanwhile we hear from some China sources that the real reason the Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah was diverted from London to Beijing for a few weeks was to "get a bollocking" from senior Chinese officials about how the government was handling the six month-long protests in Hong Kong.

It definitely wasn't for medical treatment for her arm. Or maybe she did get medical treatment after her bollocking?

Student Activists Reboot Independence Campaign

Last year students handed out fliers suggesting independence after 2047

Some Hong Kong students are showing their Lion Rock spirit by reviving a drive in 18 schools and universities to promote separatism from China.

The campaign was launched today, where the young activists distributed separatism-themed fliers and stickers at school entrances, and put them on message billboards known as "democracy walls" on university campuses. They also set up street booths in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong and Yuen Long.

This time the fliers say that independence for Hong Kong is the only option to protect its people, which is a more direct stance compared to last year's that encouraged students to think about the city's future after 2047 by proposing independence.

Tony Chung of Studentlocalism is stepping up activism efforts

The student leaders are also vowing the groups will be more vigorous in their activism, one year after their initial campaign fizzled out.

Studentlocalism convenor Tony Chung Hon-lam, a Form Five student at Buddhist Mau Fung Memorial College, said they would hand out 2,000 leaflets and 10,000 stickers. Meanwhile the 20-year-old convenor of the Hong Kong National Front, who wanted to remain anonymous, said 12 groups were expecting to hand out fliers at schools before classes and all would man street booths after classes.

Last September, a campaign to discuss independence emerged at several schools when localist groups handed out fliers on the first day of school. Members of at least two groups were summoned by school authorities to stop.

The government left it to school managers to handle such activities and monitor independence talk. And this time the Education Bureau reiterated that advocating independence went against the Basic Law.

Lau Siu-kai doesn't think the kids will go far again this time

Lau Siu-kai, deputy director of a top Beijing think tank on Hong Kong affairs, did not expect the campaign to go far, and warned advocates they would likely find themselves further isolated from mainstream society.

"From what I see, the independence movement has become something of a small circle within the student community that is unlikely to affect society on the whole," he said.

We agree with Lau that it is a very small group of students who believe in independence. What's interesting is their determination to start their campaign again with more organization and greater resolution.

They won't get far, but why not let them do their thing? They deserve to have their voices heard too. What they are advocating is illegal, but let them figure that out for themselves instead of telling them over and over. Give them room to explore and debate.

The more you clamp down, the more resolved they become... just saying...

CY Leung's Election Spin

What is Leung Chun-ying really thinking behind that broad smile?

Is Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying delusional or desperately trying to play down the results of the Legislative Council elections that saw 30 seats go to pro-democracy and localist parties, three more than four years ago?

He said those candidates who called for his removal had been voted out, and welcomed new faces, but the younger ones are already looking to make Leung sweat a bit more.

And he also rejected claims that the voters were unhappy with his government, suggesting instead the electorate were tired of those pan-democrats who used radical tactics like filibustering to oppose his policies.

Lau Siu-kai cautions Leung not all will be rosy next year

He really has no idea what he is going to be up against, or doesn't want Beijing to think this will be a problem he can't handle.

Leung even stated the elections don't have any bearing on the election for chief executive next year, and would not say if he would run again for another five-year term.

"The Legco election results have nothing to do with the chances of anyone who aspires to be the next chief executive of Hong Kong," he said.

Uh huh.

"Some candidates who obviously disagree with me seeking another term also failed to be elected," Leung said, but he was probably referring to Ricky Wong Wai-kay, whose platform was "ABC", or "Anyone but CY". Wong lost by 2,000 votes to Tanya Chan Suk-chong of the Civic Party.

James To says Leung isn't reading the election results properly

However, for Leung to think he's still safe in Beijing's eyes better think again.

Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, a semi-official mainland think tank, said Beijing fully understood the election results reflected public discontent with the Leung administration.

"In the eyes of the central government, there is no Hongkonger who cannot be replaced," said Lau.

Veteran Democrat James To Kun-sun said, "Mr Leung must think Hong Kong people are stupid. Our election platform state clearly that we oppose him getting a second term."

Attempting to Change the Goalposts

Leung Chun-ying and Zhang Xiaoming at today's Basic Law symposium

If Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying needed a morale booster, he got a big one today.

Central People's Government liaison office chief Zhang Xiaoming said that the chief executive is above the executive, legislature and judiciary.

He made the remarks during a Basic Law symposium on Saturday, thus effectively ending any notion that the separation of powers concept was applicable to Hong Kong.

This naturally sparked fears over whether Beijing is redefining the function and status of the chief executive of Hong Kong, who is already selected by a 1,200-pro-Beijing committee.

Leong asks if Leung should be treated "like an emperor"

"The chief executive's dual responsibility [to both Hong Kong and Beijing] means he has a special legal position which is above the executive, legislative and judicial institutions," Zhang said during a 26-minute speech.

He also said Hong Kong is directly under the jurisdiction of the central government, and that the CE is not only head of the Hong Kong government but also the Hong Kong special administrative region. "He has responsibility towards both the Central People's Government and to Hong Kong," Zhang said.

He added: "Hong Kong is not a political system that exercises the separation of powers; not before the handover, not after the handover." Zhang said separation of powers "is usually established in sovereign states" and so it is "at best" only a reference for Hong Kong.

Basically Zhang is saying is that Leung and successive chief executives of Hong Kong are above the law. By the way how can he say there was no separation of powers before then handover when China did not have jurisdiction over Hong Kong?

Lee asks why interpretation of the Basic Law "keeps changing"

Civic Party leader Alan Leong Ka-kit interpreted these comments as Beijing sending a message that Leung should be put on a pedestal "like an emperor", and that legislative and judiciary systems cannot keep his power in check or keep him accountable.

Lee Cheuk-yan, chairman of the Labour Party said, "In the long run, how would Hong Kong people have faith in the Basic Law, whose meaning keeps changing?"

Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, a top pro-Beijing think tank, sought to play down Zhang's comments. "From the mainland's perspective, it is a separation of powers under the leadership of the executive. The three powers are not equally important and do not share the same status," he said.

"Under the Basic Law, the executive, legislature and judiciary have their own powers and duties. But the chief executive's position is supreme," Lau said.

Lau plays down what Zhang said... then what does he mean?

When one reads the Basic Law, the chief executive is "accountable to the Central People's Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law".

Article 64 states the executive branch "must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council of the region", while Article 85 says Hong Kong courts "shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. Members of the judiciary shall be immune from legal action in the performance of their judicial functions".

And finally with regards to the Legislative Council, it has the power to file a motion charging the chief executive with serious breach of law or dereliction of duty in a process that can lead to impeachment after an investigation by the judiciary.

So what is Zhang talking about then?

How can he re-interpret the Basic Law when the three institutions' functions are pretty clearly spelled out?

Is this Zhang's way of giving Leung a major ego boost, or tipping his hand for 2017? Or is he making these incorrect statements to rile up the pro-democracy camp to prove who's got the upper hand?

He should really check his facts before making such potentially explosive statements...