Remembering Those who Defended HK

Japanese troops take over Tsim Sha Tsui

Every year around this time when I wear a poppy, some Hongkongers ask me where I got the pretty flower, others suddenly remember that it's that day where you remember the war dead, other expats don't seem to care or notice. 

I wear it to remember the Canadian soldiers who died for us, and in particular, think of those who tried to defend Hong Kong from the Japanese during the Battle of Hong Kong from December 8-25, 1941. This year is the 80th anniversary, but there is nothing in the news to remind people.

Some locals remember having to wear poppies at school, but students today don't wear them.

Sai Wan War Cemetery above Chai Wan

Is this part of the government's efforts to quietly forget what happened 80 years ago? Is it because it was an embarrassing defeat? Soldiers from Britain, Canada and India rushed over to try to defend the then British colony, but were not well prepared, didn't have much knowledge of the terrain and were overpowered, leading to the surrender on Christmas Day, 1941.

Over 1,500 Indian and Canadian soldiers died in battle.

Then the rest were taken in as prisoners of war in camps in Hong Kong and Japan until the Japanese surrendered in 1945.

Attending the Remembrance Day ceremony at Sai Wan Military Cemetery in 2018 was a moving experience, seeing over 1,500 graves, many of them Canadian soldiers who died in a place they were not familiar with.

What happened 80 years ago is a part of Hong Kong's history whether Beijing accepts it or not. It must be remembered by generations to come. 

Meanwhile fast-forward eight decades later where the freedoms these soldiers defended have now given way to the national security law.

Statue of Canadian soldier in HK Park

Today a second person was handed a lengthy sentence, not for committing murder or causing injury to someone or destroying property. It was for chanting pro-independence slogans during the anti-government protests, violating the national security law on the grounds of inciting secession.

Former delivery food worker Adam Ma Chun-man, 31, was accused of promoting separatism on 20 occasions between August 15 and November 22 last year, using expressions such as "Hong Kong independence, the way out", "Hongkongers, build our country", and "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times",  a signature rallying call of the anti-government protests two years ago.

Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi said he found the national security law violation serious enough to warrant at least five years behind bars, as the defendant repeatedly incited others to separate Hong Kong from China, and failed to display even "the least bit of remorse" -- something Ma himself acknowledged.

Originally the sentence was set for six years, but Chan knocked off three months, saying Ma saved the court's time by agreeing to most of the prosecution's case.

However when the sentence was read out, people in the gallery shouted the sentence was "too long", and "insane".

While the defence counsel asked for a more lenient sentence, Chan refused, saying Ma's actions could have provoked others to resort to radical ways.

"Who knows? Maybe some of those incited would become another Adam Ma," said Chan.

Ma sentenced to almost six years in jail today

In a letter to the court, Ma wrote he was inspired by jailed activist Edward Leung Tin-kei, and felt he bore a responsibility to achieve the latter's aspirations for independence.

"Today is the 311th day I have been in jail," he wrote in his letter, dated September 28, the first day of the trial. "I have denied the allegation, but my mind is exceptionally calm, even with a bit of joy.

"Your Lordship, I do not feel any shame, nor do I have the least bit of remorse for what I have done in the past. I also promise that I will not display the slightest bit of weakness in the fight for democracy and justice," he added.

Amnesty International deputy secretary general Kyle Ward called Thursday's ruling "outrageous", and urged the Hong Kong government to stop criminalising "mere acts of expression".

"This conviction and sentencing clearly shows that restrictions on the right to freedom of expression in Hong Kong are dangerously disproportionate," he said.

While the outside world may be outraged, this is only the beginning. There are some defendants who are determined to stick by their beliefs to the end, even if the courts do not agree with them.

And they will pay dearly as we have seen today.

For them this is their sacrifice...

Education Bureau's Witch Hunt

The teacher taught at Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong

 

The Hong Kong government continues its repression of anyone who actively participated in last year's protests, and in particular targeting teachers.

Today it was announced a Primary 5 teacher was struck off the register of teachers for his teaching materials that "seriously harmed" students at Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong.

He was the first teacher to be deregistered for professional misconduct, as teachers are typically struck off the register for criminal convictions.

Michelle Li says teacher advocated independence

In a press conference this afternoon, education officials claimed the teacher was spreading separatist messages and asked pupils if they agreed with Hong Kong independence.

Apparently the lesson plan involved 50 minutes discussing the Hong Kong National Party and the Societies Ordinance, under which the separatist group was banned in 2018 on national security grounds.

Then the students were told to spend 35 minutes discussing independence for Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. 

However students only spent two out of 23 hours on the above lesson plan, which focused more in freedom of speech than advocating independence.

But officials pounced on this particular lesson for severe punishment.

"It is a very serious case with a premeditated plan to spread a pro-independence message," said Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li Mei-sheung, calling the scheme "biased and twisted".

Ip says bureau too quick to accuse teacher

However, education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen says unlike other professionals, such as doctors and engineers, teachers were not given the right to an oral hearing before having their registration removed. The teacher was only able to give his side of the story in writing.

 What's more, Ip added, officials relied on written materials, including worksheets and a lesson plan, rather than receiving a full picture of what happened in the classroom.

"We have to observe the lessons," Ip said. "I think I am quite experienced in observing lessons, because I am a former College of Education lecturer, and I have been observing many, many lessons and we have to look at both the lesson plan and also the actual delivering of the lessons.

"So we cannot ignore the actual delivering and just look at the lesson plan. This is a major mistake they [the Education Bureau] have made this time."

Later the media found the school had conducted its own investigation and found the teacher was not advocating independence. What's more is that he only drafted the lesson plan and did not teach it. Not only was the teacher from the school stripped from registry, but also the principal and vice-principal were reprimanded, and three other teachers were given warning letters.

Yeung's children were educated in Australia

If the teaching material was as Li purports it to be, the Education Bureau has used this teacher as an example to scare the rest of his colleagues into submission. Was it an instruction from Beijing or proactively done to please its masters we may never know, but the witch hunt is here and will continue to "weed out" bad apples.

Meanwhile, it should be reminded that Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung's children were educated in an international school and later studied overseas in Australia...

 

 

Hong Kong National Party Getting Undue Attention

The government threatening to shut down the pro-independence party

The Hong Kong police are now helping the government crack down on separatists and it's sending chills to people wondering what freedom of speech we have left.

The authorities invoked a law known as the Societies Ordinance against a political party for the first time in the city's history. It was enacted when Hong Kong was a British colony, and was later amended in 1992 to align with other legislation to protect human rights.

John Lee says the party has 21 days to explain its existence

Yesterday Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu gave notice to the Hong Kong National Party, known for its separatist stance, to explain in 21 days why he should not ban them. The police delivered to the party's co-founder, Andy Chan Ho-tin, 27, a stack of 700 pages of documents that are transcripts of speeches he had made, and events he had attended.

It's simultaneously impressive and scary how much information the police have collected on Chan and his party.

Lee tried to soften the blow by adding that if the party was banned, it could still appeal to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who would make the final decision in consultation with her cabinet, the Executive Council.

But we probably know what her decision would be.

"I am not discussing the Hong Kong National Party's case, but... the nation has clearly stated that any act to destroy the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, or to separate the country, [crosses] an untouchable red line," Lee said, citing remarks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hong Kong last year.

The security minister added Hong Kong had freedom of association, "but that right is not without restrictions".

Andy Chan held a one-man press conference in 2016

"According to the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, restrictions can be made by law if it is necessary in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health and morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others," Lee said.

It is inferred that the Hong Kong National Party's independence stance is going against the interests of national security, hence it should be shut down -- even though it isn't even registered as a party with the government.

In March 2016, Chan launched the party, whose goal was to establish a "Republic of Hong Kong", and it would use "whatever effective means" to push for independence from China, including fielding candidates in the Legislative Council elections.

"Regarding the use of violence, we would support it if it was effective in making us heard," Chan said in a press conference he held by himself.

His boldness caught the attention of the authorities, who at the time were already looking for ways to silence localists -- and now this group of separatists.

As a result, Chan was banned from running in the 2016 polls because of his party's pro-independence stance.

People still remember the 2003 protest against Article 23

Apparently shutting him out of the political area wasn't enough for the Hong Kong government, that has now decided -- two years later -- to shut the fledgling party down. The authorities seem keen on flexing its muscles to show Beijing it's getting serious about national security, but at the expense of freedom of speech and association.

Senior Chinese leadership are becoming more impatient about Hong Kong still not enacting Article 23 of the Basic Law, which would criminalize acts of treason, secession, sedition or subversion against the central government.

The Hong Kong government had tried to introduce this legislation back in 2003, but some 500,000 people took to the streets in protest, and as a result successive governments have shelved the issue.

However, earlier this month, Lam said her administration would create favourable conditions for the legislation and lead a rational public debate on the issue, but didn't commit to a time frame.

Nevertheless, critics are sounding the alarm bells. Patrick Poon Kar-wai, Amnesty International's China researcher, said the move to ban the separatist party "would have a chilling effect". "The attempt to ban the Hong Kong National Party raises alarm bells as to what the government will look to curtail next in the name of national security," he said.

If the ban is enforced, aside from party members, anyone from the public who conducts activities under the party banner and helps with its operation, fundraising or assembly can also be prosecuted and face a maximum of one year in jail.

University of Hong Kong criminal law scholar Simon Young Ngai-man said the ban would have "knock-on" effects, such as allowing the police to conduct searches in places related to the party without a warrant.

It seems like the government is playing Goliath with Chan's David here. His party isn't even a legal political party and yet the authorities are doing everything it can to try to ban it.

Is it an overreaction? Considering not much as been heard from this party for a long time, the government's interest in it has put it back in the news and shining the spotlight on it again.

It would have been better to have let it die a slow death because most of the public didn't care for it. But now that there are fears freedom of speech are being curtailed, everyone is worried.

By-Election Blues

An Au Nok-hin supporter earlier today

Today is the by-election for four of the six seats in the Legislative Council vacated by those who were disqualified for making improper oaths of office.

Despite rigorous campaigning, voter turnout seems blase about the event. By 9.30pm, an hour before polls closed, a total of 840,070 voters had cast their votes in the geographical constituency, an overall turnout rate of 39.97 percent. This compares to a 52.27 percent for the same time during the 2016 general elections.

Granted this is a by-election and not a general election, still it's important for the pro-democrats to try to regain ground in Legco. However, it seems voters may be jaded and feel there's no point in trying to vote for someone who represent their interests because the Hong Kong government, or rather Beijing, will find a way to disqualify them, or make it harder for pro-democracy lawmakers to do their work.

Pro-Beijing loyalists butt heads with Joshua Wong and Au

There's also still simmering tensions between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing parties. This morning at around 9am in Aberdeen, a group of middle-aged Beijing loyalists surrounded pro-democracy candidate Au Nok-hin along with Joshua Wong Chi-fung, Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Agnes Chow Ting.

"You are a traitor who betrayed your country! Why don't you go to Taiwan instead?" the pro-Beijing group shouted at them, along with some swear words.

The tensions also extended to former senior officials who had differing opinions on the state of politics in Hong Kong. Ex-chief executive Tung Chee-hwa said quarreling should end, saying advocates of Hong Kong independence and self-determination would cost a heavy toll.

"We should elect some people who are constructive, pragmatic and true-heartedly serving Hong Kong into the Legislative Council," he said.

Tung Chee-hwa says he wants Hong Kong to move forward

Don't we all want that? We know independence isn't going to get anywhere but what about at least upholding "one country, two systems"?

Meanwhile Tung's former No. 2 Anson Chan Fang On-sang had a different view.

"Hongkongers should never give up... we should vote to express our zero tolerance to the constant interventions in Hong Kong affairs and the devastating damage to the 'one country, two systems' principle by the local and central governments," she said.

"Tung called on citizens to vote for those who genuinely work for Hong Kong," Chan continued, addressing his earlier comments. "I believe voters have the wisdom to judge who truly represents the values of Hongkongers."

Anson Chan hopes votes reflect Hong Kong's sentiment

We will see in the next few hours what the results are and in what direction Hong Kong will be going in... we can only hope for the best.

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 Rises up Beijing Ranks

CY Leung walks to the rostrum after being elected vice-chairman to CPPCC

Beijing welcomed its favourite son to the fold, with Hong Kong Chief Executive elected as a vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference today.

In a vote, 2,066 voted in favour to appoint him as vice-chairman, 13 against, and six abstaining. Six delegates did not vote. Wonder who those 19 people are...

After the formal closing of the plenum, President Xi Jinping strode over to shake Leung's hand, followed by Premier Li Keqiang.

Afterwards Leung is congratulated by Xi Jinping

Reports say Leung looked tense as he bowed to the audience and bowed to state leaders and the standing committee of the CPPCC.

He becomes the first chief executive to hold two roles simultaneously, though his first job will end at the end of June when he steps down as CE.

It is believed Leung got the vice-chairman gig as a big thank you from Beijing for curbing pro-independence forces in Hong Kong, but really their numbers are minuscule. He must have really frightened them to be awarded such an honorary post.

However being a vice-chairman of the CPPCC isn't going to land him big bucks -- he will make HK$12,000 a month.

But he won't necessarily be immune from investigation or prosecution. Between 2012 and 2013, Leung received HK$50 million from a deal between his former company DTZ and Australian firm UGL.

The position didn't protect Su Rong from prosecution

Leung says he formally resigned from the position of director from insolvent property firm DTZ on November 24, 2011, and ceased to be a director when he signed a "non-compete and non-poach" agreement with UGL, which bought DTZ in early December that year.

But we have seen former CPPCC vice-chairman Su Rong get in trouble with the law. A year after his appointment to the senior leadership position, in March 2013, Su was probed for bribery.

In January this year, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking bribes upwards of 116 million yuan.

October 1 Unpatriotic Banners

A pro-independence sign hangs at Baptist University in Kowloon Tong

For many in Hong Kong, the October 1 National Day holiday is just another public holiday -- and this year it falls on a Saturday so many people took advantage of going out of town. We're so patriotic.

This contrasts with the Hong Kong government, that attends a flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia sculpture next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This morning there was some rain that marred the festivities.

Another banner at the University of Hong Kong...

However to mark the 67th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, banners that read "Hong Kong Independence" in Chinese and English were hung up in eight universities around town. They included the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Science and Technology, Baptist University and City University.

Some of the tertiary institutions removed the banners.

The Hong Kong National Party, a pro-independence group, admitted to providing the banners to the students, but insisted it was the students who put them up themselves.

At Chinese University hangs a large pro-independence banner

A few days ago the party had a message on its Facebook page, telling students not to celebrate National Day and called China a "colonial master" of Hong Kong.

Were any caught putting up the banners? Will they be punished? Or will their actions fall under freedom of speech?

The pro-independence movement, despite being scoffed at for being completely unrealistic and illegal, seems to be growing in popularity. Young people are becoming more radical in their outlook in their hopes to have the Hong Kong they want.

Not exactly what the Communist Party had in mind...

Pro-Independence Has Younger Activists

Students who gathered at an earlier event advocating independence

Talk of separatism isn't only on university and college campuses in Hong Kong -- it's spread to secondary schools too.

There were reports earlier this week that said students from at least 14 schools had set up "localist" concern groups, which led to the Education Bureau declaring such groups were banned on campuses.

One group called "Studentlocalism" has at least 60 members, and its mission is to get the city prepared for when the time came for self-determination -- 2047 perhaps?

"In the coming days, Studentlocalism will continue to increase [the number of] its street booths to promote independence," the group wrote on its Facebook page.

"We have also started contacting different secondary student unions which support independence to foster more cooperation."

Students who had protested for democracy back in 2014

It seems the group is intent on getting things moving in earnest when the school year begins next month, and some unions from such schools as Wah Yan College on Hong Kong Island and Ying Wa College are taking part.

A spokesman for the Education Bureau has said there shouldn't be any pro-independence activities in schools and that any organization that promotes pro-independence must be banned.

Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said to counter the rise of pro-independence sentiment, opinion leaders, teachers and respected educators, such as university presidents, should express their views.

"The government should also try to improve the social atmosphere by being more inclusive and creating more dialogue," he said.

But the latest is that the Academy of School Managers sent a stern warning to teachers today, saying that their registered teachers' professional qualifications could be cancelled or be rejected for qualification if they advocate independence in schools.

"Some people, including those who work in education or are key persons at educational bodies, have openly advocated or even begun to organize groups on campus... encouraging Hong Kong's separation from mainland China," the statement read, without naming anyone in particular.

The group said it was "firmly opposed" to such "violation of educational ethics", which it described as a breach of the Education Ordinance and the Basic Law.

While it is understandable teachers should not impose their political views on students, what is wrong with a discussion in the classroom to clear up misconceptions or to explain that independence goes against the Basic Law?

It sounds like this could be the beginning of a Cultural Revolution-esque atmosphere in terms of fellow teachers and students ratting out other teachers.

And if students want to discuss these issues on their own, who can stop them? The more restrictions that are put on them, the more determined they will be to make their gatherings and activities a priority.

This knee-jerk reaction by the education authorities is not the best way forward on this polarizing issue, but probably came from above to nip the problem in the bud so to speak.

So they hope...

Olympic Pride of Crisis Management?

 Wu Minxia may show off her gold medal and diving skills in Hong Kong

After every Olympics, the Chinese gold medallists get to visit Hong Kong to boost the national pride, but this time they will come a week before the upcoming Legislative Council elections.

There are concerns the athletes competing in Rio could face backlash due to rising "pro-independence sentiment".

Swimmer Sun Yang will probably come too

Typically the gold medallists give sports demonstrations and meet fans during their three-day stay. Athletes that will likely come are Zhang Mengxue, winner of the women's 10-metre air pistol event; (controversial) swimming star Sun Yang, and Wu Minxia, the five-time diving gold medallist.

Hong Kong chef de mission Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said he would try to invite bronze medallist and social media sensation Fu Yuanhui to come, after the swimmer's post race interviews made her endearing all over the world. She expressed complete delight at finding out from a reporter that she had won bronze, and made funny faces on the podium.

However, Fok says it is up to the Chinese national team who will come to Hong Kong August 26-28.

While he is not worried about backlash during the athletes' visit, Fok was concerned about the event being politicized and that it's about the medallists and sports.

There are hopes to get bronze medallist Fu Yuanhui to come

However, political analyst Dr Chung Kim-wah of Polytechnic University warned the upcoming visit could backfire in the wake of the rise of pro-independence sentiment in Hong Kong.

"The visit, like those in the past, is supposed to promote social harmony and drum up social support for Beijing and the Hong Kong government. But the government should be prepared for some embarrassing moments when the medallists are confronted with anti-China protests," Chung said.

This Friday night could be the start with localists planning to broadcast a badminton match between Hong Kong and China on the street.

Don't say you weren't warned...

Further Divisions Risk Higher Tensions

Lau says there will be voter backlash if pro-independents aren't allowed to run

The controversy over the Electoral Affairs Commission requiring candidates to sign a second form confirming that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China -- refuses to go away.

There are questions over the legality of such a form, and why was it suddenly introduced over a week ago just before the nomination period for candidates to run in the upcoming Legislative Council election started.

Pro-independence groups were concerned at first, because initially the electoral office said that one had to sign the form in order to run, and if they did sign the form, but lied about their stance, then they would face serious consequences.

Justice Fung didn't clarify much on the new requirements

This was not clarified when some pan-democrats met with the commission's chief, Justice Barnabas Fung. He claimed the form was legal, but was vague on the consequences of signing it or not.

The former head of a semi-official think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Professor Lau Siu-kai, warned the government would face consequences for the latest developments.

"If a pro-independence activist is barred from running in the Legislative Council, not only his supporters, but also voters who sympathize with him or some voters who do not support independence could vote for the radicals allowed in the race," Lau said on TVB yesterday.

Nevertheless, Lau believes the Hong Kong and Beijing governments have assessed the consequences and are "willing to bear such risks" as it was a matter of national sovereignty.

He said the addition of the second form demonstrated that the city's government was "capable of protecting national security and sovereignty".

Another fishball revolution waiting to erupt?

By the same token, Lau pointed out it wasn't unusual for restrictions to be imposed, saying that German politicians couldn't run for office if they supported Nazism or communism.

The strong possibility that Beijing and the Leung administration are willing to risk the wrath of pro-independence voters -- a big chunk of who are young -- means the authorities aren't interested in how the next generation feels about being ruled by China.

Again, like in previous times such as in 2014, the youth are dismissed for being naive, and so their concerns aren't even considered.

Human rights law expert Professor Michael Davis, hopes for a happy balance between what the youth want and how the status quo will address them, though that seems too idealistic.

"I see their cause of self-determination or independence as an expression of frustration -- we have marched for many years, we had the Occupy movement and still we have no democracy. We have no government that can guard Hong Kong's autonomy," he says.

"If the government wants to bring this to an end, the answer is to be less repressive and more committed to implementing promised reforms."

However, the authorities aren't going to listen to an outgoing academic... it's all about self-preservation, not what's good for Hong Kong in the long term.

So if there is another fish ball riot that erupts somewhere in the city, don't be surprised.

It's a powder keg that is ready to blow.