Only in Hong Kong: people are found guilty and imprisoned for wearing face masks. And the PLA garrison’s new commanding officer is being transferred from anti-terrorism duties in Xinjiang. Despite his likely experience in dealing with facial coverings, this probably won’t mean much in practice, but you are welcome to dwell on the symbolism.
The NatSec regime is coming for another union. The Registry of Trade Unions is casting doubt on the HKWCCU’s legitimacy, as the group has manned street stalls and commented on government policies – the implication being that such activities are nowadays out of bounds for an employees’ rights organization. The pro-Beijing FTU, meanwhile, is free to operate as a political party that runs candidates and issues platforms on policy issues.
Several FTU members will be among the lawmakers assembling for today’s big excitement – the official opening of a new Legislative Council session. The occasion, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam taking questions, should be a triumphal one celebrating the new era of an all-patriots LegCo with no nasty evil elected pro-democrats to be seen. Sadly, around 20 or so incoming legislators are in the dog-house for attending Professor Witman Hung’s birthday bash and likely to be self-quarantining at home. But expect some glowing reports in the government-friendly press tomorrow.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/11/we-fought-the-good-fight-journalists-in-hong-kong-reel-from-assault-on-media
Transfer of Xinjiang PAP supremo is his attaboy for doing such a good and thorough job there, in addition to being a very obvious “scare the shit out of the HK locals” ploy on how things can turn. Interesting that he’s now magically regular PLA in HK. I guess it’s all semantics with the Goon Squad, anyway.
“According to an official statement, Peng will “resolutely follow the orders of the party, the Central Military Commission and Chairman Xi, to fully implement ‘One country two systems,’ and resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and interests.”
Given the apparent lust for (sometimes spurious) titles manifested by Hong Kong’s “élites”, I thought I might share this piece (courtesy of wikipedia) on that eminent past master of self-aggrandisement, the late Idi Amin, in the hope that it might spur them on to greater heights.
“…in 1977, Amin declared that he had defeated the British, and he conferred on himself the decoration of CBE (Conqueror of the British Empire).
His full self-bestowed title ultimately became: ‘His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular’, in addition to his officially stated claim to be the uncrowned King of Scotland.”
Alas, although he was a “Doctor”, it clearly never occurred to Idi to make himself a JP.
@Red Dragon: Was Idi’s “VC” a Venereal Cluster? I notice that he was one of the FIRST and original MCs though! Rappers and DJs everywhere rejoice!