The one-month public consultation on the Article 23 NatSec law legislation concludes, with a stunning and breathtakingly wonderful 98.64% of responses saying they absolutely love it …
A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, “While it takes time to take stock of the number of views received at the end, according to the preliminary figures as at 11.59pm yesterday (February 28), the HKSAR Government received a total of 13 147 submissions during the consultation period, which are mainly by email, post and fax. Among them, 12 969 (98.64 per cent of the total) show support and make positive comments; while 85 (0.65 per cent of the total) purely contain questions or opinions therein that cannot reflect the authors’ stance and 93 (0.71 per cent of the total) oppose the legislative proposals, amongst them over 10 are overseas anti-China organisations or abscondees.
Could it be a case of quantity versus quality? From HK Rule of Law Monitor – overseas lawyers comment on Article 23…
The Paper states blandly that “safeguarding national security is fundamentally consistent with the respect and protection of human rights”. This is conceptually wrong and fails to consider the proportionality test in full…
The definitions of “national security” and “state secrets” are adopted wholesale from the mainland…
The Paper does not provide for defences for acting in the public interest, whistleblowing, genuine news reporting etc…
…The offences are so wide that a person chanting a prohibited slogan in a public place, without anyone present to hear it, could nonetheless be convicted of a national security offence merely because of their intent…
Cherry-picking overseas references … References to overseas laws are self-serving…
…By adopting a hard-handed approach, the government risks shutting out opportunities to improve its governance…
Asia Times on the views of foreign chambers of commerce…
The new definition of state secrets may increase the perception that the “one country” aspect of Hong Kong’s special status is more in focus than the “two systems,” Johannes Hack, the president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, told the Associated Press in an email interview.
“For Hong Kong to present a distinctive business advantage vis-a-vis the mainland, the two systems part is however quite important,” he said. “Hong Kong in our view should be different ‘in fact and feeling.’”
He said additional costs to comply with the “quite broad definition” of state secrets may cause foreign investors to move elsewhere.
Other groups’ feedback in HKFP.
It’s the third anniversary of the arrests of the HK 47 – 32 have been in jail for 1,098 days.
A Standard editorial slaps Reg over her comments on subsidized transport…
An argument that the HK$2 scheme is flawed has been the suggestion that the elderly riders were petty and inconsiderate, liking to hop on long-haul buses for short journeys to inflict greater expenses on the government since it would cost more to subsidize a longer journey.
That was an idiotic argument championed by political figures including Executive Council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who was among the first to denounce the scheme a year ago.
The paper also rejoices at the lifting of stamp duties on real estate…
A high-rise 415 square-foot flat at Siu Hei Court in Tuen Mun was to be sold at HK$3.08 million, however the buyer immediately put it on sale for HK$3.38 million after the government scrapped property cooling measures. It is expected that the buyer will make a profit of more than HK$200,000 after fees.
Another confirmor deal came from a low-priced unit at Tsuen Wan Center. Dubbed “Paradise of Speculators,” the housing estate reported that a home of 329 sq ft sold for HK$2.88 million on Wednesday, even though the holder raised the asking price by HK$80,000.
Previously, the homeowner at the Tsuen Wan Center trimmed the reserve price to HK$2.8 million but there were no takers.
…With all curbs gone, people who speculate homes valued at HK$3 million or below only need to pay HK$100 for stamp duty, which makes the low-priced units popular among speculators.
Yippee!
Some weekend reading…
RFA interview with HKU historian Frank Dikotter…
There is a profound failure on the part of a great many people, politicians, experts and scholars outside China to simply listen to what all of these leaders said very clearly and also to read and understand what’s been happening. The failure is reasonably straightforward. It is a refusal to believe that a communist — a Chinese communist — is a communist.
…it’s probably safe to assume that a system based on the separation of powers, including freedom of the press and a solid judicial system, would probably be beneficial, for instance, for the economy. … This is basically a modern economic model based on debt. You spend to create the illusion of growth. Then you spend more. My feeling is that there may be people in the People’s Republic of China who are probably thinking about whether this is really a successful system or not.
… [the CCP are] quite convinced that you can have a Leninist system of monopoly over power, a Marxist system which controls the banks, controls the prices of energy, controls most state enterprises, controls the land, and yet have economic growth. That is what they believe. So why should Hong Kong be any different?
Translation by Geramie Barme of a banned Li Chengpeng essay looking back at 2023.
The latest entry in CMP’s dictionary – the so-called ‘so-called’.
Noah Smith – expert-on-everything author of an online newsletter – stating the semi-obvious on China’s missed opportunity…
…the Chinese Communist Party, especially under Xi Jinping, has focused China’s economy on creating more of what they want, instead of creating more of what the Chinese people themselves want. This may be one reason that popular confidence in China’s government is beginning to wane.
Technologically and scientifically, China is clearly now among the world’s leading nations; in some respects, it’s ahead of the US. But it’s very hard to think of major new discoveries or inventions that have come out of China in the past quarter century.
From Business Insider – how China’s electric vehicle industry could dominate the world.
Only 98.64% support for the Government? In North Korea they would have handled this MUCH better.
” and 93 (0.71 per cent of the total) oppose the legislative proposals, amongst them over 10 are overseas anti-China organisations or abscondees. ”
Ir couldn’t possibly be the case that many people who oppose Art 23 didn’t dare speak up for fear of being labelled “anti-China” and thereby implicating themselves as the law’s first offenders, could it? No, of course not…
“The definitions of “national security” and “state secrets” are adopted wholesale from the mainland…”
This is surprising to….?? Post WuFlu, HK is now the HKNSSAR (Hong Kong Not So Special Administrative Region).
“By adopting a hard-handed approach, the government risks shutting out opportunities to improve its governance…”
The so-called HKNSSAR Government has a “hand” in improving its governance?
Sounds like Vag finds it distasteful to mash up and throw elbows against other grannies in the scrum for a seat. Not that she ever did anyway. She *really* hates the Lao Bai Xing doesn’t she?
“… [the CCP are] quite convinced that you can have a Leninist system of monopoly over power, a Marxist system which controls the banks, controls the prices of energy, controls most state enterprises, controls the land, and yet have economic growth. That is what they believe.”
The CCP, and Singapore’s PAP as well. But the difference is that one is massively corrupt, babbles nonsense that is disconnected from reality and has a history of eating its own, while the other is reasonably competent, is capable of issuing a press release without frothing at the mouth and wears nicer suits. I had hoped HK’s future would be along Singapore’s lines, but, sadly, we’re getting the “full motherland”.
“But it’s very hard to think of major new discoveries or inventions that have come out of China in the past quarter century.”
Or the past millennium.
Understandably, some are now having had a bit of bitch about the NSL consultation. The next issue is what to do, that is stay or go? It doesn’t make sense to continue griping about something one has absolutely no control over. Life is too short and principles are paramount; action needs to be taken. Who is heading to the airport, who is not?
Admiration called for the 83 locals who have risked exposed themselves to ………………….
Koan of the day: ‘what is the sound of one set of lips flapping’
83 Locals
It wouldn’t surprise me if they were all overseas submissions – the spokespuppet only specifically mentioned anti-China organisations and abscondees (which I think more properly should be absconders, the -ee is American English). However, that information is going to be a closely guarded State Secret.
@R4, you write “understandably” without, as usual, understanding.
This is a discussion forum, where we (wait for it ..) *discuss* the issues of the day. Some contributors are in HK, others (through the wonders of the internet) may be far away. No one cares which. No-one asked for your travel advice. Or indeed any other.
I’m sorry that “doesn’t make sense” to you.
Presumably Reactor #4 is unfamiliar with Christian principle of bearing witness.
Sighhh….!
I really was worried that Hong Kong was drifting more and more toward North Korea.
But 98.64 % support for the BJ-managed government – more than one whole of a percent lower than the NK Gold Standard of 99.999 % – is clear proof that DEMOKRACY, freedom of thought, and freedom of speech in Hong Kong are thriving.
All “according to the law”.
Sarcophagus #4
How’s your progress with the study of Marxism-Leninism?
You should know that without in-depth knowledge of that outdated and backward ideology, you will never be able to really appreciate the achievements of China during the past and in particular in the future. Does Regina Ip give private lessons?
And last: If you are deaf, maybe you should visit your new Patriot District Council, or soon-to-come Neighborhood Watcher to tell you with sign language:
We ain’t leaving! Better learn to live with us!
Reactor #4 must be Alex Lo, allegedly, who threw a fit when the SCMP wouldn’t publish his anti-West screeds nine times a week, which of course he dashes off on his laptop while watching his family picnicking in Vancouver parks. He comes to Hemlock’s daily musings to deal with his pique and in search of more eyeballs for his babble.
Thought for the day. Has Regina registered for Fruit Money, like the many retired civil servants on fat pensions who spend most of their time out of town.
The amount of assistance payable per month of Old Age Allowance is HK$1,620. The Scheme is non-means-tested.
Strange how we never hear of calls for adjustments to this ‘tea money’.
@vancouvercanuck: You give the self loathing whore Lo too much credit. My guess is he’s hunched in a corner of a transported cha chaan teng, mooching hours on the free wi-fi and banging away on his Apple laptop all on one cuppa milk tea.
The Rectum #4 would never return to the west. He’s too used to being treated with deference as the all knowing gweilo at his Filipina girlfriend’s office get togethers.
Whilst I would never condone ad hominem attacks and Alex Lo conspiracy theories, some of the comments directed at Comrade #4 are very funny!
I might read Alex Lo from time to time if it wasn’t for that smug, wispy bearded, Fu Manchu photo I’d have to scroll past first. Probably not, though. Gets a bit old and the subheads are always so eye-rollingly predictable.
RatShit #4 is fake flaphead Hongcouverite-wannabe Alex Lo?
What a hoser, eh?
Coo loo coo coo, coo coo coo coo!
Today’s star prize goes to vancouvercanuck: a complete set of Bob & Doug… plus Second City – all on Betamax!