A pro-Beijing lawmaker (guess that’s a tautology) asks a question in the Legislative Council…
”There are views suggesting that the projects funded by the Film Development Fund (FDF) are suspected of containing ‘soft resistance’ and negative energy, and lacking elements of ‘telling the good stories of Hong Kong’ and “telling the good stories of China,“ [Joephy] Chan said. The FDF provides funding for small-to-medium budget film productions.
The lawmaker asked how authorities were vetting funding applications and what proportion of films supported over the past five years carried “positive thinking.” She also asked if the authorities would consider “telling good Hong Kong stories” and “telling good China stories” when vetting funding applications to “promote the best side of Hong Kong.”
She is especially worried about a film in which the police wrongly accuse someone.
In the manner of civil service replies to members’ questions since time immemorial, the Leisure, Culture, Etc Bureau’s reply studiously avoids either accepting or rejecting – let alone answering – the substance of her question. This might not continue for much longer, if bureaucrats feel a need to prove their loyalty in the battle against ‘soft resistance’, etc.
Interestingly, legislators’ questions criticizing government expenditure do not seem to count as ‘soft resistance’. Among recent examples: the T4 highway in Shatin, the cost of ‘light public housing’, and even ‘mega-events’. Perhaps someone at a senior level sees this as a useful way to give the all-patriots LegCo some credibility – and pressure the administration to balance the budget.
Some weekend reading and viewing…
An exhibition on ‘Hong Kong freedom fighters’ at the Leeds, England City Museum…
Located in the Community Corridor on the second floor of the museum, the exhibition presents a compelling collection of narratives, artifacts, and multimedia displays. Through these mediums, visitors are transported into the heart of Hong Kong’s struggle for freedom and the courageous individuals who have dared to fight for their rights.
From personal accounts of hardship to historical artifacts symbolizing resilience, the exhibition provides a comprehensive look at the challenges faced by Hong Kongers seeking refuge in the United Kingdom. Each display serves as a poignant reminder of the unwavering spirit and determination of those who have embarked on this remarkable journey.
Will this warrant an angry response from the relevant organs?
China Media Project looks at the pitfalls awaiting unwary ‘influencers’ (online video bores) who try to win clicks/ad revenues/freebies by ‘telling the China story well’…
To be the focus of accusations of negative foreign influence in China is a strange turn of fortune for Heyden, who since at least 2021 has frequently expressed opinions that align with the messaging of the Chinese Communist Party — for example, denying Taiwan’s right to self-determination and defending human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
…Attacks on Heyden are not what Beijing would like to see. They’ve taken great care to nurture foreign personalities willing to promote official viewpoints abroad. Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin argued when he weighed in on Weibo that Heyden’s stellar record of “defending China in the field of international public opinion” should earn her more tolerance, and that having her attacked from both sides would only make “Western public opinion applaud gleefully.”
From the Jamestown Foundation – How China manages public memories in order to push its own narrative by co-opting elites in Kyrgyzstan.
Totally off-topic – The Grateful Dead Movie (1985, roughly) is now on the band’s YouTube channel. Guaranteed free of ‘soft resistance’.
I guess Infernal Affairs should be banned according to this drone, as well as the majority of Wong Kar-Wai’s works
“Hu Xijin argued when he weighed in on Weibo that Heyden’s stellar record of “defending China in the field of international public opinion” should earn her more tolerance, and that having her attacked from both sides would only make “Western public opinion applaud gleefully.”’
What on earth does that mean?
Well it all falls into place now!
The Rectum #4 is merely an unwary influencer striving to tell the China story well.
Retard #4 is too stupid to monetise his comments like that @Chinese Netizen
What’s that word again? Those Germans always have a word… Ah yes: schadenfreude.
Leggers who have never held down a real job and with limited knowledge of fundamental economic issues are restricted to pursuing trivial matters that they consider to be clickbait and will add to the tally of “questions’ they have raised during the legislative year, a box ticker.
Looks like this Legger has piled on weight since promotion to the six figure+++ monthly remuneration package?
@ Mark Bradley et al.
People who feel the need to continually criticize and ridicule the place where they have chosen to live really ought to leave. One, it’s not good for their health. Two, the rest of us who are happy here aren’t the least bit interested in their incessant moaning. Actually, if they pulled the same stunt in many other Western countries they quickly find themselves getting clipped around the ear or bopped on the conk.
When only tepid propaganda films are produced in Hong Kong, how long will it be before not going to the cinema gets categorised as “soft resistance”?
That Joephy Chan: phwoar!
“the rest of us who are happy here aren’t the least bit interested in their incessant moaning”
@Retard # 4
If you are happy then why are you trolling Big Lychee? Here’s an idea idiot: If you don’t want to see criticism then don’t come to Big Lychee. You keep coming back so you are willingly exposing yourself to complaints you moron.
Your explanation makes zero sense as a result.
Also some people have obligations here and can’t leave or simply don’t want to leave because they lived here for decades. Maybe they like many aspects of Hong Kong (the people, food, low taxes etc) but don’t like the unelected cunts ruining it? They would be joining a very large club of locals who feel the same way you delusional twat.
There’s a very rational reason why people hate you and think you’re a smug smarmy sack of shit. It’s not everyone else that is the problem, it’s you.
“Actually, if they pulled the same stunt in many other Western countries they quickly find themselves getting clipped around the ear or bopped on the conk.”
@Retard # 4
People protest and criticize in western countries all the time. You sound exactly like a wu mao straight up making up stuff. Sometimes police brutality happens but these police officers are actually held accountable instead of having the whole thing swept under the rug like in HK.
You can’t defend what is happening in HK so you resort to spouting off lies exactly like a wu mao or those idiotic tankies so write this delusional crap for free.
R #4 is at it again. A government and a place are two different things. Many of those who criticise the former do so because they love the latter. Maybe that is too subtle a distinction for his miserable mind.
As somebody consistently disdainful of R#4’s viewpoints and an admirer of most contributors here, I don’t think it’s constructive to make it overly-personal. Of course, the illogicality should be exposed, but expending too much energy on what is ultimately a hapless proxy for the unaccountable is a waste of time if they are incapable of revising their views or having a serious discussion.
I was idly wondering where the name Joephy came from. Was it from some obscure Greek pantheon, or one of those names that Nury Hitachi used to make fun off when he was mocking Hongkongers and their ‘funny’ English names for $2.50 a word before he became a ‘patriot’. Then I found this: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0594180/
While you are all talking about things that matter and replying to trolls (Rule No. 1: Never reply to a troll.) may I remind you that this week we saw the closure of SEVVA? No, Kimmy was not there: he has already left Dodge City. But Bonnae was there plus anyone else who counts in the Tatler universe. Let’s call it an end of an era, if only because this is the same month that Dickson Poon closed the Harvey Nichols tat show in the Landmark. Yes, Hong Kong is going down the shitter, but it is OUR shitter, and we love it.
Not feeding the troll, but #4 he’s a DBer for sure. Totally lost and doesnt even know he actually lives in HK. Total wanker with a pink popped collar.
@Lo Life
That IMDB page’s featured review raises a rather cheeky point on the question of Joe Phy:
“How does Joe Phy expect to maintain her charade over the long term? It is only a matter of time before some patriot decides to challenge her, especially with the tough guy image she uses to bluff others.”
Lo Life: I always assumed Joephy could be explained roughly the same way as the name of a doctor I interviewed once. His name was Winson. I asked politely where that came from and he said his father was a great admirer of Winston Churchill but a poor speller.
Mark Bradley is a tax exile first and foremost.
@Tim Hamlett: I always thought “Winson” was a Chinese guy’s way of pronouncing “Vincent”?
I like the new “Article 23 disclaimer” in the header 🙂