Lawmaker Paul Tse adds a disclaimer to his Facebook page, saying criticism of the government is intended to be constructive, not to ‘incite hatred’ or anything. He is presumably pre-empting the new breed of all-patriot types out there who will denounce anyone and everyone to prove their loyalty. Will it convince those zealots? More to the point, would it persuade NatSec police dedicated to exposing new threats?
Should we all do this now? Maybe get it printed on T-shirts. (Not sure I like the new look up there. Should get around to doing a new one.)
A Japanese academic in the Diplomat asks what comes next after the Article 23 law…
Viewed objectively, one struggles to discern any national security loopholes in Hong Kong that needed to be closed with quite that degree of urgency. After all, in 2020, the Chinese government had enacted powerful legislation called the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law), after which it began to round up anti-government activists. The pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was shut down. The electoral system was altered, and pro-democracy parties were all but expelled from Hong Kong politics. Anti-government political activities, social movements, and even public discourse have already been extinguished. Indeed, some observers argue that this latest law was not required at all, given the existence of the National Security Law.
…Under British rule, Hong Kong experienced six months of violent riots in 1967, which led to the arrest of many young people. However, the government subsequently regretted for the lack of governance that sparked the anti-government movement, granted amnesty to those arrested, and established a golden age during which it earned the support of the people by eradicating corruption and expanding welfare in 1970s.
In contrast, the Safeguarding National Security Bill was applied for the first time on March 25, 2024, just two days after it became law, stipulating that a national security prisoner may not be granted early release, effectively extending the sentences of young people already in prison for such crimes.
For Hong Kong to be able to focus fully on economic development, it will need to improve its relations with the West and restore local trust in government. This latest law looks to be a move in the opposite direction.
Saudis are visiting Hong Kong to raise interest in a planned city that would stretch 105 miles across the desert, ultimately having a population of nine million. It would be that long because it’s only a few hundred yards wide. (Amazed Donald Tsang or Carrie Lam didn’t think of a reclamation this size and shape.) Basically, a narrow strip of skyscrapers running like a wall through wilderness, rejecting the obvious advantages of cities built in two horizontal dimensions, like convenient connections between different clusters of economic and cultural activities.
So idiotic, it obviously won’t happen. (Clue: a US$1.5 trillion price tag.) This is to urban planning what blockchain is to bank transfers. Maybe they heard about the welcome extended to Dubai princes talking of family offices and decided it’s worth a try.
“It would be that long because it’s only a few hundred yards wide. (Amazed Donald Tsang or Carrie Lam didn’t think of a reclamation this size and shape.) Basically, a narrow strip of skyscrapers running like a wall through wilderness, rejecting the obvious advantages of cities built in two horizontal dimensions, like convenient connections between different clusters of economic and cultural activities.”
I’m sure some gazillionaire in the States (Musk?) is contributing to and hoping tRump wins in November so this idea can be pitched for a new Mexico-US border real estate project. Hey maybe Javanka’s $2bil in “seed money” from MBS’s Saudi national fund can finance it???
Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is real and it has infected this site.
https://youtu.be/Ak4on5uTaTg?si=kPg6mb63_pGyRBuL
Paul Tse can write and refine his disclaimer(s) until the cows come home. Fact is, he will not be the arbiter on any potentially ‘de-constructive’ transgressions he may in future make via his Facebook account or elsewhere. Actually, him now mulling the matter suggests he should consider his options.
@Reactor #4
When you’re right, you’re right.
Not liking the new masthead at all. Bring back Carrie looking deranged and hopefully the even more insane looking PC Plod.
I have this constantly nagging feeling that I AM MISSING SOMETHING,
“Hong Kong has the advantages in smart production and customisation with robotics and AI.”
“While large-scale production is not the aim for Hong Kong, smart production on a small scale is beneficial to trialing innovations”
ETC ETC
We are bombarded with rah rah reports on the agility, quick response to market changes, the adaptability of our manufacturing sector and the advantage of close proximity to the vast production capacity just over the border. Quick turn around time is quoted as one of the benefits we provide.
But listening to the whingeing of the F&B and retail sectors, encouraged by Neanderthals on Legco, re replacing plastics with more enviro friendly products you would think that HK is a village buried somewhere in the Himalayas.
Instead of encouraging feet dragging, expectations would be that our patriotic ‘elites’ would be encouraging production lines to churn out the latest in innovative solutions to the problems generated through abuse of plastics.
But obviously I have missed the clues as to why HK is back peddling instead of forging forward and demonstrating to the world that this is indeed the premier location to look to for cutting edge technology that address the most pressing current issues.
I have no idea what Reactor # 4 is babbling about. I hope he never had any position of power in his life.
The weird, dandy solicitor drew himself up a Coward’s Charter
I would imagine that the 105 mile city across the desert would be positively received up north considering it is a literal belt and road across the sand.
Pretty sure that the 105 miles has just been reduced to 2.4 km.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-05/saudis-scale-back-ambition-for-1-5-trillion-desert-project-neom
@Mark Bradley: I know rectum # 4 and I can confirm that he never occupied a position of power in his life. 12 dead-end jobs and 1 and a half careers. Knowing this, you can understand why he is bitter.
FILTH?
FILTHFIH sounds like the noise someone makes trying to spit out an insect that they’ve accidentally ingested