During my five-day absence, the Hong Kong government announced, passed and implemented new local national security/Article 23 laws. Blink and you would’ve missed it. The key part seems to be enabling Mainland NatSec authorities to directly take control of cases under ‘special’ circumstances. Much of the attention focused on the declaration of those authorities’ premises in Hong Kong – including four hotels – as ‘prohibited’ areas. Which again raises the question of how many of these officials there are here, and what they do all day.
Also while I was away: a proposal for something called the ‘Victoria Cove Area’. By ‘area’ we mean ‘hub-zone’, I presume. Sounds better than ‘the Kowloon Bay armpit’. As usual, it’s driven by the obsession with tourists. But a few of the ideas, like canoeing, are verging dangerously on being imaginative and, in theory, even fun. And then – uh-oh – you read that the project would be under the Urban Renewal Authority.
The CFHK on the introduction of the Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act in the US Senate…
The bill … would initiate a mandatory review of 45 individuals for targeted sanctions under existing U.S. laws … These individuals — officials, judges, and prosecutors at all levels — have weaponized the city’s legal system to punish pro-democracy activists, civil society leaders, journalists, and everyday citizens under the National Security Law and other repressive statutes.
Among the individuals named are the three judges who recently sentenced 45 pro-democracy leaders to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years: Johnny Chan Jong-herng, Andrew Chan Hing-wai, and Alex Lee Wan-tang. Also named is Anthony Chau Tin-hang, the lead prosecutor in many political cases related to the 2019 pro-democracy protests and a frequent denier of defendants’ bail requests, keeping dozens detained for over 1,000 days before conviction.
The HK government ‘strongly condemns US senators’ despicable attempt to intimidate HKSAR personnel safeguarding national security’…
“It is clear that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of a sovereign jurisdiction, so the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) is free from any intervention. However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called ‘sanctions’ against the HKSAR personnel and judges who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR despises any so-called ‘sanctions’ and shall never be intimidated…”
Transit Jam on the deletion of online archives by the Ombudsman’s Office and the Transport Dept.
A couple of BBC items… A story about an Australian’s five years in the Chinese prison system. And – well over a week old, but in case you missed it – a video on the rise of informants in today’s Hong Kong, including a pro-Beijing commentator who fears the emphasis on ‘patriots’ could lead to a sort of Cultural Revolution climate.
Speaking of which – a CMP interview with the Guardian’s Tania Branigan on how China still remembers the Cultural Revolution, and comparisons with the US under Trump…
A venomous mindset was, in a sense, key to the Cultural Revolution, it was all about the weaponization of division and hatred. When I was writing the book one thing that struck me was that Mao had to say, “Who are our enemies? Who are our friends?”
Inspection tour report… For Japan’s most boring city, Nagoya is well worth a visit. Probably several. It might not quite have a distinctive vibe like Kyoto or even Fukuoka, and it’s more low-rise and less intense than, say, Tokyo or Osaka (is it just me or are the Family Mart staff especially friendly?)
But it has its share of architecture (the City Archive stairs appear in TV series Tiger With Wings), bird-watching (wetlands/estuary viewing facilities), clusters of second-hand retro clothes stores and tasteless themed cafes, creepy religious groups’ HQs, covered shopping streets, wacky subway announcements, and all the other fun Japanese things. Including, of course, food: sushi, yakitori, eel, gyoza, takoyaki stands, etc, etc – at maybe a third to half the price you would pay in Hong Kong. Not too many tourists (OK, other tourists) either. Give or take (braver-than-average) Hongkongers. Trying horse sashimi for the first time (it’s good), I noticed the guy sitting just next to me at the counter was watching the racing at Happy Valley on his phone.
‘Victoria Cove Area’……. uh-oh – you read that the project would be under the Urban Renewal Authority.
Indeed, indicating that the plans come with a caveat, like transfer of plot ratio of the harbour to its nearby development project.
Can anyone name a single URA project that has improved the liveability and community outdoor spaces of a district?
This morning there were 13 cops guarding the M Hotel in HH. 13. Gaurding it from what? From who?
Nice use of tax dollars and a cushy job if you can get it.
@Load Toad
Guarding from all the spies, of course.
But wait, the new law specifically targets these greatcoat-clad fiends. Is it ineffective and redundant against the spyglass-wielding threat within our midst? And am I allowed to even say that?