John Lee's "Press Freedom"

Lee says media can help promote "one country, two systems"

Before John Lee Ka-chiu became Chief Executive of Hong Kong, he claimed press freedom existed in the city and therefore there was no need to defend it.

"Freedom of the press always exists in Hong Kong. I think there's no need to use the word 'defend' because it exists and we attach great importance to press freedom. But press freedom needs to fulfil the requirements of the law. Hong Kong is a place with rule of law, any action or activities must be lawful," he said in April.

Apple Daily was shut down under Lee's watch

But what is the definition of press freedom? According to Merriam-Webster: "the right of newspapers, magazines, etc to report news without being controlled by the government".

May we remind him that Reporters Without Borders recently ranked Hong Kong's press freedom at 148 out of 180 countries, when last year it was at No. 80 and in 2002 at No. 18.

So it's intriguing for Lee to now say the media and him "are in the same boat", and that he hoped the news sector would help him in promoting the accomplishments of the "one country, two systems" principle to the world.

"We have to publicise the successful experience of One Country, Two Systems to the world, and [publicise] Hong Kong's extraordinary achievements under its unique advantages," Lee said during a video call at a Handover anniversary event hosted by the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Journalists.

Stand News editor arrested, later shut down

"We need to use all possible means, from newspapers, TV [and] radio to the internet, new media and social media, to promote the competitiveness of Hong Kong from all directions," Lee added.

He ended his speech saying he and journalists are "in the same family" and "in the same boat."

It's ironic for him to say that when he was Secretary for Security Apple Daily and Stand News were investigated and shut down, and other smaller independent media outlets closed out of fear of the national security law.

How are him and journalists in the same boat?

And what successes has Hong Kong had lately to merit trumpeting "one country, two systems"? In the last few years "two systems" are fast becoming one.

Lee will continue to use this kind of gaslighting language -- and how much longer will its residents withstand living in this parallel universe?

The only achievement in the last few years was to drive people and companies away from Hong Kong due to the national security law and the severely restrictive Covid-19 regulations that have strangled any opportunity to revive the city's economy...