HK Security Minister Wants to Prosecute Storm Chasers

A man sits on a bench in Tseung Kwan O with waves coming

As Hong Kong cleans up and gets back to business after Super Typhoon Ragasa, there are many questions about what to do next time. Climate change has made typhoon winds stronger and can cause greater destruction than before, as evidenced by the Fullerton Hotel in Ocean Park, with its glass entrance doors smashed by the waves, and restaurants along the Tseung Kwan O waterfront also destroyed.

Experts are calling for developing mangroves and oyster reefs to act as natural barriers, and also help clean up the water quality as well (which would be good), while others are calling for taller breakwaters, higher floodgates and more swales, sunken areas that can retain water instead of building underground stormwater facilities.

Waves pummelled low-lying areas in Hong Kong

These are all great ideas and hopefully they will be implemented in the next year or so.

But what to do about the silly people who wandered out in dangerous conditions and got themselves injured?

A family of four were taking a selfie when a giant wave pushed them off their feet. A man sat on a bench as a giant tidal wave came at him and he didn't even move. Of course the force of nature washed him off immediately.

Now Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung is looking into existing legislation and consider enacting new laws.

"I felt heartbroken seeing parents treating [storm chasing] as fun and bringing their children along to watch the waves. You are actually endangering your children," he said. "Think of your family and the rescuers who take a risk to save you."

Tang is looking into prosecuting storm chasers

Tang says current laws could target storm chasers, and that bringing children along could be considered as neglect. 

He suggested residents who refused to leave dangerous areas when ordered by police could be charged with obstructing a police officer.

Currently storm chasers and surfers can be fined HK$2,000 and face up to 14 days' imprisonment for anyone entering a public beach closed during extreme weather.

While Tang did not say how many people were arrested or charged for storm chasing during Super Typhoon Ragasa, he wanted to warn the public of the dangers of being outside during typhoons...

Six More Activists with HK$1M Bounties

Six more activists have HK$1M bounty on their heads

Even though the Christmas holidays are upon us, the Hong Kong police are busy putting a HK$1 million (US$128,691) bounty on six more activists, bringing the total to 19 people who have allegedly violated the national security law.

The six are political commentator Chung Kim-wah, Joseph Tay, former TVB actor and founder of Canada-based NGO Hongkonger Station, former convenor of Studentlocalism Tony Chung Hon-lam, Carmen Lau Ka-man, a former district councillor now at Hong Kong Democracy Council, former Sing Tao editor and now YouTuber Victor Ho Leung-mau, and Chloe Cheung Hei-ching from the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.

Ho is a former editor and in Metro Vancouver

"Their common denominator is betraying their own country and Hong Kong, neglecting Hongkongers' interests, as well as continuing to endanger national security and detriment Hong Kong's interest after fleeing overseas," said Andrew Kan Kai-yan, deputy police commissioner overseeing national security.

He added the force would cut off the six wanted people's funding resources and investigate their confederates and funders.

In addition the Hong Kong government issued a gazette on Tuesday announcing that Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung had revoked the passports of seven activists who had fled the city, including Ted Hui Chi-fung, Kevin Yam Kin-fung, Anna Kwok, Frances Hui Wing-ting, and Elmer Yuan Gong-yi.

Except that Siu, Kwok and Yam have foreign passports and Frances Hui has asylum in the United States.

Yam stated on social media that he never had a Hong Kong passport, so how could his passport be revoked?

Tay is running as a Conservative candidate

Nevertheless Tang said: "The targets of this crackdown are those who have been wanted for a long time, have been absconding overseas and are determined to continue endangering our national security through various means.

"The [Hong Kong] government will certainly use all means to pursue and crackdown on criminals who have fled overseas and endanger national security."

Sentences Handed Down in HK 47 Trial

Sentences were handed down in the largest NSL case to date

It is a dark day in Hong Kong, as pro-democracy activists, former politicians and academics were convicted of subversion for their roles in the unofficial primary they held in July 2020. 

Sentences range from just over four years to 10 years for legal academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, who was deemed the mastermind of the primary in a bid to force then Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to resign. Beijing saw it as a bid to take down the government.

The primary never happened as the elections were postponed claiming the pandemic as the reason, and 47 people were arrested in January 2021. In the end 45 of them were convicted, totally wiping out key figures in the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

But to the three appointed judges, it did not matter the primary was successful or not: "It was submitted by some of the defendants that the ultimate consequences of serious interfering in, disrupting or undermining the performance of duties and functions of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government depended very much on the Scheme being carried to the fruition and that would have never materialised. Hence in the present case they said even without disqualification or calling off the LegCo election, the scheme was bound to fail because the participants simply failed to secure sufficient seats," they wrote in the judgment.

"Whether the Scheme would ultimately succeed, it was not for this Court to speculate. What we were sure was that all the participants had put in every endeavour to make it a success."

In general, those who pleaded guilty were given lesser sentences of over four years, while those who claimed they were not guilty were handed heavier ones. For example, Joshua Wong Chi-fung got four years and eight months by pleading guilty, whereas Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam got seven years pleading not guilty.

But Tai entered a plea of guilty and got the heaviest sentence of 10 years, as the judges believed he instigated "the Scheme". 

As they have all been in custody without bail for over three years, some of them will be released on a year or so.

Many members of the public came to see the people in the dock. Former politician Claudia Mo Man-ching is 67 years old and was sentenced to four years and two months. Her husband, Philip Bowring is in ill health, which the court acknowledged, but would not reduce her sentence. Hopefully he can hang on until she is finally released.

There are also concerns about the health of "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung who is 68 years old and was sentenced to six years and nine months. The court did not describe him as having "a positive good character" as he has had a track record of protesting against the government over the years, hence the longer sentence.

The trial was meant to show those who dare to criticise the government can face a similar fate. 

"If you are being critical of the authorities both in Hong Kong and in China, then it's open season," said Steve Tsang, a Hong Kong-born political scientist and director of the SOAS China Institute in London.

"I think that this case will be seen by many in the international community as the final nail in the coffin for the rule of law in Hong Kong," said Thomas Kellogg, the executive director of the Georgetown Center for Asian Law.

Meanwhile Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said the sentences showed those who committed national security crimes must be severely punished.

When Joshua Wong was leaving the courtroom, he shouted, "I love Hong Kong, bye bye!"

It's not over yet -- tomorrow Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's trial continues...

More Cameras to Fight Crime in HK

Tang says "all walks of life" did not object to more CCTVs

In another sign that Hong Kong is becoming more aligned with the mainland, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping Keung wants to further beef up security in the city, which means adding between 2,000 to 2,500 surveillance cameras in public places from next year.

"I think this is a natural trend. In fact a lot of other jurisdictions, they are using it already," he said, citing the UK has around 7.3 million surveillance cameras, and Singapore plans to increase the number by 200,000 by 2030.

The installment of more CCTV cameras is in a bid to combat crime. Tang explained in a pilot scheme, 15 cameras were set up in Mong Kok to detect 13 kinds of crimes, but did not specify which ones they were. 

Some 2,000-2,500 cameras installed from 2025

Tang said the cameras will have facial recognition technology which will help in robbery cases.

"Eventually, when we are able to find the whereabouts of the culprit through a number of CCTV [cameras], it will be a few hours later -- we know with AI technology, we can instantly identify the culprit," the security minister said.

Tang said adding more surveillance cameras in Hong Kong would not compromise personal privacy, adding residents and businesses "from all walks of life" did not object to them.

"All our installation of the CCTVs, it's in full compliance with our privacy law," he said.

People are too busy trying to keep their heads above water to think about surveillance cameras, even though it is yet another thing to be aware of.

As for fighting crime, the proof will be in the numbers... 

Star Power at HK Marathon

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon was back this Sunday Hong Kong time, and on my social media feeds I saw many people I know who participated, either in the full marathon, half or 10K.

Known for hiking almost daily, actor Chow Yun-fat ran in the half marathon and completed it in 2 hours and 26 minutes -- not bad for a 68 year old.

"I felt very comfortable in general, but there were some sections of the route that were slightly challenging due to the inclines," Chow said. "I had to be patient and take it slow."

He is already aiming to cut his time to 2 hours and 15 minutes in next year's race.

"There were a lot of people and the vibe was very nice. I'm happy to see a lot of senior residents running with me. I encourage Hongkongers to do more exercise," he said.

It must have been a shocker to see Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po lace up and actually run -- in the 2K Leaders' Cup. Interestingly his bib number was "852".

The route was from the Wan Chai Sports Ground to Victoria Park, and Chan came in second, after business tycoon Peter Woo Kwong-ching.

Is 2K the best Chan can do? What about Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung getting out and pounding the pavement?

Barely Recruiting Hong Kong's Finest

The force is actively looking for applicants at home and abroad

The Hong Kong Police Force is still desperate for recruits, despite dangling very good salaries and benefits. It's now gotten to the point where the force has lowered its requirements to make it easier to get more applicants.

It happened last May, when height and weight minimums were scrapped. Previously men had to have a minimum height of 163cm and 50kg, and 152cm and 42kg for women. They could also wear corrective lenses.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung gave an update on the recruitment situation in the Legislative Council on January 10.

Tang gave an update at the Legislative Council

He said: "The Hong Kong Police Force has been adopting proactive recruitment strategies to attract high calibre candidates who have the competence to become a police officer, the affection for the Motherland and Hong Kong, and the passion to serve the public so that the force can continue to demonstrate its professional capability and maintain Hong Kong as one of the safest cities in the world."

While he says there has been no change in the language requirements of all police officers (should read, write and speak fluent Cantonese), the force has developed its own Chinese and English proficiency test "to suit the police officers' practical needs in communication and comprehension when performing their day-to-day duties".

What were the results?

On December 31, 2023, Tang says 87 applicants took the General Chinese Test, and 623 the General English Test, and 14 took both.

University recruitment poster in China

"The passing rates for the General Chinese Test and the General English Test were 49.4 percent, and 27.6 percent respectively," he said.

Those rates don't really bode well for the force or Hong Kong.

In addition, Tang says the force is recruiting applicants on the mainland, specifically looking for Hongkongers studying in China with 23 successfully hired, as well as students in overseas cities like London, Toronto and Sydney, where 40 who joined the HKPF.

"It is the HKPF's initial plan to resume publicity and recruitment campaigns overseas later this year," he said.

Good luck Mr Tang.

Jimmy Lai's Trial Finally Begins

Lai has been remanded in custody for more than 1,100 days

All eyes are on West Kowloon Law Courts today as media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's national security law case is finally underway after numerous postponements.

Many people came out to witness the court case, Lai's wife Teresa arrived along with one of their sons; retired Catholic leader Joseph Zen, and pro-democracy politician Emily Lau Wai-hing. 

Grandma Wong being escorted by police

Members of the public were also keen to watch the proceedings first hand. A 29-year-old who gave her name as JC was first in line, having braved the chilly weather in front of the court since 10pm the night before, while the second person in line, a man surnamed Sung arrived at 4am.

Staff from the consulates of New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Canada and the United Kingdom were on hand to observe the proceedings as well.

Some people were shocked to see Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung had 1,000 police officers around the court house to prevent any disruption. But the case has been so heavily advertised that the government wants to have a massive show of force for such a high-profile case. 

Grandma Wong was in front of the court house with her UK flag screaming, "Support Jimmy Lai! Support Apple Daily!" The police tried to move her across the street in a bid to remove her as a distraction, but the media followed.

Already the defense has launched the argument that the sedition charge against Lai should be dismissed as it was laid after the permitted prosecution time frame. Senior Counsel Robert Pang Yiu-hung argued the sedition charge was under a colonial-era law, and not the national security law. 

Members of the public were keen to watch trial

Pang said the prosecution had passed the time limit for charging Lai, as the colonial-era sedition law states charges must be laid within six months of the alleged offense, which in this case would be from April 1, 2019 to June 24, 2021.

As a result this issue must be resolved before the case can continue. Three judges appointed by the chief executive are presiding over the case: Madam Justices Esther Toh Lye-ping, Susana D'Alamada Remedios, and Mr Justice Alex Lee Wan-tung.

Meanwhile in the last few weeks, Lai's son Sebastien has been rallying politicians, in particular Foreign Secretary David Cameron, lobbying them to push for his father's release, as he is a British citizen.

Security Minister Looks Ahead to Jimmy Lai Trial

Lai has been remanded in custody for almost three years

When Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's trial finally gets underway on December 18, the Apple Daily media tycoon will have been remanded in custody for almost three years. 

In this case he is charged with sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces when he allegedly called for international sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, and inciting public hatred during the 2019 protests.

Tang claims HK government will be smeared

Interesting that Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung says the upcoming open hearing will reveal the extent of the "bad" crimes Lai had allegedly committed.

"When. you look at all the details as disclosed, you will see how bad they are. Let's wait and see [for] yourself," Tang told a Hong Kong media outlet.

Whatever happened to government officials declining to comment because the case was in the courts?

Tang also warned that the case would draw international attention and that foreign politicians may target local efforts to outlaw more national security offences under Article 23 of the Basic Law that the government aims to enact next year.

"I'm sure they will make use of this as another excuse to smear our government and to smear our country... It's a must. It's anticipated," he said.

Tang like Lam (above) has lots of cash

As if to further illustrate his point, Tang added that because of sanctions, he was unable to have a bank account, much like former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Due to this "inconvenience", he said he had to adapt to using cash all the time.

"Because I have no bank account, right? So all my auto-pay had been paralysed," Tang said. "But I would say, compared with the national interest, this small inconvenience is nothing. Actually, I feel proud to have a chance to serve my country and serve my Hong Kong."

His patriotism knows no bounds...

HK to Crackdown on "Soft Resistance"

Patriotism is a sign of agreement with Beijing

The Chinese Communist Party is determined to win at all costs.

After implementing the national security law in July 2020, Beijing thought it would defeat all dissent in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests.

However, people have found ways to continue their "soft resistance" in various ways, such as patronising the "yellow economic circle", refusing to sing the Chinese national anthem, not registering for organ donation because of its mainland links, and openly jeering at mainlanders in the city.

There is word Beijing is not pleased and wants to continue further repressing Hongkongers who refuse to bend in the CPC way.

Tang says soft resistance will be tackled

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on July 25 that "soft resistance" must be tackled, and even hinted that some media, and people in arts and culture may be culprits of this soft resistance.

Earlier this month on July 3, Tang told Ta Kung Pao newspaper that Article 23 will include provisions to deal with "soft resistance", as he believed discussion about this would radicalise people... There are plans to pass Article 23 next year. 

Readers may remember the Hong Kong government under then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa tried to pass this legislation in 2003, but a mass street protest resulted in it being shelved -- until now.

There is the constant comparison that other countries like the United States and Canada have national security laws too, but these democratic countries do not weaponise it like Hong Kong and China.

So far 270 people have been arrested on national security charges in Hong Kong since mid 2020, around 70 have been tried in court, and all of them found guilty, says former lawmaker and journalist Emily Lau Wai-hing.

"This is a 100 percent conviction rate. I'm not casting aspersions on anybody," she said.

However, pro-Beijing senior counsel Ronny Tong Ka-wah claims the city continues to uphold free speech, saying: "Rest assured you can say anything you like in Hong Kong."

Lau says NSL has 100 percent conviction rate

Hard to believe Tong, previously a democrat who co-founded the Civic Party before doing a 180-degree turn towards Beijing.

In any event, there are concerns that the existence of "soft resistance" in Hong Kong gives Beijing a mandate for further repression in the city in a bid to extract complete submission.

"It's almost as if the government is saying the word 'patriot' is code for you agree with us. If you agree with us, then you can be in the district council, you can be in LegCo, you can be in the election committee and all these things. But if you don't agree with us, then you're resisting," says John Burns, an honorary professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong.

The people who are left in Hong Kong are seeing their space for resistance quickly diminishing... how much longer can they keep going? 

HK Libraries Censor June 4 Books

Libraries have removed books related to Tiananmen Square

This year marks the 34th anniversary of the June 4th massacre, and should we be surprised that in Hong Kong, people cannot hold a candlelight vigil for the fourth consecutive year, and now they can't read about it in libraries anymore.

Practically any book or documentary related to the Tiananmen Square crackdown have been pulled from the shelves due to national security concerns.

But critics worry this is yet another sign of the city becoming closer aligned with the mainland, and that the free-flow of information for which Hong Kong was known for is fast disappearing.

Chu says the move impacts government credibility

Simon Chu Fook-keung was the former acting director of the city government's archives from 1999 to 2003. He said the censorship of books was not uncommon in many places, but to remove them from the shelves without explanation could have consequences for government credibility.

"If a government cannot even convince its people why certain books -- including those apparently non-political -- are banned, it might have difficulties in winning trust on other issues," he warned.

However, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said public libraries had well-established policies when it came to book selection. 

"I'm also sure that safeguarding national security is high on the agenda of each and every individual department and bureau," he said.

Government auditors have asked public libraries to step up efforts to root out works "manifestly contrary" to national security.

Previously Chinese media reported 149 works that dealt with the events of June 4, 1989 were available in libraries, now almost all of them are gone. 

Ma's novel is still available in the library

One of the few relevant books still on the shelves include Beijing Coma by Chinese-born, British writer Ma Jian. The English-language novel published in 2008 is censored in the mainland, but still available in five city libraries. Perhaps because it's fiction?

A 30-year-old who was interviewed by a reporter at the library and asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said they feared children in the future would question if the crackdown had actually happened if they could not find out about it in libraries.

Ma Ngok, a political scientist at Chinese University who specialises in local elections, said the continued removal of books would affect the city's reputation.

"Hong Kong has been known for its free access to information in the past decades. Are the ongoing moves by authorities contradicting their own goal of 'telling good Hong Kong stories'?" he said.

Sadly the crackdown on what can and can't be read in the city continues -- no one know when or if it will end. Eventually the libraries are going to be empty...

Ming Pao to Stop Publishing Zunzi Cartoons

Ming Pao ends its 40-year run publishing Zunzi cartoons

The Hong Kong government has a thin skin when it comes to cartoons satirising its policies, and this has led to Ming Pao ending its 40-year association with cartoonist Zunzi. The Chinese newspaper announced it would end running the political cartoons on May 14.

Zunzi, whose real name is Wong Kei-kwan, contributed two daily cartoons to the paper, one of a single illustration, the other a three-panel comic strip. They mostly poked fun at current affairs, and it seems since John Lee Ka-chiu became Chief Executive last July, he and his administration have criticised the cartoons.

On district council overhaul

Most recently, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen slammed a cartoon published on Tuesday that referred to the city's district council overhaul. It depicted a man telling a woman that representatives would be selected "as long as their superior deems them suitable", even if they failed all exams and health checks.

Mak, who is involved in the overhaul, said the cartoon was "distortive" and "unethical", and accused Wong of smearing the government's reputation.

Earlier Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung condemned another cartoon by Wong, claiming he made misleading accusations and fostered public ill will against the authorities.

The cartoon depicted two people speculating that the government was actually reserving HK$20 billion (US$2.5 billion) from its budget to build prisons and hire correctional staff to target the public, after the authorities announced they would spend HK$5.2 billion to upgrade the police's information system in the coming year.

Wong declined to comment on why Ming Pao cut him loose. 

"The incident is part of the current 'Hong Kong story' in which people can see and feel, not the one the officials are talking about," Wong said, referring to the pledge by the government to promote a positive account of the city.

Zunzi says he will continue creating cartoons

He said he would continue to create cartoons but did not elaborate on which platform he would use. 

"There are various forms of creation. I appreciate other creators expressing their opinions in the ways they are good at and I will learn from them," Wong added.

Ming Pao said in a statement that said in part: "Ming Pao thanks Zunzi for witnessing the changing times with us over the past 40 years."

The paper's Ming Pao Staff Association expressed regret the artist's columns would no longer be featured in the publication.

"Apart from news reporting, the works of columnists are also part of the core value of Ming Pao. A diversified society should be inclusive of different voices," it wrote in a statement.

"We hope all sectors of the community will respect freedom of speech and protect the core values of Ming Pao, while maintaining social justice and kindness."

Zunzi's cartoon on Xi's plans for Hong Kong

Wong is no stranger to controversy, having riled up at least five government departments, including the police and Security Bureau. His cartoons were once banned in Macau and Singapore more than 20 years ago.

In an interview with AFP in 2000, Wong said "jokes can be very dangerous".

"The powerful try to... make the masses believe there is no one else but them to follow," he said.

"Jokes can quickly pierce through all this and nail the lies. They can drag the powerful down from their thrones."

Pillar of Shame Confiscated as Evidence

The Pillar of Shame when it stood in the HKU campus

The saga of the sculpture paying homage to the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre continues with it being confiscated by the police yesterday, apparently related to a national security case.

The Pillar of Shame, which had been taken apart, wrapped up and hidden in the University of Hong Kong's Kadoorie Centre in Yuen Long, was taken by the police as evidence for a subversion case.

Since 1997, the eight-metre tall sculpture featuring people in an organic pyramid, was standing at the HKU campus until it was dismantled in the middle of the night by a crew in hard hats in December 2021.

It was removed late one night in December 2021

When Jens Galschiot, the artist who made the sculpture heard about the latest development from the media, he slammed the operation as "outrageous", as he said he was the owner of the artwork and no one had consulted him on the matter.

He wrote a message on his newsletter which read in full:

I just got the news from the media about the removing of the Pillar of Shame from Hong Kong University. This is outrageous. This is my sculpture and nobody has consulted or informed me about anything.

I have heard that the sculpture will be used as evidence under the national security law, but this makes no sense to me.

The pillar was placed in Hong Kong, before Hong Kong was handed over by the British. It is an art piece made and exhibited by a Danish artist (me) as his personal project. The initiative has been mine, nobody has incited me to put it there, and I personally paid all expenses for it. 

I cannot see how they can use the sculpture under the national security law. The Democratic Alliance and many Hongkongers have been assisting me putting the sculpture in Hong Kong, but so has shipping companies, crane firms and University of Hong Kong. Even Hong Kong authorities has given permission for me to put it up and move it around.

Though I am deeply touched that the Pillar is used this way in Hong Kong, the events confirm the that symbolic language of art cannot be crushed, and only gets stronger when attacked. The Pillar of Shame and talks about the June 4th massacre hasn’t been more present than now. Hong Kong (China!) took down the pillar but got a 1000 back. It appears as 3D prints all over the world, as AI and as banners.

 

Galschiot continues to demand sculpture back

Sincerely yours,
Jens Galschiot, May 5^th, 2023

 

The security bureau released a statement replying to Galschiot in part: "Some organisations attempted to mislead the public in the name of artistic freedom and requested to return the evidence, smearing the police's legal action with insensible blame, undermining law and the rule of law."

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said the removal of the statue had nothing to do with the upcoming June 4 anniversary, and that the operation was done according to the ongoing investigation.

"The legal proceedings are still ongoing. I cannot reveal any details... We will continue to search for more evidence to support the prosecution work," he said.

The organiser of Hong Kong's annual Tiananmen Square candlelight vigil -- the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriot Democratic Movements of China -- together with three of its leading members, Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yah, and Chow Hang-tung have been charged with inciting subversion under the national security law.

The chances of Galschiot retrieving his sculpture have dimmed significantly now that it has been confiscated as "evidence"...

Attempt to Hold May 1 Rally is Cancelled

Wong resurfaced after being missing for about four hours

In a frightening turn of events, the two former Confederation of Trade Union members Joe Wong Nai-yuen and Denny To Chun-ho have withdrawn their application to hold the May 1 rally.

Details are slim at the moment, but former CTU chairman Wong was missing this morning Hong Kong time from around 7.30am to 11.30am and then told To he had cancelled the application.

On a Facebook post, To described Wong as being "in a state of emotional collapse and was clearly under great pressure".

"He told me that he had just signed a paper to cancel the march, but could not disclose the details due to Article 63 of the Hong Kong National Security Law. I can imagine what happened during that time because of my past experience," To wrote.

Article 63 of NSL prohibits Wong from disclosing where he was and what happened to him, and anyone involved with the case needs to keep it confidential as well.

Originally the pair had applied to the Hong Kong police about holding a May 1 rally to promote workers' rights. However, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung warned that others may hijack the event, and that one should not downplay these risks.

Then this morning Wong disappeared.

While he was not arrested or charged, it sounds like he has been severely traumatised for just putting in an application to hold a rally to promote workers' rights.

It is a shocking example of how NSL is used against people -- and in this case with possibly mentally debilitating effects...

Security Chief Warns of Risks at Rallies

Previous May 1 rallies bring attention to domestic helper rights

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung warns there are elements that may hijack an upcoming rally on May 1 to mark Labour Day, hinting perhaps such a march should not be held for safety reasons.

Two core members of the now defunct Confederation of Trade Unions have met the police regarding their application to hold a rally on May 1.

The security chief said downplaying the safety risks of a public rally was an "irresponsible" act. 

Tang suggested others may hijack rallies

"These safety risks exist. Anyone intending to downplay the risks brought by these activities, saying, 'It's fine, please come, it's safe', that's irresponsible behaviour," Tang said.

The prove his point, he said a public rally on women's rights that was originally set for March 5 was cancelled "responsibly" by the organiser after someone planned to hijack the activity. He gave no evidence to support this claim.

He also claimed the 2019 protests were taken over by others who had a different agenda without revealing further information.

"All people organising these public activities hold a responsibility... to ensure the events are held in a safe and orderly manner," Tang said.

Previously he has said the lanyards marchers must wear are no different than the race bibs marathoners pin on their T-shirts.

To and Wong applying to hold rally on May 1

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Joe Wong Nai-yuen, former chairman of the now-defunct Confederation of Trade Unions, and ex-committee member Denny To Chun-ho, gave an update on the progress of their application to hold a rally on May 1.

They met with police on Friday after applying to hold the event in their personal capacity.

"We sincerely hope that authorities will not exaggerate the risks of a rally being hijacked by others," they wrote.

The pair said they were just ordinary citizens concerned about labour rights and did not have the money to hire marshals to maintain order for the event. The most they could do, they said, was to verbally ask participants to obey the law.

"We believe police are certainly capable of ensuring a rally attended by hundreds of people is held smoothly," they added.

So is this rally going to be held or not?

Xia suggested focus on economy, not protests

The hassles, numbered lanyards and fears of being hijacked all make organisers think twice about holding a march. And when the new director of the Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong suggests protests aren't a good idea, this gives people the shivers.

How much things have changed since four years ago. Holding rallies used to be a right. Now the authorities instil fear they could stir trouble...

Good News and Bad News

Victor Chen perfectly encapsulates Leave Home Safe app

I was going to write that Hong Kong was the last place on earth to mandate using a Covid-19 tracking app, but just a few hours ago the government has decided residents don't need to scan the dreaded QR codes everywhere they go, but must show their vaccination records at restaurants.

Not only that -- when people arrive in the city and test negative, they are free to go anywhere they wish -- no more getting takeaway food and staying at home for three days. 

The Hang Seng Index immediately shot up to over 19,000 points upon news of the announcement.

Lo looks silly for defending the unnecessary app

Secretary for Health Dr Lo Chung-mau will have to explain himself on why he was so insistent that the Leave Home Safe app was here to stay forever when the winds across the mainland were about to change. Did he not get the memo or was he trying to keep up the appearance that Hong Kong was on a different track than China?

Christmas and New Years is going to be bustling business for Hong Kong, but restaurants and retail have been badly battered by the last three years, some barely surviving, others going gangbusters.

Now the next question is when the border between the mainland and Hong Kong will reopen, and at this rate one may assume before Chinese New Year (January 22). 

Another person desperately trying to show his faithfulness to Beijing is Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung. He accused Google of "double standards" when the tech giant refused to ensure the Chinese national anthem is at the top of the search result following several blunders in international rugby matches where they played the 2019 protest song Glory to Hong Kong instead of the Chinese anthem, March of the Volunteers.

Tang insists that Google obey HK government

"Google claimed it could not accede to our request because [the search results are determined by] algorithm and it cannot do anything with it," he said. "But it has been widely known that anyone who wants their information to be seen by more people could spend money on adverts to get their posts promoted. The claim by Google that its hands are tied is incomprehensible and I am sure Hongkongers would find it unacceptable."

Why not spend money on buying adverts on Google then? The Hong Kong Tourism Board has been desperately throwing money around to promote the city as being back in business...

Or as activist investor David Webb has suggested, as Hong Kong has its own flag and currency, why not give the city its own anthem? 

Tang's flogging a dead horse -- time to move on. No one is listening.

Meanwhile it is heartening to hear the former editor-in-chief of the now defunct Stand News is out on bail after being remanded in custody for almost a year on sedition charges.

Ex-Stand News chief editor now out on bail

Chung Pui-kuen, 53, paid HK$100,000 cash bail with a surety from his brother of HK$50,000 after the judge assessed Chung would not be a national security threat.

However his travel documents were suspended and he is not allowed to give media interviews. 

His lawyer, Senior Counsel Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said in court that Chung would not be a flight risk as his wife, Chan Pui-man was also remanded in custody regarding the now defunct Apple Daily on charges of collusion with foreign forces.

Chung's colleague, former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam Shiu-tung, 35, and Stand News' holding company Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited are accused of conspiracy to publish seditious publications. Lam was granted bail last month.

But things are getting worse for Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of the defunct Apple Daily.

Lai's NSL trial not until September 2023

He was sentenced to 69 months (five years and nine months) and a HK$2 million fine for breaching a commercial lease contract that somehow has morphed into criminal fraud. 

Not only that, he has received word that his national security trial won't be heard until September next year, as the Hong Kong government is waiting on Beijing for an interpretation of legislation on whether Lai is allowed to have foreign representation in court.

Meanwhile his son Sebastien, who is based in Taiwan, is calling on the UK government to take action, as his father is a UK national.

"My dad is a British citizen who has done nothing wrong. I call on the UK Government to take urgent action to protect my dad immediately and secure his freedom. The UK must do all it can to stop this, and do it now," he wrote in a statement.

Unfortunately Lai is at the bottom of the UK government's to-do list but will Lai make it through mentally and physically? Not everyone has his patience and determination.

Isolation Facilities Almost like Staycation

The new isolation units almost -- almost -- like a hotel room

Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung wants to show he's doing a good job, just over a month into the new administration.

He posted pictures of a new Covid-19 isolation facility next to the Kai Tai cruise terminal for those who have been infected with the virus but cannot isolate at home.

The 3,000 unit facility even has elevators

There are 3,000 new units on four floors which have elevators! And some are adjoining rooms for families! Washrooms in each unit! Oh and there's sea views too! The garden even has a retired government aircraft for decoration.

The place almost sounds like a hotel, but it's not.

"We hope that everyone will enjoy a better experience during their isolation, where they can find a little sweetness in the bitterness," Tang said.

The government is trying to do better after scathing criticism of the isolation units in Tsing Yi that were hastily built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation in seven days.

That resulted in flooding in the area soon after it was in operation, users having to walk on stools to go use a bathroom outside of the unit, and sharing the room with three other strangers.

In this fifth wave, Hong Kong is seeing over 4,000 cases a day and 5,500 units in Penny's Bay are occupied as well as 800 beds in two designated hotels, the occupancy is 80 percent. 

The sea view that Tang mentioned 

But as most cases have mild symptoms and most can isolate at home, why not use these 3,000 units for social housing? There are so many people in wait lists for public housing, and so many homeless -- why not put them there first?

The government seems so hell bent on dealing with Covid-19 that it has forgotten the central government's concerns about housing issues...

 

Government Honours Loyalty

Lee given the highest award, the Grand Bauhinia Medal

The Hong Kong government has released its 2022 Hong Kong Honours List, and former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made sure she recognised those who stuck by her through thick and thin.

Most notable?

The Grand Bauhinia Medal is awarded to seven people, including current leader John Lee Ka-chiu. Even though he and Lam blundered in proposing the extradition bill in 2019 that led to massive street protests and stepping up violent police action against the protesters.

Chan bungled Covid response but still awarded

Instead he is recognised for his "dedicated and distinguished public service to the Government and the Hong Kong community over the past 44 years, particularly his sterling contributions during his tenure as the Secretary for Security and the Chief Secretary for Administration," the citation reads. 

"With his strong commitment to Hong Kong and outstanding ability and experience in public administration, he assisted the then Chief Executive in rising to the challenges and played an instrumental role in co-ordination in policy formulation and implementation, making significant contributions to Hong Kong."

Others who were rewarded for their loyalty include: former secretary for food and health Sophia Chan Siu-chee, pro-Beijing executive councillor Ronny Tong Ka-wah, former secretary for education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung (formally he has dropped "Chris"), former secretary for transport and housing Frank Chan Fan, and ICAC head Simon Peh Yun-lu.

Dover led police response to protests in 2019

Another notable person is assistant commissioner of police Rupert Dover, who lead the operations against the protesters in 2019, and Peter Lam Kin-ngok, owner of various restaurants including three Michelin starred 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, former chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and now the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council.

On Twitter people were wondering how Lee will award himself his own medal...

Other notable honourees who deserve the recognition include Olympic cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, radio DJ Reinaldo Maria Cordeiro otherwise known as Uncle Ray, Olympic swimmer Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, and fencer Cheung Ka-long.

Cheung won gold in fencing in Tokyo Olympics

While no date has been set yet on when the actual awards will be handed out, we are still wondering... will Lee just pin the medal on himself?