Fact of the Day: HK's Birthrate Falls Below 30K

Babies are a scarce resource in Hong Kong

A quick news flash from Hong Kong that isn't good for the city's future.

It is well-known the birthrate is low, but the latest figures are definitely concerning.

There were only 2,376 births in August, the lowest total for an August since monthly records began, and 112 fewer than last year.

This means Hong Kong is expected to have 28,818 births for 2026, the first time below 30,000 since World War II.

That was when the Japanese occupied Hong Kong from December 1941-August 1945 (three years and eight months). During that period the Japanese colonisers routinely executed Chinese residents, took over and controlled the police, hyperinflation led to financial hardships for locals, and there was a shortage of fuel and food.

For comparison, only 10 years ago (2016), there were 60,856 births in Hong Kong...

What further measures will the Hong Kong government take to boost the birthrate? Does it even care?

Latest Scam: Woman Left with HK$80K Restaurant Bill

The "date" was at Man Wah in the Mandarin Oriental

Women in Hong Kong have another thing to worry about when going on dates -- their suitor may leave them on the hook for a very expensive meal.

In the case of one woman, she was left to pay the restaurant bill of over HK$80,000 (US$10,264) at the Chinese restaurant Man Wah in the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong when her date claimed towards the end of the meal that he had to go to the washroom and never came back.

Really expensive champagne

Why was it so expensive? They had ordered the set meal of HK$2,388 each, featuring dishes like braised bird's nest, abalone, M9 wagyu, and steamed grouper.

But then the man, purporting to be a 26-year-old lawyer, chose a HK$71,800 bottle of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay champagne. The total cost of the mean was HK$84,453.

The woman had met the man on the Telegram messaging app a year ago and they arranged the date on Thursday at Man Wah.

When he didn't come back from the washroom, she called him several times but was not able to reach him and she had to ask friends to help her foot the massive bill and eventually filed a police report the next day.

The police arrested a 23-year-old man surnamed Wong in Tseung Kwan O for allegedly obtaining property by deception on Friday and seized the clothes he had worn the night of the date.

He's not the only guy who has done this version of "dine-and-dash" -- last month the police arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly impersonated a firefighter on dating apps and apparently tricked three women into paying for lavish meals totalling HK$3,800 before running off.

But this latest scam of picking probably the most expensive bottle on the wine list is absolutely outrageous!

Mirror's Keung To Rescued After Falling into Sea

To thanks people for their concern

Is one of the hottest performers from the group Mirror OK? 

There were reports yesterday that Mirror fan favourite Keung To had accidentally fallen into Victoria Harbour in Western district, where he was apparently jogging along the harbourfront.

Hong Kong Police received a call at 4.36pm that a man had fallen into the water near the Western Wholesale Food Market. He was rescued and taken to the Central Government Pier on Man Fai Road and then transported by ambulance to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment.

He apparently fell into the water in Western

He was then moved to a private hospital, ostensibly for privacy.

Keung's manager posted a statement at 8.20pm on her Instagram on the star's behalf, saying: "It was just a small accident due to my own carelessness. I am OK, please don't worry. [I] hope there won't be any further speculation. [I'm] truly sorry for making everyone worried."

Mirror's management company, MakerVille, said in a statement that Keung felt dizzy while jogging by the sea in Sai Wan and became unwell.

"He was rescued when he regained consciousness," it said.

Keung is one of the 12 members of the group Mirror that became famous in 2018 following a ViuTV reality talent show.

We're puzzled as to how he accidentally fell in...

His ardent fans celebrate his birthday by buying giant billboard space and renting a tram and decking it out. 

As someone who used to walk along the waterfront especially around Western district almost daily, it's kind of hard to "accidentally" fall into the water as the whole waterfront has barriers to prevent people from getting into the water. One would have to actively climb over the fence to get in, and if he was dizzy, that would be hard to do...

Extreme Counterfeiting

The trio entered this Standard Chartered bank in Mong Kok

This story can be filed under "completely wacko".

Hong Kong media have reported that three mainlanders were arrested after they were found to be in possession with suspected counterfeit bank notes.

On Tuesday, around 11.15am HK time, a 72-year-old man, a 75-year-old man surnamed Lo, and a 65-year-old woman surnamed Li entered a branch of Standard Chartered bank on Nathan Road in Mong Kok with the intention of opening a bank account.

They presented a giant stack of 1,999 counterfeit bonds, each with a face value of HK$500 million (US$64 million). 

That would mean they were trying to deposit HK$999,500,000,000, which would be HK$357 billion more than all of the Hong Kong government's fiscal reserves at the end of February this year.

Needless to say, bank staff were suspicious and called police. The trio, who claim they are friends, are being detained for further questioning.

We'll be following this story!

Shrinking Space for Democratic Party to Celebrate

The Democratic Party's low-key banquet finally held

The Democratic Party, one of Hong Kong's remaining opposition parties, finally managed to hold a banquet to celebrate its 30th anniversary after several restaurants made last-minute cancellations over the past two years.

However this one was not without some drama, as halfway through the festivities around 8.30pm, some uniformed police officers arrived, saying they had received a complaint.

They later left without making any arrests.

Such is the situation the Democratic Party faces these days, not being able to hold a party without some kind of interruption.

In previous instances, host venues suddenly cancelled at the last minute, which former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing says it's a pity there are so many challenges in holding a dinner with its members.

"There are many restaurants actually hoping to take our order, but were forced to drop it for various reasons," she said.

In previous years, the party held banquets on a much larger scale, but the obstacles its faces now demonstrate the shrinking political space the Democratic Party operates in.

For instance someone pretended to be a representative of the party and cancelled their booking, while another restaurant refused to serve them, claiming they had not paid a deposit, which Lau said the party was not asked for one.

Another restaurant even claimed the party could not be served because two of its chefs were "fighting".

How creative.

In previous years, hours before the banquet was supposed to be held, the restaurant claimed it was having issues with gas for the stove, while another year during the pandemic, a venue claimed it was closed for cleaning, but it was open the day before and the day after.

Nevertheless, former Democratic Party chairman Yeung Sum said it insisted on maintaining its presence in Hong Kong to defend various rights and freedoms. He also reiterated the party's support for the "one country, two systems" governing principle.

Wonder how next year's party will go down... if they can still hold it...

Tang says Arrested Protesters Will be Charged... Eventually

Over 10,000 people were arrested in connection with protests

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung says the authorities will continue to prosecute the 2019 protesters with no time limit, even "after 20 years". 

He said if a deadline was set it would go against the spirit of the rule of law and could risk "legalising illegal acts".

Some are calling for the authorities to wrap up cases five years after the 2019 protests, but Tang disagrees.

Tang says prosecutions will continue

"Unless there is a time limit for prosecution, we will lodge a case when we have sufficient evidence and upon agreement from the Department of Justice. This reflects the spirit of the rule of law," he said in an interview.

"I understand that some people have raised the idea that we should drop the cases based on a certain time frame, but this would in fact legalise illegal acts. I think this isn't in line with the spirit of the rule of law. Illegal things are simply illegal."

The police arrested 10,279 people aged 11 to 87 in connection with the 2019 protests, and of that total, 2,974 have either gone through or are undergoing judicial procedures as of September.

Of those, 2,403 have faced punishment after pleading guilty or were convicted. Therefore, there are more than 7,000 arrestees who have yet to be charged, five years later.

"If we had evidence and know who you are, but chose not to arrest you until when we wish to do so, then that's not right. But we need time to gather evidence -- this is reasonable," Tang said.

Tang says police are still investigating 5 years on

He explained the police were painstakingly going through video footage to identify each person and gather evidence in order to press charges, and a lot of people participated in the protests.

"This isn't a matter concerning how many years have been spent on this. For those who have offended the law and left Hong Kong, we will arrest them just the same if they come back after 20 years," Tang warned.

However, Professor Simon Young Ngai-man of the University of Hong Kong's law school said finality was a very important aspect of the city's legal system, which former chief justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang noted in a previous court case.

He acknowledged that while it was true there was no limitation period for indictable offences, it was also unlikely that the thousands of arrested-but-not-charged cases were still being actively investigated.

Young suggested the authorities should at least inform those whose cases were not under active investigation.

"I see no consistency with the rule of law to say to those persons that 'no active investigation is not being undertaken in relation to your case'. This would provide them with some degree of assurance that they can put the past behind them," he said. "For those whose cases are still active, nothing needs to be said to them."

But it seems the government is intent on keeping those arrested on edge, even if it takes 20 years or more to finally charge them...

10 Years Ago Umbrellas Became a Symbol

The Umbrella Movement began 10 years ago today

It's so hard to believe it's been 10 years since the Umbrella Movement kicked off in Admiralty, when Hongkongers were politically awakened and began vocally demanding universal suffrage. They began taking part in civil disobedience and saw that it could be a beautiful, happy, almost utopian thing for 79 days when they occupied parts of the city.

I still vividly remember being in the crowd trying to get closer to Tamar where student activists like Joshua Wong Chi-fung were surrounded by police in Civic Square. We chanted they should be let go. People carried umbrellas, some even wearing swimming goggles, as there were rumours that tear gas might be used.

My friend YTSL had just returned from Japan and she managed to find me in the crowd. After a while we felt the stalemate with the police wasn't going anywhere so we went to get a bite to eat at Dan Ryan's in Pacific Place.

Police fired 87 canisters of tear gas in Admiralty

At the time I didn't use Twitter much, but while we were eating I decided to check it and saw that tear gas had indeed been fired on civilians. In the end Hong Kong Police fired 87 canisters of tear gas on the mostly unprepared crowd, who only had umbrellas to defend themselves. 

By the time we returned to Admiralty, people were walking along the highway, dazed at what had happened. They began occupying the area, sitting on the asphalt, preventing cars, buses and trucks from proceeding. Those who saw the footage on television rushed down to the area, incensed that the police had fired tear gas on fellow residents.

This caught University of Hong Kong professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting off guard. He and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming and sociologist Chan Kin-man had planned an occupation of the city as a form of civil disobedience to show Beijing that Hongkongers were not happy that they were not allowed to directly vote for the chief executive, and that the candidates would be pre-approved by China.

The trio hastily declared that Occupy Central was happening now, but the occupiers were more interested in what the youngsters, Wong, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Alex Chow Yong-kang and Lester Shum had to say. 

The umbrella became a symbol of the movement

Perhaps the highlight was watching the televised debate between these kids and government officials. The students metaphorically ran circles around the adults, it was amusing to watch. 

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying refused to deal with them -- he left that to his subordinate Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. He claimed at the time external forces had influenced people to protest, but even 10 years later he has produced no evidence of the sort.

Even more memorable was the incredible output of art, from people writing their wishes for Hong Kong on multicoloured sticky paper to amateur artists drawing their interpretations of the Umbrella Movement, to a large statue of "umbrella man", to people teaching others how to make small yellow umbrellas out of paper. 

Hanging out there was surreal -- where vehicles used to rush by, we sat there, ate our dinners, walked around and then went home, while others even slept there overnight. There were water bottles available, people came around with garbage collection, and there were study halls for students and tutors available to help.

It was a romantic time that was suddenly crushed on December 15 that year when the police came in, arrested anyone left occupying the streets, and violently took down tents and umbrellas away. 

I thought this kind of occupation would never happen again.

I was wrong.

HK Media Facing Harassment, Threats

Dozens of journalists have been intimidated and harassed

In what the Hong Kong Journalists Association describes as a 'systematic attack against media workers", the group says dozens of journalists in the city are being harassed, as well as their family members, employers, neighbours and landlords.

Reporters from at least 13 outlets, such as Hong Kong Free Press, InMedia, and HK Feature have been targeted through emails and letters containing defamatory content sent to their home addresses, workplaces and other venues.

Cheng said threats interfered with press freedom

HKJA's chair Selina Cheng condemned the harassment as "a serious interference with press freedom", and said the matter had been reported to the police.

"Since June, self-proclaimed 'patriots' have sent anonymous complaints by email or letter to at least 15 journalists' family members and their family members' employers, landlords and related organisations, including charities, schools and private businesses," she said.

"The format of each email or letter is similar but tailored to the different identities and characteristics of a given organisation or individual."

Cheng said many of the letters and emails warned recipients that if they continued to associate with the journalists in question or their family members, they could be violating the domestic national security law.

"Since at least August, users of several private Facebook groups have also posted hateful content against certain media outlets and journalists, portraying legitimate reporting as problematic or illegal, and baselessly accusing articles of being inflammatory," Cheng said.

"According to HKJA's investigation, at least 36 journalists were identified in these Facebook posts, from multiple different outlets, education institutions and the HKJA itself."

Cheuk was unaware of harassment

Some of the messages included threats of violence and death threats.

It is unclear how the journalists' private contact information was found, though the HKJA suspects personal data had been leaked from "government or other private databases" and urged law enforcement agencies to launch and investigation.

Cheng said she too was a victim, with employers of her family members receiving letters containing accusations and false claims about her in late July.

Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip said he had not heard about the harassment and doxxing raised by the HKJA, but stated Hong Kong was a city that followed the rule of law.

"Any individual should be free from threats, free from fear and free from harassment," he said. "So if any individual, irrespective of who you are, if you are receiving such threats and harassment, please come out and report [it]."

He did not believe the association's claim that personal data had been leaked, or that the city's press freedom had further eroded.

Meanwhile the police force spokesman said: "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. If members of the public suspect that they are being intimidated or harassed, they should report the case to the Police. Police will handle each case in accordance with the law and actual circumstances."

We Continue to Remember

Five years ago in Victoria Park...

It is 35 years since that horrific night in 1989 when the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and thousands of people did not go home that evening.

It is five years since the last time people in Hong Kong were able to gather in Victoria Park to commemorate the dead.

It is now a crime to do that in the city.

Artist Sanmu Chen was arrested the day before in Causeway Bay soon after he started making hand gestures allegedly related to June 4.

The Hong Kong police will be out in force all over the area and near Victoria Park to ensure no candles are lit, real or digital, nor any other public signs of remembrance.

"The government's position on public events is very clear: all activities by any person must be conducted according to the law," explained Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at a media briefing. 

"No activities that contravene the law should take place. The government of course will take action according to the law, which includes the public order ordinance, the Hong Kong national security law, and safeguarding the Hong Kong safety ordinance."

So instead in Vancouver, there are plans to hold a large candlelight vigil at Dr David Lam Park this evening. While the organiser, Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement suggests people bring their own candles and dress according to the weather, and the forecast is for sunny skies by late afternoon, early evening. 

There will be a Zunzi comics exhibition, and not only information about June 4 but 2019 as well.

There are so many things to remember, but we must carry on commemorating what happened 35 years ago, five years ago. 

HK Police Warn of Whatsapp Scams

Scammers use Whatsapp to get people to send money

One would have thought by now people would be more wary about scams -- especially in Hong Kong -- but there's a new sucker every minute.

More than 130 people were victims of a scam in one week and lost a total of HK$1.7 million (US$217,300). 

The scam involved fraudsters hijacking Whatsapp accounts, getting into their contact lists and duping people by sending messages posing as friends or relatives who urgently needed money due to emergencies.

The victims were asked to send money as soon as possible, but when they spoke to the real account holders, they found out they were scammed because they had already sent over the money.

It all starts by swindlers sending phishing text messages that are linked to fake websites and manage to trick users into giving their account verification codes.

"If you receive a text message asking for money or a bank transfer request from friends or relatives, please remember to call and confirm first," Hong Kong police said.

According to police figures on the theft of online accounts, 3,434 were reported last year, compared to only 168 in 2022. Most of the cases involved Whatsapp accounts.

Financial losses in these scams totalled HK$87.6 million in 2023, compared to HK$73.8 million the year before.

However in terms of total scams, Hong Kong recorded a 42.6 percent increase to 39,824 cases last year, from 27,923 reports the year before. The total amount lost rose by a staggering 89 percent to HK$9.1 billion in 2023, compared to HK$4.8 billion the year before.

When you get a strange message, stop and think carefully. Better yet, call the friend or relative in question first to see if they really are in trouble.

Fraudsters need to earn less money and more jail time!

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.

Agnes Chow now Studying in Canada

Chow says she is now in Toronto studying a Masters

Former activist Agnes Chow Ting, 27, has revealed she is now in Toronto, but will not be returning to Hong Kong anytime soon for the sake of her mental health.

In social media posts on Sunday, Chow said she moved to Canada's largest city to study a Masters, but was suffering mental health issues after being under pressure awaiting trial on national security charges.

She had been released from jail over two and a half years ago after serving a seven-month sentence for a protest outside the Hong Kong Police headquarters in 2019. Chow was also among a group of nine who were charged with colluding with foreign forces under the national security law.

After being released she still met strict bail conditions that included reporting to police regularly and surrendering her passport. However, she was able to get her travel document back if she agreed to take part in what she described as a propaganda tour accompanied by national security police officers and sign a letter of "repentance".

"I did no public activities, had no political involvement, no contact with my former friends, I just waited in silence," she wrote on social media. "Regular check-ins for national security, partial disenfranchisement, emotional instability and the restrictions on my life as a (former) democratic politician, combined with endless waiting, my mental condition was getting worse."

She applied to a Masters program in Toronto, was accepted, though the national security police demanded a lot of information, from the course details, timetable, to accommodation, and also that she write a "repentance letter", stating she regretted her political activism and that she would never contact people in that field again.

But then in July the national security police said she needed to go on a tour to Shenzhen, which she apprehensively did in mid-August. During the five-day trip she was accompanied by national security police officers who took her to political exhibitions and the company headquarters of Tencent. All throughout the trip pictures were taken of her, perhaps as proof of her patriotism. 

While Chinese state security officers didn't question her, Chow said she felt she was being under surveillance the whole time. After the trip she was asked to write a thank you letter to the police for arranging it.

For this she finally received her passport the day before she left Hong Kong. Chow is supposed to return during school holidays, but has now decided against it, fearing she may not be able to leave the city again or more conditions would be placed on her.

"After careful consideration, including considering the situation in Hong Kong, my own safety, my physical and mental health, I decided not to go back, and will probably never go back for the rest of my life," she wrote. "I didn't have this intention in the beginning.

"I have felt for years how precious freedom from fear is. There are still a lot of unknowns in the future, but what can be known is that I finally don't have to worry about being arrested anymore and can say what I want to do."

One can imagine the Hong Kong national security police were not pleased to find out Chow wasn't coming back and released a statement without mentioning her by name.

"The police strongly condemn these irresponsible behaviours that blatantly challenge law and order," it said. "The police appeal to the person involved to step back from the cliff and not choose to take a path of no return and bear the name of 'fugitive' for the rest of her life."

Interesting to note the department did not refute her account of being forced to go on a propaganda trip to Shenzhen and write the letters of repentance and thanks. It did confirm she was granted travel documents to travel abroad and that she had been "cooperative" with the police's reporting requirements.

Guess this means no more studying abroad for others wishing to find a way to jump bail conditions...

HK Police to Patrol Buses

Starting next week officers will board buses to prevent crime

The Hong Kong Police are flexing their muscles with a new trial to have officers on buses to catch any nefarious activities on public transport ahead of the District Council elections next month.

Officers will get on buses in the Kowloon West district free of charge, stand in the wheelchair area and monitor what's going on.

"They will board buses at different stops to patrol them, paying attention to passengers and identifying any suspicious objects," said a source familiar with the police operation.

Not many crimes are committed on buses

"If necessary, officers may ask the bus driver to pull over and request the person in question to leave the vehicle for further investigation," he added.

The officers will carry standard equipment such as firearms, a retractable baton and a body camera, as well as a mobile phone that can scan identity cards. Police officers will be deployed from divisions such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan, Hung Hom and Kowloon City.

"The objective of extending police presence to public buses is to deter criminal activity and respond promptly to any incidents that may occur," the source said.

However the person did admit not many criminal cases happen on buses, but that there had been cases of bus drivers facing abuse from passengers, though it wasn't too serious. They also won't board crowded buses, or during rush hour.

In a video posted on the Facebook page of the Mong Kok police district, an officer says: "In addition to street patrols, police will soon conduct bus patrols. The objective is to prevent crimes, maintain public order, and ensure public safety."

It is hoped police presence will deter crime

The video goes on to say: "If you see police officers on the bus, please don't be surprised."

Thanks for the warning.

But why bother patrolling buses when the crime rate is low on them? Seems a bit overboard, or a make-work project.

How about the officers do an exchange and come to Vancouver to patrol the buses here? There are many passengers who just walk on and don't even pay the bus fare. There are many incidents of people hurling abuses at others, or even assault passengers and bus drivers!

Seem to make more sense for the Hong Kong Police to conduct their trial here and make a real difference in public transit safety...

Protestor Shot by Police is Sentenced to Jail

Tsang was sentenced to three and a half years in jail

The convictions against 2019 protesters continue with one who was shot by the police has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for rioting and assaulting a police officer.

Tsang Chi-kin, who was 18 years old at the time, was involved in clashes with the police on October 1, 2019. He was in Tsuen Wan when an officer fired a live round at close range at Tsang -- shooting him in his left lung, only 3cm from his heart.

He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later had the bullet removed.

Tsang was shot by a police officer October 1

According to Judge Ada Yim, before Tsang was shot, some 200 protesters were gathered in the area, throwing Molotov cocktails and bricks at the police, and setting fires. 

At the time Tsang was dressed head to toe in black, including goggles and gloves, and was carrying a makeshift shield.

He had no prior criminal record, and was diagnosed with depression in 2017. Yim said Tsang cooperated with the police investigation and wrote his own plea letter regretting his actions. But she said his depression and injury from the shooting were not reasons for a lower penalty.

She handed him a sentence of 40 months for rioting, and an additional seven months for assaulting a police officer. 

Last July Tsang was arrested along with three others in Sai Kung as they were planning to escape to Taiwan by boat. Before that, the four had been hiding in various safehouses for two years until crowdfunded money ran out.

Tsang examining his X-rays

The courts continue to convict, with at last count in April, some 6,000 more cases to go. 

Tsang will do his time, and then what will his future be in Hong Kong? Does he even have a future there?

 

10-Year-Old Involved in HK Robbery

Police investigate a robbery in a luxury watch shop in TST

Post-Covid, Hong Kong's economy has not bounced back as hoped, and some people are financially desperate. This has led to a rise in robberies, where teams of people run into a jewellery store and smash-and-grab whatever they can and then leave in seconds.

But yesterday's news was even more shocking -- a 10-year-old school boy was allegedly involved in one of the latest heists.

One suspect is a 10-year-old schoolboy (hooded)

He was arrested for allegedly taking part in a HK$3.7 million robbery (US$472,560), where he may have used a sledgehammer to smash display counters at a luxury watch store. He was allegedly paid HK$5,000 to take part in the smash-and-grab gang raid on a shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, where they took off with 20 luxury watches.

"The investigation revealed that he skipped school on that day and joined the gang to commit the robbery," a source familiar with the case said.

The boy even wore his school uniform, though he had a jacket or pullover on top.

Originally from Pakistan, he is quite tall and big for his age, at 1.7 metres tall and weighing 132 pounds (60kg). The boy came here in 2018 to join his parents. 

The police believe a 14-year-old was also involved in the robbery who allegedly carried a knife during the incident and grabbed some of the expensive watches.

The trio allegedly stole 20 luxury watches

It is believed the third person is a 19-year-old man who was found near Kowloon Peak in Sai Kung, and officers found a backpack with the stolen watches in the bushes nearby. The authorities said all the items had been recovered.

How shocking and sad that kids are involved in robberies. Not much is known about their backgrounds, but it could be various reasons from financial desperation to feelings of neglect or helplessness, or being led astray.

It will all be revealed later in court, and many will be following this case as the investigation progresses.

Review: Love in the Time of Revolution

Another 2019 protest documentary released last year

A Hong Kong activist group in Vancouver organised the screening of Love in the Time of Revolution at the Vancouver International Film Festival theatre this afternoon, including a Q&A with the director following the showing of the film.

Ticket for the film were sold out and the the theatre was open 30 minutes ahead of time. When I arrived, there were volunteers encouraging people to petition their Member of Parliament in protest of the Hong Kong police taking part in the World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

All people had to do was find out who their MP was, fill in their name, and sign the form letter. On the envelope, they wrote the MP's name and address in Ottawa, with the return address on the back (to prove you are in their riding) and it would be mailed off free of charge (because it is to the MP).

Before the screening, Mabel Tung, chair of Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement said a few words. She was very emotional having already seen the film and encouraged the audience to stay behind for the Q&A. 

Ngan interviewed protesters as events unfolded

Love in the Time of Revolution runs 107 minutes and the documentary follows the 2019 protests through the eyes of a group people: Uncle Fat, a middle-aged man who knows what life on the streets is like, Mr Leader, a frontline protester along with a young couple, and Rai Riya, a young woman from South Asia, perhaps Malaysia? who is fluent in Cantonese.

There is a very quick history lesson at the beginning from 1984 when the Joint Declaration was signed, until 2014 and then five years later when then chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor proposed the extradition bill.

Footage from the peaceful marches of June 9 and 16 are shown, mixed together with June 12 when the first shots of teargas were fired by the Legislative Council.

The protesters justified their actions by saying the government ignored them compared to what happened in 2003 when half a million people came out to protest Article 23 and then it was indefinitely shelved. 

People felt there was no point in protesting peacefully and then going back to work the next day -- they didn't want to be ignored by the government, and wanted to create change.

Uncle Fat gives context and concern

So on July 1 the protesters finished their march and went to Legco again -- this time ramming into the building with makeshift tools. Pro-democracy lawmakers like Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, Wu Chi-wai, and Lam Cheuk-ting desperately tried to stop the protesters from doing this, saying this was not a productive way forward. It was heart-breaking watching them try to physically stop this overwhelming wave of anger and frustration.

However, with other pro-democracy lawmakers had been disqualified, the ones who were left were a small minority who could not make any substantive change, which is why these protesters insisted on taking matters into their own hands.

Thus began the relentless scenes of violent protests, the teargas canisters flying through the air, the police brutality meted on protesters they captured, the bloodied faces, throwing Molotov cocktails, and the beatings commuters suffered at the hands of white-shirted men on the night of July 21, 2019.

Many of the scenes of violence are relentless and excessively long, and could have been edited down further, though the director Twinkle Ngan is keen on having Love in the Time of Revolution as a record of what happened. Nevertheless, it was re-traumatising and hard to watch.

A lot of protest scenes can be re-traumatising

Uncle Fat is an interesting character who nonchalantly says he was once involved with the triads, and how they have become gangsters only interested in money, with regards to the Yuen Long attacks. He constantly shows his concern for the young protesters, but there aren't any particular scenes of him actually helping them.

Riya says she and her family have been discriminated, perhaps for the darkness of her skin (which doesn't seem apparent in the film), but that she feels accepted in the movement and feels proud to defend Hong Kong.

The young couple brings some brevity to the film, as they tease each other about their techniques when on the front line, and how she needs to run faster if she wants to avoid being arrested.

Following the Polytechnic University standoff, the film just ends, adding that the imposition of the national security law led to the arrest and detainment of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers and activists, and that over 10,000 people were arrested.

Mr Leader is concerned about keeping the movement going and how the rest of the population needs to be mobilised into action -- it seems only the young people are brave enough to go on the front lines, some he says are as young as 10. He asks why it is only these kids who are willing to fight the state, but that they are exhausted and someone else needs to take their place.

Tung with Lee (above) and Ngan (below)

There is no answer, but it is evident others do not want to face a 10-year prison sentence for rioting, nor do they want to face police brutality, particularly in the hands of the "raptors", who showed no mercy.

After the film ended, Ngan and former Apple Daily executive Simon Lee appeared on the screen via video call. Lee seemed visibly upset, dabbing his eyes not once but twice, moved by the film and Ngan's comments.

He said this film was an important record, as the Chinese and Hong Kong governments are actively trying to rewrite history. 

Ngan said many people have asked him what they can do as the Hong Kong diaspora community. He explained that he himself had moved to the UK, and that he would continue to tell stories. Ngan said it was important to not feel helpless, but to be involved in the movement in whatever way they wanted to be.

A young student said he was now in university in Vancouver, but had trouble getting his fellow Hongkonger students involved and was frustrated. Ngan replied that there are reasons why others cannot be as active as him, as they may want to go back to Hong Kong at some point so they need to keep a low profile and not to blame them.

A middle-aged woman asked what happened to the people in the film. Ngan said Uncle Fat had moved to the UK as well, and spoke at length about Riya. He said when he last contacted her she has just gotten out of jail, and that she would sing the protest anthem to give her hope and strength.

It seems the next logical step would be what happened to people and Hong Kong following the national security law in July 2020. Is anyone working on this next chapter? It is a crucial one that was a tipping point for many to leave.

Love in the Time of Revolution

Directed by Twinkle Ngan

107 minutes

Yuen Long Attacks Not Forgotten

Lots of police in Yuen Long for the anniversary of 7/21 attacks

On the fourth anniversary of the July 21 Yuen Long attacks, the Hong Kong police were out in force and arrested eight men and two women in Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. 

The police did numerous stop-and-searches of people in the area, and even journalists there had to produce identification and credentials.

Police arrested Grandma Wong (right)

One of the women detained was Alexandra Wong known as "Grandma Wong" who has been supportive of the protesters since 2019. The police searched her bags which included a yellow umbrella and a British flag.

She and another woman were arrested for allegedly being involved in misconduct in a public place. Two men allegedly possessed offensive weapons, and another accused of possessing dangerous drugs.

Another man was arrested for alleged illegal entry, while the other four were found to have unpaid fines.

Meanwhile across the Pacific Ocean in downtown Vancouver, many gathered in Waterfront Station to mark the anniversary. 

People gathered at Piccadilly Circus in London

They did what they couldn't do in Hong Kong. They wore black and waved flags with the banned protest slogan, "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", and sang "Glory to Hong Kong".

Remembrances were also held in London and Birmingham too.

Friends visiting from Hong Kong have told me how the city has become a police state, with a huge presence all the time on the streets -- even in outlying islands -- and constantly checking people's IDs. 

"Happy Hong Kong", isn't it. 

 

Bruce Lee's Philosophy and the 2019 Protests

Lee's saying, "Be water, my friend" inspired 2019 protesters

In North America it's July 20, the 50th anniversary of martial artist Bruce Lee's death at the age of 32.

Even five decades on Lee continues to hold a fascination for old and new fans.

Lee died 50 years ago today in Hong Kong

He inspired the 2019 protesters with his philosophy, "Be water, my friend".  Lee's full quote: "Be formless, shapeless, like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes a cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

What he meant was to constantly transform and adapt to situations, and with the protesters' uniform of all black, they were unidentifiable, and they made decisions organically, decentralising the movement.

Lee's saying actually comes from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, who said: "Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid and soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong."

Horrific attacks in the Yuen Long MTR station

In Hong Kong, it is the fourth anniversary of the July 21 attacks in Yuen Long. It was also the same day that protesters defaced the emblem of the People's Republic of China at the Liaison Office in Western.

Most people remember what happened in the Yuen Long MTR station and were traumatised watching the images of helpless people being attacked by men in white shirts with rods.  Those assaulted included lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, reporter turned politician Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam. 

Lam is in jail for his part in the Yuen Long attacks when he was a victim -- he was assaulted and had a wound that required 18 stitches on his mouth. Ho recorded someone hitting her with a rod, and she is in prison too.

Most Hongkongers did not trust the police ever again. They still don't and some are triggered seeing officers on the streets.

Ho became a politician after Yuen Long attacks

Tangentially journalist Bao Choy Yuk-ling worked on an RTHK documentary about the Yuen Long attacks, doing some investigative work on the vans that transported some of the attackers. 

For the award-winning documentary she was fired and then arrested for violating the Road Traffic Ordinance for falsely declaring her intention to find out the owners of the vans. 

She was found guilty of two charges and fined.

Last month she finally won her appeal against her sentence which was annulled by the Court of Final Appeal.

This was the one bright victory in the years since that fateful night. 

Meanwhile those who are languishing in jail are making the most of their time there.

Lam needed stitches after being attacked

It has been reported that a 21-year-old inmate earned the best-ever public exam result taken in prison in Hong Kong for the Diploma of Secondary Education Examination.

In addition eight of 18 young detainees who sat for the DSE exam achieved scores good enough to enter a university.

They are not only using their time behind bars to study hard, but it also shows Hong Kong jailing its best and brightest.