Mo Posts About her Prison Experience

Mo ended her silence by posting a message on social media

Former legislator Claudia Mo Man-ching kept herself busy by reading books and learning French while she was in jail for four years and two months.

A day after she was released, Mo wrote a post on social media about her "Kafka-esque" life behind bars.

"Many thanks for all the concern and care expressed upon my release. Prison life was surreal, almost Kafka-esque to start with. But I didn't suffer the two major incarceration traumas, loneliness and boredom, thanks to the social arrangements inside," she wrote.

A new photo of Mo at home

"During my time in custody, I've managed to read more than 300 books, mainly novels. Been also picking up on my French."

Mo also thanked her family and friends for support, in particular naming Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Reporters Withouth Borders, and Unison, an advocate for ethnic minorities that has disbanded.

"My thoughts are with my co-defendants who remain in custody," she said.

Mo was released April 29 along with fellow former legislators Gary Fan Kwok-wai, Kwok Ka-ki, and Jeremy Tan Man-ho who also served just over four years in jail.

They were among the 45 former politicians and pro-democracy activists sentenced over a conspiracy to subvert the state under the national security law for their involvement in a legislative primary election in 2020.

The four pleaded guilty and were handed the lightest jail term of the defendants.

HK Democratic Party to Discuss Possible Disbandment

Lo says the party will discuss its future on Thursday

Once the largest voice in the opposition camp, the space for the Democratic Party to operate in Hong Kong has shrunk to the point where its members are now discussing whether it should disband or not.

The party's chairman Lo Kin-hei announced the group's central committee would hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss a wide range of issues, including the future of the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party was founded in 1994

While Lo said this conversation was "inevitable", it still needed to be discussed.

"Of course, we should consult all of our members before we can actually come to that conclusion," he said.

Since electoral reforms in the last few years have resulted in only patriots being eligible to govern the city, the future of the Democratic Party has been questioned, as it has had no representation in the Legislative Council since 2021.

And now it has come to the point where the party needs to decide its next steps.

"At this point in time, I don't think I can talk anymore about this issue," Lo said, though he stopped short of saying whether the party was facing pressure to disband.

"But if the day has come for the party to disband, we have to accept it."

Alan Leong of the Civic Party, which disbanded

Hong Kong's Civic Party, which was once considered the second-largest opposition party in the city, disbanded in 2023 after 17 years.

In recent days, the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (Pori) announced it would suspend all self-funded research activities indefinitely after its CEO Robert Chung was questioned by the national security police for a second time about possible links with the former deputy CEO Chung Kim-wah, who was added onto the wanted list of Hongkongers for allegedly violating the national security law.

"We see a lot of different groups and parties dissolving... So every time any kind of group disbands or they discontinue, we will have that kind of discussion for a bit," Lo said.

When asked if he thought the government was trying to marginalise the party, Lo said it would be best if the government would allow different parties to express a diversity of opinions.

"I also believe that this diversity in opinions is what made Hong Kong very nice in the past... And I hope that the government can try to be more open," Lo said.

UBC Under Fire for Renting Space to HK Govt

UBC Robson Square campus recently rented to HKTEO

It was recently reported that the University of British Columbia rented out a room to the Hong Kong Trade Economic Office for a recruitment exam, much to the horror of activists in Vancouver.

On December 7, the HKTEO rented a room at the UBC Robson Square campus to conduct a recruitment exam, and in it were questions regarding the national security law. It is not clear what jobs were being recruited.

The sign says: "Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law and National Security Law Test Joint Recruitment Examination".

Recruitment exam related to NSL and Basic Law

An organisation called Chinese Canadian Concern Group on the Chinese Communist Party's Human Rights Violations wrote a letter to UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr Benoit-Antoine Bacon on December 22 expressing their disapproval of renting the room to the HKTEO.

"Successful candidates for this examination are required to swear allegiance to the Hong Kong, and by extension Chinese governments," said the letter.

"Allowing this recruitment activity on UBC's campus raises serious national security concerns for Canada, especially in the context of potential conflicts between the two governments. Such actions could pave the way for the infiltration of foreign authoritarian influence into our society."

New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan also criticised UBC for renting the space to the HKTEO; while she said the university can rent their space to anyone, it should have some ethical standards when doing so.

Meanwhile UBC acknowledged people's concerns, but said the exam didn't violate any of its rules, and that it rents space out to many groups, but doesn't mean it endorses their views.

Kwan says UBC must have ethical standards

Kwan says the response is "completely inadequate".

"It's just basically saying, well, it doesn't matter. We're blind to all of these issues," she said. 

"As a global institution, which is what UBC is, you would think that they would have a little bit more thought than to say, 'We will just follow the regulations of basic rental requirements.' That's not good enough."

She said the Chinese government is trying to recruit people to work in Hong Kong and China, and the applicants must demonstrate their understanding of the national security law.

"UBC of course can rent their space to anybody. However, from my perspective, I think that you should be looking at some ethical standards that should apply," she said. 

"In the very minimum, one would think that any organisation, any institution that's going to rent out a space to a government that is a regular, persistent, violent human rights violators, that they would apply some standard to it."

Two Canadian Activists React to Bounties

Tay (bottom centre), Ho (bottom right) wanted by Hong Kong

Days after the Hong Kong authorities placed a HK$1 million (C$185,000) bounty on his head along with five others for their arrest, Victor Ho Leung-mau is undeterred and won't be traveling to the city anytime soon.

Ho is accused of planning to launch a "referendum" to elect those in the Hong Kong diaspora to form a virtual "Hong Kong Parliament". 

He plans to do this by having people vote in March 2025 using a secure app in a bid to circumvent any "Chinese interference".

Of the Hong Kong authorities' announcement on Christmas Eve, Ho is defiant.

Written in Chinese on his Facebook page, the former Sing Tao chief editor wrote that he was proud of the arrest warrant and joked it was "the best Christmas present."

"A Canadian citizen like me... has the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and exercised his right to the freedom of speech."

When Ho announced the plan to elect people to the "virtual" Hong Kong parliament in 2022, the Hong Kong Security Bureau said it would investigate Ho and others for subversion.

"But actually it's the Hong Kong communist authorities meddling in Canada's internal affairs, repeatedly issuing wanted notices for this Canadian citizen. Are they trying for another cross-border arrest? Does Beijing want Canada to become their client/subordinate state?"

Meanwhile Joseph Tay, the former TVB actor who is planning to be a candidate for the federal Conservatives when an election is called, is also on the wanted list.

In reaction to the announcement he wrote on social media:

"On Christmas Eve, an alarming and unbelievable piece of news arrived. Why choose this moment to release such a message? Clearly it was intended to rob us of peace. My wife and I immediately turned to prayer, entrusting these accusations entirely to the Lord. Plans we had made with family and friends for the holiday were instantly disrupted."

There are concerns someone may snitch on the two activists, but Hong Kong does not have extraterritorial powers in Canada. In any event Ho and Tay need to be careful with their movements... kidnapping is not beyond China...

Foreign Governments Denounce HK$1M Bounties on Activists

Foreign governments spoke out about the bounties on activists

Reaction to the Hong Kong government putting a HK$1 million bounty on six activists was swift despite it being Christmas Eve and Christmas, depending on the time zone.

United States Consul General Gregory May said Washington denounced the Hong Kong authorities' latest move.

"We call on the Hong Kong government to stop using its national security laws to silence dissent," he said in a social media post.

The European Union spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy Anouar El Anouni posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, condemning "the new round of extraterritorial arrest warrants."

"The EU calls on China to respect its international commitments and the one country, two systems principle. The EU urges the Hong Kong authorities to stop the crackdown on pro-democracy forces and to uphold fundamental freedoms as enshrined in Hong Kong's Basic Law," he said.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also criticised the move as well, adding the UK government was committed to supporting Hongkongers who had relocated to the country.

"We will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK," he said.

"We call on Beijing to repeal the national security law, including its extraterritorial reach. And we call on Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of individuals in the UK and elsewhere who stand up for freedom and democracy."

Meanwhile Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly criticised the conducting of "transnational repression abroad" and vowed such "threats, intimidation and coercion" against Canadians and those in the country would not be tolerated.

In response, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Canada slammed the "groundless accusations and wilful smear" against the Hong Kong authorities...

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."

Polarising Opinions on the 45 Verdicts

These pro-democracy activists are either jailed or in exile

After the verdicts for the 45 pro-democracy activists, politicians and academics were read out, many human rights organisations and western governments spoke out about the judgments.

US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Tuesday that the 45 defendants had been "aggressively prosecuted." They now face "life-altering imprisonment" for their peaceful participation in political activities which are protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, he said.

Tai was sentenced to 10 years in prison

Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement: "Running in an election and trying to win it is now a crime that can lead to a decade in prison in Hong Kong. Today's harsh sentences against dozens of prominent democracy activists reflect just how fast Hong Kong's civil liberties and judicial independence have nosedived in the past four years since the Chinese government imposed the draconian National Security Law on the city.

"But while the Chinese and Hong Kong governments have now significantly raised the costs for promoting democracy in Hong Kong, they will not be able to extinguish Hong Kong people's decades-long struggle for freedoms."

However, the Hong Kong government said the verdicts and prison terms imposed by the High Court were supported by "irrefutable evidence", and that foreign governments including the United States, the European Union, Australia and Canada, "anti-China organisations", and foreign media had "turned a blind eye to the facts"and made "exaggerated remarks" about the trial that lasted 118 days.

"Any reasonable and fair person, upon reviewing the court's judgment, would be convinced of the severity of the crime and the guilt of the convicted individuals, supported by irrefutable evidence. Despite these ironclad facts, Western countries, anti-China organisations and politicians, and foreign media continue to distort the truth and maliciously attack," the government's statement read.

Two vastly different opinions about the verdicts and that polarisation will continue...

Two Former Editors Convicted of Sedition in HK

Chung (left) and Lam (right) were convicted of sedition

Two former editors of the now-defunct online news portal Stand News were convicted of conspiracy to publish seditious articles following the implementation of the national security law in 2020.

Judge Kwok Wai-kin, handpicked by the chief executive, ruled that former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, 54, and ex-acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam Shiu-tung, 36, had either knowingly approved the illegal articles, or been reckless about the consequences of their actions.

Kwok ruled 11 of the 17 articles presented to the court were seditious, including an interview with journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam, and a commentary by fugitive former lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung, had advocated anti-government ideologies and disparaged police and prosecutors.

Chung was released on bail following conviction

The district court judge wrote that Stand News had become a "danger to national security".

Their newspaper's editorial line supported "Hong Kong local autonomy", he added. "It even became a tool to smear and vilify the Central Authorities [in Beijing] and the [Hong Kong] SAR Government," he said in a written judgement.

Chung and Lam had both pleaded not guilty; the former attended the verdict, while Lam was not there due to health issues. Kwok did not immediately hand down a sentence, but the pair could face a two-year prison sentence and fined HK$5,000 (US$640). They will be sentenced next month and are currently out on bail.

This case was seen as a litmus test for Hong Kong's press freedoms and the verdict has sent a chill in the local media sector.

During mitigation on Thursday, Lam's lawyer, Audrey Eu read out a letter on his behalf, in which he regretted not telling the police one thing after his arrest:

Lam was arrested in December 2021

"Journalists do not have to be loyal to anyone, support anyone or be enemies of anyone," he wrote. "And if we really have someone to be loyal to, it will be the public and only the public because we believe in freedom of the press and freedom of speech."

However Kwok did not see it that way and convicted the pair using colonial sedition laws.

While the Committee to Protect Journalists called the ruling "another nail in the coffin for Hong Kong's press freedom", the Hong Kong government hailed the verdict, saying: "Any individual organisation that incites hatred and engages in acts and activities endangering national security can never escape sanctions of the law, and such malicious acts will surely be duly punished."

A government spokesman added that journalists were free to air criticism based on facts, but said that "Stand News completely disregarded objective facts and contravened the special duties and responsibilities emphasised by international human rights conventions which journalists must observe."

Grandpa Chan Pleads Not Guilty in Displaying Calligraphy

Chan with Lu Xun's couplet on the summit of Lion Rock

Even after the national security law was implemented in Hong Kong on July 1, 2022, some people dared to continue to resist and are paying the price.

One of them is Chan Ki-kau, who is best known as "Grandpa Chan", who during the 2019 protests banded with other people, mostly seniors in a group called Protect Our Kids to act as a buffer between the protesters and the police.

Chan in a scene in Revolution of Our Times

He usually wore a homemade red headgear, swimming goggles and a yellow florescent vest as he walked the streets during skirmishes. Many of the front-line protesters were concerned about Grandpa Chan's wellbeing and tried to make sure he and his colleagues were safe, as shown in documentaries like Revolution of Our Times.

Although the street protests ended, Chan continued practicing his own brand of resistance. 

On September 28, 2023, he stood on the summit of Lion Rock in Kowloon and held a pair of Chinese couplets originally penned by writer Lu Xun. They read: "Fierce-browed, I coolly defy a thousand pointing fingers. Head bowed like a willing ox, I serve the children."

Chan was arrested in early October that year, and then in February 2024 was charged with breaching country park regulations because he had displayed the banners without permission. Offenders face a maximum penalty of a HK$2,000 fine and three months in jail.

Many seniors wanted to protect protesters

On Friday Chan appeared at Kowloon City Magistrates' Court for a pre-trial hearing, and pleaded not guilty. The trial will begin at the end of September.

First we're impressed he climbed up Lion Rock, and second, what is wrong with displaying calligraphy?

HK Schools Graded on National Security Education

Hey kids! Time to learn about national security at school!

National education is in full swing in Hong Kong schools, except officials feel the students aren't singing their hearts out when it comes to the national anthem, March of the Volunteers.

The Education Bureau has accused the students at two schools of singing the national anthem too softly and that they should singing with more confidence.

Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School in Tseung Kwan O and Yan Chai Hospital Lim Por Yen Secondary School in Tsuen Wan were both told in the bureau's review report the students' voices were weak when singing March of the Volunteers.

Some students criticised for singing too softly

"Teachers need to remind students more to help students develop the habit of singing the national anthem loudly in unison," the report said of the students of the latter school.

Maybe the kids just don't like singing? 

Meanwhile the bureau told a special school for moderately mentally disabled students in Shek Kip Mei that its teachers don't have a comprehensive understanding of national security education.

"The school must strengthen the professional development of teachers and clarify relevant concepts in order to effectively implement national security education," the report said.

Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kwan Fong Kai Chi School, which offers special education, said implementing national security education was still in the initial stages.

"Some teachers are taking the lead [in terms of the implementation], and it is understandable that other teachers may not have a complete grasp of national security education," it said in its response to the review report.

Flag-raising ceremonies are scrutinised as well

"The school will continue to strengthen the professional development of teachers according to school conditions and clarify relevant concepts in a bid to implement national security education in the school more effectively."

The report, released by the Education Bureau, covers various education performance indicators and offers suggestions.

Now how students sing the national anthem and conduct flag-raising ceremonies are scrutinised as well...

Picture of the Day: When 2 Millions People Marched

Many haven't forgotten this sight five years later in Hong Kong

Five years ago 2 million people came out to the streets of Hong Kong to tell the government to stop the extradition bill. 

But to no avail.

It showed that traditional ways of communicating with those in power were not effective anymore, which led to an escalation of tactics that were used later on in the protests of 2019.

Despite three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the implementation of the national security law and most recently Article 23, the protests are still fresh in people's minds.

How can one forget what 2 million people in the sweltering heat looks like? 

And no one can forget the outcome of the protests. It is yet another momentous event in modern history that has resulted in the mass migration of people in the name of freedom. 

Two Verdicts, One in Hong Kong, the other in New York

The UK called for the release of the 47 defendants

Yesterday there was an historic verdict in Hong Kong, with 14 convicted of subverting the government by holding an unofficial primary election in 2020; two were acquitted.

The government denounced foreign countries for criticising the ruling, calling them "malicious smears", and that western governments, as well as "anti-China organisations" to stop interfering in domestic affairs, and refrain from making "false reports".

Trevelyan said NSL stifled opposition

Meanwhile, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the United Kingdom's minister for the Indo-Pacific, described the saga a "clear demonstration" of how the Beijing-imposed national security law was used to "stifle opposition and criminalise political dissent".

She also called for the Hong Kong authorities to release all those charged under the legislation that was implemented in 2020.

"The [47 defendants] are guilty of nothing more than seeking to exercise their right to freedom of speech, of assembly and of political participation, as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and promised in the Sino-British Joint Declaration," she said.

"[Thursday's] verdict will only further tarnish Hong Kong's international reputation. It sends a message that Hongkongers can no longer safely and meaningfully participate in peaceful political debate."

Halfway around the world, the debate and analysis was alive and well after 12 jurors in New York found former US President Donald J Trump guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying records to cover up his affairs with porn star Stormy Daniels in the lead up to the 2016 election.

The media repeated over and over how Trump was a "convicted felon" and how this was unprecedented in American history. 

The headline of the NYT after the verdict

The jurors only took 10 hours to decide Trump was guilty, which shows the prosecution presented a convincing case that they were able to follow; they did not seem to care about the defence's concerns that fixer Michael Cohen was not a reliable witness -- he had all the documents that lined up with the prosecution's story.

Trump will make a statement tomorrow morning and there are guesses he will announce an appeal, though some legal experts believe his chances of overturning the verdict are very slim. When it comes to the upcoming election, will Republicans accept a convicted felon as their presidential candidate?

Sentencing will be on July 11. 

The attention to Trump's verdict wiped away any interest in what happened in Hong Kong, to the dismay of pro-democracy activists, while the Hong Kong government was probably secretly pleased the verdict quickly disappeared from the news cycle. 

Nevertheless there will be more opportunities to talk about Hong Kong again...

14 Convicted of Subversion

Leung (in black) was convicted of subversion today

Over two days in July 2020, the pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong held an unofficial primary to help determine who to run in its slate of candidates for the Legislative Council elections that year. It was hoped this would help increase the pan-democrats' chances of winning more seats in the legislature.

Organisers expected around 170,000 but over 610,000 local residents took part in long queues to vote in polling booths that were held in various locations in the city, including a shop selling lingerie and a defunct bus.

Diplomats attended the verdict earlier today

For that exercise, 47 people involved were arrested and in 2021 were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law that was implemented a year earlier.

Most of them were remanded in custody ever since.

Of the 47 charged, 16 pleaded not guilty, the others pleaded guilty in a bid to receive shorter prison sentences.

After a 118-day trial, the verdict for the 16 was announced a few hours ago -- 14 were convicted, two were acquitted, but prosecutors have already announced they will appeal.

Those convicted include: Leung Kwok-hung or "Long Hair", Lam Cheuk-ting, Owen Chow Ka-shing, Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, and Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying.

They believed they didn't do anything wrong, but the handpicked judges did not see it that way.

The convicted will be sentenced at a later date and could face life in prison.

Chan was also convicted of subverting the govt

Meanwhile, those who have pleaded guilty already are Claudia Mo Man-ching, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Joshua Wong Chi-fung, Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, and Jeremy Tam Man-ho.

Before the verdicts came down, partners and parents of those remanded in custody talked about the emotional toll the trial has had on them, how they try to live each day. 

Those behind bars and their loved ones are all brave and have the courage to deal with such adversity. Many of them are young, and amazingly are still optimistic for the future.

This Underpass is a Hit to Expel Bad Luck

It's busy these days at this underpass for "villain hitting"

Underneath the Canal Road overpass in Causeway Bay, there are women sitting on low stools next to mini shrines burning candles and incense sticks. They aren't just hanging around -- they offer a service.

Called "villain hitting" (打小人), these women will take a picture or the name of someone you don't like and literally hit it with a shoe before burning joss paper.

It's kind of like the Chinese version of a voodoo doll, and if you believe in it, your troubles could disappear -- for a fee of course.

A woman hits a piece of paper with a shoe

It's particularly busy now because it's jingzhe, the day that marks the beginning of "insects awakening" in the lunar calendar and the belief is that "villain beating" will bring good luck to you by getting rid of evil spirits.

The name of the person causing you trouble is written on a piece of paper and placed on a brick before the women beats it with a shoe. After a good beating, paper tigers are burned and the client is blessed.

When Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor became chief executive in 2017, a number of customers requested her to be hit, but since the national security law was imposed in July 2020, no one dares to request a government official.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, some requested the virus be beaten up in hopes that it would go away.

These days it's so busy at this underpass with locals looking for luck and curious visitors that some residents have created memes that the Hong Kong Tourism Board should be looking into promoting "villain hitting" to get more people interested in coming to the city.

At one time I did seriously consider using this service to get rid of some bad vibes from someone. But eventually this person did go away to the surprise of many of us! Maybe it was me manifesting it all along?

The Civic Party is No More in Hong Kong

Leong showing the media the vacated Civic Party office space

Just before the end of 2023, the Civic Party is no more in Hong Kong.

After six months of winding down, it has completely disbanded after its members voted to do so.

Its now former chairman Alan Leong Kah-kit can breathe a sigh of relief after legally shutting down the party and clearing out its office.

Kwok has a HK$1M bounty hanging over him

It was founded in 2006 by lawyers, academics, and other professionals who wanted Hong Kong to have full democracy, and at one point was the second-largest opposition party in the Legislative Council.

But Leong said recently, "Times have changed."

Since the national security law was implemented in July 2020, three members of the Civic Party were arrested and in jail, and one lawmaker [Dennis Kwok Wing-hang] has a bounty over his head, though he is now in the United States.

As a result the Civic Party decided to disband in May.

The only thing Leong decided to keep were the green-and-purple pins with the date "19.03.06", when the party was founded.

"What is left of the initial batch of lapel pins would be all that we have," he said.

Co-founder Claudia Mo Man-chung still in jail

Leong said Hong Kong's "political reality" as well as the lack of money and morale as the reason for shutting down the party.

"I have never doubted the ability of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong, but there are things that are beyond our control," he said.

"There are a few of our legislators who are still behind bars now. So that's reality. That also explains why we are winding ourselves up."

Indeed.

It's sad to see organisations fold and disappear, though Leong is keeping those lapel pins as proof the Civic Party did exist at one time.

"Should there come a time that professionals or the like can once again serve Hong Kong... I am sure another party will be born," he said.

A realist and optimist.

HK Students Need to Sing Anthem Louder

Apparently HK students not singing the anthem loud enough

C'mon kids! Gotta sing the national anthem louder! We can't hear you belting out "March of the Volunteers"! 

That's what Hong Kong's education authorities are saying in a recent inspection report, criticising schools for paying too much attention in teaching about national security rather than focusing on why the subject mattered to them.

"Teachers and students sang the national anthem together, but the singing was a little soft," the report said. "Schools must boost students' confidence and habit in singing the national anthem."

The bureau's report evaluated 251 primary, secondary and special schools over the last academic year. It said the schools did not explain to students the threats and crises the country currently faced and emphasise the importance of national security when teaching some topics.

"In terms of classroom teaching, teachers focus too much on teaching knowledge content and rarely link students' life experiences or create situations to effectively put students into others' shoes and understand how national security is related to them," the report said.

It also complained that promoting national education in the curriculum was more of something that was completed rather than focusing on how to teach it well.

But what are the crises and threats China and Hong Kong are facing? And how does national security matter to students? 

While one principal claimed teachers and school heads not singing loudly enough only resulted in students doing the same, another said students and teachers always sang at a low volume regardless of the song.

Perhaps students will sing louder eventually, but forcing them to turn up the volume will only make them sing even softer...

HK Activist Now in the UK Seeking Asylum

Chung wrote on social media that he is now in the UK

Another pro-democracy activist is seeking asylum in the UK, after managing to leave Hong Kong via Japan.

Tony Chung Hon-lam, the founder of the now defunct Studentlocalism revealed his situation in two Instagram posts. Chung, who had advocated independence, was one of the first to be convicted under the national security law for secession and money laundering, and was sentenced to 43 months in prison. He was the youngest person sentenced under the national security law.

One may remember he was arrested outside the US Consulate in Hong Kong in October 2020, allegedly seeking asylum along with two other Studentlocalism members.

He had founded Studentlocalism for independence

After Chung was released he had to regularly check-in with national security authorities about where he had been, who he had met and the nature of the conversations he had. Chung said the authorities even offered to pay him for information on others to prove that he had reformed himself.

The authorities also asked him to go to the mainland, like Agnes Chow Ting, but Chung refused; the authorities asked if it was because he was still involved in activities violating national security.

Chung also had to sign a document that barred him from disclosing his conversations with the authorities so he could not seek help from lawyers or tell anyone about his situation.

"Under enormous stress and fear, I can only endure silently," he said.

As a result, this pressure put a lot of strain on Chung's mental health. Since October he was not feeling well, and both western and Chinese doctors said it was due to his immunity weakened by the mental toll on his body.

Chung managed to persuade correctional services authorities to allow him to travel to Okinawa, Japan for a holiday to take care of himself. When he arrived in Japan, he began contacting overseas organisations to help him. From there he traveled to the UK.

"This also means I can no longer return to my home, Hong Kong, in foreseeable future," he said. "Although I had anticipated the arrival of this day in the past, I had a heavy heart when I made up my mind."

He said in the future he would devote himself for his city as a "Hongkonger in exile."

"I believe only when Hong Kong people don't give up, the seeds of freedom and democracy will sprout again one day," he said.

HK Decked Out but Not Enticing Visitors

All decked out by no people coming through in Hong Kong

Friends are reporting a lot of people on the streets of Hong Kong, but in terms of data, the Christmas season has been really quiet, with business slowing down significantly compared to last year when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place.

This Christmas more than 1.32 million outbound trips were recorded over the past three days, almost triple the number of visitor arrivals. Of the visitors who entered Hong Kong, 77 percent were from the mainland.

HK venues not big enough for Swift and Swifties

Anthea Cheung So-may, director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, called for the government to hold more large-scale concerts and invite global star singers and bands to perform to attract more overseas tourists.

However, the national security law implemented in 2020 has made the city less desirable a place for artists to perform in, and also for international stars like Taylor Swift, they are looking for cities with venues large enough to hold their fans, which Hong Kong does not have at all. 

Meanwhile retail sector legislator Peter Shiu Ka-fai said the industry was affected by Hongkongers flying elsewhere for Christmas, while the holiday was not celebrated by mainlanders, and so not many crossed the border to shop.

"... overall, both the world economy and the Hong Kong economy are average... The spending power of mainland tourists was not as strong as before 2018," said Shiu.

Decorated malls not enough to entice shoppers

He called for the government to create more activities, events and offers to entice shoppers, both locals and visitors to spend in the city. Shiu asked for service to improve, particularly having a more friendly attitude towards customers.

This is tough when you feel like the situation is bleak... that said Hongkongers have that "Lion Rock spirit" and must persevere though this tough patch if they want the city to survive long term.

Five More Activists Have HK$1M Bounties

Five more people have HK$1M bounties on their heads

The Hong Kong government continues its fear campaign by putting HK$1 million (US$128,000) bounties on another five people living abroad for violating the national security law.  

There are arrest warrants for Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, who host a YouTube channel on current affairs, and pro-democracy activists Simon Cheng Man-kit, Frances Hui Wing-ting, and Joey Siu. They are either in the United States or Britain.

Siu, an American citizen, wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter that she woke up to the news about the bounty on her head "for exercising my freedoms in my own country", adding, "I will never be silenced, I will never back down."

Li says the five have betrayed Hong Kong

These five people join the eight other activists also abroad, where the Hong Kong authorities claim they will pursue them for life with these bounties. This declaration has drawn criticism from western governments.

Steve Li Kwai-wah is the chief superintendent of the police national security department and said they have received some 500 pieces of information since the first round of bounties were announced, but this has not led to any arrests -- yet.

The five activists added to the list have allegedly committed various offenses, including colluding with foreign forces and incitement to secession.

"They all betrayed their own country and betrayed Hong Kong," he said in a press conference. "After they fled overseas, they continued to engage in activities endangering national security."

To add further fears, police arrested four other people on Wednesday on suspicion of funding former pro-democracy lawmakers, Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Ted Hui Chi-fung through an "online subscription and crowdfunding platform." The four were alleged to have provided financial support to the pair. The amounts ranged from HK$10,000 to HK$120,000 (US$1,280-US$15,400). 

Cheng is "honoured" to be hunted by HK police

It is believed the online platform the police are alluding to is Patreon.

Cheng, who some may remember, worked for the British Consulate in Hong Kong and was detained on a business trip to Shenzhen. He was arrested by Chinese authorities for allegedly "soliciting prostitutes" and after he was released told of how he was physically tortured in a bid to make him confess he was a spy for Britain. He eventually fled to the UK and has been there since.

On X he wrote of his reaction to having a bounty on his head: "Being hunted by China (Hong Kong)'s secret police, under a one-million-dollar bounty, is a lifelong honor."

Even though these activists say it's an honour to have a bounty on their heads, surely this is counterproductive to the Hong Kong government's efforts to try to lure people to visit the city? By creating an atmosphere of fear, how can they entice people to a "Happy Hong Kong"?

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...