Hong Kong’s new national security law ‘unduly limits’ human rights and freedom, UN experts say
Hong Kong Free Press
by Hans Tse
9h ago
Hong Kong’s new homegrown national security law will “unduly limit” human rights and freedom in the city, six UN experts have said as they urged authorities to review and reconsider the legislation. Hong Kong officials including Chief Executive John Lee and Secretary for Security Chris Tang leave the Legislative Council chamber after the passing of Article 23 on March 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The new security law – commonly known as “Article 23” – targets five types of crimes including treason and insurrection, with sentences ranging up to life imprisonment. It is the city’s second sec ..read more
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China says Philippine ‘provocations’ cause of recent tensions
Hong Kong Free Press
by AFP
9h ago
China on Thursday blamed Philippine actions for recent rising tension between the two sides in the hotly contested South China Sea. A China National Day patriotic gathering in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the strategic waterway and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near contested reefs in recent months. “The provocations by the Philippine side are the direct cause of the recent heating up of the South China Sea issue,” Beijing’s defence ministry said in a s ..read more
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University of Hong Kong seeks to limit mainland tourist flow on campus after student, resident complaints
Hong Kong Free Press
by Tom Grundy
11h ago
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is to introduce measures on tourist flow management on campus following an influx of visitors from the mainland. A sign a the University of Hong Kong on February 28, 2024. File photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP. Local media have reported on the grounds being as “crowded as Disney,” with mainland tourists barging into lecture halls for photo-taking during lectures. The Pok Fu Lam campus has sky-rocketed in popularity among Chinese tourists following recommendations on social media platform Xiaohongshu. But residents and students have long complained of the influx of crow ..read more
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Article 23: Hong Kong again blasts BBC over security law coverage
Hong Kong Free Press
by Tom Grundy
11h ago
The Hong Kong government has for the second time this month condemned the BBC’s reporting on the new security law. It is the latest in a string of press releases and letters lashing out at foreign media over their coverage of Article 23’s enactment last Saturday. The BBC headquarters in London. File Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP. A spokesperson on Wednesday night said a BBC report about the remission of sentences for security law convicts was “extremely misleading,” whilst it also condemned “fact-twisting” remarks by what it deemed anti-China organisations quoted within it. Separate to the 2020 Beij ..read more
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China lifts punitive tariffs on Australian wine as trade ties improve
Hong Kong Free Press
by AFP
11h ago
China said Thursday it would lift punitive tariffs on Australian wine, as trade ties improve between the two countries after years of tension, with Canberra soon afterwards announcing it would drop its case against Beijing at the World Trade Organization. Australian wine. Photo: Simon_sees/Flickr. Duties were imposed on key Australian exports such as wine, barley and beef in 2020 after Canberra legislated against overseas influence, barred Huawei from 5G contracts and called for a probe into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. But trade restrictions have tapered since Australia’s centre-lef ..read more
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Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Civic Party officially folds after 18 years
Hong Kong Free Press
by Hans Tse
14h ago
Hong Kong’s Civic Party, which was once the city’s second-largest pro-democracy party, has officially shut down after 18 years – joining dozens of other civil society groups which folded in the wake of a Beijing-imposed national security law. Civic Party Chairperson Alan Leong after announcing the party’s dissolution on May 27, 2023. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Members of the Civic Party – nicknamed “the barristers’ party” – voted last May to dissolve it amid a leadership vacuum. No members came forward to stand for positions on its executive committee. The party conducted a six-month voluntar ..read more
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HKFP Lens: Hong Kong’s Art Central 2024 returns to Central Harbourfront, showcasing 98 galleries
Hong Kong Free Press
by Kyle Lam
19h ago
As one of the central events of Hong Kong’s Art Week, Art Central 2024 will open to the public on Thursday, marking a return to the Central Harbourfront for the first time since 2019. Art Central 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The annual art fair is celebrating its ninth edition showcasing artwork and programming from 98 innovative galleries, with works by 500 distinguished artists from around the world. Art Central 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The fair opens to the public on Thursday, March 29, and will run until Sunday at the Central Harbourfront. Art Central 2024. Photo: Kyle La ..read more
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Jimmy Lai trial: Sanctions among ‘immature ideas’ activist Andy Li ‘floated,’ court hears  
Hong Kong Free Press
by Kelly Ho
1d ago
Sanctions against individuals – or economic sanctions at the country level – were among the “immature ideas” Hong Kong activist Andy Li “floated” to an international parliamentary alliance days before the 2020 national security law came into force, a court has heard at the high-profile trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai.  Jimmy Lai. Photo: HKFP. Li, the co-founder of activist group Fight for Freedom, Stand With Hong Kong (SWHK), which prosecutors allege was ultimately financed by Lai, continued to testify against the 76-year-old tycoon on Wednesday.  The founder of the defunct Apple Dai ..read more
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Article 23: Hong Kong condemns New York Times op-ed on city’s ‘lost freedom’
Hong Kong Free Press
by Irene Chan
1d ago
The government has condemned an opinion piece about the city’s “lost freedom” published by the New York Times, the latest letter to media in a campaign to counter critical press coverage of the recently-enacted homegrown security law. In a letter written to the Times’ editor on Wednesday, Secretary for Security Chris Tang claimed the op-ed, titled “Hong Kongers Now Only Whisper About Freedom,” was “extremely misleading.” New York Times office in Manhattan. Photo: Andreas Komodromos, via Flickr. “We strongly urge The New York Times to ensure that reports concerning Hong Kong are fair and just ..read more
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Footballer Son Jun-ho ‘grateful to be home’ after 10 months’ detention in China
Hong Kong Free Press
by AFP
1d ago
Son Jun-ho said he was grateful to be safely home with his family after the South Korean international’s release from 10 months’ detention in China. South Korea’s midfielder Son Jun-ho gives a press conference before a training session at Al Egla Training Site 5 in Doha on November 22, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. Photo: Jung Yeon-je/AFP. The 31-year-old World Cup midfielder made his first public comments since Seoul’s foreign ministry said on Monday that he had been freed and was home. Son, who was playing for Chinese Super League side Shandong at the time, was ..read more
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