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☆ First Prosecution Witness Testifies Against Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jessie Pang and Edward ChoHONG KONG (Reuters) - The first prosecution witness to testify in a landmark national security case against Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai said on Wednesday he had been instructed by Lai to call people to join protests in 2019 and draw the attention of western democracies. The witness, Cheung Kim-hung, said Lai believed a proposed law that would allow people in Hong Kong to be sent to China to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party would be used to crackdown on the territory's democracy and freedoms. He told the court that the image of Lai "was all along very clear, who pursued democracy, freedom and was anti-totalitarian". Hong Kong officials say Lai will receive a fair trial. Both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said the national security laws were vital to restoring stability in Hong Kong.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Edward Cho HONG, Jimmy Lai, Lai, Cheung Kim, Cheung, Hong, Apple, Chan Pui, Yeung Ching, kee, Andy Li, Chan, Edward Cho, Dorothy Kam, Greg Torode, Neil Fullick Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Communist Party, Apple, Next Locations: Edward Cho HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Britain, United States

☆ 'Dupes' clothing, perfume craze lures holiday shoppers as major brands fret
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Hashtag searches for dupes of major brands - including Skims underwear and Deckers' (DECK.N) Ugg boots - have been viewed millions of times on TikTok. Graphic shows pictures of four original products and their original prices under named brands compared with the prices of their 'dupe' counterparts. Newer technologies like the Google Lens app allow people to take photos of items they like and find similar products for sale. In other cases, dupe sellers opt to replicate the look of higher-priced originals with cheaper materials to maximize profit. However, experts say dupe sellers have grown increasingly skilled at avoiding brand logos and other design features that could infringe existing patents or copyrights.

Persons: Lauren Maginness, Shannon Stapleton, Maginness, Estee, Tom Ford, Dupes, “, ”, Penny Pincher, Leslie Ghize, Doneger Tobe, Calvin McDonald, Ian Taplin, Juozas Kaziukenas, Kaziukenas, Maria Boschetti, Mike Scheschuk, Birkenstock, Katherine Masters, Dorothy Kam, Vanessa O'Connell, Rod Nickel, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Abercrombie, Fitch, Scout, Walmart, Department, Nordstrom, Circana Inc, COMMERCE, Wake Forest University, eBay, Google, HK, Amazon, New, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Hong Kong, TikTok, Los Angeles, Zara, Italy, New York

☆ Private Schools Rethink China Future After Flunking Growth Test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Dozens of international and private schools in China are closing or merging, industry executives said, weighed down by tighter regulation, a slowing economy and dwindling foreign student numbers. Dulwich College operates nine schools in China including bilingual schools catering to Chinese nationals that have been hit hardest by regulatory changes. Strategic plans for growth of its high schools in China were "scaled back in light of changing government regulations", Dulwich said in its 2022 annual report. Authorities have also moved to control the number of private schools. Dozens of schools, from kindergartens to high schools, have shut or stalled in the past two years.

Persons: Farah Master, Kane Wu, Julian Fisher, Fisher, Dulwich, Xi, It's, Frank Feng, Jimmy Chin, Nicholas Burns, Mathias Boyer, Casey, Roxanne Liu, Dorothy Kam, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: Reuters, Dulwich College, Venture Education, Strategic, Education, Motion, Dulwich, British, Authorities, Dulwich's, Victoria Kid House, Western International School of, Everpine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, University of Science, Technology of, International School of Beijing, Casey Hall Locations: Kane Wu HONG KONG, British, China, Asia, China's, Beijing, Dulwich, Singapore, South Korea, U.S, Britain, Canada, Shanghai, Lucton, Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen, Eton, Guangzhou, Western International School of Shanghai, Xi'an, Technology of China, Anhui, Hong Kong

Dozens of international and private schools in China are closing or merging, industry executives said, weighed down by tighter regulation, a slowing economy and dwindling foreign student numbers. A rapid expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic drove a surge of privately run bilingual schools in China offering a western exam curriculum. Dulwich College operates nine schools in China including bilingual schools catering to Chinese nationals that have been hit hardest by regulatory changes. It mandated that Chinese compulsory education be taught in private schools, aligning the curriculum more closely to public schools and making parents question the need to pay private school fees when their children can attend free government schools. Authorities have also moved to control the number of private schools.

Persons: Aly, Julian Fisher, Fisher, Dulwich, Xi, It's, Frank Feng, Jimmy Chin, Nicholas Burns, Mathias Boyer, Casey, Roxanne Liu, Dorothy Kam, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, Dulwich College, Venture Education, Strategic, Education, Motion, Dulwich, British, Authorities, Dulwich's, Victoria Kid House, Western International School of, Everpine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, University of Science, Technology of, International School of Beijing, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, British, Asia, China's, Beijing, Dulwich, Singapore, South Korea, U.S, Britain, Canada, Lucton, Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen, Eton, Guangzhou, Western International School of Shanghai, Xi'an, Technology of China, Anhui, Hong Kong

Nov 4 (Reuters) - The Gay Games Hong Kong (GGHK) kicked off on Saturday, its first time in Asia, despite opposition from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and human rights activists. The opening ceremony began with a march-in by the GGHK, Federation of Gay Games, and delegations from around the world, followed by performances including the Hong Kong lion dance. "The holding of the Gay Games in Hong Kong is strong testimony to the diversity, inclusion, and unity of our city," Ip said in her welcoming speech. Five Hong Kong human rights activists also called for the Games to be cancelled in June, saying organisers "have aligned themselves with pro-authoritarian figures responsible for widespread persecution against the people of Hong Kong". Taiwan is not sending athletes to Hong Kong but to Guadalajara, citing security concerns over the NSL.

Persons: Lisa Lam, Lam, GGHK, Regina Ip, Ip, Junius Ho, John Lee, ”, Gerrit Schulz, Jessie Pang, Dorothy Kam, Giles Elgood Organizations: Gay Games, Gay Games Hong Kong, of Gay Games, National Security Law, Beijing, NSL, Games, Thomson Locations: Gay Games Hong, Asia, Hong Kong, Mexican, Guadalajara, Beijing, Taiwan, China, Berlin

HONG KONG, Oct 30 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court acquitted U.S. State Senator Jeff Wilson of illegally possessing a firearm in the Chinese-ruled city as long as he doesn't commit any crime for the next two years. A Republican party member, he has served in the state senate since 2021 and is also a Port of Longview Commissioner. "This is not the first time he came to Hong Kong or China, he used to be a trade delegate to Hong Kong and China. He should have known that the scrutiny in Hong Kong and China is strict," So said. Carrying a firearm without a license in Hong Kong is illegal and offenders can face up to HK$100,000 ($12,800) and a maximum of 14 years in prison.

Persons: Jeff Wilson, Wilson, Don So, Dorothy Kam, Farah Master, James Pomfret Organizations: Hong, U.S, Washington State Senate, Republican, HK, Christian, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Longview, China, Southeast Asia, Portland, U.S, San Francisco

☆ Country Garden founder Yeung, the tycoon who called himself 'dumb'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Clare Jim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Born into a peasant family in rural China, Yeung Kwok Keung's rags-to-riches tale inspired millions across the country until his Country Garden (2007.HK) empire spiralled into crisis this year. On his home turf, Yeung and his company had many nicknames, among them "The most grassroots tycoon" and the "Universe's No.1 property developer". Born in 1955, Yeung founded Country Garden along with four others in 1992, quickly building its scale across China and transforming it into a household name by the early 2000s. Focusing on less popular, smaller cities in the world's second-largest economy was what made Country Garden successful, as the world's second-largest economy urbanised. In a company statement in August, Yeung spelt out a number of attributes that he said make "The Country Garden that I dream of", some of which will be key amid the crippling cash crisis.

Persons: Yeung Kwok, Yeung, Wu Jianbin, Yeung's, Yang Huiyan, Clare Jim, Dorothy Kam, Anne Marie Roantree Organizations: Xinhua, Volkswagen, China Evergrande, HK, Forbes, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, HK, Foshan, Guangdong, Xinhua

[1/5] China's and Hong Kong's flags are seen on the pedestrian footbridge as decorations for the celebration of National Day, at the financial central district in Hong Kong, China October 3, 2023. "The last few years have created a very negative image of Hong Kong," said Inaki Amate, chairman of the European chamber in Hong Kong, one of the speakers at the M+ event. Executives point to the changing fabric of Hong Kong with mainlanders making up more than nine-out-of-ten of all those approved to work under government talent schemes. "If we believe that Hong Kong will be able to recover its most international Asia city status by continuing on this trend, we are very wrong," said Amate. “You’ve got what happened with the national security law, the pandemic and now you’ve got a pretty big problem with China’s economy.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Inaki Amate, Paul Chan, haven’t, ”, Tara Joseph, “ You’ve, you’ve, Hong, Robert Walters, Patrick Ip, David Baverez, Baverez, Dorothy Kam, Scott Murdoch, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Tyrone, European Union, Hong, Monetary, American Chamber of Commerce, Colliers, Companies, National Bank Australia, ASEAN Investment Cooperation, COVID ., COVID . Asia Pacific, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Hong, British, Asia, Singapore, Dubai, COVID, COVID . Asia, Europe, “

HONG KONG — On the first day of unimpeded travel between mainland China and Hong Kong, Olivia Gai was one of the first in line. On Tuesday, the Chinese embassies in South Korea and Japan said they would stop issuing short-term visas for travelers to China. The South Korean Foreign Ministry says its restrictions on travelers from China are based on science. According to some estimates, China’s Covid death toll could reach 1 million or more in the coming months. Nonetheless, more countries have begun requiring negative Covid tests for travelers from China, and at least one country, Morocco, has banned arrivals entirely.

☆ Hong Kong to resume hamster imports a year after mass cull over Covid
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Marie Brockling | Dorothy Kam | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG — Hong Kong is lifting a ban on the importing of hamsters for sale, a year after it ordered more than 2,000 hamsters and other small mammals to be culled in an effort to prevent pets from spreading Covid-19 to people. The Hong Kong government ordered the culling last January after a small virus outbreak was traced to a pet shop called Little Boss that had imported hamsters from the Netherlands. Hong Kong residents who had recently purchased hamsters were advised to surrender their pets, shops selling hamsters were temporarily shut down and an import ban was enacted. But at the time of the Hong Kong government’s decision last year, the Chinese territory was following a strict “zero-Covid” approach in line with mainland China, leading officials to act aggressively. In recent weeks both Hong Kong and mainland China have relaxed anti-Covid restrictions that minimized cases and deaths but also caused widespread public frustration.

China reported 2,157 new symptomatic infections Thursday, but officials have stopped counting asymptomatic cases and halted mandatory testing. James Zimmermann, a lawyer, posted on Twitter earlier this week that 90% of his office was sickened. Meanwhile, Beijing has tried to maintain its policy of imposing harsh limits on people’s daily lives whenever an outbreak flared. Although direct comparisons are difficult, officially China has suffered just more than 5,200 deaths — compared with nearly 1.1 million in the United States. It also recently caused social unrest in the form of widespread demonstrations, which appeared to be the catalyst for the abrupt policy change.

☆ As 'zero-Covid' nears end, Chinese remember whistleblower doctor
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Dorothy Kam | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this 2020 photo, flower bouquets sit outside of the Houhu Branch of Wuhan Central Hospital in honor of late ophthalmologist Li Wenliang. Li, a doctor who was punished after raising the alarm about the new coronavirus, died on Feb. 7, 2020 after being infected by the pathogen. As China moves away from its strict "zero-Covid" controls, there has been a resurgence of online tributes to Li Wenliang, a whistleblower doctor who became a symbol of public dissatisfaction with the ruling Communist Party's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. This week, Chinese officials announced they were abandoning key pillars of President Xi Jinping's "zero-Covid" strategy, including broad lockdowns, mass testing and quarantine in centralized government facilities. The latest easing of restrictions comes after mass protests across China against the "zero-Covid" controls, with some demonstrators calling for Xi to step down.

☆ As ‘zero-Covid’ nears end, Chinese remember whistleblower doctor
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Dorothy Kam | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Weeks later, as the coronavirus shut down cities in China and began spreading around the world, Li died from the disease after contracting it at work. This week, Chinese officials announced they were abandoning key pillars of President Xi Jinping’s “zero-Covid” strategy, including broad lockdowns, mass testing and quarantine in centralized government facilities. Many social media users rushed to tell Li, flooding his profile on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform, with expressions of gratitude, celebration and grief. The latest easing of restrictions comes after mass protests across China against the “zero-Covid” controls, with some demonstrators calling for Xi to step down. Some Weibo users vowed to make Li proud as case numbers rise.

☆ Royal teen at Qatar World Cup goes viral in China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Dorothy Kam | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

La'eeb during the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Nov. 20. Karim Jaafar / AFP via Getty Images fileThey had earlier joked about La’eeb’s resemblance to traditional Chinese dumpling wrappers, and so Abdulrahman's nickname was born. “We love him because he is so cute,” one user commented on Weibo, a popular social media platform similar to Twitter. On Weibo, which he joined on Wednesday as “Little Prince La’eeb,” he has posted twice and gained almost 2.5 million followers. Qatar has since been eliminated from the World Cup, becoming the first host country to lose all three matches in the group stage.

☆ China brings ‘panda diplomacy’ to Qatar with World Cup gift
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Hannah Lee | Dorothy Kam | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG — A pair of giant pandas arrived in Qatar on Wednesday as a gift ahead of the World Cup, marking the first time China has extended its “panda diplomacy” to the Middle East. Si Hai, a 3-year-old female weighing about 150 pounds, will be given the Arabic name Thuraya, while Jing Jing, a 4-year-old male weighing 265 pounds, will be known in Arabic as Suhail. The pandas will be available for public viewing by the time Qatar hosts the World Cup starting Nov. 20. A child viewing one of two giant pandas gifted from China in Al Khor, Qatar, on Wednesday. Denour / AFP - Getty ImagesGiant pandas, a vulnerable species that seldom reproduces in the wild, are considered a national treasure and symbol of China.

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