DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Asia markets poised for mixed open; Japan stocks set to eke out gains
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Chinese flags and Hong Kong flags are hung in Tsim Sha Tsui district on Oct. 4, 2023 in Hong Kong, China. The Chinese government imposed a National Security Law in the special administrative region on June 30, 2020. Japan's Nikkei 225 index is poised for gains after closing at a record high in the previous session. Trading sentiment was subdued following a pause in Wall Street's rally on Monday as its main indexes retreat from record highs. Major economic data this week include China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index and the U.S. personal consumption expenditures price index data, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation metric.

Organizations: Security Law, Japan's Nikkei Locations: Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, China, Asia, Pacific

☆ China is torn between wanting control of its citizens' data and growing its economy, says US ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, said that China is torn between seeking foreign investment and its desire to control data about its businesses and citizens. US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns attends a climate roundtable at the US embassy on July 8, 2023 in Beijing, China. Advertisement"You know, I think they want to control data about the Chinese people, about Chinese companies. And so, that I think is at the heart of the problem with those American companies operating in that sphere," said Burns. But on the other hand, they've raided six or seven American businesses since last March," said Burns.

Persons: —, Nicholas Burns, Lesley Stahl, Burns, China Nicholas Burns, Mintz, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, they've Organizations: Service, Getty, Bain & Co, APEC Locations: China, Beijing, Chinese, San Francisco

☆ Spending in Shenzhen: Chinese used to escape to this former British colony. Now Hongkongers are heading in the opposite direction
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Chris Lau | Veronica Lin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Hong Kong CNN —With Hong Kong’s sky-high cost of living, residents like Andy Tsui have been looking for alternative ways to have more fun and spend less. Rather than spending his cash in his hometown of Hong Kong, he’s been crossing the border into mainland China to splurge instead. Such trips are noteworthy because, for much of Hong Kong’s modern history, the traffic has been largely — conspicuously, even — in the other direction. Hong Kong used to be the place where Chinese would escape to, not from. In 2023, just 26 million mainlanders — about half of the 2018 crowd — visited Hong Kong.

Persons: Andy Tsui, he’s, boba, ” Tsui, Justin Robertson, Noemi Cassanelli, CNN Hong Kong’s, Hong Kong —, misbehaving, —, ”, Steve Tsang, Hong, Shenzhen’s, Hongkongers, Gilles Sabrie, Hongkonger Eddy Lam, Lam, Cherrie Leung, Qilai Shen, Hugo Sin, “, Gary Ng, John Lee, Tsang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Shoppers, Yuen, Britain, Newspapers, Hong, Hong Kong Immigration Department, China Institute, SOAS University, Huawei, Tencent, Bloomberg, Getty, Sam’s Club, Costco, Sam’s, Walmart, Hong Kong, Shenzhen hasn’t, Xinhua, RTHK, SOAS University of London Locations: Hong Kong, China, splurge, Peking, Shenzhen, East, Hong, People’s Republic of China, British, Beijing, London, Bay Area, San Francisco , New York, Tokyo, Kowloon, Coco, Shanghai, “, Inner Mongolia, Taiwan, Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong’s, Britain, Canada, Australia, Bay, ”

☆ Biden Lawyers Wrestle With Lack of Congressional Blessing for Houthi Conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The large-scale military strikes the United States has directed at the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group in Yemen that has disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, has forced the Biden administration to wrestle over what it can do without congressional approval. The question has helped fuel at least two major legal policy dilemmas, according to officials familiar with internal deliberations among national security lawyers: One is how a Vietnam-era law that was intended to limit wars that lack congressional authorization applies to the conflict, and the other is what to do with captured detainees. On Thursday, a senior administration official offered the most detailed account to date about its view of the Vietnam-era law, the War Powers Resolution, and the Justice Department disclosed that it had taken custody of 14 prisoners the military had been holding for over a month. Together, the developments shed light on what the Biden administration sees as the scope and limits of its power in the conflict with the Houthis, part of the widening regional conflagration that has spun out of the Israel-Hamas war following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Justice Department Locations: United States, Iran, Yemen, Red, Vietnam, Israel, Gaza

☆ 78% of near-retirees failed or barely passed a basic Social Security quiz. Test your knowledge before you claim
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Generally, if I am in a same-sex marriage, there are different eligibility requirements when it comes to Social Security retirement benefits. The money that comes out of my paycheck for Social Security goes into a specific account for me and remains there, earning interest, until I begin to receive Social Security benefits. If I get divorced, I might be able to collect Social Security benefits based on my ex-spouse's Social Security earnings history. If I file for retirement benefits and have dependent children age 18 or younger, they also may qualify for Social Security benefits. Social Security retirement benefits are subject to income tax just like withdrawals from a traditional IRA account.

Persons: Rupp, David Freitag, you've, Freitag, " Freitag, You've, that's Organizations: Social Security, spouse's, Social, Getty, Security Locations: U.S

☆ Outside the US, teens’ social media experiences are more tightly controlled
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Here’s a closer look at how child safety is regulated on social media platforms in other parts of the world. “It will take a couple of years until the first round of the audits of social media companies mandated in the DSA are published,” he said. Can social media companies be sued in the EU? At the same time, however, China’s government also largely blocks access to social media platforms as part of its efforts to monitor and censor the internet. And in Brazil, a data protection law includes special protections for children’s data, including consent to share personal data.

Persons: Here’s, Apple –, what’s, haven’t, Fernando Hortal Foronda, ”, “, Asha Allen, Brian Fung, Clare Duffy Organizations: CNN, European, Meta, Apple, Digital Services, Companies, Big Tech, EU, European Consumer Organisation, DSA, ” Tech, European Commission, EU’s Digital Service, Centre of Democracy and Technology, Justice, European Union, Minor Protection Locations: EU, Centre of Democracy and Technology Europe, China, India, Brazil

☆ White House says no change to official TikTok policy after Biden campaign joins platform amid security concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Donald Judd | Michael Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —The White House on Monday said there are no changes regarding the administration’s long-standing security concerns over TikTok after the President Joe Biden made his campaign debut on the platform Sunday night. In a follow-up exchange with Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary said she was not aware the campaign planned to launch a TikTok account ahead of Sunday. But there are security concerns around the popular video app, which is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese technology company. To date, the US government has provided no specific evidence that the Chinese government has accessed US TikTok user data. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have been somewhat aligned on their national security concerns pertaining to TikTok.

Persons: Joe Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Karine Jean, Pierre, …, ”, Biden, Kelce ”, Travis Kelce, Jason, “, Travis Kelce’s, Taylor Swift, “ Trump, Biden’s, Brandon, Swift, TikTok, it’s, Trump Organizations: Washington CNN, National Security, White House, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Biden, ByteDance, Texas, Trump, Foreign Investment Locations: Biden’s, Chinese, China, United States

House Republicans were thrown for a loop on Tuesday when a vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the southern border failed after four Republicans voted against it. House GOP leaders displayed confidence going into the vote despite knowing ahead of time that at least a couple Republican members were going to vote against impeachment. Republicans could try to impeach Mayorkas again once Scalise returns. GOP efforts to impeach Mayorkas were vehemently opposed by the Biden administration and the Homeland Security Department. Republican senators on Tuesday indicated that they would block a procedural vote for the bipartisan border deal this week.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, “, We’ll, Tom Emmer, Tom McClintock of, John Gallagher of, Ken Buck, Blake Moore of, ” McClintock, Steve Scalise, Mayorkas, Scalise, Biden, ’, Joe Biden –, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, ” Organizations: Republicans, Homeland, GOP, Republican, Tom McClintock of California, Court, Democrats, Homeland Security Department Locations: John Gallagher of Wisconsin, Ken Buck of, Blake Moore of Utah

☆ Hong Kong already has a national security law. Now its leader is pushing for another one
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong on Tuesday formally began the process of enacting a controversial homegrown national security law in a move that could have deep ramifications for the city’s status as a global financial hub. Beijing’s national security crackdown of recent years has transformed once-freewheeling Hong Kong, silencing almost all dissent and jailing dozens of political opponents. Under Hong Kong’s mini-constitution agreed by the two powers, the city is required to enact laws to prohibit acts that endanger national security. “Foreign agents and Hong Kong independence ideas are still lurking in Hong Kong society.”Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks during a press conference at government headquarters in Hong Kong on January 30, 2024. The new security law could bring further uncertainty for Hong Kong, which is striving to maintain its status as Asia’s premier financial hub following three years of strict Covid restrictions and Beijing’s national security crackdown.

Persons: Hong, it’s, John Lee, ”, It’s, we’ve, ” Lee, Lee, Peter Parks, Chris Tang, ” Tang, Tang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Tuesday, Hong, CIA, British, Getty Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, AFP, Hong Kong’s, East, West

☆ Hong Kong leaders start legislative push to tighten national security laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese flags and Hong Kong flags are hung in Tsim Sha Tsui district on Oct. 4, 2023 in Hong Kong, China. The Chinese government imposed a National Security Law in the special administrative region on June 30, 2020. Hong Kong's leader confirmed on Tuesday his intention to pass fresh national security laws soon, building on sweeping legislation Beijing imposed on the city in 2020, saying the city has the constitutional responsibility to impose the new laws. A consultation document will be released later on Tuesday, Lee said, and the government will attempt to pass the legislation "as soon as possible." Lee said freedoms would be safeguarded and the laws would meet international standards.

Persons: Hong Kong's, Lee Organizations: Security Law Locations: Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, China, Beijing

HONG KONG (AP) — Nicole Kidman's latest project is set in Hong Kong, but people who live there are blocked from seeing it, prompting speculation about censorship in a city where civil liberties are shrinking fast. The first two episodes of “Expats,” a six-episode drama about expat women, were released on Amazon Prime on Jan. 26. But when viewers in Hong Kong try to watch it, they instead get a message saying that “this video is currently unavailable to watch in your location.”The city has hardened its controls over political speech after 2019 anti-government protests rocked the city. In 2020, China passed a National Security Law that criminalized political activities, such as protesting for independence. On Tuesday, the Hong Kong government announced plans to enact a local version of the 2020 National Security Law.

Persons: — Nicole Kidman's, “, ” Organizations: Amazon Prime, Security Law, Walt Disney Co, Disney, ”, Amazon, Hong Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China

☆ Amazon Prime’s ‘Expats’ was set and filmed in Hong Kong. But it’s not being shown there
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Amazon Prime’s new drama series “Expats,” starring Nicole Kidman, is currently unavailable to watch in Hong Kong despite being set and partly filmed in the city. That year, Hong Kong also granted Oscar-winner Kidman an exemption from its tough Covid-19 quarantine rules to film in the city. Four members of her crew were also granted relief from the restrictions, Hong Kong officials said at the time. CNN has also reached out to the Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau for comment. “It was very important to me to be able to show this particular moment in this year in Hong Kong very accurately,” she said.

Persons: ”, Nicole Kidman, Margaret, Hong Kong, Oscar, Kidman, Hong, “, ” Yaqiu Wang, ” Bonde Sham, Ji, Yoo, Wang, ’, Lulu Wang, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Amazon, Umbrella Movement, Hong, The Hong, Hollywood, Freedom House, Hong Kong Commerce, Economic, Reuters, Kong’s, Film, Association, BBC Radio Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, The, The Hong Kong, Hong, China, Taiwan, Los Angeles

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong begun public consultation Tuesday on enacting its own national security law, beginning a process to implement legislation that for years was widely opposed by residents who feared the erosion of their civil liberties. Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 and a crackdown on dissent followed. Both the Hong Kong and Beijing governments have hailed the law for restoring stability after the massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. But the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, requires the city to enact its own national security law. Officials have said the “painful experiences” of the 2019 protests demonstrated that national security risks are real.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, “, John Lee, “ It’s, ___ Soo Organizations: Apple Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, U.S, Singapore, British

☆ What is catfishing and what can you do if you are catfished?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Sen Nguyen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole. A 2019 study found that young LGBTQ+ men in rural America experiencing catfishing on dating apps felt angry and fearful. She also emphasized the need to recognize today’s loneliness epidemic, which “leads people to perhaps be more susceptible to catfishing scams,” she said. Catfishing is not explicitly a crime, but the actions that often accompany catfishing, such as extortion for money, gifts or sexual images are crimes in many places. In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole.

Persons: CNN —, Nev Schulman, “ Megan ”, Schulman, Evita, scammers, Catfishing, Snapchat, ”, Ngo Minh Hieu, Chong, Hieu, Wang, “, It’s, Fangzhou Wang, ” Wang, Maryna, WeChat Organizations: CNN, Cybersmile Foundation, Federation University, Fraud Intelligence, INTERPOL, Research, US Federal Trade Commission, SMS, University of Texas, Arlington, Getty, Facebook, UNICEF Locations: Alaska, Australia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, France, Germany, India, cryptocurrency, Vietnamese, America, catfishing, China, Cybersecurity, Australian

☆ China, HK Sign Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition of Civil, Commercial Cases
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Supreme Court and Hong Kong's Department of Justice said on Monday that they signed an arrangement on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial cases effective immediately in both places. It is unclear how the reciprocal recognition and enforcement arrangement would work in practise as there has been no previous precedent with the mainland. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements with such a wide coverage, it said. Justice Secretary Paul Lam said that the new civil and commercial arrangement showcased the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" formula that the city is governed under. "This will be conducive to enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre.

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai, Paul Lam, Lam, Farah Master, Tom Hogue, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Hong Kong's Department of Justice, Hong, European Union Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, China, U.S, Britain, Canada, Australia

☆ FBI and CISA warn companies to be wary of using Chinese-made drones over national security risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —Chinese-made drones “continue to pose a significant risk to critical infrastructure and US national security” and companies should be wary of using them, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned in a new memo issued Wednesday. “Our nation’s critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, chemical and communications, are increasingly relying on [unmanned aerial systems] for various missions that ultimately reduce operating costs and improve staff safety,” said CISA Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security Dr. David Mussington in a statement. The Department of Homeland Security has been warning about the risks posed by Chinese-made drones, which dominate the global market for commercial drones, for years. “CISA and the FBI rightly point out the risk, and more importantly, how to mitigate these known cyber risks. It’s clear that the United States government has deemed Chinese-made drones a threat to security as China’s dominance of the electronics supply chain, including drones, is harming U.S. national security interests.”

Persons: ”, David Mussington, DJI, Brian Harrell, we’ve, “ CISA Organizations: Washington CNN, FBI, Infrastructure Security Agency, CNN, Infrastructure Security, PRC’s, Civil Fusion, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, US Army, U.S Locations: China, People’s Republic of China, United States, Canada, DJI

☆ 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

☆ Republicans Take Hard Line on Border as Ukraine Vote in Senate Looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | Michelle Hackman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson describes the border situation as an unsustainable catastrophe. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) Johnson said in a letter to the White House that “supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nation’s border security laws,” and pointed to House Republicans’ H.R. 2 immigration bill as a starting point. That bill passed the GOP-led House in May with no Democratic support and never got a vote in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Drew Angerer, Johnson, Republicans ’ H.R Organizations: Getty, WASHINGTON —, Democrats, Russia, Republicans, GOP, Democratic Locations: Ukraine

HONG KONG, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, who fled to Canada while free on bail, says she won't return home amid a crackdown that curbed her freedoms, defying a warning from Hong Kong's leader that she would be pursued for life. "In consideration of the political situation in Hong Kong and my personal health, my mental health, my physical health, and the high political risk of not being allowed to leave Hong Kong again, I've decided not to go back." The security law has drawn criticism from Western governments as a tool of repression, but China says it has restored stability after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. "The national security police are not doing their job according to the legal system in Hong Kong," she told Reuters. Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday described Chow as a "liar" and "devoid of integrity".

Persons: Agnes Chow, Hong, Chow, I've, Tyrone Siu, John Lee, Lee, Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, wasn't, James Pomfret, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Hong Kong, HK, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Canada, Toronto, China, Shenzhen, Japan, Hong

☆ Agnes Chow: Hong Kong democracy activist reveals she has moved to Canada and plans to skip bail
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In her Instagram post, Chow said she decided to flee after “considering the situation in Hong Kong, my personal safety, my physical and mental health,” adding that she had faced sustained pressure from authorities. Chow said she received permission from Hong Kong authorities to pursue her master’s degree in Canada, on the condition that she returned to Hong Kong to report to police during school breaks. Chow was among the first pro-democracy leaders to be detained under the law in Hong Kong. In her Instagram post, Chow said she was admitted by a university in Toronto earlier this year. The Hong Kong police statement on Chow confirmed they had returned her passport to allow her to study overseas and prolonged her bail.

Persons: Kong’s, Agnes Chow, ”, . Chow, “, Chow, Chow’s, ’, Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Demosisto, Wong, you’re, ” Chow Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, Police, Critics, The Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Canada, ., Hong, China, Beijing, United Kingdom, The, The Hong Kong, Toronto, Shenzhen

Agnes Chow, 27 - a core member of a now-disbanded group of younger activists including Joshua Wong who helped drive Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement - said in posts on her Instagram account late on Sunday that she had left Hong Kong for studies in Canada. Their group, Demosisto, dissolved hours after Beijing passed a sweeping national security law in 2020. Beijing says the law has brought stability to Hong Kong after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. There was no immediate response from the Hong Kong police. Chow was due to report to Hong Kong's security police later this month but decided not to return out of consideration for her personal safety and wellbeing.

Persons: Agnes Chow, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Joshua Wong, Chow, Jimmy Lai, hadn't, Chow couldn't, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Reuters, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Canada, Beijing, Toronto, Shenzhen, Hong

☆ Think of what happened to Hong Kong when you vote, Taiwan president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen appealed to voters on Sunday to think of what had happened to Chinese-controlled Hong Kong when they cast their ballots next month, saying peace must be backed up with a commitment to boost defences. China and Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), have cast the election as a choice between war and peace. China detests Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its presidential candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, calling them dangerous separatists. "Look at Hong Kong and think of Taiwan. Beijing in 2020 imposed a tough national security law on Hong Kong, which it said was vital to restore stability after the city, a global financial hub, was rocked for months by sometimes violent anti-government and anti-China protests in 2019.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Lai, Tsai, Hou Yu, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, ih, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Taipei, British, Beijing

☆ Exclusive: China lures hundreds of Taiwan politicians with cheap trips before election
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Yimou Lee | Thomson Reuters | Yimou Lee Is A Senior Correspondent For Reuters Covering Everything Taiwan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Across Taiwan security agencies are looking into more than 400 visits to China in the past month, most led by local opinion leaders such as borough chiefs and village heads, a Taiwan security official looking into China's activities told Reuters. He said it was "self-evident" Beijing was trying to sway Taiwan elections through means including free trips for politicians. More than 300 borough chiefs or village heads from populous central Taiwan alone have participated in such trips to China in the past few months, this person said. "Certain borough chiefs have become the window of contacts in Taiwan for some Chinese units." Chinese officials allegedly asked participants to support certain political parties and "oppose Taiwan independence", the prosecutors said in a statement.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Chiu Tai, Hsing Tai, chao, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Beijing, Reuters, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Mainland Affairs Council, Chinese Communist Party, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Shanghai, New Taipei City, Kaohsiung

☆ Louis Vuitton stages dramatic runway show in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Stephy Chung | Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Many of the looks were completed with naval accessories, like raffia bucket hats and Louis Vuitton Keepall 25 bag hand-embrodiered with seashells. Musician Ma Siwei and actor Dylan Wang at the Louis Vuitton Men's fashion show in Hong Kong, China. Louis Vuitton opened its first boutique in Hong Kong in 1979. Many of the looks were completed with naval accessories, like raffia bucket hats and Louis Vuitton Keepall 25 bag hand-embrodiered with seashells. “I definitely knew I wanted Hong Kong to be my second stop after Paris,” he said of his Louis Vuitton show schedule.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Louis Vuitton’s, Pharrell Williams, Pont, Hong, Anson Lo, Song, ”, Williams, ” —, —, Louis Vuitton, Ma Siwei, Dylan Wang, Billy H.C, Kwok, Virgil Abloh, Louise Delmotte, “, Louis Vuitton’s, junkboat, Dior, Louis Vuitton's, Lam Yik, Tyrone Siu, Reuters Louis Vuitton’s, Lorraine Schwartz, it’s, ” Williams, “ You’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hollywood, CNN, Louis, Paris, Vuitton, National Security Law, Hong Kong Tourism Board, ”, Bloomberg, Getty, K11 Group, Stars, Victoria, Reuters, Reuters Louis Vuitton’s womenswear Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Hong, Victoria Harbour, American, Paris, Hawaii, China, Victoria Dockside, Huangpu, Shanghai, South Korea

Owen Chow Ka-shing, one of the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law, arrives at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, in Hong Kong, China November 29, 2021. On the first day of closing submissions, one of the handpicked national security judges, Andrew Chan, said a verdict would "tentatively" come in three to four months, with 10 days set aside for closing submissions. Beijing says the national security law brought stability to the city after monthslong pro-democracy protests in 2019. "Communication with the public is much easier, (it's) easy to manipulate those means in order to endanger national security," he added. Thirty-one of the 47 charged have pleaded guilty - which could qualify them for reduced sentences.

Persons: Owen Chow Ka, Lam, Andrew Chan, Hong, Jonathan Man, Man, Gwyneth Ho, Owen Chow, Gordon Ng, Leung Kwok, Helena Wong, Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Thomson Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, United States, Beijing

Search resuls for: "Security Law"

25 mentions found