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☆ Analysis-As China's Xi Summons 'New Productive Forces', Old Questions Linger for Economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By James Pomfret, Kevin Yao and Ellen ZhangHONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Facing its deepest economic challenges in years, China's leadership has tasked ministries and local governments with implementing a new mantra from President Xi Jinping: unleash "new productive forces". Beijing hopes the “new productive forces” campaign will strengthen China at a time when geopolitical pressures including steps by the United States to “decouple” or “de-risk” have curtailed access to foreign technology. "To support innovation, we should give people more freedom to think and talk, because many innovations result from the collision of ideas. The new mantra was also taken up by China's state planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission. Its annual report on Tuesday pledged support for industries including satellite internet applications, China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and research into nuclear fusion.

Persons: James Pomfret, Kevin Yao, Ellen Zhang HONG, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Xi’s, Xi, Tianchen Xu, Li, Steve Tsang, Ellen Zhang, Nick Macfie Organizations: Communist Party, Party, Reuters, Economist Intelligence Unit, SOAS China Institute, National Development, Reform Commission Locations: Ellen Zhang HONG KONG, BEIJING, China, China’s, Beijing, United States, London, Pearl

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, 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

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

☆ China's not-so-special economic zone embodies a harsh new reality
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( David Kirton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

REUTERS/David Kirton Acquire Licensing RightsSHENZHEN, China, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Tony Xiong is among the latest arrivals to the glitzy office towers in the newest part of Shenzhen, built to showcase China's economic miracle. Office workers are not the only ones grumbling about the unattractiveness of Qianhai, a special economic zone where Chinese dreams of global financial might and economic prosperity that once seemed inevitable are now darkened by half-empty skyscrapers and shopping malls as well as barely used motorways. And that's before China's tallest skyscraper of over 1,000 metres and a cluster of other towers are completed. With China entering a new era of sluggish growth, Qianhai may never reach the international status to which it aspires. The Qianhai Authority and China's State Council Information Office did not respond to Reuters requests for comment on the local and macro economic challenges.

Persons: David Kirton, Tony Xiong, Qianhai, Knight Frank, Antonio Fatas, Deng Xiaoping's, Xi Jinping, Xi, Zhiwu Chen, incentivised, Witman Hung, I've, Brian Miller, Klaus Zenkel, it's, Bill Deng, Zhang, James Pomfret, Marius Zaharia, David Crawshaw Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Authority, Communist Party, University of Hong, Qianhai Authority, HSBC, UBS, Standard Chartered, Chamber of Commerce, Greater, Thomson Locations: Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, Rights SHENZHEN, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, China's, Qianhai, University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Hengqin, Macau, Nansha, South China, Greater Bay Area, . Hong Kong

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

[1/2] Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his annual policy address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China October 25, 2023. Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong's economy, which contracted 3.5 percent last year, would "resume growth this year" as inbound tourism and consumption improved, and unemployment fell. Hong Kong's economy grew 2.2% in the first half of the year, and is expected to grow four percent this year. "External forces continue to meddle in Hong Kong affairs," he said, without giving specifics or naming any country. Some Western governments have criticised the ongoing national security clamp down, which has led to the imprisonment of many opposition democrats and closure of liberal media outlets.

Persons: John Lee, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Lee, Hong Kong's, Clare Jim, Twinnie Siu, Jessie Pang, Donny Kwok, James Pomfret, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Hong, Legislative, REUTERS, Tyrone, U.S, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Hong

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. "If the United States can effectively rally the world, it’s bad for them. SUPPORT FOR PALESTINEWhile the strategies of Russia and China in the Middle East are not fully aligned they have much in common. Russia said on Thursday it was coordinating Middle East policy with China. The United States has been trying, with limited success, to persuade the global south to rally behind Ukraine.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sergei Guneev, Israel, Wang Yi, Putin, Xi, Jon Alterman, Bashar al, Assad, Jean, Loup Samaan, Carice Witte, Alterman, Ma Xiaolin, Ma, James Pomfret, Guy Faulconbridge, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Forum, Sputnik, Rights, Initiative, Palestinian, Middle, Center for Strategic, International Studies, PALESTINE, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, United, Ukraine, Israel, Zhejiang International Studies University, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, WASHINGTON, Gaza, Russia, Moscow, United States, Israel, States, East, Africa, Latin America, Asia, Palestine, Washington, U.S, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong

☆ Hong Kong court rules that gay couples get equal housing rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aerial view of residential housing seen through the window of an airplane in Hong Kong, China October 24, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Tuesday dismissed a government bid to deny same-sex married couples the right to rent and own public housing saying that it was "discriminatory in nature" and a complete denial of such couples' rights. The ruling by Hong Kong's Court of Appeal is the latest in a series of legal breakthroughs for gay rights advocates in the global financial hub this year. A Hong Kong court in September sided with a married lesbian couple who argued that both women should have parental status over their child born via reciprocal IVF. Activists in other parts of Asia are watching Hong Kong's courts in the hope that their rulings could influence campaigns for reform elsewhere.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Hong, Jeremy Poon, Aarif Barma, Thomas Au, Henry Li, Kong's, Jessie Pang, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Facebook ., Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Hong Kong's, Canada, Britain, Asia

[1/2] Performers dance to welcome Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. The conciliatory approach towards rivals as well as China's partners in the developing world comes as President Xi Jinping gets to grips with the most significant domestic economic problems seen in years. China has not changed its tone on every issue. It has not backed away from escalating maritime confrontation with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Stabilizing the U.S. relationship, including with a meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden at an upcoming Asia- Pacific summit, could give China breathing room.

Persons: Vo Van Thuong, Parker, Biden, Xi Jinping, Noah Barkin, Barkin, Cheng Lei, Xi, Chuck Schumer, Willy Lam, Huiyao Wang, Qin Gang, Li Shangfu, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Zack Cooper, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Beijing Capital International, Forum, U.S, Initiative, Jamestown Foundation, for, Marshall, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, San Francisco China, HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, Sri Lanka, United States, Asia, Europe, Australia, U.S, Zambia, Philippines, South China, Africa, for China

Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, said the country would continue to play a constructive role in handling global "hotspot issues". But after the killings of more than 900 Israelis in coordinated assaults by the Islamic group Hamas, China's response was muted. China is willing to maintain communication with all parties and make unremitting efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East," Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Tuesday. "The achievement of peace in the Middle East region and the just settlement of the question of Palestine are inseparable." "China is very successful in a stable environment in the Middle East when it's possible to broker reconciliation agreements between Saudi Arabia and Iran," said Jean-Loup Samaan, Senior Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore.

Persons: Washington . Wang Yi, Xi Jinping, Bill Figueroa, Wang Wenbin, COVID lockdowns, Xi, Steve Tsang, Zhai Jun, Liu Zhongmin, Yun Sun, Tuvia Gering, Jean, Loup Samaan, Samaan, Michael Martina, Don Durfee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Hamas, University of Groningen, Palestinian, Western, SOAS China Institute, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Arab League, EU, Palestine, United Nations, Abraham Accords, Institute for Middle East Studies of Shanghai International Studies University, China Program, Stimson, Institute for National Security Studies, Initiative, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Thomson Locations: China, Middle East HONG KONG, BEIJING, SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Saudi, Washington, Palestine, Netherlands, United States, PALESTINE, China's, Beijing, Russia, Ukraine, London, U.S

Participants march with a banner with rainbow colours during the annual pride parade in Hong Kong, China, November 7, 2015. "Hong Kong has a real opportunity to take the lead here and give a clear message," said Gigi Chao, the vice chair of listed Hong Kong property firm Cheuk Nang Holdings and a prominent gay rights advocate in Asia. "WAKE UP"Business groups in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan have become increasingly vocal in making the case that Asia's leading economies must do more to encourage diversity. A poll this year by Kyodo news agency of just over 1,500 people showed that nearly 70 percent supported same-sex marriage. While corporates rarely lobby Asian governments directly on LGBTQ rights, activists say they show their support through sponsorship of LGBTQ events and Pride-themed marketing.

Persons: Bobby Yip, Janet Ledger, Jimmy Sham, Asia's, Gigi Chao, Chao, Kida, Kiyong Shim, Dyson, Nomura, Kathy Teo, Singapore's, they're, Teo, Revolut, Jessie Pang, Justin Fung, Xinghui, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Kong's, Community Business, Gay Games, Nang Holdings, Reuters, American Chamber of Commerce, Fortune, Kyodo, Liberal Democratic Party, EY, FINANCE, Rights Watch, Gallup, WeWork, Standard Chartered Bank ., Google, IBM, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, TOKYO, Tokyo, Singapore, Asia, Taiwan, Nepal, India, South Korea, York, Japan, EY Japan, Korea, Seoul, Standard Chartered Bank . Singapore, Xinghui Kok

☆ China fines Mintz $1.5 mln for 'unapproved' work, after raiding its Beijing office
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. corporate due diligence firm Mintz Group's office is seen in Hong Kong, China, May 18, 2023. REUTERS/James Pomfret/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 22 (Reuters) - China fined U.S. firm Mintz Group about $1.5 million for doing "unapproved statistical work", said a Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics notice, after a raid of its Beijing office sparked worries about China's openness to foreign investment. In a further notice on its website dated July 14, the bureau said Mintz conducted 37 such investigations from March 2019 to July 2022. The firm has previously said it is licensed to conduct legitimate business in China and that it has always operated lawfully. Chinese authorities raided Mintz's Beijing office in March and detained all five local staff, in what turned out to be the beginning of a sweeping crackdown on consultancy and due diligence firms, including Bain & Company's office in Shanghai and Capvision Partners.

Persons: Mintz, James Pomfret, Xi Jinping, Yew Lun Tian, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, China, U.S, Mintz Group, Beijing Municipal Bureau, Beijing's, Statistics, Wall Street Journal, Bain, Capvision Partners, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Taiwan details China drills, VP says election not China's to call
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai waves at Taoyuan International Airport following his trip to the United States and Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 18, 2023. "My position is that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China. China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", but it has refused. LOWER-KEY DRILLSChina's Saturday drills were much more low-key than two rounds of war games around Taiwan last August and again in April this year. Taiwan's military also released pictures of one of its fighter jets taking off and a pilot checking a missile underneath an aircraft.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Su, It's, That's, Taiwan's, Alexander Neill, Neill, lambasting Lai, Tian Dan, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, James Pomfret, William Mallard, Kim Coghill, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Democratic Progressive Party, APEC, Hawaii's, Eastern Theatre Command, Sunday, Taiwan, State Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, New York, People's Republic of China, San Francisco, Singapore, U.S, Hong Kong

☆ Coco Lee fans bid farewell to pop diva at her funeral in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, July 31 (Reuters) - Fans, friends and family of the late Hong Kong-born, American singer and song-writer Coco Lee gathered for her funeral in Hong Kong on Monday, paying respects to the star who died at the age of 48 after a career spanning three decades. Lee was born in Hong Kong in 1975 and was the youngest of three children of a Hong Kong mother and Malaysian father. While she moved to San Francisco in her childhood, she was offered a recording contract in Hong Kong with Capital Artists after high school, prompting her to move back to her home city. In 1996, Lee signed with Sony Music Entertainment and her debut album, "Coco Lee", became the best-selling album of that year in Asia. In 2011, Lee married Bruce Rockowitz, a Canadian businessman who is the former CEO of the Hong Kong supply chain company Li & Fung.

Persons: Coco Lee, Lee, Angie Zhang, CoCo Lee, Coco, Carol, Nancy, Mulan, Oscar, Jackie Chan, Lee Xin's, Bruce Rockowitz, Fung, James Pomfret, Himani Sarkar, Christina Fincher Organizations: Queen Mary Hospital, Capital Artists, Sony Music Entertainment, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, American, Shanghai, Malaysian, China, Taiwan, San Francisco, Asia, Canadian

HONG KONG, July 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong national security police on Thursday questioned the brother of exiled former lawmaker Dennis Kwok, media reported, weeks after police issued an arrest warrant and a HK$1 million bounty for the pro-democracy politician. Police on July 3 issued arrest warrants for eight overseas-based activists for national security offences, including foreign collusion and incitement to secession, and posted bounties for information leading to their arrest. Among the eight is Dennis Kwok, a former pro-democracy member of Hong Kong's legislature now based in the United States. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula meant to guarantee its freedoms for 50 years. In 2020, after months of protests, China imposed a national security law on the financial hub criminalising offences like subversion with up to life imprisonment.

Persons: Dennis Kwok, Michael Kwok, Hong Kong, Christopher Mung, Nathan Law, Jessie Pang, Tyrone Siu, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: police, HK, Police, United States . Media, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, British, Hong Kong's, United States, Kowloon, Hong, Beijing, China

HONG KONG, July 20 (Reuters) - Fans from Hong Kong and around the world gathered at the feet of a Bruce Lee statue on Thursday to pay tribute to the late kung fu legend on the 50th anniversary of his untimely death. Those who traveled to Hong Kong for the anniversary included people from mainland China, Asia and Europe. "I have loved Bruce Lee since I was very young," said Bruce Shin from South Korea who sported a brush cut and large framed sunglasses, imitating Lee. HKTB2016 REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File PhotoLee's contributions to martial arts and popular culture have inspired legions of global fans. said Wong Yiu-keung, the chairman of the local Bruce Lee Club.

Persons: Bruce Lee, Hong, Lee, Bruce Shin, Shin, Mei Zhiyong, HKTB2016, Tyrone Siu, Chun, Kung Fu, Ip, Wong Yiu, Bruce Lee Club, Sophie Uekawa, James Pomfret, Emma Rumney Organizations: Harbour, South Korea, HKTB2016 REUTERS, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Asia, Europe, South, San Francisco, British, Japan

HONG KONG, July 19 (Reuters) - China's appointment of a top intelligence official to run Hong Kong's national security regime underscores its determination to tighten its grip on the financial hub, according to diplomats and analysts. Dong will bolster security oversight of Hong Kong, rocked for months in 2019 by pro-democracy protests that posed a crisis for Beijing's Communist Party leadership. Under the security law, China's national security office has sweeping investigative and surveillance powers, and enjoys immunity from city laws. Dong's appointment comes as Hong Kong prepares to bolster its national security regimen with a new law, called Article 23, that Hong Kong officials say will encompass espionage and treason among other offences not covered in the 2020 legislation. Additional reporting by Hong Kong newsroom and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dong Jingwei, Dong, Xi Jinping's, Tian, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hong, Beijing's Communist Party, Ministry of State Security, U.S, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, British, Beijing, Hong Kong, China, United States, Britain, Australia

"With on-the-ground movements in Hong Kong disappearing or silenced, it's really up to us to narrate the story of Hong Kong," said Kwok. "Hong Kong is not just about human rights abuses, Hong Kong is also about authoritarian expansion waged by the Chinese government." Since the 2020 imposition of the national security law, most of the democratic opposition has been jailed or exiled. Hong Kong authorities say the security law has brought stability, and that the eight "absconders" including Kwok, by asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong amongst other activities, continue to endanger national security. Besides lobbying work, and building alliances with activists, NGOs and the overseas Hong Kong diaspora in the U.S. capital, Kwok's group, The Hong Kong Democracy Council, also conducts research including a database on over 1,500 "political prisoners" in Hong Kong.

Persons: Anna Kwok, Kwok, I'm, Evelyn Hockstein, Hong Kong, it's, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: HK, Washington D.C, Hong, Hong Kong, Reuters, REUTERS, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Thomson Locations: Washington, Hong Kong, United States, China, Australia, Britain, U.S, Washington , DC, Hong, British, Beijing

She said she would continue lobbying congressmen and U.S. officials on Hong Kong issues despite fears for her personal safety given the sizeable bounty on her head. "With on-the-ground movements in Hong Kong disappearing or silenced, it's really up to us to narrate the story of Hong Kong," said Kwok. "Hong Kong is not just about human rights abuses, Hong Kong is also about authoritarian expansion waged by the Chinese government." Hong Kong authorities say the security law has brought stability, and that the eight "absconders" including Kwok, by asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong amongst other activities, continue to endanger national security. Besides lobbying work, and building alliances with activists, NGOs and the overseas Hong Kong diaspora in the U.S. capital, Kwok's group, The Hong Kong Democracy Council, also conducts research including a database on over 1,500 "political prisoners" in Hong Kong.

Persons: Anna Kwok, Evelyn Hockstein, Kwok, I'm, Hong Kong, it's, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Washington D.C, Hong, Hong Kong, Reuters, REUTERS, HK, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Thomson Locations: Washington, Hong Kong, Washington , DC, United States, China, Australia, Britain, U.S, Hong, British, Beijing

Local media, citing unnamed sources, said Law's relatives were taken away from their homes in Hong Kong for questioning, then released. Law is among eight overseas-based activists who were issued with arrest warrants last week by the Hong Kong police for alleged offences under a national security law that China imposed in Hong Kong in 2020. "It is sinister that the Hong Kong authorities questioned the family members of Nathan Law," said Mark Sabah, with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. Demosisto was founded by Law and other activists, but disbanded after the enactment of the national security law. Additional reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Christina Fincher and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nathan Law, Bobby Yip, Nathan Law's, Law, Mark Sabah, Hong, John Lee, Demosisto, Christina Fincher, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, police, Hong Kong, HK, Hong, Freedom, Hong Kong Foundation, Law, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Lantau, Beijing, Britain, United States

[1/2] Legislators vote for the third reading of the District Councils (Amendment) Bill, which pertains to electoral overhaul, at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China July 6, 2023. Under the amendment bill, only 88 seats would be directly elected by the public, down from 452 seats in an election that saw a landslide victory by the democracy camp in 2019. For the remaining seats not contested, 40 percent would be appointed by the city leader and 27 ex-officio seats would remain. China had promised universal suffrage as an ultimate goal for Hong Kong in its mini-constitution, the Basic Law. Pro-democracy politicians won 388 out of 452 district council seats during the last district council election in 2019, taking almost ninety percent of the seats and humiliating the pro-Beijing camp.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Lemon Wong, Wong, John Lee, Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou, James Pomfret, Michael Perry Organizations: Legislative, REUTERS, Hong Kong's, Civic Party, Tuen Mun District Council, Reuters, Hong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Tyrone Siu HONG KONG, Hong, Tuen Mun, Beijing

☆ Lawyer wanted by Hong Kong says he was exercising his rights in Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Hong Kong police and security bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hong Kong says 260 people have been arrested under the law, 79 of them convicted for offences including subversion and terrorism. China and Hong Kong say it was necessary to restore stability in the financial hub. Yam said he started speaking out about the rule of law in Hong Kong and the crackdown because his friends were in jail. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Additional reporting by James Pomfret and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Yam, Yam, Mao Ning, Anthony Albanese, Hong, Ted Hui, Richard McGregor, Kirsty Needham, James Pomfret, Jessie Pang, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Hong, HK, Hong Kong, of Australia, Law Society of Hong, Lowy Institute, Thomson Locations: Australian, Hong Kong, Hong, Australia, China, Beijing, British, Law Society of Hong Kong, Sydney

HONG KONG, July 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong national security police on Wednesday arrested four men it accused of supporting overseas dissidents and of advocating for independence from China, two days after issuing warrants and bounties against several foreign-based activists. Local media, citing unnamed sources, connected the arrested men to an online platform known as "Punish Mee" that was allegedly used to provide financial aid to the eight wanted overseas activists. Two sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters Lam was among the four arrested men mentioned in the police statement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday it was "unacceptable" that Hong Kong has put bounties on two Australian residents. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that the eight would be "pursued for life".

Persons: Mee, Ivan Lam, Reuters Lam, Demosisto, Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Anthony Albanese, John Lee, Jessie Pang, Tyrone Siu, James Pomfret, Frank Jack Daniel, Toby Chopra Organizations: police, National Security Department, Hong Kong Police, Local, National Security Law, Central Authorities, Government, Hong, Administrative, Reuters, Kwai, Police, HK, Australian, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hong, Kwai Chung District, United States, Britain, Australia

HONG KONG, July 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said on Tuesday eight overseas-based Hong Kong activists who were issued with arrest warrants for alleged national security offences, would be "pursued for life". Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for the eight overseas-based activists on Monday, accusing them of national security offences, including foreign collusion and incitement to secession, and offered rewards for information leading to their arrest. They are wanted under a national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020. Both these countries have criticised the national security law for being used to suppress Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities say the law has restored the stability necessary for preserving Hong Kong's economic success.

Persons: John Lee, Lee, Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, Finn Lau, Dennis Kwok, Ted Hui, Kevin Yam, Mung Siu, Yuan Gong, James, Hong Kong's, Hong, James Pomfret, Donny Kwok, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Hong Kong, HK, U.S . State Department, Hong, Inter, Parliamentary Alliance, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Hong, United States, Britain, Australia, Beijing, China

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