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☆ Hong Kong Court Convicts Four for Rioting After 2019 Legislature Storming
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Hundreds of protesters stormed Hong Kong's Legislative Council building on July 1, 2019, after a protest march against a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed authorities to send individuals to mainland China for trial. District Court Judge Li Chi-ho found four people including Ho Chun-yin, actor Gregory Wong, Ng Chi-yung and Lam Kam-kwan guilty of rioting. During the trial, Gregory Wong told the court he entered the legislative council solely to deliver two chargers to reporters who were covering the break-in by protesters. Three Hong Kong police officers met him in Shenzhen and said he had to cooperate or else he would not be able to return to Hong Kong. Hong Kong's district court sets a maximum of seven years in prison for rioting.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Edward Cho HONG, Li Chi, Ho Chun, Gregory Wong, Ng Chi, Lam Kam, kwan, Lam, Wong Ka, Ma Kai, Wong, Althea Suen, Ventus Lau, Owen Chow, Edward Cho, Farah Master, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Legislative, Hong Kong, Hong Kong . Police, University of Hong Locations: Edward Cho HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Legco, Shenzhen, Hong Kong's

☆ 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

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

"Many protesters experienced being part of a civic collective for the first time," said Huang, who fled to Germany in March after narrowly avoiding detention during protests in Shanghai. Reuters was unable to confirm the total number of protesters detained last year, although some were since released. This year, on the weekend anniversary of the protests, there were no demonstrations in Beijing and Shanghai. During last year's Beijing protests, some demonstrators also called for press freedom, democracy and human rights. Some of the protesters that Reuters spoke to, as well as observers, said the events helped raise awareness of how much political power Chinese people actually wielded.

Persons: Huang, Xi, It's, Li, Li Keqiang, I'm, Laurie Chen, Jessie Pang, Casey Hall, Nicoco Chan, Brenda Goh, Tian, Miral Organizations: Reuters, Washington DC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HONG KONG, China, Germany, Shanghai, Beijing, New York, London, Tiananmen, Italy, Guangzhou, Hong Kong

☆ Beijing Bishop Visits Hong Kong Amid Tensions Between China and Vatican
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jessie Pang and Joyce ZhouHONG KONG (Reuters) - China's state-backed Bishop of Beijing visited Hong Kong on Tuesday amid fears among some Catholics that Beijing wants tighter control over religious affairs in Hong Kong. The visit is the first trip by a mainland Chinese bishop since the former British colony was returned to China in 1997 and follows a landmark visit to the Chinese capital by his Hong Kong counterpart in April. Hong Kong has traditionally been seen as a regional Catholic hub on the edge of the Chinese mainland under officially-atheist Communist Party rule. Hong Kong has 600,000 Catholics. Tensions between Beijing and the Vatican over the appointment of bishops saw a confidential pact struck in 2018.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou HONG, Bishop, Pope, Bishop Joseph Li, Li, of Hong Kong Stephen Chow, Chow, Cardinal Joseph Zen, Zen, Tyrone Siu, Joyce Zhou, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral, Hong Kong Liaison Office, Communist Party Locations: Joyce Zhou HONG KONG, Beijing, Hong Kong, China, of Hong Kong, Vatican, China . Hong Kong, Asia

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

[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

☆ 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

☆ Twenty arrested in Hong Kong over false document pension withdrawals amid row over UK passport
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | 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

An evening view of the financial central district of Hong Kong, China October 3, 2023. Hong Kong pension funds have been in the spotlight since the emigration of more than 140,000 Hong Kong people to Britain after 2020 when China imposed a national security law on the former British colony, cracking down on dissent. The authority running the pension scheme then said it would not accept the passport as a valid document for the withdrawal of funds. The agent had allegedly accepted bribes of up to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars per applicant, the ICAC said. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Hong Kongers, Hong Kong, Jessie Pang, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Britain, British National, Overseas, Provident Fund, Hong Kong Watch, Residents, HK, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Britain . Hong Kong, Britain, British, Hong

☆ China urges countries to boycott Hong Kong media freedom event - document
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The flag alley at the United Nations European headquarters is seen during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, September 11, 2023. The event on Wednesday titled 'Media Freedom in Hong Kong' is being held on the sidelines of the five-week meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council. Britain released a report this month saying that Hong Kong authorities have extended the application of a Beijing imposed national security law "beyond genuine national security concerns". China, one of the 47 members of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and seeking re-election next month, has in the past sought to counter criticism of its human rights record. Reporting by Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Greg Torode and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai, China's, Jimmy Lai's, Michelle Bachelet, Emma Farge, Greg Torode, Jessie Pang, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: United Nations, Human Rights, REUTERS, Rights, British, Reuters, Rights Council, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, China, British, Hong Kong, United States, France, Germany, Britain, Beijing, Xinjiang

☆ Head of Hong Kong journalists' group sentenced to jail for obstructing police
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | 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

[1/2] Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) arrives the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts after been charged with obstructing police, in Hong Kong, China September 22, 2022. Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was detained and handcuffed by two plainclothes officers while covering a story after he failed to hand over his personal identity card. The journalist cannot leave Hong Kong and had to surrender his travel documents. The Hong Kong Journalists Association is one of the last major professional groups in Hong Kong advocating fundamental rights and press freedoms, following the enactment in June 2020 of a national security law by Chinese authorities. ($1 = 7.8156 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting By Jessie Pang; writing by Greg Torode; editing by Mark Heinrich and Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ronson Chan, Tyrone Siu, Hong Kong's, Chan, Leung Ka, Leung, Jessie Pang, Greg Torode, Mark Heinrich, Toby Chopra Organizations: Hong Kong Journalists Association, REUTERS, Tyrone, Chan HK, Thomson Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Britain, Beijing

☆ China's Foreign Ministry requests consulates in Hong Kong to give data of local staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | 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

FLIE PHOTO: The Chinese national flag is seen in front of the financial district Central on the Chinese National Day in Hong Kong, China October 1, 2022. In a letter seen by Reuters, The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry wrote that consulates must comply with the request by Oct 18th. The letter was sent to all consulates according to media outlets Hong Kong Free Press and local Ming Pao newspaper. China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong government did not immediately respond to request for comment. Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing and Greg Torode in Hong Kong; writing by Farah Master; editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Liz Lee, Greg Torode, Farah, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Ministry, Reuters, China’s Foreign Ministry, British, Consular, European Union, Hong Kong Free Press, Ming Pao, Foreign Ministry, Hong, US, Thomson Locations: Central, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Beijing, Vienna, British

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

☆ 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

☆ Typhoon Talim forecast to hit southern China late Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Liz Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China Meteorological Administration issued an orange alert, saying the typhoon was expected to increase in intensity to become a severe typhoon by the time it makes landfall at night along the southern coast from Guangdong to Hainan. China has a four-tier colour-coded weather warning system under which orange is the second highest alert. Talim is set to be the fourth typhoon this year but the first to make landfall in China, according to weather predictions. The national forecaster urged authorities in Guangdong and Hainan to be on standby to respond to the typhoon. Chinese national weather forecaster said rainfall in several cities in the southeastern Fujian and eastern Jiangsu provinces reached 200-300mm (7.87-11.81 inches) within three hours early Monday morning.

Persons: Talim, Liz Lee, Jessie Pang, Lincoln, Himani Organizations: China Meteorological Administration, Authorities, Sunday, Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, Meilan, Qionghai Boao, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Guangdong, Hainan, Zhanjiang City, Hong Kong, Guangxi, Xinhua, Zhuhai, Hainan's, Haikou, Qionghai, Fujian, Jiangsu

"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

☆ Hong Kong plans widespread ban of Japanese sea products
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, July 11 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday said the city will ban seafood products from a large number of Japanese prefectures if Tokyo goes ahead with a plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the ocean. Hong Kong is Japan's second-largest market for agricultural and fisheries exports. Hong Kong's current ban on shipments from one prefecture would "definitely" be expanded, said Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at a media briefing. In 2022, Japan exported 75.5 billion yen ($536 million) in fishery products to Hong Kong, according to Japanese government statistics. ($1 = 140.8500 yen)Reporting by Farah Master, Jessie Pang and Twinnie Siu in Hong Kong, and Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: John Lee, Lee, we'll, Hong, Farah Master, Jessie Pang, Twinnie Siu, Kantaro, Tom Hogue Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Hong, Administrative, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Kong, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mainland China, China, Japan, South Korea, Fukushima

[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

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