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HONG KONG, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Hong Kong is under pressure to rein in spending when it unveils its annual budget on Wednesday, after racking up huge fiscal deficits during the COVID-19 pandemic and as it struggles to kick-start the economy and regain its financial lustre. "However, as our economy stabilises, we have to make adjustments to our fiscal measures accordingly." That compares with a shortfall of HK$56.3 billion or 1.9% of GDP, projected by the government in its budget last year. Hong Kong hewed closely to China's zero-COVID policies -- imposing some of the world's toughest measures including lengthy quarantines for inbound travellers and social distancing rules that hurt the tourism, retail and catering sectors. ($1 = 7.8306 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Jessie Pang and Donny Kwok; Writing by James Pomfret; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

HONG KONG, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Sixteen Hong Kong pro-democracy figures face trial on Monday, more than two years after their arrest, in what some observers say is a landmark case for the city's judicial independence under a national security law imposed by Beijing. Thirteen of those arrested were granted bail in 2021, while the other 34 - including 10 who pleaded not guilty - have been in pre-trial custody on national security grounds. Western governments have criticised the 2020 national security law as a tool to crush dissent in the former British colony. The 31 who pleaded guilty, including former law professor Benny Tai and activist Joshua Wong, will be sentenced after the trial. The case will be heard by three High Court judges designated under the national security law: Andrew Chan, Alex Lee and Johnny Chan.

☆ Lawyers exit Hong Kong as they face campaign of intimidation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +18 min

The event that precipitated his hasty departure, Vidler said, was the appearance of articles in the state-backed media in Hong Kong about him. “This was in my view state-sponsored intimidation and harassment,” said Vidler, whose wife and children later left Hong Kong. One Hong Kong solicitor who has relocated to England told Reuters that she knew of at least 80 Hong Kong lawyers who had moved to Britain since the security law was imposed in June 2020. Another lawyer, now living in Australia, estimated that several dozen Hong Kong lawyers had moved there. Mainland officials have long sought influence over these two influential bodies, according to senior Hong Kong lawyers.

The Special Technology Centre did not respond to a written request for comment. Russia's Ministry of Defence did not respond to questions from Reuters about the impact of sanctions and its relationship to the Special Technology Centre. Reached by phone, Alexey Terentyev, a top scientist and major shareholder at the Special Technology Centre, said the war has forced it to focus on making drones. Those corporate records show iLogic is based at the same St Petersburg office address as the Special Technology Centre. In a brief telephone interview, Roman Agafonnikov, chief executive officer of the Special Technology Centre, said he didn't know anything about iLogic.

HONG KONG, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Google has refused to change its search results to display China's national anthem, rather than a protest song, when users search for Hong Kong's national anthem, the city's security chief said on Monday, expressing "great regret" at the decision. The row comes after Hong Kong police said they would investigate the playing of "Glory to Hong Kong" - the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy protests, at the men's final of a sevens rugby tournament in South Korea in November. The top search term on Google for Hong Kong's anthem is "Glory to Hong Kong". "We've approached Google to request that they put the correct national anthem at the top of their search results, but unfortunately Google refused." "We felt great regret and this has hurt the feelings of Hong Kong people," Tang added.

[1/2] Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, leaves the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong, China February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Saturday to five years and nine months in prison for fraud, convicted of violating a lease contract for the headquarters of a liberal newspaper he used to run. Lai's lawyer, Derek Chan, had urged the judge to consider Lai's age and contributions to Hong Kong's media industry. A separate, landmark national security trial involving Lai is scheduled to resume on Tuesday. ($1 = 7.7854 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Jessie Pang and James Pomfret; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ In China's Wuhan, a shadow of reserve and resentment even as COVID lockdowns ease
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Martin Quin Pollard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"We know the country is reopening but we ourselves haven't let down our guard," said one Wuhan cornershop owner. "This has never happened before, not even at the start of the outbreak in 2020," said one Wuhan pharmacist surnamed Liu. Health authorities in Wuhan reported 229 new COVID cases on Thursday, while health authorities in Beijing reported more than 16,000 cases nationwide on the same day. REUTERS/Martin Pollard 1 2 3 4By November, as frustration towards the zero-COVID policies mounted, some Wuhan residents like Sam Yuen, a teacher, joined protests demanding an end to the lockdowns, alongside thousands of others in cities across China. City authorities put the official death toll at 3,869 in April 2020.

Feeling defiant, I told him, I will let the world know what you police are doing," said Pei, 27. He asked to be identified only by part of his name for fear of repercussions. China's Ministry of Public Security did not respond to a request for comment on the laws they might use against protesters. Zhang Dongshuo, a Beijing-based lawyer who has handled rights cases in the past, said the levels of punishment for protesting in China vary widely. "They just sprang up organically because people were driven by a sense of hopelessness and desperation about the never-ending COVID restrictions," Wu said.

☆ 'Don't yell that': fears compete with calls for 'freedom' at China protests
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Martin Quin Pollard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Don't get people too riled up ... we didn't say anybody should step down," one lead protester told the crowd through a megaphone. Many people in the Sunday night crowd in Beijing shouted: "Return freedom to the people, end the lockdowns." But that worried some in the crowd, according to a Reuters witness. 'BRIDGE MAN'Public criticism of Xi or the Communist Party is exceedingly rare. "The average Chinese person knows it's extremely dangerous to question the rule of the Communist Party or Xi Jinping by name in any public context," said Delury.

"Things reached a tipping point, we had to come out," Yang, 32, who declined to be identified by her full name given fear of reprisals, told Reuters. Authorities have denied the deaths in the fire were linked to lockdown measures that blocked the victims' escape. "I'm very proud that I can stand up with the best young people in China and speak out for everyone," said Cheng. She and other young protesters are tech savvy, with many communicating over Telegram in amorphous, anonymous and decentralised acts of defiance, with echoes of Hong Kong's leaderless pro-democracy protests in 2019. But it's better than facing the reality day by day and then not being able to do anything, and then you feel sorry for yourself."

☆ Factbox: A chronology of dissent in China in recent decades
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( James Pomfret | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The following is a timeline of some other notable protests, and public dissent against China's ruling Communist Party. 2009 - Xinjiang - In the region's worst ethnic unrest in decades, ethnic Uighurs attacked majority Han Chinese in the capital Urumqi, after an incident involving Uighur workers in a factory in southern China. China later builds massive "facilities" to turn Xinjiang into what a United Nations panel described as a "massive internment camp shrouded in secrecy". China later imposes a powerful national security law, arresting scores of democrats and shutting down civil society groups and liberal media outlets, including the Apple Daily newspaper. 2022 - Henan bank protests - Public protests simmer as thousands lose access to their savings in a banking fraud scandal centred on rural lenders in Henan and Anhui provinces.

[1/4] Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his first annual policy address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China October 19, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Tuesday the central government in Beijing was "highly concerned" about the issue of foreign lawyers appearing in national security cases, with a landmark legal interpretation on the matter by Beijing expected soon. Lee said Hong Kong authorities are seeking a delay to the start of the trial. "It is a grim moment," said one veteran Hong Kong criminal lawyer. Hong Kong officials, including Lee, have said repeatedly that Hong Kong is strongly committed to the rule of law, and its independent judicial power is constitutionally protected.

But Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal (CFA) on Monday gave a final ruling on the matter, rejecting the government's application to impose a "blanket ban" on foreign lawyers working on national security cases, bar exceptional circumstances. Lai is one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership including Xi Jinping, and Hong Kong's Department of Justice made repeated attempts to block Owen from representing him. SWEEPING NATIONAL SECURITY LAWLee also said there was no means of ensuring a foreign lawyer would not divulge state secrets that might emerge during a national security trial. Beijing imposed the sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020 after sometimes-violent protests rocked the city for months the year before. Beijing's power of ultimate legal interpretation is outlined in the Basic Law, the mini-constitution that grants extensive Hong Kong autonomy and freedoms.

☆ China's protests over lockdowns spread to campuses and communities abroad
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Jessie Pang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Dozens of people attended most of the protests with a few drawing more than 100, the tally showed. The protests on the mainland were triggered by a deadly fire in China's Xinjiang region last week that killed 10 people who became trapped in their apartments, in a disaster blamed in part on lockdown measures. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a regular briefing on Monday that China was not aware of any protests abroad calling for an end to the zero-COVID policy. State media and government spokespeople have not made any official comment on the protests in China. "At the core of it is China's system,” said the student, who asked to be identified as just Emmanuel.

☆ China's lockdown protests spread to campuses and cities abroad
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Jessie Pang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Expatriate dissidents and students staged small-scale vigils and protests in cities around the world including London, Paris, Tokyo and Sydney, according to a Reuters tally. In most cases, dozens of people attended the protests, though a few drew more than 100, the tally showed. The protests on the mainland were triggered by a fire in China's Xinjiang region last week that killed 10 people who were trapped in their apartments. On Monday evening, dozens of protesters gathered in Hong Kong's Central business district, the scene of sometimes-violent anti-government demonstrations in 2019. BLAME, SLOGANSIt has been common in recent years for overseas Chinese students to rally in support of their government against its critics, but anti-government protests have been rare.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his first annual policy address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China October 19, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee said in his inaugural policy address on Wednesday that he wanted to bolster the city's competitiveness and attract more overseas talent, including graduates from top global universities. Lee, a former career policeman with limited financial expertise, also stressed in his speech that further safeguarding the city's national security would remain a priority, with more national security laws currently being explored. "Apart from actively nurturing and retaining local talents, the government will proactively trawl the world for talents," Lee said in his speech to local lawmakers. ($1 = 7.8499 Hong Kong dollars)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Pomfret, Clare Jim and Donny Kwok; Writing by James Pomfret; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee will on Wednesday deliver his inaugural policy address that is expected to focus on reviving the city's credentials as an international business hub and on housing after extended COVID lockdowns and political upheaval. "We are now embarking on a new chapter for further prosperity and this is a new phase for Hong Kong," Lee said. "Hong Kong has emerged from chaos to order, and now we're moving from order to prosperity," added Lee, referring to pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. Beijing responded to the protests with a sweeping national security law in 2020, prompting an exodus of Hong Kong residents to countries including Britain, that offered "lifeboat" citizenship schemes in response to the law. On the issue of housing, Lee has vowed to be "pragmatic" in increasing land and housing supply.

☆ UK should deal with assault of Hong Kong protester in line with local laws -HK leader
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Tuesday the case of a Hong Kong protester being assaulted inside the grounds of the Chinese consulate in the British city of Manchester should be dealt with in accordance with local laws. Speaking to reporters, Lee added that he trusted the case would be dealt with by the British government in accordance with the Vienna Convention, an international diplomatic agreement. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"People need space, but there's so much noise in the city," added the 36-year-old devotee of Buddhism and Zen. "These social events are important catalysts," said Ng Mee-kam, a professor of urban studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "He was quite amazed and asked me whether we young people can really survive on dreams," added Yu, whose workshop, tucked behind a bed in his studio flat, is about 100 sq. "My dream is just a wall away from me," added Yu, who works freelance in corporate communications and sometimes goes kayaking with Chan, a good friend. "After moving to Peng Chau, I realised I don't need to emigrate anymore," Chan said.

Oct 17 (Reuters) - Police in the British city of Manchester are investigating an incident involving a protester who appeared to have been pulled inside the grounds of the Chinese consulate and beaten, after a demonstration against Chinese President Xi Jinping. Police on the scene eventually stepped through the gate and pulled the man out. "Greater Manchester Police are aware of an incident that took place at around 3pm on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester," a police spokesperson told Reuters in a written response. There was no immediate reply to Reuters requests for comment from the Chinese consulate in Manchester and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. The man who was beaten, who Leung said is known by the first name, Bob, had cuts to his face afterwards, Leung said.

The 465-foot superyacht "Nord", owned by the sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov is seen docked, in Hong Kong, China October 7, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Tuesday there was "no legal basis" for the city to act on Western sanctions, when asked about a Russian yacht berthed in the financial centre that belongs to a sanctioned Russian oligarch. Hong Kong authorities were criticised by the U.S. State Department for allowing a luxury yacht belonging to sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov to dock in Hong Kong waters last week. Instead, Lee said Hong Kong would only abide by United Nations sanctions. Officials in Hong Kong do what is right to protect the interests of the country and the interests of Hong Kong.

☆ Long picked for promotion, Xi loyalist Chen may get his chance
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( James Pomfret | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Chen, party boss of the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, is regarded as a steady technocrat and has often espoused Xi's ideologies and policies in public. A native of Zhejiang province in eastern China, Chen spent close to three decades there before being promoted to deputy party secretary in Guizhou province in 2012. In 2017, Chen was parachuted into the more politically challenging position of Chongqing party chief, a clean-up task after the sudden dismissal of Sun Zhengcai in a corruption scandal. Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang, another contender for promotion, was also in the group. In Zhejiang, Chen worked as chief editor of the party's main local media organ, the Zhejiang Daily, rising to become propaganda chief for the province.

☆ China's 'liberal' Wang Yang seen as possible premier as reshuffle looms
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( James Pomfret | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

During his time in Guangdong, which borders Hong Kong, Wang made his mark by pushing an upgrade of rusting industries and touting socially inclusive policies. Wang was passed over for promotion to the Politburo Standing Committee in 2012, but as vice premier he helped oversee China's external economic relations including with the United States. YOUTH LEAGUELike Li Keqiang and Vice Premier Hu Chunhua - another premiership contender - Wang has ties to the Communist Youth League, a faction seen to be a rival to Xi's. In recent years under Xi, Wang has seemingly tempered his reformist tendencies, echoing the party's tough line on sensitive political issues including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet, while expressing support for Xi. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Tony Munroe and Lincoln Feast.

☆ Self-exiled Hong Kong democrat sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail in absentia
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A court in Hong Kong on Thursday sentenced a pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker, Ted Hui, to 3 1/2 years in jail for "criminal contempt" after he failed to show up for trial in several criminal cases. Hui, 40, fled Hong Kong in December 2020, several months after China imposed a sweeping national security law punishing offences like subversion and foreign collusion with possible life imprisonment. "After the National Security Law came into effect in Hong Kong, the courts in Hong Kong have been reduced to become courts of the (Chinese) Communist Party. Political trials, and sentencing against dissent has become the norm in Hong Kong," Hui wrote. Hong Kong and Chinese authorities say the national security law has restored stability to Hong Kong after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019, and that the judiciary remains independent.

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