Global banks ‘scrutinise Hong Kong clients for pro-democracy ties’ July 20, 2020 Global banks are examining whether their clients in Hong Kong have ties to the city’s pro-democracy movement, sources have warned Six people with knowledge of the matter said banks are scrutinising clients in an attempt to avoid getting caught in the crosshairs of China’s new national security law. Bankers at Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S), [...]
UK set to suspend Hong Kong extradition treaty July 20, 2020 The UK will suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong today in a further escalation of its dispute with China over the introduction of a security law in the former colony, British newspapers reported. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab, who on Sunday accused China of “gross” human rights violations, will announce the suspension of the treaty [...]
‘Late’ Hong Kong motion won’t be voted on by City chiefs July 15, 2020 A controversial motion on Hong Kong will not be debated at the City of London’s Court of Common Council meeting tomorrow, but will instead be presented only as a ‘question’ from a member of the Court. The motion would have criticised the imposition of Beijing’s new security law on the territory, as well as welcoming [...]
HSBC to invest further in China amid row over support for Hong Kong law July 3, 2020 HSBC has announced plans to make new investments in its wealth management and insurance operations in mainland China, after coming under fire for backing the controversial new security law in Hong Kong. The UK-based lender has been criticised by investors and politicians over its support for the new National Security Law in Hong Kong, which [...]
Hong Kong man charged with terrorism in first use of new security law July 3, 2020 A man carrying a sign reading “Liberate Hong Kong” as he drove a motorbike into police at a protest has become the first person charged with inciting separatism and terrorism under a new security law. Beijing imposed the legislation on the former British colony earlier this week despite protests from Hong Kongers and Western nations, [...]
‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’ slogan deemed illegal July 3, 2020 The popular protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” has been deemed illegal by the city’s government. Hong Kong has said the slogan is separatist, becoming a crime covered under the new national security law imposed by Beijing. The saying is plastered over placards at rallies, clothes and accessories and written on post-it [...]
China’s new Hong Kong law ‘a betrayal’, says US Vice President Pence July 2, 2020 US Vice President Mike Pence has described China’s new national security law covering Hong Kong as a betrayal of an international agreement. Politicians in the US and UK have condemned the legislation, which was introduced earlier this week, as an attempt by Beijing to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong. “The national security law [...]
China tells UK to stop ‘interfering’ in Hong Kong’s affairs July 2, 2020 China has urged the UK to stop “interfering” in Hong Kong’s affairs, warning that there would be consequences if the British government offers almost 3m citizens visas and a path to citizenship. The Chinese embassy in London said today that it “firmly opposes” Britain’s offer for Hong Kong citizens with British National Overseas passports to [...]
Don’t sacrifice Hong Kong for bankers’ bonuses, Raab tells HSBC July 1, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab today criticised HSBC and other British banks for supporting China’s controversial new security law in Hong Kong, saying the rights of its citizens should not be sacrificed for bankers’ bonuses. HSBC and fellow Asia-focused lender Standard Chartered have come under fire from politicians in the UK and US after the banks [...]
China passes national security law in turning point for Hong Kong June 30, 2020 China’s parliament passed national security legislation for Hong Kong today, setting the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony’s way of life since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago. State media is expected to publish details of the law later today. It comes in response to last year’s often-violent [...]