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 [...]
Hong Kong: Protests continue after thousands attend Tiananmen vigil June 5, 2020 Dozens of pro-democracy protesters marched through a Hong Kong shopping centre this morning after thousands had defied a police ban to attend a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Protesters gathered in the heart of the financial hub for peaceful demonstrations against China’s new national security laws, which many fear will wipe out the [...]
HSBC Asia chief backs new Chinese security law for Hong Kong June 3, 2020 HSBC’s chief executive in Asia has signed a petition backing China’s imposition of a new national security law on semi-autonomous Hong Kong. The bank today confirmed that chief Peter Wong had signed the petition, and also said on social media that it “respects and supports all laws that stabilise Hong Kong’s social order”. The declaration [...]
UK urges China to reconsider Hong Kong security law May 29, 2020 The UK has urged Chinese authorities to reconsider the implementation of a new security law on the city of Hong Kong, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said today. “We have urged China to reconsider the implementation of this law and live up to its responsibilities as a leading member of the international community,” Number 10 said. “We [...]
Raab: UK will increase visa rights if China goes ahead with Hong Kong law May 28, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has told China that the UK will give greater visa rights to British nationals overseas passport holders unless it suspends plans to implement new security laws in Hong Kong. Under the current legislation, such passport holders, of which there are an estimated 300,000 in the city-state, can stay in the UK [...]
Mike Pompeo declares Hong Kong no longer autonomous from China May 27, 2020 US secretary of state Mike Pompeo today told Congress that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China, bringing into doubt the region’s unique trading status. In a statement, Pompeo said that due to China’s plan to impose new national security legislation on the city, “no reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains [...]
Hong Kong police clash with protesters over Chinese anthem bill May 27, 2020 Hong Kong riot police fired pepper pellets at protesters today amid a backlash over draconian new legislation that would criminalise disrespecting the Chinese national anthem. Hundreds took to the streets around Hong Kong’s legislative council as MPs gathered to debate the controversial new bill. Riot police were deployed to disperse the protests and at least [...]
Hong Kong gambling tycoon Stanley Ho dies aged 98 May 26, 2020 Stanley Ho, the Hong Kong tycoon who transformed Macau into a global gambling hub, has died at the age of 98. The hedonistic mogul, dubbed the king of gambling, led one of the world’s most lucrative gambling businesses through his flagship firm SJM Holdings, valued at roughly $6bn (£4.9bn). Ho, who was one of Asia’s [...]
Downing Street says China must respect Hong Kong’s autonomy May 22, 2020 Britain expects China to respect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong and is committed to ensuring its autonomy, Downing Street has said Beijing has proposed new national security laws which critics argue will erode freedoms and tighten China’s grip over the financial hub. “We are monitoring the situation closely and expect China to respect [...]
China poised to tighten grip on Hong Kong with new national security laws May 21, 2020 China is reportedly set to propose draconian new national security laws for Hong Kong in a move that would tighten Beijing’s grip on the region. The laws would ban secession, foreign interference, terrorism and all seditious activities aimed at toppling the central government, the South China Morning Post reported. The legislation, which could be introduced [...]