Review into Hong Kong’s only independent broadcaster sparks media freedom concerns February 19, 2021 A Hong Kong government review launched today into the city’s only independent broadcaster has sparked concerns over media freedoms in the region. The publicly funded outlet Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) was found to have editorial management “deficiencies” and inadequate transparency of complaints following an unprecedented government-led review. Founded in 1928, the broadcaster is the [...]
London should double down in its commitment to arriving Hongkongers February 12, 2021 London has a global responsibility to stand up for Hong Kong – for the autonomy of its people
Exclusive: Hong Kong refugee activists on the UK’s new visa scheme February 11, 2021 The UK’s visa program for British national overseas passport holders is generally seen in Hong Kong as a “last resort” for those who wish to flee Beijing’s new National Security Law, but the program should be extended to youngsters, multiple activists in exile have told City A.M. Baggio Leung, a former Hong Kong legislator and [...]
Senior politicians urge HSBC to unfreeze accounts of Hong Kong activist Ted Hui February 8, 2021 HSBC has drawn criticism from a group of senior politicians over its decision to freeze the bank account of Ted Hui, prominent pro-democracy activist based in Hong Kong. A group consisting of more than 50 politicians, including former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, have written to HSBC chairman Mark Tucker demanding he unfreeze the accounts [...]
Our commitment to Hongkongers shouldn’t stop with the visa programme January 30, 2021 On Sunday, the historic Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa programme will open; a fitting end to a week of celebrations and activism marking the 180th anniversary of the founding of modern Hong Kong. The scheme will allow Hongkongers who hold British National (Overseas) citizenship, an offer that was made to people who were [...]
China will no longer recognise Hong Kong citizens’ British overseas passports January 29, 2021 China said today it will “no longer recognise” British National Overseas (BNO) passports for Hong Kong citizens as the UK prepares to welcome those fleeing the National Security Law. A foreign ministry spokesperson for the Chinese government said: “From January 31, China will no longer recognise the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and [...]
HSBC chiefs to face MPs’ questions over Hong Kong protesters’ frozen accounts January 22, 2021 Two HSBC executives are set to face questions from MPs next week over the bank’s stance on Hong Kong, amid mounting pressure to reverse a decision to freeze the accounts of pro-democracy activists in the region. HSBC faced backlash last summer after it issued a statement in favour of a new National Security Law in [...]
British lawyer pulls out of high-profile Hong Kong case following ‘pressure’ from UK January 20, 2021 A British prosecutor set to lead the case against media mogul Jimmy Lai and several pro-democracy activists has withdrawn after ‘pressure’ from the UK, Hong Kong’s Department of Justice said this morning. Hired by the Hong Kong government, David Perry QC indicated that “the trial should proceed without him”, the Department of Justice said in [...]
Former Hong Kong lawmaker rejects HSBC explanation over frozen bank accounts January 18, 2021 Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui has renewed his criticism of HSBC despite the bank’s CEO expressing regret for freezing his bank accounts. Noel Quinn, HSBC chief executive, had written to Hui last week explaining that the bank was unable to operate the accounts and was instructed to act by the police. Hui, who fled [...]
Nathan Law: I’m not entitled to lose hope in Hong Kong’s struggle January 17, 2021 City A.M. Editor Andy Silvester talks to Nathan Law, a pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong and one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people on the planet – discussing the territory’s battle against repression, Beijing’s war on free expression and the need for a global solution to authoritarianism Nathan Law should not be in London [...]