Hong kong carte

HONG KONG: People in Hong Kong have a track record of making their views heard through rallies and marches. More often than not, they’ve generally made their point in peaceful ways. For instance, the Occupy Central campaign in 2014 was mostly organised and non-violent. Over the past few months, however, stark divisions over Hong Kong’s political future have been laid bare, with scenes of open conflict being beamed to global audiences. EXPLORE: Voices of Hong Kong, an interactive special What began in June as peaceful marches against an extradition Bill put forward by Chief Executive Carrie Lam has escalated into clashes on the streets, civil disobedience and a fractured society. More than 5,000 arrests have been made so far. Despite the government’s efforts to quell the unrest, including withdrawing the controversial Bill and a robust police response, the protests have continued. For now, no resolution seems to be on the horizon. As protests hit the … [Read more...] about A city divided: Hong Kong’s 6 months of tumultuous protests

HONG KONG: The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong said on Saturday (May 30) it was "a sad day" for the global financial centre, hours after US President Donald Trump moved toward stripping the city of its special treatment in a bid to punish China. In some of his toughest rhetoric yet, Trump said Beijing had broken its word over Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy by proposing new national security legislation and the territory no longer warranted US economic privileges. "We will take action to revoke Hong Kong's preferential treatment as a separate customs and travel territory from the rest of China," Trump said, adding that Washington would also impose sanctions on individuals seen as responsible for "smothering - absolutely smothering - Hong Kong's freedom". Trump told reporters at the White House that China's move on Hong Kong was a tragedy for the world, but he gave no timetable for the moves, leaving Hong Kong residents, businesses and officials to ponder just how … [Read more...] about US firms in Hong Kong awake to ‘sad day’ as Trump vows to curb economic ties

HONG KONG: Hong Kong riot police fired pepper pellets to disperse protesters in the heart of the global financial centre on Wednesday (May 27) and arrested 300 people as new national security laws proposed by Beijing revived anti-government demonstrations. Police also surrounded the Legislative Council where a Bill was due to be debated that would criminalise disrespect of the Chinese anthem, amid soaring tensions over perceived threats to the semi-autonomous city's freedoms. People of all ages took to the streets, some dressed in black, some wearing office clothes, and some hiding their identities with open umbrellas in scenes reminiscent of the unrest that shook the city last year. "Although you’re afraid inside your heart, you need to speak out," said Chang, 29, a clerk and protester dressed in black with a helmet respirator and goggles in her backpack. A call to gather around the Legislative Council was scrapped due to a heavy presence of riot police. … [Read more...] about Hong Kong police fire pepper ball rounds at protesters, arrest 300 people

BEIJING: Beijing's planned national security legislation for Hong Kong is set to block its foreign judges from handling national security trials, people familiar with the matter said, which would exacerbate concerns about the city's judicial independence. Having lost patience with Hong Kong's failure to adopt national security legislation on its own, China announced on Thursday (May 21) that it would directly enact laws to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city. The legislation, which the sources said remains subject to change, would also see both central and city government security agencies set up in Hong Kong, they said. The people familiar with the issue declined to be identified because they are not authorised to speak to the media. The Hong Kong government has said the legislation would not affect its judicial independence. READ: Security laws will not affect Hong Kong's rights and freedoms, says leader Carrie Lam READ: … [Read more...] about China’s Hong Kong law set to bar foreign judges from national security cases

HONG KONG: Some global companies are considering shifting some of their treasury operations out of Hong Kong as the United States moves to end the city's privileges, senior bankers said, in the latest blow to the territory's status as a major financial hub. US President Donald Trump has begun the process of eliminating special US treatment for Hong Kong to punish Beijing's decision to impose new national security laws there – which China and Hong Kong say will not hurt rights and freedoms. Against the backdrop, a handful of global firms are eyeing a move of some of their corporate treasury operations to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, four senior bankers with knowledge of the matter said. READ: Hong Kong loses US 'special status' - what next? READ: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam accuses US of 'double standards' over protests "Companies' treasury operations follow trade flow and now there are many questions around Hong Kong's status as a trade hub," … [Read more...] about Some global firms consider moving treasury operations out of Hong Kong: Sources