China – Hong Kong January 2024 –

Dennis Kwok on the end of democracy in Hong Kong
June 2020

24 July
The noose around the press in Hong Kong tightens
Even advocating press freedom begins to seem a bad career move
(The Economist) THE FIRST press conference Selina Cheng gave as chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), a trade union, on July 17th, was her last as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. Ms Cheng says that, shortly after she was appointed, her supervisors at the newspaper ordered her to withdraw, because the two roles were “incompatible” (though her beat was the car industry, not politics), and that when she declined she was fired.
17 July
Wall Street Journal in press freedom row over dismissal of union leader
(Al Jazeera) Cheng said she believes the real reason she was fired was because she was elected president of the Hong Kong Journalists Association last month against the wishes of Wall Street Journal management.
Cheng said her editor asked her to withdraw from consideration shortly before the vote as the post would be “incompatible with her job”.
“The editor said employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom in a place like Hong Kong, even though they can in Western countries, where it is already established,” Cheng said in a statement on Wednesday.

22 July
Hong Kong is global trade hub for world’s most brutal regimes, report says
Pro-democracy campaign group finds exports of goods to Russia, vital to its war efforts, roughly doubled in a year
(The Guardian) Hong Kong has become a global trade hub for “the world’s most brutal regimes”, according to a report examining the city’s role in facilitating the flow of goods to countries under sanctions by the west, including Russia, Iran and North Korea.
A report published on Monday by the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, a campaign group, found that between 2021 and 2022, exports of semiconductors from Hong Kong to Russia roughly doubled to $400m (£310m), second only to shipments from mainland China. Semiconductors are vital to Russia’s war effort as they are a component in weaponry such as drones and cruise missiles.
The report analysed Hong Kong’s exports in a five-month window in 2023, with a particular focus on items from the Common High Priority List (CHPL), a list developed by the US government to identify items sought by Russia for its weapons programme. The researchers found that between August and December 2023, Hong Kong exporters shipped nearly $2bn worth of goods to Russian buyers. Nearly 40% of those exports, by value, came from items on the CHPL, including various categories of semiconductors.

30 May
Hong Kong convicts 14 activists of subversion
(BBC/World) Fourteen pro-democracy activists were convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case on Thursday by a court that said their plan to affect change through an unofficial primary election would have undermined the government’s authority and created a constitutional crisis. After a 2019 protest movement that filled the city’s streets with demonstrators, authorities have all but silenced dissent in Hong Kong through reduced public choice in elections, crackdowns on media and the Beijing-imposed security law under which the activists were convicted. Those found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion included former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Helena Wong and Raymond Chan, and they could face up to life in prison when sentenced later. The two defendants acquitted were former district councilors Lee Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau. But the prosecution said it intends to appeal against the acquittals.
The 47 Hong Kong activists in the city’s largest national security case

23 March
Hong Kong’s new security law comes into force amid human rights concerns
The law, known as Article 23, has been criticised internationally over fears it could erode civil liberties.
(Al Jazeera) A new national security law has come into force in Hong Kong despite growing international criticism that it could erode freedoms in the China-ruled city and damage its international financial hub credentials.

19-20 March
Tighter security laws may sap yet more foreign investment from Hong Kong
Helen Davidson
Latest legislative crackdown on dissent and international collaboration likely to scare off some businesses, say critics
(The Guardian) Thomas Kellogg, a law professor at Georgetown University, told Bloomberg last month that the provisions on foreign contact could limit the activity of chambers of commerce and economic research groups. “The free flow of information is the lifeblood of any vibrant market economy,” Kellogg said.
Some business groups had expressed particular concern about broad definitions in the new law, particularly around definitions of state secrets and espionage.
Another legal academic, who was formerly based in Hong Kong and requested anonymity, said: “Multinationals in general will now think twice about basing themselves in Hong Kong or moving senior people to Hong Kong, simply because article 23 can be used quite liberally to frame people on the grounds of espionage or theft of state secrets.”
Ian Bremmer: Hong Kong’s new security law ends remaining political independence
… Takes away small remaining vestiges of political independence, none of which people expected were going to be maintained for long. … Hong Kong is no longer a bridge into mainland China. It is now a component of a greater Chinese economy. And to the extent that economy starts turning around and doing better, Hong Kong will do well. It’s not right now, so it’s not performing quite as effectively. And, you know, a lot of the expats have already gotten out of Dodge.
What’s the scope of Hong Kong’s new national security laws?
(Reuters) – Hong Kong on Tuesday passed its new national security law, a bill that broadens the definition of crimes including sabotage, sedition and state secrets, and stipulates tougher penalties of up to life imprisonment.
The law could have implications for many sectors in the global financial hub including business, academia, law, diplomacy and the media, observers say.
The new offences span a number of areas ranging from grave acts affecting sovereignty including insurrection – or initiating armed conflict against a Chinese armed force – to everyday offences including possession of publications deemed seditious. Authorities say the law will apply beyond Hong Kong.
Article 23: Hong Kong passes tough security law fought by protesters for years
(BBC) Hong Kong has passed a tough security law which authorities say is necessary for stability, but which critics fear will further erode civil liberties.
Article 23 targets new offences like external interference and insurrection, and penalties include life sentences.
Article 23 expands on a controversial national security law (NSL) earlier imposed by China.
… But Hong Kong’s leader John Lee has said Article 23 is also necessary to guard against “potential sabotage and undercurrents that try to create troubles”, particularly “ideas of an independent Hong Kong”. He hailed its passing as “a historic moment Hong Kong people have been waiting for over 26 years”.
China’s Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang earlier said swift enactment of the new legislation would protect “core national interests” and allow Hong Kong to focus on economic development.
Hong Kong passes tough new national security law
Hong Kong has passed a new national security law that critics fear will further erode civil liberties in the China-ruled city.

21 February
Even China’s Giants Are Picking Singapore Over Hong Kong for HQs
(BNN/Bloomberg) The international business community is clear on where it wants to call home in Asia: Singapore.
… Even many Chinese companies seeking to hedge geopolitical risks and broaden their reach pick Singapore over Hong Kong, the report found.
“Hong Kong has lost the race to be international business’ preferred choice for Asia headquarters, as more global and even Chinese companies choose Singapore because of its better relations with the West, broader talent pool, diversified economy, and tax incentives,” according to the 50-page report.
Hong Kong codified its position as China’s finance center by containing political protests and adhering to the country’s Covid-Zero policy during the pandemic, while Singapore highlighted its independence and emerged as the preferred site for international business offices, the report said. Even Hong Kong’s lower standard corporate tax rate of 16.5% may be bested by Singapore programs that can cut its 17% tax rate to 13.5% or less for some activities, it found.

30 January
Hong Kong Expands Its National Security Crackdown
By Selina Cheng
(WSJ via MSN) The new law would expand the definition of national security to include economic matters and define new crimes including treason, foreign interference and seditious intention, according to a framework released Tuesday. The release kicks off a four-week comment period, after which the law will be voted on by the legislature, which is dominated by Beijing loyalists.
The push for the new law comes as Hong Kong struggles to reverse an outflow of businesses and residents following mass protests, a crackdown on dissent and tough pandemic-era restrictions. China is also struggling with a drop in foreign investment and waning business confidence. Concerns include restrictions on data and intelligence that have left foreign executives accused of overstepping the rules.
The Wall Street Journal last week reported that a seasoned British businessman was given a five-year sentence over accusations he provided information to intelligence agencies overseas. Japan said five of its citizens are currently detained by China’s intelligence agencies, including a pharmaceutical executive.

Evergrande collapse means foreign investors in China face even greater uncertainty
Thousands of homebuyers who have paid deposits for homes in China could find their nest eggs at risk after liquidation order
As China’s most embattled – and indebted – property developer is ordered to liquidate, the effects that Evergrande’s collapse will have on investors, debt holders and the hundreds of thousands of homebuyers who have paid deposits for homes remains uncertain.
Evergrande, the Chinese property developer, was worth just $275m on Monday, down 99% from its peak in 2017. It owes more than $300bn to various creditors, according to its most recent financial report.
In a scathing judgment delivered in Hong Kong’s high court on Monday, Justice Linda Chan said “enough is enough”.

23 January
Jimmy Lai: UN experts call for release of Hong Kong newspaper founder
Statement from UN special rapporteurs said they were ‘alarmed’ by violations of Lai’s freedom of expression
Four UN experts have called for all charges against pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai to be dropped, as they pressed for his immediate release.
“Jimmy Lai’s arrest, detention and series of criminal proceedings over the past few years appear to be directly related to his criticism of the Chinese government and his support for democracy in Hong Kong,” the UN experts said.
The statement was penned by the special rapporteurs on freedom of expression, on freedom of association, on degrading treatment or punishment and on the independence of judges and lawyers.
2 January
Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty to all charges at Hong Kong national security trial
Media tycoon and pro-democracy activist is accused of conspiring to commit foreign collusion and publish seditious material