The ravages of the national security law, oath-taking diktats, jailings and heavily restructured elections have left Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition camp in ruins. With its key members either in jail, in exile or out of politics due to the hostility of the environment, HKFP takes a look at where the major parties now stand, and […]
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Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai’s aide, and the ‘anonymous’ Hunter Biden China dossier
Last Thursday, NBC News reported that a document credited to a fake intelligence firm was being used to spread accusations about Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son and his business dealings in China. The 64-page report credited to Typhoon Investigations is separate from the more well-known controversy surrounding a cache of emails attributed to […]
Posted inLaw & Crime
Explainer: Understanding Hong Kong’s debate around the separation of powers and an executive-led system
Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her administration insist that Hong Kong has an “executive-led” system of government, with no formal separation of powers between the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. This seems directly to contradict statements by successive chief justices about guarantees of judicial independence under the doctrine of separate powers. The issue at […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: How sanctions on 11 Hong Kong officials could bite deep – even outside the US
By James R. Chiu The US Treasury Department on August 7 imposed sanctions on 11 officials or former officials from Hong Kong and mainland China, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam, for undermining Hong Kong’s promised autonomy following the passage of a sweeping national security law. How badly will it affect them? Here is an overview […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: 19-year-old Tony Chung – the first political figure arrested under Hong Kong’s security law
On Wednesday, Hong Kong police rounded up four former members of pro-independence group Studentlocalism – aged 16 to 21 – on suspicion of inciting secession under the Beijing-implemented national security law. The group’s ex-convenor Tony Chung, 19, became the first political figure to be arrested under the controversial legislation, which also criminalises subversion, terrorist acts […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: From ‘violent attack’ to ‘gang fight’: How the official account of the Yuen Long mob attack changed over a year
Exactly a year ago on July 21, over 100 rod-wielding men – with connections to triad members – stormed the Yuen Long MTR station, indiscriminately attacking civilians. Among the 45 people injured were journalists, protesters, commuters and Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting. Several other beatings took place in the area, as white-clad men with sticks […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: The conflicting messages behind protesters’ use of the colonial Hong Kong flag
It was a moment destined for international front pages: Hong Kong protesters draping the colonial-era flag – emblazoned with the Union Jack and a dragon and lion motif – over the desk of the Legislative Council President. On July 1, hundreds of demonstrators broke into the legislature at around 9pm, quickly gaining access to the chamber where […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: 10 things to know about Hong Kong’s national security law – new crimes, procedures and agencies
On June 30, China’s top legislature enacted Hong Kong’s national security law. Its text was revealed to the public late at night – only in Chinese. First announced in May, the unprecedented criminal legislation was drafted in Beijing, rapidly tabled behind closed doors, and bypassed any local legislative oversight. The city’s Secretary for Justice admitted […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: Piexon JPX6 – the new hi-tech pepper spray tool for Hong Kong riot police
A new weapon has been documented in use with Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) in recent weeks: the Piexon JPX6 Jet Protector. Piexon is a Swiss manufacturer of less-lethal munitions that specialises in liquid irritant launchers. Their JPX line of products are multi-barrel derringer-type pistols, of which the JPX6 is the most advanced and expensive. […]
