This month, Hong Kong authorities have renewed efforts to push forward a controversial bill that criminalises disrespectful behaviour towards the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers. Despite widespread criticism that the proposed law would be an assault on freedom of expression, the Legislative Council is set to resume the Second Reading debate of the […]
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Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: Beijing’s 5-day crackdown on Hong Kong’s opposition during covid-19
With world’s attention focused on the coronavirus pandemic and protesters off the streets, Chinese and Hong Kong authorities stepped up their efforts to crack down on the pro-democracy movement in the semi-autonomous territory. Over a span of just five days, the city saw its legislature, judiciary, legal system and civil society come under threat. HKFP […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: After months of protests, is Hong Kong selectively enforcing covid-19 laws?
As the coronavirus began to wreak havoc around the world in mid-March, returning travellers and students caused a spike of cases in Hong Kong. With a record 65 new cases announced on March 27, this “second wave” was far more serious than February’s initial outbreak imported from mainland China. In response, the Hong Kong government […]
Posted inChina
Explainer: As Beijing declares victory over the coronavirus, can we trust its data?
The spread of SARS-CoV-2 from the epicentre in Wuhan, China, has led to hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 cases around the world. The medical community, governments, data analysts, and the general public rely on accurate data to make timely assessments and save lives. But the accuracy of official data from the Chinese authorities is routinely […]
Posted inChina
Explainer: Five takeaways from Taiwan’s vote results
A massive defeat for Taiwan’s ruling party in mid-term polls Saturday was seen as an indictment of President Tsai Ing-wen and called into question her approach to China, as well as unpopular domestic reforms. Tsai has pitched herself and her party as champions for democracy in the face of rising pressure from China, which sees Taiwan as […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: ‘This is not a meeting’ – Turmoil at the legislature over Hong Kong’s China extradition plan
Shortly after 4:35pm on Monday, lawmaker James To convened one of the most unusual meetings in the history of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. He and 22 other colleagues were preparing to discuss a controversial bill that sought to overhaul Hong Kong’s extradition laws – yet the meeting was disavowed by the legislature’s administrators. Lawmakers constantly jockey […]
Posted inChina
Explainer: President Tsai Ing-wen faces mainland-friendly challenger Han Kuo-yu as Taiwan heads to the polls
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen is seeking a second term against the main challenger Han Kuo-yu in Saturday’s elections. Tsai hails from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and has been campaigning on a platform of defending Taiwan’s sovereignty against threats from Beijing. Han is from the mainland-friendly Kuomintang party (KMT) and is pushing for warmer […]
Posted inHKFP Voices
Explainer: Who are the Uyghurs and why is the Chinese government detaining them?
By Anna Hayes, James Cook University The Uyghurs are Turkic-speaking Muslims from the Central Asian region. The largest population live in China’s autonomous Xinjiang region, in the country’s north-west. The Uyghurs are one of a number of persecuted Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, including the Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kyrgyz and Hui. The region’s name suggests the […]
Posted inHong Kong
Explainer: What can Hong Kong’s democrats do with their new District Council majority?
Hong Kong democrats gained control of 17 out of the city’s 18 district councils after a landslide win in Sunday’s election. The race, held every four years, took place amid months of unrest and pro-democracy demonstrations, and it remains the territory’s only truly democratic election. It was an unprecedented result as – before the opposition captured […]
Posted inHKFP Voices
Explainer: Why Australia revoked Chinese tycoon’s citizenship citing ‘political interference’
By Chinese Border-crossing Question and Answer The news concerning Chinese tycoon Huang Xiangmo’s revoked Australian citizenship shook the Chinese overseas and diasporic communities this month. Huang, now settled in Hong Kong, told the media that the ban from entering the country was “grotesquely unfair” and “based on unfounded speculations that are prejudiced and groundless”. However, the Australian government and many […]
