The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong - Press review

Paul Chan attacks contradictory US report on investment climate as interference (TS, July 23):
Financial Secretary Paul Chan late on Thursday condemned the latest report on Hong Kong affairs from the US State Department, accusing Washington of again attempting to interfere in Hong Kong affairs. Washington published its annual Investment Climate Statement on the SAR days after issuing a business advisory to American companies here warning about risks under the national security law.

US sanctions target seven officials over HK (RTHK, July 16):
The United States imposed sanctions on seven officials over Beijing's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, Washington's latest effort to hold China accountable for what it calls an erosion of rule of law in the city. Beijing and Hong Kong officials hit back at the US government in a series of strident statements for imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over Beijing's national security crackdown on Hong Kong, while adding that US warnings about the city's trading environment were simply unfounded.

Biden extends national emergency declaration regarding HK (TS, July 9):
US president Biden has extended a national emergency declaration targeting HK for at least one year. The national emergency declaration was originally signed by former president Trump last July. In a White House statement, Biden pointed to HK's situation, including Beijing's recent actions to undermine the SAR's autonomy, as prompting the decision". In response, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in HK hit back and called on the US to stop intervening in HK affairs.

European Parliament adopts resolution on Hong Kong freedom (SCMP, July 9):
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a non-binding resolution on HK, advocating for tougher measures to be taken over the government's crackdown on the city's press freedom. The vote followed a debate in which a procession of MEPs took aim at Beijing's tightening of the screw in HK, particularly in response to the closure of the Apple Daily.

HK's tourism sector pleads with government to reopen border with China (SCMP, July 27):
Heavy blow to tourism.with the closure of all but three border checkpoints in February 2020 as part of its response to the coronavirus crisis. HK's battered tourism sector has urged the government to reopen its border with mainland China as soon as possible or at least extend the lifespan of Covid-19 vaccination centres, where more than 1,000 industry staff are working part-time.

Beijing hits back over statement condemning closure of Apple Daily (RTHK, July 11):
The foreign ministry on Sunday slammed a group of western governments for their joint statement expressing concerns over the forced closure of Apple Daily and claimed that they were trampling on Hong Kong's rule of law and judicial independence. A spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong issued a "severe condemnation" and "staunch opposition" to the statement.

Chan Po-ying elected new chair of League of Social Democrats (RTHK, July 26):
The League of Social Democrats says it has elected Chan Po-ying as its new chairwoman. Chan is the wife of jailed activist Leung Kwok-hung, better known as "Long Hair".

Bank chief and president of pro-Beijing teachers' union new to election body (HKFP, July 23):
The CEO of HSBC Asia Pacific and the president of the city's pro-Beijing teachers' union are among the ex-officio members recently added to a 1,500-strong election committee. The group is tasked with nominating, appointing and electing the majority of the city's legislators and its next chief executive under Beijing's new electoral reforms which were introduced in March.

At least 60 District Councilors to be disqualified before oath-taking process (TS, July 22):
At least 60 pro-democracy district councillors will be disqualified before their oath taking next month. The government will write to district councillors as soon as next week to notify at least 60 pro-democracy district councillors that they are not eligible for taking an oath pledging allegiance to the SAR and uphold the Basic Law.

Legco set to finish current term in October (TS, July 22):
A government spokesman said that the Legislative Council will finish its current term on October 30. The date was decided by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, taking into consideration the fact that Legco elections will be held on December 19. The nomination period for the election will be between October 30 and November 12. Legco president Andrew Leung decided earlier that the last meeting of the sixth Legco term will be held on October 20.

Government to spend EUR 4.14mio on promoting upcoming legislative polls (HKFP, July 19):
The government plans to spend almost EUR 4.14mio to encourage people to vote in December's Legislative Council election. Meanwhile, pro-Beijing lawmaker Elizabeth Quat said the government must warn voters not to pick "unpatriotic" candidates in future elections.

Democratic Party chairman resigns as district councillor (RTHK, July 11, TS1, TS2 July 9):
Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei on Sunday announced he has resigned as a district councillor, making him among the more than 150 pro-democracy councillors who have quit over the last few days. The wave of resignations come amid rumours that the government would seek financial compensation from councillors who would be disqualified under new oath-taking laws, dating back to the day they assumed office at the start of last year. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China said on Saturday that it was laying off all staff members to "ensure their safety", and that half of its committee members were resigning, reasoning that the decision came due to the recent political suppression. Following media reports from July 8 that about 230 district councillors (of 389) do not meet the requirements of the oath of allegiance and will be disqualified, many district councillors have since announced their resignations.

Chief Executive calls to strengthen patriotic education (RHTK, July 10):
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a forum on Saturday that Hong Kong must advance patriotic education in the SAR, noting that Hong Kong has lacked patriotic education both before and after the handover. Lam said that youngsters had been misled and their values must be rectified.

Jonh Lee: Fake patriots won't get past vetting body (RTHK, July 7):
Chief Secretary said that the vetting body for would-be elections candidates will try its best to screen out people who are only pretending that they uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the SAR.

Build a Chinese Communist Party museum Hong Kong, says lawmaker (SCMP, July 7):
The city should build a museum to educate the public on the history of the Chinese Communist Party and "correct ideology" to counter the spread of "fake information", non-official Executive Council member and lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said.

Property Tycoon Ronnie Chan sees cooling down of housing market (SCMP, July 29):
Hong Kong's red-hot housing market will cool down as pro-government Legco gets to increase land supply, says Hang Lung Properties' Ronnie Chan. Chan blamed the city's famously unaffordable house prices on opposition politicians paralysing the passage of laws that would have eased the situation

HK trade hit USD610bn high, but mutant COVID strains threaten recovery (SCMP, July 26):
HK trade rebounded sharply over the first half of 2021 to record a new high, fuelled by business with mainland China, but the global surge of Covid-19 infections involving mutant strains threatens to stall the recovery with other markets. Total merchandise trade for the first six months of the year amounted to USD610 bn, according to Hong Kong government figures, a 13% increase on the pre-pandemic high posted for the same period in 2018, which predated the China-US trade war and the coronavirus crisis. Exports jumped 30% yoy for 1st half of 2021 and imports were up 27%, the Census and Statistics Department figures showed. Hong Kong had a trade deficit of USD21.3bn for the period, equivalent to 6.7%of the value of imported goods.

Unemployment rate drops to 5.5% (SCMP, July 20):
Unemployment rate dropped sharply to 5.5% for the three-month period ending in June, easing to a level not seen for more than a year as the economy gathered steam amid a relaxation of social-distancing rules.

Facebook, Google and Twitter threaten to quit HK (WSJ, July 5):
Facebook, Google and Twitter have privately warned the Hong Kong government that they may stop offering their services in HK if the government moves ahead with planned changes to data-protection laws that could make them liable for the malicious sharing of individuals' information online.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan cautious on reopening borders (SCMP, July 25):
Paul Chan wants to reconnect globally but is warns against rushing as pandemic continues to evolve. While restoring global travel was crucial to the city's position as an international financial centre and aviation hub, authorities must remain cautious, he warned. Hong Kong has remained in a near lockdown for about 17 months, with international travel at a standstill and tourism paralysed by the pandemic.

HK revokes Saudi Arabia consulate worker's quarantine exemption (SCMP, July 21):
Following the quarantine exemptions for a Saudi Arabian consulate worker and his family being revoked after they broke self-isolating rules, certain health experts have increased calls for a review of quarantine exemptions for diplomats and others deemed to have crucial jobs.

HK is closest to resuming pre-pandemic life according to "normalcy index" (TS, July 8):
HK ranked first with a 96% level on the "normalcy index", developed to quantify the return of pre- pandemic life by The Economist. The "normalcy index" tracks eight variables, including sports attendance, time at home, traffic congestion, retail footfall, office occupancy, flights, film box office and public transport, for 50 countries representing about 75% of global population and 90% of global GDP.

London Mayor rolls out support for HKers fleeing crackdown (TS, Jul 23):
Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday sent a message of support to Hong Kong residents fleeing China's crackdown on democracy to seek new lives in the United Kingdom, saying his office will spend USD1.24mio to help new arrivals with housing, education and finding jobs.

New laws passed to protect national flag and emblem (MN, July 16):
The Legislative Assembly has passed a bill amending the local law on the use and protection of the national flag, national emblem and national anthem, after the new versions of the country's National Flag Law and National Emblem – two of the several national laws that are applied in Macao – came into effect on 1 January this year

Six candidate lists disqualified for not supporting Basic Law (MDT, July 9):
A total of 21 aspiring candidates in six groups for this year's Legislative Assembly (AL) election were disqualified due to "factual evidence" that demonstrated that they neither support Macau's Basic Law nor are loyal to the Macau SAR region. The decision was announced by the Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Commission (CAEAL) Friday afternoon July 9.

Beijing tells Hong Kong to do a better job in safeguarding NSL (SCMP, July 30):
HK Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng met with Minister of Public Service Zhao Kezhi in Beijing and urged Cheng to perform her duty in accordance with the law. Beijing's top official overseeing public security has tasked Hong Kong authorities with enacting more legislation and pushing forward with judicial reform to ensure the city does a better job in safeguarding national security and its own social stability.

First security law trial ends with guilty verdict (RTHK, July 27):
Former restaurant worker Tong Ying-kit on Tuesday became the first person to be found guilty of offences under Hong Kong's NSL, as the High Court convicted him of terrorism and inciting secession after he was arrested on July 1 last year – just hours after the legislation came into effect – for driving a motorbike into a group of police officers in Wan Chai while flying a black and white protest flag that read "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times".

Carrie Lam says that HK is being used to suppress China after the handover (RTHK, July 23):
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Friday that "external forces" have used HK to "suppress China" ever since the handover in 1997, but people were not sensitive enough to notice it. On RTHK's Backchat programme, Lam alleged that foreign interference was behind major protests over the past two decades but did not provide evidence for external forces being behind them. Lam also dismissed suggestions that the city no longer enjoys the freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law after the NSL was enacted.

HK court denies bail to 4 Apple Daily journalists on national security charges (TS, July 22 & 23):
Four staff members from the now-closed pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper were denied bail on Thursday after being brought to court facing charges of colluding with foreign forces under the national security law. No plea was taken from the four and their case has been adjourned to September 30.

Hong Kong's press freedom left in tatters: Journalists Association (TS, July 16):
The union group said the past year was the worst ever for press freedom in the territory, with Apple Daily forced to close and the industry facing "increasing threats" from the authorities.

Many HK democrats face more months in custody as case adjourned to Sept 23 (HKFP, July 9):
Dozens of high-profile HK pro-democracy figures, most of whom have been detained since late February, are facing more time in custody as they await a start date for trial under the NSL. The 47 defendants, charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" in connection with an unofficial legislative primary election last July, are to appear at the court on Sep. 23 after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the case.

More pro-democracy groups disband over national security law fears (ST, July 5):
More pro-democracy groups from a variety of sectors have recently disbanded, largely from fears of crossing the "red lines" of the NSL. The Progressive Teachers' Alliance ceased all operations without stating the reason and removed its Facebook page. The Progressive Lawyers Group, a civil group formed by local barristers, solicitors, law students and citizens with law degrees also recently disbanded and closed its website.

Beijing: real name SIM card registration will protect national security (HKFP, July 5):
Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Deng Zhonghua said that a law requiring customers to give their real names when purchasing a pre-paid SIM card will help bolster Hong Kong's national security.

Carrie Lam praises national security law at forum celebrating law's anniversary (SCMP, July 5):
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that the NSL had stabilised Hong Kong, improved its business environment and preserved its press freedoms during her remarks at a forum celebrating the one-year anniversary of the NSL. Lam emphasised the importance of educating the younger generation about the NSL and that only a "small minority" had been targeted by the law, noting that press freedoms remained intact in Hong Kong. She also noted that the NSL had ended the political unrest that began in 2019 and preserved the principle of "One Country, Two Systems".

National security police will investigate recent knife attack (RTHK1, RTHK2, July 4):
Police announced on Sunday that its national security department had taken over the case involving a knife attack on a police officer in Causeway Bay. Police on Sunday arrested two people for allegedly inciting others to kill police officers and set police premises on fire.

Activists urge UN officials to investigate national security law (HKFP, July 2):
HK activists in self-imposed exile encouraged officials on the UNHRC to investigate the status of HK during a panel hosted by the UNHRC. Activist Victoria Hui called for UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet to visit HK in order to meet with detained HK democrats and question the NSL judges, saying that "the NSL has turned HK into a police state". The Chinese permanent missions' counsellor to the UNHRC, Jiang Yingfeng, also testified during the event, saying that "any attempt to use HK to interfere with China's internal affairs will not be tolerated".

Xi Jinping calls for Hong Kong to increase national security efforts (SCMP, July 1):
Xi Jinping established protecting national security as a top priority for Hong Kong during a speech celebrating the Chinese Communist Party's 100th year anniversary on Thursday. Referring to both Hong Kong and Macao during his speech, Xi said that "we must implement the legal systems and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security in the special administrative regions, and to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests". He also emphasised that Beijing would respect Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status, but that the central government also enjoyed "comprehensive jurisdiction" over Hong Kong.

This is a review of the Hong Kong media and does not necessarly represent the opinion of the Consulate General of Switzerland. The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong does not bear any responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which might be incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected.

30.7.2021