Downing Street says China must respect Hong Kong’s autonomy May 22, 2020 Britain expects China to respect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong and is committed to ensuring its autonomy, Downing Street has said Beijing has proposed new national security laws which critics argue will erode freedoms and tighten China’s grip over the financial hub. “We are monitoring the situation closely and expect China to respect [...]
China poised to tighten grip on Hong Kong with new national security laws May 21, 2020 China is reportedly set to propose draconian new national security laws for Hong Kong in a move that would tighten Beijing’s grip on the region. The laws would ban secession, foreign interference, terrorism and all seditious activities aimed at toppling the central government, the South China Morning Post reported. The legislation, which could be introduced [...]
Hong Kong recession deepens due to coronavirus pandemic May 4, 2020 Hong Kong’s recession deepened in the first quarter as its economy, which had already been impacted by anti-government protests last year, was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Hong Kong’s economy shrank by 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter. On an annual basis the economy contracted 8.9 [...]
UK backs facial recognition project that helps Beijing catch masked protesters March 15, 2020 The government has partnered with Beijing to back a project aimed at developing facial recognition technology that can identify people wearing masks. The Home Office and the Metropolitan Police are both involved in a programme that carries out research jointly funded by the Chinese state — despite the country’s reported use of surveillance technology to [...]
Hong Kong retail sales plummet as coronavirus continues to dent economy March 2, 2020 Hong Kong’s retail sales fell 21.4 per cent in January on a year-on-year basis, as fears over the spread of the coronavirus kept tourists away from the city’s shopping centres. Sales dropped to $4.9bn according to government data, the 12th consecutive month of decline. The coronavirus outbreak has compounded an already challenging environment for the [...]
Coronavirus: Hong Kong closes 10 of 13 China borders February 3, 2020 Hong Kong has suspended 10 of its 13 border crossings with mainland China as the coronavirus outbreak spreads. Leader Carrie Lam stopped short of closing the entire border despite calls to do so as the city fights to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has now claimed 361 lives. Hong Kong has now seen [...]
Hong Kong shuts mainland travel links as coronavirus spreads January 28, 2020 Hong Kong has shut down a large proportion of its transport links with mainland China in a attempt to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has infected eight people in the city. Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, who was wearing a green face mask as she briefed the media this morning, said [...]
Hong Kong mulls ‘competitive’ tax measures to attract private equity funds January 13, 2020 Hong Kong’s finance secretary has said its government is considering a more “competitive” tax arrangement to attract private equity funds to the territory and help support its struggling economy. Speaking at a regional finance forum on Monday, finance secretary Paul Chan said Hong Kong’s banking system was running smoothly and had ample liquidity despite the [...]
Beijing appoints new envoy to Hong Kong as frustration grows over protests January 7, 2020 China has appointed a new envoy to Hong Kong in a sign of Beijing’s growing frustration at the ongoing protests in the financial hub. Luo Huining, a previous governor of Qinghai province, has replaced the previous head of the liaison office, the Chinese government’s most important office in the special administrative region. Read more: Hong [...]
Hong Kong protesters march on shopping centres as Christmas clashes continue December 26, 2019 Hundreds of protesters descended on shopping centres in Hong Kong today in a bid to disrupt business on the third day of Christmas demonstrations. The so-called shopping protests have targeted malls in the financial hub since Christmas Eve, with police firing tear gas to disperse protesters and tourists in the busy areas. Read more: Hong [...]