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Senin, 25 Mei 2020

China threatens US counter measures if punished for Hong Kong law - CNA

HONG KONG: China on Monday (May 25) threatened counter measures against the United States if it was punished for plans to impose a sedition law on Hong Kong, that the business hub's security chief hailed as a new tool that would defeat "terrorism".

Beijing plans to pass a new security law for Hong Kong that bans treason, subversion and sedition after months of massive, often-violent protests last year.

But many Hong Kongers, business groups and western nations fear the proposal could be a death blow to the city's treasured freedoms and thousands took to the streets on Sunday despite a ban on mass gatherings introduced to combat coronavirus.

As police dispersed the crowds with tear gas and water cannon, Washington's national security advisor Robert O'Brien warned the new law could cost the city its preferential US trading status.

Pro-democracy protesters gather in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong to rally against — Protesters gather in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong to rally against Beijing's plan to introduce new security legislation in the city AFP/ISAAC LAWRENCE

But China's foreign ministry said Beijing would react to any sanctions from Washington.

"If the US insists on hurting China's interests, China will have to take every necessary measure to counter and oppose this," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters on Monday.

Hong Kong has become the latest flashpoint in soaring tensions between the world's two super powers which China has likened to "the brink of a new Cold War".

The refusal to grant Hong Kongers democracy has sparked rare bipartisan support in an otherwise bitterly divided Washington during the Trump administration.

READ: US aide renews warning on China's proposed law for Hong Kong

Beijing portrays the city's protests as a foreign-backed plot to destabilise the motherland and says other nations have no right to interfere in how the international business hub is run.

MAINLAND AGENTS?

Protesters, who have hit the streets in their millions, say they are motivated by years of Beijing chipping away at the city's freedoms since it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.

Hong Kong enjoys liberties unseen on the mainland, as well as its own legal system and trade status.

Campaigners view the security law proposal as the most brazen move yet by Beijing to end free speech and the city's ability to make its own laws.

Of particular concern is a provision allowing Chinese security agents to operate in Hong Kong, with fears it could spark a crackdown on those voicing dissent against China's communist rulers.

On the mainland, subversion laws are routinely wielded against critics.

The proposed law, which China's rubber-stamp legislature is expected to act on quickly, will also bypass Hong Kong's own legislature.

The city's influential Bar Association on Monday described the proposed motion as "worrying and problematic" - and warned it may even breach the territory's mini-constitution.

The proposal has spooked investors with Hong Kong's stock exchange suffering its largest drop in five years on Friday. On Monday it had yet to recover, closing just 0.10 percent up.

"RESTORE SOCIAL ORDER"

Hong Kong's unpopular pro-Beijing government has welcomed the law.

"Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as 'Hong Kong independence', become more rampant," security minister John Lee said in a statement welcoming the planned legislation.

READ: Hong Kong security, police chiefs warn of growing 'terrorism' as China security laws loom

Police chief Chris Tang cited 14 recent cases where explosives had been seized and said the new law would "help combat the force of 'Hong Kong independence' and restore social order".

Last year's protests were initially sparked by plans to allow extraditions to the mainland but soon snowballed into a popular revolt against Beijing and the city's police force.

Beijing has dismissed protester demands for an inquiry into the police, amnesty for the 8,500 people arrested and universal suffrage.

The demonstrations fizzled at the start of the year as mass arrests and the coronavirus took their toll.

But they have rekindled in recent weeks with Sunday's rally producing the most intense clashes for months and police making at least 120 arrests.

During last year's huge rallies, mob attacks were common on both sides of the political divide and a video of protesters beating a lawyer at Sunday's rally was seized on by China's state media.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the nationalist tabloid Global Times, posted the video on Twitter - a platform banned in mainland China.

"Let's see what the Washington-backed Hong Kong democracy really looks like," he wrote.

READ: Hong Kong - nearly a year of unrest

MORE: Our coverage of the Hong Kong protests

Follow us on Telegram for the latest on Hong Kong: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-05-25 13:07:28Z
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Hong Kong law society condemns attack on lawyer during China security law protest - CNA

HONG KONG: The Law Society of Hong Kong has strongly condemned an assault on a lawyer during Sunday's (May 24) protest against a controversial security law proposed by Beijing.

Videos online show a man with blood on his face scrambling to escape about half a dozen protesters who were kicking and hitting him with umbrellas.

The Law Society said the victim was a member, and that he had been taken to hospital.

"All forms of violence, which are to be deplored as an affront to the rule of law, must stop immediately," the society said.

Local media said the man had argued with protesters as they set up road blocks.

During last year's huge protests, beatings were common on both sides of the political divide.

READ: Hong Kong security chief warns of growing 'terrorism' as government backs Beijing's planned security laws

Videos of protesters attacking opponents have been seized on by Chinese state media to portray them as violent radicals.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the nationalist tabloid Global Times, posted the video of Sunday's assault on Twitter - a platform banned in mainland China.

"Let's see what the Washington-backed Hong Kong democracy really looks like," he wrote.

State newspaper People's Daily also uploaded the video to its Twitter account.

China has portrayed Hong Kong's protests as a foreign-backed plot to destabilise the motherland.

Protesters, who have hit the streets in their millions, say they are motivated by years of Beijing chipping away at the city's freedoms since it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.

Hong Kong enjoys liberties unseen on the Chinese mainland, as well as its own legal system and trade status.

Campaigners view the security law proposal as the most brazen move yet by Beijing to end free speech.

Of particular concern is a provision allowing Chinese security agents to operate in Hong Kong, fearing it could spark a crackdown against those voicing dissent against the mainland's communist rulers.

On the mainland, subversion laws are routinely wielded against critics to impose lengthy jail sentences via party-controlled courts.

MORE: Our coverage of the Hong Kong protests

Follow us on Telegram for the latest on Hong Kong: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-05-25 09:12:25Z
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China media seize on video of Hong Kong protesters beating lawyer - The Straits Times

HONG KONG (AFP) - Video of Hong Kong protesters beating a lawyer was seized on by China's state media Monday (May 25), becoming a propaganda blow for the city's pro-democracy movement.

The assault took place on Sunday during a rally against a controversial security law proposed by Beijing that was broken up by police, who fired tear gas and water cannon in the most intense clashes for months.

China plans to impose a new security law on Hong Kong that bans treason, subversion and sedition after months of massive, often-violent pro-democracy protests last year.

Many Hong Kongers fear the proposal could spell the end of the city's treasured freedoms, and thousands took to the streets on Sunday despite a ban on mass gatherings introduced to combat coronavirus.

Video shot on Sunday showed a man with blood on his face scrambling to escape some half a dozen protesters who were kicking and hitting him with umbrellas.

The Law Society said the victim was a member, and that he had been taken to hospital.

"All forms of violence, which are to be deplored as an affront to the rule of law, must stop immediately," the society said.

Local media said the man had argued with protesters as they set up road blocks.

During last year's huge pro-democracy protests, beatings were common on both sides of the political divide.

Videos of pro-democracy protesters attacking opponents have been seized on by Beijing to portray them as violent radicals.

Mr Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the nationalist tabloid Global Times, posted the video of Sunday's assault on Twitter - a platform banned in mainland China.

"Let's see what the Washington-backed Hong Kong democracy really looks like," he wrote.

State newspaper People's Daily also uploaded the video to its Twitter account.

China has portrayed Hong Kong's protests as a foreign-backed plot to destabilise the motherland.

Protesters, who have hit the streets in their millions, say they are motivated by years of Beijing chipping away at the city's freedoms since it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.

Hong Kong enjoys liberties unseen on the Chinese mainland, as well as its own legal system and trade status.

Campaigners view the security law proposal as the most brazen move yet by Beijing to end free speech.

On the mainland, subversion laws are routinely wielded against critics to impose lengthy jail sentences via party-controlled courts.

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2020-05-25 06:58:12Z
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Minggu, 24 Mei 2020

Thousands without power in Western Australia after once-in-a-decade storm - CNA

MELBOURNE: Wild weather downed trees and left tens of thousands of people without power in Western Australia, as emergency services began cleaning up in Perth on Monday (May 25) after some of the worst weather in a decade.

Wind speeds of up to 132kmh were registered at Cape Leeuwin, one of the state's most south-westerly points early on Monday, the strongest May gusts in 15 years, according to the Australia Broadcasting Corp.

"Some wild weather has affected large parts of WA, causing widespread damage and large scale power outages. Please listen to the advice of emergency services and stay safe everyone," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on social media.

Gale force winds lash western Australia 1 — A worker clears away a fallen tree in the Perth suburbs on May 25, 2020, after the area was lashed by gale force winds and a tidal surge from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mangga. (Photo: AFP / Trevor Collens)

Gale force winds lash western Australia 2 — A fallen tree lies across a road in the Perth suburbs on May 25, 2020, after the area was lashed by gale force winds and a tidal surge from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mangga. (Photo: AFP / Trevor Collens)

Around 50,000 customers were without power on Monday due to storm-related outages, utility Western Power said, as the remnants of Cyclone Mangga hit a cold front and brought squalling rain and emergency level storm warnings to the south of the state.

"New damage from the windborne debris has meant the overall number of impacted homes and businesses remains high," it said on Twitter.

More than 390 calls for assistance were made to the state's emergency services since Sunday, mostly from the Perth metropolitan area, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Chief Superintendent Danny Mosconi told ABC Radio.

Gale force winds lash western Australia 4 — A boat lists to one side at the beach in the Perth suburb of Rockingham on May 25, 2020, after the area was lashed by gale force winds and a tidal surge from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mangga. (Photo: AFP / Trevor Collens)

Gale force winds lash western Australia 5 — A boathouse on the Swan River sits in water in the Perth suburb of Crawley on May 25, 2020, after the area was lashed by gale force winds and a tidal surge from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mangga. (Photo: AFP / Trevor Collens)

Pilbara Ports Authority said port operations in the Pilbara had not been affected, but elevated swell led to some minor shipping schedule changes at the Port of Dampier, which is used by Rio Tinto.

The biggest oil and gas operators in WA, Chevron Corp, Woodside Petroleum and Santos, said there was no impact on their operations in the minerals-rich state.

BHP Group said their was no major impact to its operations. Rio Tinto Ltd declined to comment.

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2020-05-25 04:59:21Z
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Hong Kong security chief warns of growing 'terrorism' as government backs Beijing's planned security laws - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's security chief said "terrorism" was growing in the city, as government departments rallied on Monday (May 25) behind Beijing's plans to introduce national security laws and after thousands took to the streets to protest against the move.

Police said they arrested more than 180 people on Sunday, when authorities fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse anti-government protesters as unrest returned to the city after months of relative calm.

READ: Thousands protest in Hong Kong over China security law proposal

"Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as 'Hong Kong independence', become more rampant," Secretary for Security John Lee said in a statement.

"In just a few months, Hong Kong has changed from one of the safest cities in the world to a city shrouded in the shadow of violence," he said, adding national security laws were needed to safeguard the city's prosperity and stability.

In a return of the unrest that roiled Hong Kong last year, crowds thronged the streets of the city on Sunday in defiance of curbs imposed to contain the coronavirus, with chants of "Hong Kong independence, the only way out" echoing through the streets.

Calls for independence are anathema to Beijing, which considers Hong Kong an inalienable part of the country. The proposed new national security framework stresses Beijing’s intent "to prevent, stop and punish" such acts.

Agencies issuing statements in support of the legislation included the Commissioner of Correctional Services, and Hong Kong Customs.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote on his blog on Sunday the national security law "itself" does not affect investor confidence, only the "misunderstanding" of it does.

“The central government has already said the law is targeted at the minority of people who are suspected of threatening national security and will not affect the rights of the general public.”

The United States, Australia, Britain, Canada and others have expressed concerns about the legislation, widely seen as a potential turning point for China's freest city and one of the world's leading financial hubs.

Taiwan, which has become a refuge for a small but growing number of protesters fleeing Hong Kong, will provide the people of Hong Kong with "necessary assistance", President Tsai Ing-wen said.

MORE: Our coverage of the Hong Kong protests

Follow us on Telegram for the latest on Hong Kong: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-05-25 03:22:27Z
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Hong Kong security chief warns of growing 'terrorism' as government backs Beijing's planned security laws - The Straits Times

HONG KONG (REUTERS) - Hong Kong's security chief said "terrorism" was growing in the city, as government departments rallied on Monday (May 25) behind Beijing's plans to introduce national security laws and after thousands took to the streets to protest against the move.

Police said they arrested more than 180 people on Sunday, when authorities fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse anti-government protesters as unrest returned to the Chinese-ruled city after months of relative calm.

"Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as 'Hong Kong independence', become more rampant," Secretary for Security John Lee said in a statement.

Calls for independence are anathema to Beijing, which considers Hong Kong an inalienable part of the country. The proposed new national security framework stresses Beijing's intent "to prevent, stop and punish" such acts.

Agencies issuing statements in support of the legislation included the Commissioner of Correctional Services, and Hong Kong Customs.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote on his blog on Sunday the national security law "itself" does not affect investor confidence, only the "misunderstanding" of it does.

"The central government has already said the law is targeted at the minority of people who are suspected of threatening national security and will not affect the rights of the general public."

Taiwan, which has become a refuge for a small but growing number of pro-democracy protesters fleeing Hong Kong, will provide the people of Hong Kong with "necessary assistance", President Tsai Ing-wen said.

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2020-05-25 02:38:41Z
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New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern unruffled as quake hits mid-interview - The Straits Times

WELLINGTON (AFP) - A moderate 5.6-magnitude earthquake rattled New Zealand's North Island early Monday (May 25) but failed to crack Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's trademark composure as she conducted a live television interview.

The quake struck just off the coast before 8:00am local time (2000 Sunday GMT) at a depth of about 52 kilometres near Levin, about 90km north of Wellington, the US Geological Survey said.

St John Ambulance and New Zealand Police both said there were no initial reports of injuries or damage. There was no tsunami warning.

But there was sustained shaking in Wellington, where Ardern was being interviewed on breakfast television from parliament's Beehive building, which is designed to absorb seismic forces by swaying slightly on its foundations.

"We're just having a bit of an earthquake here, Ryan," Ardern told Auckland-based AM Show presenter Ryan Bridge, briefly looking concerned as she scanned the room around her.

"Quite a decent shake here, if you see things moving behind me," she said, smiling, as she quickly regained her poise and continued the interview.

"It's just stopped," she said. "We're fine, I'm not under any hanging lights, I look like I'm in a structurally sound place."

New Zealand lies on the Pacific Basin "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide generating more than 15,000 earthquakes a year, although only 100-150 are strong enough to be felt.

A shallow 6.3 quake in the South Island city of Christchurch killed 185 people in 2011, while a 7.8 shake slightly further north in 2016 was the second strongest ever recorded in the country.

Ardern canvassed the prospect of a major quake as New Zealand entered a seven-week Covid-19 lockdown in late March, saying it was always a possibility.

"In my mind constantly, as the prime minister of the 'Shaky Isles', is - no matter what's going on in our lives - we must always be prepared for that," she told reporters.

The country's official GeoNet seismic monitoring service put the strength of Monday's quake at 5.8 and said there were around 40 aftershocks.

"Felt as a long, strong shake in Wellington. That was not very much fun," one Twitter user wrote.

Another person reported "quite the shake in Wairarapa", east of Palmerston North.

"I hope everyone else is OK," he said on Twitter.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern caught on camera as 5.8 magnitude earthquake hits near the capital city of Wellington (no immediate damage reported) pic.twitter.com/5zq64ud0rb
— Peter Martinez (@rePetePro) May 24, 2020

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2020-05-25 01:42:12Z
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