Cinmpring kici

Kamis, 04 Juni 2020

Thousands in Hong Kong defy ban on Tiananmen vigil - CNA

HONG KONG: Thousands of Hong Kong protesters lit candles and chanted democracy slogans as they defied a ban on Thursday (Jun 4) against gathering to commemorate China's Tiananmen incident, with tensions seething in the financial hub over a planned security law.

Crowds streamed into Victoria Park, which has hosted huge Tiananmen anniversary vigils for the past three decades, chanting slogans such as "End one party rule" and "Democracy for China now".

"We are just remembering those who died on Jun 4, the students who were killed. What have we done wrong? For 30 years we have come here peacefully and reasonably, once it's over it's 'sayonara' (goodbye)," said Kitty, a 70-year-old housewife.

Smaller rallies took place across Hong Kong.

Police made arrests in Mong Kok as they sought to disperse protesters.

"Some black-clad protestors are blocking roads in Mongkok, Hong Kong. Police officers are now making arrests," police said on Twitter.

Reuters reported that pepper spray was fired in Mong Kok.

The Jun 4 anniversary has struck an especially sensitive nerve in the former British-ruled city this year after China's move last month to impose national security legislation and the passage of a bill outlawing disrespect of China's national anthem.

READ: Hong Kong legislature passes controversial China national anthem Bill

READ: Hong Kong risks new unrest with China anthem bill: Opposition

The Tiananmen incident is not officially commemorated in China, where the topic is taboo and discussion censored.

In Beijing, security around Tiananmen Square, a popular tourist attraction in the heart of the city, appeared to be tightened, with more police visible than on ordinary days.

In Hong Kong, this year's vigil was banned, with authorities citing coronavirus restrictions on group gatherings.

However thousands of people, including prominent democracy leaders, poured into Victoria Park on Thursday evening and lit candles as an act of remembrance and resistance.

Activists hold a candlelit remembrance outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong on June 4, 2020 — People hold a candlelit remembrance outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong on Jun 4, 2020, after an annual vigil that traditionally takes place in the park to mark the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident was banned on public health grounds because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: AFP/Anthony Wallace)

Other vigils were held in local neighbourhoods, shopping districts and churches across Hong Kong,

"We are afraid this will be the last time we can have a ceremony but Hong Kongers will always remember what happened on June 4," said Brenda Hui, 24, in Mong Kok, where she and a friend stood with a white battery-illuminated umbrella that read "Never Forget June 4."

READ: Protests disrupt debate as Hong Kong legislature starts voting on controversial China national anthem Bill

READ: Retired China football star calls for ouster of Communist Party

People were also encouraged to mark the day on social media with the hashtag #6431truth, referencing the 31st anniversary along with the date.

The European Union urged China to let people in both Hong Kong and Macau mark the Jun 4 anniversary as a sign of guaranteeing freedoms.

Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil - Jun 4, 2020 (4) — Thousands gather for a candlelit remembrance outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong on June 4, 2020, after an annual vigil that traditionally takes place in the park to mark the Tiananmen Square incident was banned on public health grounds because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: AFP/Issac Lawrence)

The US State Department said it mourned the Tiananmen victims and stood with freedom-loving Chinese.

Taiwan asked China to apologise, which China called "nonsense."

"In China, every year has only 364 days; one day is forgotten," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page. "I hope that in every corner of the earth there won't be any days that are disappeared again. And I wish Hong Kong well."

"POLITICAL VACCINE"

China has never provided a full account of the 1989 violence. The death toll given by officials days later was about 300, most of them soldiers, but rights groups and witnesses say thousands of people may have perished.

There was no mention of the anniversary in Chinese state media. But Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, tweeted a screenshot of the US statement with his own commentary.

"The Tiananmen incident gave Chinese society a political vaccine shot, which has enabled us to be immune to any colour revolution. 31 years later, riots emerged and spread in the US They only think of exporting it, but forget to prepare vaccine for themselves."

Hu did not elaborate. The term colour revolution is often used to describe peaceful uprisings in former Soviet states but has also been used to describe other popular movements.

READ: HSBC, StanChart criticised for backing Hong Kong security law

Earlier on Thursday, some students in Hong Kong followed the annual tradition of repainting a Tiananmen memorial message on a university campus bridge: "Souls of martyrs shall forever linger despite the brutal massacre. Spark of democracy shall forever glow for the demise of evil."

In the Hong Kong legislature, debate over the Bill that criminalises disrespect of China's national anthem was disrupted when two pro-democracy lawmakers splashed foul-smelling liquid around in protest against the Tiananmen crackdown.

The Bill was passed afterwards.

"A murderous state stinks forever. What we did today is to remind the world that we should never forgive the Chinese Communist Party for killing its own people 31 years ago," lawmaker Eddie Chu said before he was removed from the chamber.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiX2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy10aWFuYW5tZW4tdmlnaWwtdGhvdXNhbmRzLWRlZnktYmFuLTEyODA1Mjgy0gEA?oc=5

2020-06-04 13:55:22Z
52780831505950

Hong Kong legislature passes national anthem Bill amid protests - The Straits Times

HONG KONG (REUTERS) - Hong Kong passed a bill on Thursday (June 4) that would criminalise disrespect of China’s national anthem, a move critics see as the latest sign of Beijing’s tightening grip on the semi-autonomous city.

The move comes just days after Chinese authorities gave the green light to move ahead with a national security law, which the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, as well as international human rights groups, say will erode freedoms in the global financial hub.

The national anthem bill orders that primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong be taught to sing the “March of the Volunteers”, along with its history and etiquette.

It carries penalties of up to three years jail as well as fines of up to HK$50,000 (S$9,000) for those who insult it.

The anthem has been booed at football matches, where soccer fans have at times sang “Glory to Hong Kong”, a song that has become a rallying cry for the democracy movement in the city.

Earlier, police and firefighters entered the city’s legislature after two pro-democracy lawmakers threw foul-smelling liquid to protest against the “murderous”crackdown by Chinese troops in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square 31 years ago.

The disruption in the legislature came after pro-establishment lawmakers vetoed most amendments to the anthem bill proposed by democrats.

Lawmakers Eddie Chu and Ray Chan rushed to the front of the chamber and splashed the reeking fluid as guards grappled with them.

Police and firefighters later arrived on the scene.

“A murderous state stinks forever. What we did today is to remind the world that we should never forgive the Chinese Communist Party for killing its own people 31 years ago,” Chu said later, before he and Chan were removed from the chamber.

Another pro-democracy lawmaker was removed later in the day.

The vote was passed as people in Hong Kong commemorated the bloody 1989 crackdown by lighting candles across the city.

For the first time, police have banned an annual vigil to mark the crackdown that is usually held in downtown Victoria Park, citing the coronavirus outbreak.

Chinese authorities and the Beijing-backed government in Hong Kong say there is no threat to the city’s high degree of autonomy from the proposed new security law.

Breaking with their usual policy of political neutrality, HSBC and Standard Chartered banks gave their backing to the new law on Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMia2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9lYXN0LWFzaWEvaG9uZy1rb25nLWxlZ2lzbGF0dXJlLXBhc3Nlcy1uYXRpb25hbC1hbnRoZW0tYmlsbC1hbWlkLXByb3Rlc3Rz0gEA?oc=5

2020-06-04 10:27:57Z
52780831505950

Hong Kong legislature passes controversial China national anthem Bill - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed a controversial Bill on Thursday (Jun 4) that would make disrespecting China's national anthem a criminal offence.

Lawmakers approved the Bill with 41 in favour and one against, but the chamber's pro-democracy faction refused to cast their votes and instead shouted slogans denouncing the law.

The Bill will govern the use and playing of the Chinese national anthem.

READ: Explainer - Hong Kong's China national anthem Bill aims to legislate 'respect'

This includes provisions that threaten to punish those who insult the anthem with up to three years jail and with fines of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450).

The Bill states that "all individuals and organisations" should respect and dignify the national anthem and play it and sing it on "appropriate occasions".

It also orders that primary and secondary school students be taught to sing it, along with its history and etiquette.

PROTESTS BREAK OUT IN CHAMBER

Emergency services were called to the Legislative Council on Thursday after two pro-democracy lawmakers threw foul-smelling liquid in protest against the Tiananmen Square incident 31 years ago.

Lawmakers Eddie Chu and Ray Chan rushed to the front of the chamber during a debate over the national anthem Bill, splashing the reeking fluid as guards grappled with them.

Both men were removed from the chamber shortly after.

During the debate on Thursday, pro-establishment lawmakers had vetoed most amendments to the anthem Bill proposed by democrats.

READ: Hong Kong risks new unrest with China anthem bill: Opposition

The passing of the Bill comes as thousands of people are set to ignore COVID-19 regulations to take part in an annual vigil for the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989.

Protesters and pro-democracy politicians say the national anthem Bill represents the latest sign of what they see as accelerating interference from Beijing in the former British colony.

Britain handed Hong Kong back to Chinese rule in 1997 with guarantees that the city's core freedoms and way of life would be protected under a "one country, two systems" formula, which Beijing says it respects.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1jaGluYS1hbnRoZW0tYmlsbC1wYXNzLWxlZ2lzbGF0aXZlLWNvdW5jaWwtMTI4MDI2MjbSAQA?oc=5

2020-06-04 09:13:24Z
52780831505950

Protests disrupt debate as Hong Kong legislature starts voting on controversial China national anthem Bill - CNA

HONG KONG: Police and firefighters entered Hong Kong's legislature on Thursday (Jun 4) after two pro-democracy lawmakers threw foul-smelling liquid to protest against China's crackdown in Tiananmen Square 31 years ago.

Lawmakers Eddie Chu and Ray Chan rushed to the front of the chamber during a debate over a controversial Bill that would criminalise disrespect of China's national anthem, splashing the reeking fluid as guards grappled with them.

Police and firefighters later arrived on the scene.

Police investigate at Hong Kong Legislative Council Jun 4, 2020 — Police conduct investigations in the main chamber of the Legislative Council after pan-democrat lawmakers hurled an odorous liquid during the third reading of the national anthem bill in Hong Kong on Jun 4, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Isaac Lawrence)

"A murderous state stinks forever. What we did today is to remind the world that we should never forgive the Chinese Communist Party for killing its own people 31 years ago," Chu said later, before he and Chan were removed from the chamber.

The disruption in the legislature came after pro-establishment lawmakers vetoed most amendments to the anthem Bill proposed by democrats.

Hong Kong's Legislative Council started voting on amendments to the Bill on Thursday that would make disrespecting China's national anthem a criminal offence, amid heightened fears over Beijing's tightening grip on the city.

The voting came just as people in Hong Kong were set to commemorate the bloody 1989 incident by Chinese troops in and around Tiananmen Square by lighting candles across the city later in the day. Police have banned the annual vigil, citing the coronavirus outbreak.

A final vote on the Bill is expected later on Thursday.

Explainer - Hong Kong's China national anthem Bill aims to legislate 'respect'

The Bill, which will govern the use and playing of the Chinese national anthem, could punish those who insult the anthem with up to three years' jail and fines of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450).

The Bill states that "all individuals and organisations" should respect and dignify the national anthem and play it and sing it on "appropriate occasions".

It also orders that primary and secondary school students be taught to sing it, along with its history and etiquette.

fire brigade perform tests in the main chamber of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council — Members of the fire brigade conduct decontamination work in the main chamber of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council after pan-democrat lawmakers hurled an odorous liquid during the third reading of the national anthem bill on Jun 4, 2020. (Photo: AFP/ Isaac Lawrence)

Tensions in Hong Kong have ramped up after Beijing gave the green light last week to move ahead with national security laws to tackle secession, subversion and foreign interference.

The move was quickly condemned by the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, as well as international human rights groups and some business groups.

READ: China warns Britain interfering in Hong Kong will 'backfire'

READ: China says will counter any US actions over Hong Kong Bill

Protesters and pro-democracy politicians say the anthem Bill represents the latest sign of what they see as accelerating interference from Beijing.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said the Bill has been passed. This has been changed after Reuters corrected its report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Protests disrupt debate as Hong Kong legislature starts voting on controversial China national anthem Bill - CNA

Police and firefighters later arrived on the scene.

The disruption in the legislature came after pro-establishment lawmakers vetoed most amendments to the anthem Bill proposed by democrats.

A final vote on the Bill is expected later on Thursday.

Explainer - Hong Kong's China national anthem Bill aims to legislate 'respect'

The Bill, which will govern the use and playing of the Chinese national anthem, could punish those who insult the anthem with up to three years' jail and fines of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450).

The Bill states that "all individuals and organisations" should respect and dignify the national anthem and play it and sing it on "appropriate occasions".

It also orders that primary and secondary school students be taught to sing it, along with its history and etiquette.

Tensions in Hong Kong have ramped up after Beijing gave the green light last week to move ahead with national security laws to tackle secession, subversion and foreign interference.

The move was quickly condemned by the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, as well as international human rights groups and some business groups.

READ: China warns Britain interfering in Hong Kong will 'backfire'

READ: China says will counter any US actions over Hong Kong Bill

Protesters and pro-democracy politicians say the anthem Bill represents the latest sign of what they see as accelerating interference from Beijing.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said the Bill has been passed. This has been changed after Reuters corrected its report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMia2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1sZWdpc2xhdGl2ZS1jb3VuY2lsLWNoaW5hLW5hdGlvbmFsLWFudGhlbS1iaWxsLTEyODAyNTQ20gEA?oc=5

2020-06-04 06:45:00Z
CBMia2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1sZWdpc2xhdGl2ZS1jb3VuY2lsLWNoaW5hLW5hdGlvbmFsLWFudGhlbS1iaWxsLTEyODAyNTQ20gEA

Real risk of resurgence in COVID-19 cases, clusters if too many activities resume too quickly: Gan Kim Yong - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore faces a “real risk” of a resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases or clusters if it resumes too many activities too quickly, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in Parliament on Thursday (Jun 4).

Should that happen, Singapore will have to reimpose strict measures and slow down the pace of opening, he cautioned.

Mr Gan was responding to Members of Parliament (MPs) Chong Kee Hiong and Lim Biow Chuan, who had asked if the ministry will consider reopening stadiums, swimming pools, food and beverage outlets and retail malls.

Citing “low COVID-19 infection rates within our community presently”, Mr Chong had also asked if the Government would consider allowing all employees whose workplaces meet safe distancing criteria to return to work.

READ: COVID-19: Phase 2 of post-circuit breaker reopening could begin before end-June, says Lawrence Wong

READ: Singapore to exit circuit breaker on Jun 1, visiting of parents, places of worship allowed with restrictions

As restrictions are eased and more activities are resumed, it becomes even "more critical" that people exercise strong social responsibility to ensure that community transmission remains low, said Mr Gan.

Singapore will continue to adopt a more cautious approach for higher-risk activities, such as those involving large numbers of people in enclosed spaces for prolonged periods of time, he said.

These include religious services, cultural venues such as arts performances, cinemas, museums and libraries. Nightclubs, bars, karaoke outlets and other public entertainment establishments have similar risk factors, added Mr Gan.

Mr Lim, in a supplementary question, raised a concern that some eateries may not be able to reopen when they are eventually allowed to so, as they could be insolvent by then.

"I am not asking for nightclubs and bars to be open, because that is where the crowd is, but for some of the F&B outlets to be able to seat a few of the diners," he said.

RELAXING F&B RESTRICTIONS

Mr Gan said that the issue has been discussed "at length" by the multi-ministry task force, of which he is co-chair.

He acknowledged that while many F&B outlets have been allowed to offer takeaway services and sustain a "basic level" of activity, it is "not enough" and that these eateries want their customers back.

It may also not be economical for some eateries to provide delivery services, he added.

READ: Singapore’s circuit breaker and beyond: Timeline of the COVID-19 reality

READ: From dawn to dusk, Singapore as it exits its COVID-19 circuit breaker: In pictures

However, the resumption of dine-in services has larger considerations.

"When you allow that, that means you must allow gathering and if we allow gathering in the F&B (setting), then we must also allow gathering outside because it then it doesn't make sense to only allow the F&B gathering," he said.

"Therefore it will actually lead to a general opening of the society, of the community and allow social gathering of certain number of people and therefore this will actually be a consideration for Phase 2."

Singapore exited its circuit breaker period on Jun 1, and the COVID-19 measures will be progressively lifted in three pases.

Mr Gan stressed on Thursday that Phase 1 is a safe opening period and therefore "very restrictive".

"We are not prepared to open it up too early, too quickly because that in fact may result in more cases emerging and in turn will require us to reimpose some of the measures, and as a result, actually may defer and slow down Phase 2," he said.

In his speech, Mr Gan acknowledged that the circuit breaker was a “challenging two months”, despite measures introduced to help Singaporeans cope with period.

“Overall, the circuit breaker was painful but necessary to slow the transmission in the community,” he said.

“We understand the anxiety that our people are facing, and are acutely aware of the economic and social impact of prolonged closure of various sectors. All of us want to get back to normal as soon as possible, and to be able to see our friends and families whom we have not seen for some time."

MP Murali Pillai asked about the merits of exiting the circuit breaker on Jun 1 when COVID-19 infections among migrant workers were still in the hundreds.

While the number of cases in the dormitories remained high, that was “partly due to proactive screening as part of our plan to clear the dormitories and prepare the workers to return to work”, said Mr Gan.

“The situation in the dormitories had come under control. The time had come to begin our journey to resume activities, gradually and cautiously,” he said.

He however cautioned that Singaporeans should be mindful that there are still infections in dormitories, and there are still undetected cases in the community, as evidenced from the occasional unlinked cases discovered.

“The global situation has also not fully stabilised. Some countries are seeing a second wave of infection, after reopening their economy and allowing social activities,” he said, adding that Singapore must remain vigilant.

LEARNING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Mr Gan also said that the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force has been monitoring the global situation and learning from the experiences of other jurisdictions, including their strategies for reopening the economy and community.

He was responding to MPs Christopher de Souza and Mr Chong, who had asked what Singapore can learn from other countries.

“While the situation differs for different jurisdictions, most have taken a cautious and risk-based approach in lifting restrictions, given the possibility of a resurgence in cases that can potentially overwhelm the healthcare system,” he said.

While workplaces have reopened, many authorities have retained measures to limit social interactions and restrict mixing of households in the early stages of opening, as these are known sources of transmission, he added.

He gave the example of Hong Kong, where the limit of eight persons for social gatherings was extended by two weeks because of a new cluster.

Mr Gan noted that New Zealand moved from its highest alert level to a lower alert level on Apr 28, and another level down about two weeks later.

“In making these moves, the authorities took into account factors such as the number of daily cases to ensure the situation is under control, healthcare capacity to ensure the system can cope with potential rise in new cases once the restrictions are relaxed, and adequacy of safety measures to prevent transmission,” he said.

Many countries have also continued with basic preventive measures to reduce the risk of transmission in public places and workplaces and Singapore must do the same, he said.

Like Taiwan, Singapore has made the wearing of masks mandatory on public transport, he said.

Like New Zealand, Singapore has also allowed businesses to operate, subject to the implementation of safe distancing and other precautionary measures, Mr Gan said.

Digital solutions have been used in many countries such as Australia, China, Israel and South Korea to support the gradual resumption of activities by enabling faster contact tracing and identification of clusters, Mr Gan noted.

Singapore has similarly introduced TraceTogether and SafeEntry, he said.

“The most important lesson we have learnt from other countries is that we cannot be complacent, as there is always the risk of a second wave of the virus,” he said.

Despite the steady decline in community cases, from 31 cases per day at the start of circuit breaker to four cases per day in the past week, Singaporeans should be mindful that this is probably the effect of the circuit breaker, he said.

“We expect to see a rise in new community cases as the activity levels and person-to-person interactions increase after circuit breaker,” he added.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvcmVhbC1yaXNrLXJlc3VyZ2VuY2UtY292aWQxOS1yZW9wZW4tdG9vLXF1aWNrbHktZ2FuLWtpbS15b25nLTEyODAyNTg20gEA?oc=5

2020-06-04 05:49:23Z
52780831367836

Rabu, 03 Juni 2020

Hong Kong legislature starts voting on controversial China national anthem Bill - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's Legislative Council started voting on amendments to a controversial national anthem Bill on Thursday (Jun 4) that would make disrespecting China's national anthem a criminal offence, amid heightened fears over Beijing's tightening grip on the city.

A final vote on the Bill is expected later on Thursday.

Explainer - Hong Kong's China national anthem Bill aims to legislate 'respect'

The Bill, which will govern the use and playing of the Chinese national anthem, could punish those who insult the anthem with up to three years' jail and fines of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450).

The Bill states that "all individuals and organisations" should respect and dignify the national anthem and play it and sing it on "appropriate occasions".

It also orders that primary and secondary school students be taught to sing it, along with its history and etiquette.

Tensions in Hong Kong have ramped up after Beijing gave the green light last week to move ahead with national security laws to tackle secession, subversion and foreign interference.

The move was quickly condemned by the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, as well as international human rights groups and some business groups.