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Rabu, 01 Juli 2020

US lawmaker seeks to ban Chinese firms from US capital markets - CNA

WASHINGTON, DC: A top senator is preparing a Bill to ban Chinese companies from United States capital markets if they engage in spying, human rights abuse or support China's military, threatening a financial blow as tensions mount over COVID-19 and Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong.

Republican Marco Rubio, a prominent China hardliner, said he plans to unveil the legislation in the coming weeks after the US Department of Defence released a list of 20 companies that it alleges are owned or controlled by the Chinese military.

"The Chinese Communist Party's exploitation of US capital markets is a clear and ongoing risk to US economic and national security that must be addressed," Rubio said in a statement to Reuters.

"In the coming weeks, I will be introducing legislation to ban these companies from operating in US capital markets and make clear to the Communist Party that they will no longer be able to exploit our financial system," he added.

The Bill will also target companies that support Chinese industrial policy, according to Rubio, who spearheaded successful anti-China initiatives including legislation to sanction Beijing for its repression of Uighur minorities.

The move by Rubio, acting chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, comes as relations between Washington and Beijing have soured over China's crackdown on Hong Kong via a national security law and the origins of the coronavirus, which has killed over 125,000 Americans.

On Monday, the US began eliminating Hong Kong's special status under US law, halting defence exports and restricting the territory's access to advanced technology as retaliation for the move.

Roger Robinson, a former White House official who supports curbing Chinese access to US investors, said 13 of the 20 companies designated by the Defence Department last week as backed by the Chinese military have a presence in US capital markets.

READ: Trump administration labels Huawei, Hikvision as backed by Chinese military

"The list of PLA (People's Liberation Army)-affiliated Chinese enterprises released by the Pentagon is symptomatic of the broader challenge represented by Chinese companies in our capital markets from an investor protection, national security and human rights perspective," said Robinson, referring to the People's Liberation Army.

China hardliners in Washington have already targeted China's access to US capital markets as a pressure point, succeeding in halting plans by federal pension fund administrators to allow a US$40 billion fund to track an index that includes controversial Chinese companies.

In May, US President Donald Trump tasked a team with studying US-listed Chinese companies to better protect American investors after China's Luckin Coffee, which trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange, said employees fabricated millions in sales.

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2020-07-01 23:15:00Z
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Lack of discipline blamed as East Java overtakes Jakarta as largest COVID-19 epicentre in Indonesia - CNA

JAKARTA: East Java has become the largest epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, and experts said the residents' lack of discipline in adhering to social distancing rules is to be blamed for the rise of infections.

On Jun 26, the total infections in East Java surpassed that of the Indonesian capital Jakarta. As of Wednesday, more than 12,000 cases had been recorded in the province, while Jakarta’s figure stood at 11,637.

East Java also had the highest number of deaths which on Wednesday stood at 926. Jakarta's figure is 632.

Mr Windhu Purnomo, a public health expert from East Java’s Airlangga University, noted that the province first saw a significant rise in the number of infections during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in May.

Muslims in Indonesia usually travel back to their hometowns and villages ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday which marks the end of the fasting month, in a tradition known as “mudik”.

“This caused the disease to spread from areas like Jakarta and Bali, particularly as businesses there had to close and many people were laid off,” Mr Purnomo told CNA.

READ: Indonesia's President Widodo threatens to reshuffle Cabinet over COVID-19 response

According to data from the provincial government, East Java began to see a significant rise in the number of infections in mid-May.

On May 23, days before Idul Fitri, the number of daily infections in the province spiked to 473. Since then, the number of daily infections in the province ranges between 160 and 400.

Mr Purnomo also said that residents of East Java had been disobeying health protocols.

A worker sprays disinfectant on motorists, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Surabaya, East Java Province, Indonesia March 22, 2020. Picture taken March 22, 2020. Antara Foto/Zabur Karuru via REUTERS

“You can see it on the streets, in markets and public spaces. People are not wearing masks and not practising social distancing. Meanwhile, the government is only reprimanding the violators instead of a strict sanction,” he said.

“I am not surprised that East Java surpassed Jakarta’s number of infections and became a new epicentre in the country.”

Dr Sutrisno, chairman of the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Doctor’s Association, also said that the East Java government had not been firm in punishing people who ignored health protocols and the government’s social restrictions order.

“The condition is putting a strain in the province’s healthcare system. COVID-19 referral hospitals are becoming overcrowded. New patients are coming non-stop and medical workers are working non-stop too,” he told CNA.

Dr Sutrisno, who like many Indonesians has only one name, added that 76 doctors in East Java had contracted COVID-19 so far, and eight of them have died.

READ: Indonesia is reopening for business even with record high COVID-19 infections, a commentary

He said East Java is also experiencing a shortage of isolation wards, particularly in capital Surabaya, which contributes half of the total infections in the province.

This shortage, he added, is contributing to the province’s high death toll and slow recovery rate of just 32 per cent, which is lower than the national average of 43.2 per cent.

With more than 57,000 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, Indonesia is the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia.

PLANS TO INCREASE TESTING LABS AND HOSPITAL BEDS: HEALTH OFFICER

East Java’s COVID-19 mitigation chief Dr Joni Wahyuhadi acknowledged a lack of discipline among the people in adhering to health protocols.

“That’s why we have provided 2.5 million masks for free and regularly promote healthy lifestyles through various platforms as well as getting the help of community leaders,” he told CNA.

However, he said it is not surprising that the province has more cases than Jakarta because it has a population of 38 million, compared to Jakarta’s 9.6 million.

“We have also been very aggressive in our contact tracing. We have also been conducting mass testing to screen the population and isolate those who have been infected so that they don’t infect others,” he told CNA.

People on motorcycles wait in line for a test for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Surabaya, East Java Province, Indonesia May 28, 2020, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Didik Suhartono via REUTERS

But the central government believed that East Java has not performed enough tests considering the size of its population.

The province has a test rate of 1,428 per one million population, which is considerably lower than Jakarta's 21,406 tests per one million population and Bali's 7,151 tests per one million population.

"This means that East Java still needs to conduct more massive testing," Dr Achmad Yurianto, who is the Ministry of Health's director-general for infectious disease, said on Monday.

To step up the province's testing capacities, Dr Wahyuhadi said there are plans to increase the number of testing labs from 17 to 27.

“We are increasing the number of labs capable of performing (COVID-19) tests as well as increasing the number of hospital beds,” he said.

East Java is also planning to convert dormitories to house asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, he said.

“This way, only people with severe symptoms or comorbidity are treated at hospitals.

“We are optimistic that we can suppress the number of infections and have the pandemic under control.”

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

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2020-07-01 22:26:22Z
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UK will honour its word on immigration to those eligible in Hong Kong, says Raab - CNA

LONDON: Britain will stand by its word and offer all those in Hong Kong with British National Overseas (BNO) status a "bespoke" immigration route, foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Wednesday (Jul 1) after China imposed a new security law on the territory.

"The prime minister and the government are crystal clear: the United Kingdom will keep its word, we will live up to our responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong," he told parliament.

"I can now confirm we will proceed to honour our commitment to change the arrangements for those holding BNO status," he said, adding that those with such status would be granted five years of limited leave in Britain to work or study.

After that, they could apply for settled status and after a further 12 months with settled status, they would be able to apply for citizenship. There will be no quotas, he added.

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2020-07-01 12:20:28Z
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Hong Kong police arrest nearly 200 in first protest under new security law - CNA

BEIJING: Hong Kong police fired water cannon and tear gas and arrested nearly 200 people on Wednesday (Jul 1) as protesters took to the streets in defiance of sweeping security legislation introduced by China.

Beijing on Tuesday unveiled the details of the much-anticipated law after weeks of uncertainty, pushing Hong Kong onto a more authoritarian path.

As thousands of protesters gathered downtown for an annual rally marking the anniversary of the former British colony's handover to China in 1997, riot police used pepper spray to make arrests, while shops and a metro station closed.

"I’m scared of going to jail but for justice I have to come out today, I have to stand up," said one 35-year-old man, who gave his name as Seth.

Crowds spilling out into the streets chanted "resist till the end" and "Hong Kong independence".

Anti-national security law protesters march at the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain in Hong Kong, China July 1, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

READ: Hong Kong marks handover anniversary under shadow of new security law

Police fired water cannons to clear the crowds and later said they had made 30 arrests for illegal assembly, obstruction, possession of weapons and violating the new law.

Earlier, police cited the law for the first time in confronting protesters.

"You are displaying flags or banners/chanting slogans/or conducting yourselves with an intent such as secession or subversion, which may constitute offences under the ... national security law," police said in a message displayed on a purple banner.

Hong Kong police fire water cannon at crowds protesting new security law (1) — Police display a new public announcement banner showing the warning to protesters in Causeway Bay before the annual handover march in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July. 1, 2020. (PHOTO: AP/Vincent Yu)

The law will punish crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison and officially set up mainland security agencies in Hong Kong for the first time, with powers beyond city laws, including allowing for extradition to China for trial.

China's parliament adopted it in response to months of protests last year triggered by fears that Beijing was stifling the city's freedoms, guaranteed by a "one country, two systems" formula agreed when it returned to Chinese rule.

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the legislation is aimed at a few "troublemakers" and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.

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READ: Hong Kong national security law: 5 key facts you need to know

READ: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says national security law will not undermine HK autonomy

But critics fear it will crush the freedoms that are seen as key to Hong Kong's success as a financial centre.

"With the release of the full detail of the law, it should be clear to those in any doubt that this is not the Hong Kong they grew up in," said Hasnain Malik, head of equity research Tellimer in Dubai.

"The difference is that US and China relations are far worse and this could be used as a pretext to impede the role of Hong Kong as a finance hub."

In Beijing, Zhang Xiaoming, executive deputy director of Beijing's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told reporters suspects arrested by a new Beijing-run security office could be tried on the mainland.

He said the new office abides by Chinese law and that Hong Kong's legal system could not be expected to implement the laws of the mainland. Article 55 of the law states that Beijing's security office in Hong Kong could exercise jurisdiction over "complex" or "serious" cases.

"The law is a birthday gift to (Hong Kong) and will show its precious value in the future," Zhang said, adding the law would not be applied retroactively.

Hong Kong police fire water cannon at crowds protesting new security law — Riot police detain a woman as they clear protesters taking part in a rally against a new national security law in Hong Kong on Jul 1, 2020. (Photo: AFP/DALE DE LA REY)

On Jul 1 last year, hundreds of protesters stormed and vandalised the city's Legislative Council building to protest against a now-scrapped bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.

Those protests evolved into calls for greater democracy, paralysing parts of the city and paving the way for Beijing's imposition of the law this week.

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2020-07-01 11:15:00Z
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Hong Kong police make first arrests under new national security law - CNA

BEIJING: Hong Kong police fired water cannons on Wednesday (Jul 1) to break up the first protest since China introduced sweeping security legislation and they made their first arrests under it, warning of punishment for advocating secession or subversion.

Beijing on Tuesday unveiled the details of the much-anticipated law after weeks of uncertainty, pushing Hong Kong onto a more authoritarian path.

"I’m scared of going to jail but for justice I have to come out today, I have to stand up," said one 35-year-old man, who gave his name as Seth.

Crowds spilling out into the streets chanted "resist till the end" and "Hong Kong independence".

READ: Hong Kong marks handover anniversary under shadow of new security law

Police fired water cannons to clear the crowds and later said they had made 30 arrests for illegal assembly, obstruction, possession of weapons and violating the new law.

Earlier, police cited the law for the first time in confronting protesters.

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the legislation is aimed at a few "troublemakers" and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.

READ: Hong Kong national security law: 5 key facts you need to know

READ: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says national security law will not undermine HK autonomy

But critics fear it will crush the freedoms that are seen as key to Hong Kong's success as a financial centre.

"The difference is that US and China relations are far worse and this could be used as a pretext to impede the role of Hong Kong as a finance hub."

"The law is a birthday gift to (Hong Kong) and will show its precious value in the future," Zhang said, adding the law would not be applied retroactively.

Those protests evolved into calls for greater democracy, paralysing parts of the city and paving the way for Beijing's imposition of the law this week.

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Hong Kong police make first arrest under new national security law - The Straits Times

HONG KONG (REUTERS)- Hong Kong police moved swiftly on Wednesday (July 1) against protesters gearing up for the first rally since the introduction of sweeping security legislation, making their first arrest under it and warning of punishment for pro-independence material.

Beijing on Tuesday unveiled the details of the much-anticipated law after weeks of uncertainty, pushing China’s freest city and one of the world’s most glittering financial hubs onto a more authoritarian path.

As hundreds of protesters gathered downtown for an annual rally marking the 23rd anniversary of the former British colony’s handover to China, riot police used pepper spray to arrest at least two people, while one metro station closed.

Police, who earlier banned the rally, cited the law for the first time in confronting protesters and they also made their first arrest under it – a man holding a flag advocating independence.

“You are displaying flags or banners/chanting slogans/or conducting yourselves with an intent such as secession or subversion, which may constitute offences under the ... national security law,” police said in a message displayed on a purple banner.

The law will punish crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison, heralding a more authoritarian era for the Asian financial hub.

China’s parliament adopted it in response to months of pro-democracy protests last year triggered by fears that Beijing was stifling the city’s freedoms, guaranteed by a “one country, two systems” formula agreed when it returned to Chinese rule.

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the legislation is aimed at a few “troublemakers” and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.

But critics fear it will crush the freedoms that are seen as key to Hong Kong’s success as a financial centre.

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2020-07-01 07:10:13Z
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Hong Kong police make first arrest under new national security law - The Straits Times

Police, who earlier banned the rally, cited the law for the first time in confronting protesters and they also made their first arrest under it – a man holding a flag advocating independence.

The law will punish crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison, heralding a more authoritarian era for the Asian financial hub.

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the legislation is aimed at a few “troublemakers” and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.

But critics fear it will crush the freedoms that are seen as key to Hong Kong’s success as a financial centre.

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