Page 23 - Greg Torode News Today

By Greg Torode, Anne Marie Roantree and James Pomfret HONG KONG (Reuters) - The top U.S. diplomat in Hong Kong said the imposition of a new national security law had created an atmosphere of coercion that threatens both the citys freedoms and its standing as an international business hub. In unusually strident remarks to Reuters this week, U.S. Consul-General Hanscom Smith called it appalling that Beijings influence had vilified routine diplomatic activities such as meeting local activists, part...

Pope appoints new Hong Kong bishop after long delay FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass for the community of the faithful of Myanmar resident in Rome, at the Vatican, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/Pool reuters_tickers This content was published on May 17, 2021 - 11:12 May 17, 2021 - 11:12 VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis named on Monday Stephen Chow as the new bishop of Hong Kong, a long-delayed appointment that comes amid Sino-Vatican frictions and growing Western concern o...

America’s intent in the aftermath of the Chinese tests was to signal U.S. strength with just the right amount and kind of potential force.

By Pak Yiu HONG KONG, April 26 (Reuters) - An immigration bill on Hong Kongs legislative agenda for Wednesday would give authorities virtually unlimited powers to prevent residents and others entering or leaving the former British colony, lawyers, diplomats and rights groups say. The government says the bill merely aims to screen illegal immigrants at source amid a backlog of asylum applications, and does not affect movement rights. But lawyers say it empowers authorities to bar anyone, without...

FILE PHOTO: British National Overseas passports (BNO) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China passports sit on top of baggage in Hong Kong, China, December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu HONG KONG (Reuters) - An immigration bill on Hong Kongs legislative agenda for Wednesday would give authorities virtually unlimited powers to prevent residents and others entering or leaving the former British colony, lawyers, diplomats and rights groups say. The governmen...

5 Min Read HONG KONG (Reuters) - A proposed new law that tightens patriotic loyalty tests for Hong Kong politicians could also ensnare the city’s judges, further threatening its vaunted judicial independence, say legal scholars, lawyers and diplomats. FILE PHOTO: A Hong Kong flag is flown behind a pair of surveillance cameras outside the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, China July 20, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu They warn that the so-called “negative list” - which proscribes unpatrio...

Article content HONG KONG — A proposed new law that tightens patriotic loyalty tests for Hong Kong politicians could also ensnare the city’s judges, further threatening its vaunted judicial independence, say legal scholars, lawyers and diplomats. They warn that the so-called “negative list” – which proscribes unpatriotic acts – under the oath-taking bill is far too vague and could put judges under intense pressure if their rulings and judgments are viewed as challenging the governme...

HONGKONG-SECURITY/POLITICS (EXPLAINER):EXPLAINER-What is love? Beijing desires unconditional loyalty from Hong Kong

* Move will upend politics in “reverse democratisation” - analyst * HK govt says move will ensure Beijing’s “overall jurisdiction” (adds report on Legco postponement) HONG KONG, March 4 (Reuters) - A senior Chinese official on Thursday confirmed Beijing’s intention to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure “patriots” are in charge, potentially the biggest blow to the city’s democracy since its handover from British rule in 1997. Zhang Yesui, a spokesman for the Nati...

* Move will upend politics in “reverse democratisation” - analyst * HK govt says move will ensure Beijing’s “overall jurisdiction” (adds report on Legco postponement) HONG KONG, March 4 (Reuters) - A senior Chinese official on Thursday confirmed Beijing’s intention to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure “patriots” are in charge, potentially the biggest blow to the city’s democracy since its handover from British rule in 1997. Zhang Yesui, a spokesman for the Nati...