Zen Soo
New Hong Kong s Chief Justice Andrew Cheung listens to reporters questions during a press conference in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Hong Kong s new top judge on Monday warned the territory s courts need to show they are impartial amid a flurry of politically charged cases or risk losing public trust. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) January 11, 2021 - 5:17 AM
Hong Kongâs new top judge warned Monday that the semi-autonomous Chinese territoryâs courts need to show they are impartial amid a flurry of politically charged cases or risk losing public trust.
Hong Kong has been in a state of political crisis after months of anti-government protests in 2019 led to Beijing imposing a tough national security law on the city to quash dissent. Pro-democracy supporters say the security legislation suppresses the freedoms Hong Kong was promised when it was handed over from British control in 1997.
Judicial independence key: HK’s new top judge
Reuters, HONG KONG
Hong Kong’s new top judge yesterday stressed the importance of the territory’s judicial independence and rule of law, describing them as crucial to business confidence and the international reputation of the global business hub.
Andrew Cheung (張舉能) made his remarks hours after he was sworn in to replace Geoffrey Ma (馬道立), 65, who is retiring after a decade as chief justice in the former British colony.
Cheung, 59, takes office at a pivotal moment for the territory’s judges amid rising political pressures and the new National Security Law imposed by Beijing.
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Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai ordered into custody after release on bail
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Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily Jimmy Lai (C) is being ordered back to prison after being released on $1.29 million bail. File Photo by Jerome Favre/EPA-EFE
Dec. 31 (UPI) Hong Kong dissident and media mogul Jimmy Lai has been ordered back to prison more than a week after he was freed on bail.
Lai, 73, a critic of China s increasing grip on Hong Kong, had been charged under the new Hong Kong national security law for his support of pro-democracy movements.
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Lai was released on $1.29 million bail before Christmas, but was ordered back to jail Thursday after Hong Kong s Court of Final Appeal ruled in favor of the prosecution.