China Hong Kong SAR: News and Images

[andy_hujian]

Will Vietnam become a democratic country. Since you wants democracy,
why not learn HongKong and do something similar?

 

[TaiShang]

Central concerns
By Cathy Wong

Stability of trade, tourism under threat as tensions simmer in Hong Kong

A young Hong Kong girl holds the flags of the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, the 17th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland. Photo: CFP

"Horses will keep racing, and nightclub goers will continue dancing," said the then leader Deng Xiaoping before the handover of Hong Kong.

The metaphor for Hong Kong's unchanged spirit and lifestyle after the 1997 handover is a vivid expression for the "one country, two systems," a constitutional principal put forward by Deng. It promises that distinct Chinese regions like Hong Kong and Macao could retain their existing capitalist economic and political systems and high degree of autonomy after its reunification with the mainland.

Seventeen years later, President Xi Jinping also reiterated the need to uphold "one country, two systems" and stressed it will not change.

Occupy Central officially commenced Sunday as its organizer Benny Tai Yiu-ting declared in an announcement that the campaign would start with occupying the government headquarters following a week of school strikes. The activists demand for "genuine" democracy after a legal framework was released in August by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on ways to select Hong Kong's top leader.

It is the city's heated political situation that has caused concern among its political and business leaders over the future of the policy.

Business not as usual

Closer business ties with the mainland since the handover have become one major pillar of Hong Kong's economy. However, the Occupy Central movement has not only harmed political stability in Hong Kong, but also has shaken investor confidence.

"There has not been any difference in business environment or policy since the handover, [in particular,] the tax structure has remained the same," said Vijay Sheth, representative of Sarjan Group, an Indian chamber of commerce in Hong Kong representing more than 250 diamond dealers.

Besides the attractive duty structure, according to Sheth, its free trade policy and accessible location have helped Hong Kong remain competitive since its handover.

But as Occupy Central activists continue to escalate their protests in Hong Kong, luxury business leaders like Sheth are worried about their development in the city.

"Safety and security is our main concern. If Occupy Central really happens, we may lose our customers from both overseas and the mainland," he said.

Sheth is echoed by Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a Hong Kong legislator.

"[Occupy Central] has already done a lot of damage to our image overseas and in the mainland because this has projected an image of uncertainty and turbulence."

"Some foreign businessmen and chambers have told me that some investors are rethinking their investment in Hong Kong because of the perception of uncertainty and turbulence," Ip said.

Tourism, an important pillar of Hong Kong's economy, may also suffer due to the region's political tensions, say experts.

The introduction of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) has brought a major increase in mainland visitors to Hong Kong, reports said.

According to Hong Kong government statistics, in 2002, before the launch of the IVS, there were about 6.8 million mainlanders visiting Hong Kong. In 2012, that number rose to 34.91 million, among which 66 percent (about 23.14 million) were IVS visitors.

"Visitors from the Chinese mainland have been one of our major sources of income and have contributed greatly to our local economy," said Tung Yiu-chung, chairman of Tourism Industry Council Hong Kong

"Occupy Central will threaten Hong Kong's tourism industry, in particular that most business travelers have to live and conduct business in Central."

"There have already been tourists from European and South East Asian countries inquiring about the political situation in Hong Kong. Some are even reconsidering their trip because of it," he said.

Theory of evolution

A white paper on the "one country, two systems" policy, published in June by the central government, has drawn strong reactions in Hong Kong amid suspicion of a shift in policy regarding the region's autonomy. The paper reaffirmed the central government's "overall jurisdiction" over Hong Kong.

"The 'one country, two systems' is a work in progress that continues to evolve. Unfortunately, there have been people in Hong Kong who want to equate a high degree of autonomy with complete autonomy, or even self-rule, which lies outside the concept of 'one country, two systems,'" Ip said.

Ip, who was also Hong Kong's former Security Chief, has been closely involved in the development and implementation of "one country, two systems" in the 30 years since the Sino-British negotiation and drafting of the Basic Law.

Challenges over the policy have arisen, Ip observed, as there have been "people who try to set up conflicts between Hong Kong and the mainland.

The city is currently undergoing a determining process of political reform after the country's top legislature adopted the legal framework for Hong Kong's universal suffrage in 2017.

The pan-democratic politicians have argued that the public should have the right to nominate candidates, and claimed the framework has imposed a nomination threshold too high for them to run in the race.

"The system came into being only because of the one country [principle]. The central government issued the white paper to clarify the conceptual basis for the 'one country, two systems',"said Ip.

 

[Jlaw]

Central concerns
By Cathy Wong

Stability of trade, tourism under threat as tensions simmer in Hong Kong
View attachment 95389
A young Hong Kong girl holds the flags of the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, the 17th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland. Photo: CFP

"Horses will keep racing, and nightclub goers will continue dancing," said the then leader Deng Xiaoping before the handover of Hong Kong.

The metaphor for Hong Kong's unchanged spirit and lifestyle after the 1997 handover is a vivid expression for the "one country, two systems," a constitutional principal put forward by Deng. It promises that distinct Chinese regions like Hong Kong and Macao could retain their existing capitalist economic and political systems and high degree of autonomy after its reunification with the mainland.

Seventeen years later, President Xi Jinping also reiterated the need to uphold "one country, two systems" and stressed it will not change.

Occupy Central officially commenced Sunday as its organizer Benny Tai Yiu-ting declared in an announcement that the campaign would start with occupying the government headquarters following a week of school strikes. The activists demand for "genuine" democracy after a legal framework was released in August by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on ways to select Hong Kong's top leader.

It is the city's heated political situation that has caused concern among its political and business leaders over the future of the policy.

Business not as usual

Closer business ties with the mainland since the handover have become one major pillar of Hong Kong's economy. However, the Occupy Central movement has not only harmed political stability in Hong Kong, but also has shaken investor confidence.

"There has not been any difference in business environment or policy since the handover, [in particular,] the tax structure has remained the same," said Vijay Sheth, representative of Sarjan Group, an Indian chamber of commerce in Hong Kong representing more than 250 diamond dealers.

Besides the attractive duty structure, according to Sheth, its free trade policy and accessible location have helped Hong Kong remain competitive since its handover.

But as Occupy Central activists continue to escalate their protests in Hong Kong, luxury business leaders like Sheth are worried about their development in the city.

"Safety and security is our main concern. If Occupy Central really happens, we may lose our customers from both overseas and the mainland," he said.

Sheth is echoed by Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a Hong Kong legislator.

"[Occupy Central] has already done a lot of damage to our image overseas and in the mainland because this has projected an image of uncertainty and turbulence."

"Some foreign businessmen and chambers have told me that some investors are rethinking their investment in Hong Kong because of the perception of uncertainty and turbulence," Ip said.

Tourism, an important pillar of Hong Kong's economy, may also suffer due to the region's political tensions, say experts.

The introduction of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) has brought a major increase in mainland visitors to Hong Kong, reports said.

According to Hong Kong government statistics, in 2002, before the launch of the IVS, there were about 6.8 million mainlanders visiting Hong Kong. In 2012, that number rose to 34.91 million, among which 66 percent (about 23.14 million) were IVS visitors.

"Visitors from the Chinese mainland have been one of our major sources of income and have contributed greatly to our local economy," said Tung Yiu-chung, chairman of Tourism Industry Council Hong Kong

"Occupy Central will threaten Hong Kong's tourism industry, in particular that most business travelers have to live and conduct business in Central."

"There have already been tourists from European and South East Asian countries inquiring about the political situation in Hong Kong. Some are even reconsidering their trip because of it," he said.

Theory of evolution

A white paper on the "one country, two systems" policy, published in June by the central government, has drawn strong reactions in Hong Kong amid suspicion of a shift in policy regarding the region's autonomy. The paper reaffirmed the central government's "overall jurisdiction" over Hong Kong.

"The 'one country, two systems' is a work in progress that continues to evolve. Unfortunately, there have been people in Hong Kong who want to equate a high degree of autonomy with complete autonomy, or even self-rule, which lies outside the concept of 'one country, two systems,'" Ip said.

Ip, who was also Hong Kong's former Security Chief, has been closely involved in the development and implementation of "one country, two systems" in the 30 years since the Sino-British negotiation and drafting of the Basic Law.

Challenges over the policy have arisen, Ip observed, as there have been "people who try to set up conflicts between Hong Kong and the mainland.

The city is currently undergoing a determining process of political reform after the country's top legislature adopted the legal framework for Hong Kong's universal suffrage in 2017.

The pan-democratic politicians have argued that the public should have the right to nominate candidates, and claimed the framework has imposed a nomination threshold too high for them to run in the race.

"The system came into being only because of the one country [principle]. The central government issued the white paper to clarify the conceptual basis for the 'one country, two systems',"said Ip.

My gf's friends are going to HK in Two weeks and are worried. They are planning to cancel the trip.
Instability is never good for business but i'm surprised that these occupy goofballs are just so dumb. Being played like a tool and not realizing it.

 

[Genesis]

Kill all of us? Won't they take care of Chinese, first?

yes, the 7 million HKers are armed to the teeth, they will indeed come after us, and we are defenseless.

Though yes, in democracy, government must consider more of the people's wishes, say if Vietnam is ramming our ship, or vice versa, or even challenge us, can a democratic government that need votes appear to be compromising US proved. the American way is always, you mess with us, and 6 hundred thousand allied soldiers will descend on you or air strikes.



overall, I think this movement is for nothing, for one, 1.3 billion Chinese go about their business as normal and nobody really cares, and as long as they don't care, neither does the Central government.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

We had dharna for 40 days and no coverage , and 1 day issue in Hong Kong all news sites reporting in on it because its against china .... tch tch tch

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Good job HK police, those western propagandists need to be treated in such way.

 

[Kolaps]

HK is going to be EMBARGOED!

This is against democracy and free press!

Let start by freezing all the financial assets of HK based bank, like HSBC.

As well as HK flag carrier Cathay Pacific.

 

[mrfly911]

yes, the 7 million HKers are armed to the teeth, they will indeed come after us, and we are defenseless.

HKers are protesting pro-Chinese mainland now! How on the earth they will support you?

you mess with us, and 6 hundred thousand allied soldiers will descend on you or air strikes

With these words, you Chinese are so brutal!

1.3 billion Chinese go about their business as normal and nobody really cares, and as long as they don't care, neither does the Central government.

Well, this's the big problem! You (mainland) don't care about your people (Hkers). Do you have heart?

 

[dlclong]

HK is going to be EMBARGOED!

This is against democracy and free press!

Let start by freezing all the financial assets of HK based bank, like HSBC.

As well as HK flag carrier Cathay Pacific.

Your show is very exciting, Vietnamese

 

[cirr]

The Hong Kong police should take a leaf out of its American counterpart‘s book when dealing with street gatherings：

Shoot the bastards if they ever dare going on a rampage。

 

[mrfly911]

those halfw!t in Hongkong are die hard nationalist and of course discriminating on vietmonkeys arent very hard to them

Hkers are protesting to pro-China government. Not racism there.

since anger China would leave them no water, electricity, food and fund, but without you vietcongs```well`` can only affects their supply of cheap vietbrides

HK is a trading port and they have money. They can buy what they want

 

[Genesis]

The Hong Kong police should take a leaf out of its American counterpart‘s book when dealing with street gatherings：

Shoot the bastards if they ever dare going on a rampage。

or since it's just HK, give all cops a free week long trip to China for vacation, and let them tear HK to shreds if they want to. After all, as I repeatedly said, it's not the mainland.

 

[gambit]

Since America does everything right and is a country that's true to democracy, it is exactly the place to look for solution against these so called "Pro Democracy" supporters. They need to see what true democracy really is and get a taste of how the holy grail of democracy handles its civil disobedience.

Actually...No.

Your China experiences hundreds of violent civil disobedience every year.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424053111903703604576587070600504108

In 2010, China was rocked by 180,000 protests, riots and other mass incidents—more than four times the tally from a decade earlier. That figure, reported by Sun Liping, a professor at Tsinghua University, rather than official sources, doesn't tell the whole story on the turmoil in what is now the world's second-largest economy.

These incidents ranges from dozens to thousands of people, making the Chinese government the most experienced in how to put down civilians.

 

[Sergio2021]

My utmost respect for the Hong-Kong protesters willing to stand up for their liberty and rights. As long as they have their phones out to upload and document this event, Beijing will not be able to use military actions on them because the whole world is currently watching and support their movement.

 

[Sergio2021]

My utmost respect for the Hong-Kong protesters willing to stand up for their liberty and rights. As long as they have their phones out to upload and document this events, Beijing will not be able to use military actions on them because the whole world is currently watching and support their movement.