[Politics] Hong Kong

[beorhthelm]

This law is very welcome in my opinion. Hong Kong has been chaos for sometime now, and the protestors have gone way over the top. This has included creating bomb factories, setting people on fire/attacking those who voice different opinions.

Every country has national security laws and closing this loophole will hopefully repair the economy and allow HK to prosper once again. It will have little impact to law abiding citizens.

interesting to hear an alternative view especially from someone on the ground. i havent understood why it should impact on investment or business operating from Hong Kong. is there direct impact to business or implied?

 

[The Wizard]

If you sign a treaty and agreement until 2047, why should Beijing just be allowed to waltz in and enforce whatever laws they want? Regardless of the situation, surely that is wrong?

 

[highflyer]

Am I missing something or didn’t our lease expire nearly 25 years ago? I’ve I bought a house and was now the leaseholder, I’d be a bit pissed off of a former resident came round a quarter of a century later and started telling me what wall paper I could use etc.

Let it go, it’s none of our business anymore not least because the worlds biggest superpower owns it. In their back yard. On the other side of the planet. And our navy’s been reduced to a couple of dinghies...and they’re probably dry docked.

The former resident has just invited everyone that lives there to come and live with them...
Not sure how that will go down with many of those currently living at the main residence of the former leaseholder...

 

[middletoenail]

interesting to hear an alternative view especially from someone on the ground. i havent understood why it should impact on investment or business operating from Hong Kong. is there direct impact to business or implied?

In theory it shouldn't, but I guess there could be a number of reasons. Businesses tend to base themselves in Hong Kong because they receive favourable trading incentives not seen on in mainland China, like reduced tariffs, taxes etc. It's more likely companies have got the jitters over snooping and getting involved in geopolitics.

If you sign a treaty and agreement until 2047, why should Beijing just be allowed to waltz in and enforce whatever laws they want? Regardless of the situation, surely that is wrong?

One of the articles of the basic law drawn up during the handover, states that the Hong Kong government have the right to enact the national security laws which was signed by UK!

The tried to bring it in in 2003 but similar protests occurred, and the local government didn't want the drama. Now the central government have introduced it because the local politicians are useless.

The US and UK have numerous security laws, such as the Patriot Act for example, but when China does it lawfully, the world police goes into overdrive.

 

[Boys 9d]

A question please to those whose political knowledge outstrips mine.

I understand that Macau has a similar status to Hong Kong. What is the situation there. Is the Chinese Government gradually imposing its control and what is the local reaction?

 

[bluenitsuj]

Here we go again.

Guessing the Chinese will be more prepared this time, using (your beloved, definitely unproblematic) modern technology to quench ways for HK protesters to organize themselves and directly kill off any protest taken to the streets. Cant see Xi & his buddies allowing it to escalate like last time.

And its not like NATO will come fight for their freedom & democracy, since they cant rob HK of all its natural resources.

So, what do you think will happen?

Nothing will happen. China are untouchable and can do what they want. For too many years the world has bent over for them and now rely on them too much. Money talks

 

[NooBHA]

If you were to hold an Election in Hong Kong you would find that the majority of the country are ''Pro China''

The Chinese have a staggeringly strong Economy - The wealthy age groups in Honk Kong are the parents of the ''Student Protesters'' - Once they inherit Daddy's Money a lot of their grievances will disappear.

China will fully absorb Hong Kong - In that region the people of Hong Kong benefit enormously from trade with China - I don't belittle the grievances they have in terms of Human Rights but balance that off against what they would lose without the support of China and the people as a whole.

Britain owes the people of Hong Kong a debt for selling them up the ''Swanee'' - It knows that its Migrants will be Wealthy and will be only too happy to take them on Board just like it takes a lot of Chinese Migrants at the moment.

I can't remember what type of Visa it is - But you can literally buy a UK Visa if you are Chinese invest a minimum of £250K in UK Banks.

 

[schmunk]

I can't remember what type of Visa it is - But you can literally buy a UK Visa if you are Chinese invest a minimum of £250K in UK Banks.

You're partly right - you don't need to be Chinese, and the minimum investment is £2,000,000.

https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-investor

 

[chimneys]

I cant see this turning out in any other way than a pretty massive thing. Especially for the UK. If there would be a few million refugees from HK.

Cant first colonialise it, make it British, then throw it away give it away under certain preconditions, just to ignore when China breach the agreement, and then not give room for the HK population. Its not like you could ask EU for help either, there must be some ****ing level of dignity.

Problem is that if handling a few million immigrants would not be difficult enough, you also got to keep China happy as they are the locomotive in the global economy.

Going to be interesting to see how this develops. I have a feeling the whole 2020s is going to be a pretty wild ride.

Hong Kong: UK makes citizenship offer to residents:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53246899

 

[highflyer]

If you were to hold an Election in Hong Kong you would find that the majority of the country are ''Pro China''

Out of interest is that an assumption or do you have a specific reason for saying it (it may well be true, I have no idea)?

 

[NooBHA]

Out of interest is that an assumption or do you have a specific reason for saying it (it may well be true, I have no idea)?

I don't have any hard facts on it but I have worked with Colleagues over he years who are from Hong Kong and they were the ones who pointed it out to me. Prior to that I assumed that most were ''Anti China''

 

[NooBHA]

You're partly right - you don't need to be Chinese, and the minimum investment is £2,000,000.

https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-investor

Thanks for that - I think I said Chinese because the clients I have who obtained one it were Chinese but now you mention I have had one from South Africa as well

 

[nicko31]

Hong Kong: UK makes citizenship offer to residents:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53246899

Bodes well for a trade deal with China, oh well....

 

[Westdene Seagull]

In theory it shouldn't, but I guess there could be a number of reasons. Businesses tend to base themselves in Hong Kong because they receive favourable trading incentives not seen on in mainland China, like reduced tariffs, taxes etc. It's more likely companies have got the jitters over snooping and getting involved in geopolitics.One of the articles of the basic law drawn up during the handover, states that the Hong Kong government have the right to enact the national security laws which was signed by UK!

The tried to bring it in in 2003 but similar protests occurred, and the local government didn't want the drama. Now the central government have introduced it because the local politicians are useless.

The US and UK have numerous security laws, such as the Patriot Act for example, but when China does it lawfully, the world police goes into overdrive.

In the UK, if I want to say the government are inept, corrupt and useless I can - without being arrested. If I want to burn the Union Flag I can - with out being arrested. If I want to display the flag of Welsh, Scots or Cornish independence I can - without being arrested. If I want to suggested Boris Johnson is a raping pedophile - I can - without being arrested ( he could of course sue me ).

Now if I live in Hong Kong and want to burn the Chinese flag, I can - but risk life imprisonment. If I want to point out that Xi Jinping has murdered thousands of ethic minorities and that he heads a corrupt government I can - but risk life imprisonment or even the death sentence.

Ironically, this new law covers everyone in the world - in theory, because I've made the above statements, if I travel to Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland, I can be arrested and jailed for life. The quicker Johnson grows some balls and starts to threaten China with some proper retribution the better.

 

[Swansman]

Ironically, this new law covers everyone in the world - in theory, because I've made the above statements, if I travel to Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland, I can be arrested and jailed for life. The quicker Johnson grows some balls and starts to threaten China with some proper retribution the better.

Retributions? "If you dont do as I say, you won't get the absolute nothing you need us for!".

 

[Chicken Run]

In the UK, if I want to say the government are inept, corrupt and useless I can - without being arrested. If I want to burn the Union Flag I can - with out being arrested. If I want to display the flag of Welsh, Scots or Cornish independence I can - without being arrested. If I want to suggested Boris Johnson is a raping pedophile - I can - without being arrested ( he could of course sue me ).

Now if I live in Hong Kong and want to burn the Chinese flag, I can - but risk life imprisonment. If I want to point out that Xi Jinping has murdered thousands of ethic minorities and that he heads a corrupt government I can - but risk life imprisonment or even the death sentence.

Ironically, this new law covers everyone in the world - in theory, because I've made the above statements, if I travel to Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland, I can be arrested and jailed for life. The quicker Johnson grows some balls and starts to threaten China with some proper retribution the better.

Let’s send a carrier task group to the South China Sea and flex a bit of muscle. Oh and before anyone replies with “we don’t have that many ships” make sure you know what a task group consists of and check the current fleet to see if we have enough x

 

[highflyer]

Let’s send a carrier task group to the South China Sea and flex a bit of muscle. Oh and before anyone replies with “we don’t have that many ships” make sure you know what a task group consists of and check the current fleet to see if we have enough x

Are you SERIOUSLY suggesting we try and threaten China with force?

Us?

Now?

 

[middletoenail]

In the UK, if I want to say the government are inept, corrupt and useless I can - without being arrested. If I want to burn the Union Flag I can - with out being arrested. If I want to display the flag of Welsh, Scots or Cornish independence I can - without being arrested. If I want to suggested Boris Johnson is a raping pedophile - I can - without being arrested ( he could of course sue me ).

Now if I live in Hong Kong and want to burn the Chinese flag, I can - but risk life imprisonment. If I want to point out that Xi Jinping has murdered thousands of ethic minorities and that he heads a corrupt government I can - but risk life imprisonment or even the death sentence.

Ironically, this new law covers everyone in the world - in theory, because I've made the above statements, if I travel to Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland, I can be arrested and jailed for life. The quicker Johnson grows some balls and starts to threaten China with some proper retribution the better.

What about if you want to have a picnic in Reading, stay in a hotel in Glasgow, walk across London bridge or have a chance of surviving Covid-19?

Statistically, you're far safer in China, as long as you can resist the things you mention!

 

[Westdene Seagull]

What about if you want to have a picnic in Reading, stay in a hotel in Glasgow, walk across London bridge or have a chance of surviving Covid-19?

Statistically, you're far safer in China, as long as you can resist the things you mention!

I'd rather take those risks and have freedom of expression and speech towards a government.

 

[nicko31]

In the UK, if I want to say the government are inept, corrupt and useless I can - without being arrested. If I want to burn the Union Flag I can - with out being arrested. If I want to display the flag of Welsh, Scots or Cornish independence I can - without being arrested. If I want to suggested Boris Johnson is a raping pedophile - I can - without being arrested ( he could of course sue me ).

Now if I live in Hong Kong and want to burn the Chinese flag, I can - but risk life imprisonment. If I want to point out that Xi Jinping has murdered thousands of ethic minorities and that he heads a corrupt government I can - but risk life imprisonment or even the death sentence.

Ironically, this new law covers everyone in the world - in theory, because I've made the above statements, if I travel to Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland, I can be arrested and jailed for life. The quicker Johnson grows some balls and starts to threaten China with some proper retribution the better.

My advice is don't use the wifi and login onto NSC at the Pennisular Hotel...