Kris Cheng

My latest piece for @indexoncensorship.org looks into the >50 event cancellations since 2021 which are because of political issues: The use of the excuse “force majeure” has been on the rise, as the organisers can’t publicly explain where the pressure comes from

UK's 'China Audit' prizes trade over national security, critics say Government stresses importance of business, economic growth and Chinese students

My new piece: The “China Audit” highlights Beijing’s role on trade and economy, but there are few details on spying and sabotage cases, and how to adapt to a new international order

asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Int...

What better sign of Apple Daily's enduring power than to see our revival edition being read in the #UK houses of parliament today, by MPs and peers of all political parties. The spirit of Apple Daily lives on! #HongKong #AppleDailyLivesOn #FreeJimmyLai

Very honoured to write and edit of this “special edition” of Apple Daily for @rsf.org , marking the 4th anniversary of its forced closure.

Remember the journalists & press freedom defenders still in jail - some may be out next month, some will take a few more years.

Is there a tool that allows me to share on both platforms at the same time? But it’ll be troublesome if I have typos (often) or if I have to delete/edit something

@werahobhouse.bsky.social grew up in West Germany & referenced philosopher Karl Popper’s The Open Society and Its Enemies.

“I know what the Eastern Bloc was like, how people were restricted. I know about authoritarian countries and the quite wilful decisions they make without any explanation.”

@werahobhouse.bsky.social insisted she answered questions by HK immigration officers, unlike what HK accused her of.

She said her son conducts research on Buddhism in HK, which is actually funded by the HK gov.

“For him, I think it was in many ways a bigger wake-up call than for me.”

UK MP barred from Hong Kong urges reciprocal ban on China politicians Citing British Steel, Hobhouse says London must publish risks of trading with China

My new piece for @asia.nikkei.com - @werahobhouse.bsky.social says UK has to be tougher on its red lines.

“If they don't let politicians from the UK in, well then, we shouldn’t let some politicians from China in either.”

She urges China Audit to be published asap.
asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Int...

Former lawmaker Claudia Mo published her first social media post on Friday, three days after she completed her jail term of four years and two months for a conspiracy to commit subversion.

Photo: Claudia Mo, via Facebook.

First time Hong Kong in “very serious” situation

Hong Kong police arrested father & brother of @AnnaKwokFY for "attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds” of hers - they reportedly tried to withdraw money from an innsurance policy related to her. Her father was charged, brother bailed.

www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...

4 former Hong Kong lawmakers released from prison - The World from PRX In Hong Kong on Tuesday, Claudia Mo, Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki and Gary Fan were released from prison after spending more than four years there. They are among 47 activists arrested in 2021 for their rol...

I was interviewed by @theworld.org yesterday on 4 former Hong Kong lawmakers released from prison.

Some of their former assistants told me that it would be very difficult to meet with or contact them, even though they should be completely free.

theworld.org/segments/202...

Four HK ex-lawmakers Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki, Claudia Mo & Gary Fan, of the 45 jailed for the democrat primary under the National Security Law, have been released from prison after serving full sentences. Cars drive them out & no one saw their faces.

thecollectivehk.com/47%e4%ba%ba%...

Hong Kong leader John Lee slams US tariffs during China visit, says intl firms can “avoid US risks” by entering China market via HK.

“We’ll provide new supply chain services for mainland firms, lead them towards new markets, break through US blockade.”

news.tvb.com/sc/local/680...

兩記者被拒進入立法會大會　後被警方帶離　治安警：涉「擾亂澳門特別行政區機關之運作」罪｜論盡媒體 AAMacau 本媒兩名記者今（17）早原就施政報告內容到立法會採訪，被拒絕進入大會議室，並要求到會議室隔離的公眾室，而該室只能看到會議直播。記者與立法會職員理論不果，後被現場戒備的警方�員以「協助調查」為由帶離現場。治安警察局今晚發出訊息指，兩名記者「嚴重擾亂現場秩序」，有「強烈跡象」涉嫌觸犯「擾亂澳門特別行政區機關之運作」罪，案件將移送檢察院偵辦。 本媒兩名記者在上午約10時被帶到北安警察局總部大樓，…

#Macau: RSF is appalled by the 11-hour detention of two All About Macau journalists who tried to cover discussions in the Legislative Assembly. Authorities should immediately stop harassing these journalists, drop the investigation and allow them to continue their work without restrictions.

Today we are proud to launch the Hong Kong Accountability Archive (HKAA), an independent database of videos from the 2019 pro-democracy protests aimed at protecting freedom of peaceful assembly by preserving evidence of human rights violations. Watch this promo for more on the project.

Jimmy’s Instagram as a circus artist:

www.instagram.com/jwochun

YouTube video by Britain's Got Talent Jimmy Wong's MESMERISING aerial routine comes with a twist! | Auditions | BGT Unseen

On @BGT: “My name is Jimmy. I am from Hong Kong but I live in London. (How long have you lived in the UK?) 18 months.”

Four yes for an amazing performance.

youtu.be/AzPo-LrY_s0?...

About Circle 19: www.circle19.org

Next week, I will be at @journalismfestival.com at a side event of Circle 19 organised by @rsf.org to talk about the right to information in China with veteran Chinese journalist Chang Ping:

www.journalismfestival.com/programme-si...

Six-monthly report on Hong Kong: July to December 2024 This is the 56th in a series of reports to Parliament on Hong Kong.

Word by David Lammy in new UK report on HK:
-Criticise politically motivated cases
-Will not tolerate transnational repression
-Stand with HK community in UK
-HK’s economic system remains distinct

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Another activist wanted by Hong Kong Ted Hui said the law firm he works for in Adelaide received a "kidnap appeal" letter from HK. He said the address inside was unrelated to him, and the claim of "proceeds of crime" was false.
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...

Some of whom will have left countries with repressive regimes (and don't have permanent residency) and cannot now go back or would be at great risk if they did.

Here is a fundraiser for people affected by the dismantling of USAGM, including those working for VOA, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and the Open Technology Fund
secure.givelively.org/donate/usagm...

Although Wokingham is outside of London, many local residents are from Hong Kong, Ng said. Another local council may debate a similar motion soon.

"We have a duty to speak out on the concern of the people," he said.

Motion starts at 2:52:36
www.youtube.com/live/wmwsDCO...

Just in: Wokingham is the first UK local council to pass a motion against the "Chinese Super Embassy", tabled by ex-
Hong Kong democrat turned Lib-dem councillor Andy Ng.

"This isn't just about a building, but what it represents...transnational repression," he said.

The Silencing of Voice of America and Radio Free Asia: What It Means for Hong Kong and Beijing - The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation

My blog for @thecfhk.bsky.social about the importance of VOA and RFA: "Absence of oversight allows #HongKong to act with impunity, knowing there are fewer avenues for whistleblowers to expose wrongdoing. That's what they want: narrative control & silence within."
thecfhk.org/the-silencin...

Little update: I am ok. Thanks for your support. I am proud of the work I’ve done for VOA in the past four years, covering what cannot be said in Hong Kong. I hope we can continue our work soon, as there’s still a lot of work to do.

黎智英兒子求見英國首相 指英中改善關係前提應是釋放父親 香港壹傳媒創辦人黎智英的兒子黎崇恩，本星期初到英國首相府遞交了信件，希望能夠盡快與英國首相會面，討論他父親在香港被囚的案件。他說，即使工黨政府想與中國打好關係，但他父親獲釋應該是大前提。

Jimmy Lai’s son Sebastien urges publicly for a meeting with Keir Starmer as he says prerequisite for improved UK-China relations should be release of his father

www.voacantonese.com/a/8002524.html

國際婦女節前夕 被通緝海外香港女性倡議者指每天收到死亡、跟蹤、強暴威脅 在國際婦女節前夕，五名被香港警方國安處懸紅通緝的女性香港海外倡議者在出席網上論壇時指出，針對他們的跨境鎮壓威脅無處不在，但外國警方的執法調查打壓不力。她們誓言，會繼續勇敢進行倡議工作，激勵更多年輕的女性倡議者向前邁進。

Ahead of International Women's Day, Hong Kong female activists in exile tell their stories of threats they face every day. Their day may start with a rape threat, followed by weird calls from men, and then being followed when going home.
www.voacantonese.com/a/wanted-hon...