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 by Staff Writers Tokyo (AFP) Nov 25, 2019
Hong Kong is a part of China "no matter what happens", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday, with the crisis-hit city's pro-democracy looking set for a crushing victory in community-level elections at the weekend. The results of Sunday's elections in the semi-autonomous city have sent the Beijing-backed government a clear message of public support for the demands of a protest movement that has gripped the territory for months. Counting was still under way following record turnout, but partial results indicated that candidates favouring greater democracy were on course to seize a shock majority of the normally establishment-dominated 18 district councils. "It's not the final result yet. Let's wait for the final result, OK? However, it is clear that no matter what happens, Hong Kong is a part of China and a special administrative region of China," Wang told reporters after he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. "Any attempt to mess up Hong Kong, or even damage its prosperity and stability, will not succeed." Hong Kong has been rocked by months of pro-democracy protests over concerns that Beijing is chipping away at the financial hub's special rights, which are unheard of in the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary.
China 'resolutely' backs Hong Kong leader despite polls setback The result was a humiliating rebuke to Beijing and Lam, who has dismissed calls for political reform and had repeatedly suggested that a silent majority supported her administration and opposed the protest movement. "China's central government resolutely supports chief executive Carrie Lam's leadership of the Special Administrative Region government," said foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a regular press briefing. Although the elections handle local concerns such as bus routes and garbage collection, the result has been seen as voters giving the territory's China-controlled administration a bloody nose after months of increasingly violent clashes between protesters and police. Geng said the government also supported the police and judiciary in Hong Kong in "punishing relevant violent and illegal behaviours." "The Chinese government's resolve to protect national sovereignty, security and development interest has not faltered. Its resolve to carry out one country, two systems has not faltered," he said. Lam said earlier Monday that her government would "listen humbly" to the public. Candidates favouring greater democracy seized an overwhelming majority of the 452 seats in the city's 18 district councils.
HK elections showed 'great spirit': dissident artist "The result is extraordinary," Badiucao told reporters on Monday during a visit to Berlin where he exhibited some of his politically satirical art in German MP Gyde Jensen's office. The election showed Hong Kongers were not just fighting for democracy but "also practising it". "I think that great spirit was shown.... That's how powerful democracy is," said Badiucao, adding that the protests were "a source of hope" for China as a whole. Badiucao originally comes from Shanghai but is now based in Australia. He says he cannot return to China as he and his family on the mainland have received threats because of his work. He has been compared to Banksy and, like the British street artist, previously also worked in anonymity until he revealed his identity earlier this year. One of his most popular cartoons is based on an AFP photograph of a lone protester in a yellow poncho getting hit by pepper spray or water from police. Another shows the character of Winnie the Pooh, which he uses as a mocking portrayal of Chinese President Xi Jinping, being crushed by a falling Berlin Wall. In one cartoon, Hong Kong's deeply unpopular leader Carrie Lam is depicted crying crocodile tears. Lam on Monday vowed to "listen humbly" to voters after the pro-democracy camp scored a crushing victory in elections that revealed broad public support for the protest movement that has stirred months of violence. Badiucao said protest art like his own had helped inspire protesters by showing Hong Kongers that politicians could be criticised and by providing some relief in an increasingly volatile situation. "I think not just my art but also other artists' work serve in a way to comfort people's mind -- give it even just a window to breathe -- in a very short moment and they can jump out from this devastating situation," he said.
Hong Kong siege in third day as China sounds warnings Hong Kong (AFP) Nov 19, 2019 A potentially deadly standoff between Hong Kong police and dozens of desperate protesters barricaded into a university campus moved into a third day Tuesday, as China issued fresh warnings its patience with nearly six months of unrest was running out. The siege at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is the most intense and prolonged stand-off of the crisis, which has seen millions take to the streets since June to voice anger at China eroding the territory's unique freedoms. A new phase th ... read more
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