Cincunri Sakia

Senin, 29 Juli 2019

China accuses Hong Kong protesters of committing 'evil and criminal acts' - CNN

At a press conference in Beijing on Monday, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office spokesman Yang Guang called the situation in Hong Kong "grave," adding that Beijing would not allow any challenge to the Chinese government's authority or threats to national security.

"No civilization or society under the rule of law would ever allow acts of violence to take place. We call on the general public of Hong Kong to be aware of the grave nature of the current situation," Yang said, calling on Hong Kong citizens to condemn protester violence.

"Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. Hong Kong's affairs are China's domestic affairs," he added. Hong Kong has been governed under a "one country, two systems" model since the city transferred from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

It was the first time China's top Hong Kong policy office had given a briefing on the mass demonstrations that began in early June in opposition to a controversial -- and now-shelved -- bill that would have allowed extradition from the city to mainland China.

Yang also used the event as an opportunity to reaffirm China's strong support for Hong Kong's leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and the city's police force, which has been the target of many protesters' ire for deploying what they believe to be heavy-handed tactics.

Jimmy Shum, of the Civil Human Rights Front, which has organized many official protests in recent weeks, called the press conference "disappointing":

"As an agency with the power to dismiss Carrie Lam, it did not call for her to step down. So the press conference wasted Hong Kong people 40 minutes of their time," Shum said.

Police and protesters clash on eighth weekend of Hong Kong marches

Eight weeks of unrest

Mass protests have now been happening in Hong Kong, a major global financial hub, for eight consecutive weeks.

Protesters' demands over that period have broadened to encompass issues such as greater democracy for the city, an inquiry into alleged police brutality and the resignation of Lam.

The demonstrations have also steadily escalated in terms of violence and rhetoric.

On July 1, protesters trashed the Hong Kong Legislative Council offices, the city's seat of government. On July 21, an armed mob at Yuen Long train station, in the north of the city, attacked people in a subway station, many of whom were protesters returning from a march police had broken up in the central Hong Kong. The mob was wearing white, while most of the demonstrators were clad in black, the color of the protest movement.

Last Saturday, protesters staged a march in the small town of Yuen Long, near Hong Kong's border with China, where they clashed with riot police. On Sunday night, much of downtown came to a standstill after riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters who had defied a police ban to march through the city.

Beijing has previously denounced the protesters in state media, including their decision to target the Chinese government's headquarters in the city on July 21. State-run news agency Xinhua called the demonstrators "radical protesters" and said their actions were an "open challenge to the central government's authority."

"If this can be tolerated, what can not?" Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily said in an editorial.

At a Ministry of Defense briefing last week, spokesperson Wu Qian said the Chinese military was watching the situation in Hong Kong closely.

When asked if the Chinese military would intervene, Wu referenced a law that allows the Hong Kong government to request assistance to maintain public order from Beijing's military garrison in the city -- a point Yang repeated at Monday's press conference when asked by CNN.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/29/asia/china-hong-kong-protests-intl-hnk/index.html

2019-07-29 09:17:00Z
52780337830224

China’s Government Shows Support for Hong Kong Police and Leader as Protests Continue - The New York Times

BEIJING — The Chinese government on Monday laid down its firm support of Hong Kong’s embattled leader and police force after two months of rolling protests that have flared into violence and inflamed opposition to Chinese rule.

Chinese officials made a strongly worded defense of the local authorities during a rare news conference in Beijing by the government office that oversees policy toward Hong Kong.

It came days after a People’s Liberation Army spokesman hinted that military force could be used to bring to heel the antigovernment demonstrations that have flared in Hong Kong since June. The demonstrations have repeatedly spiraled into violent melees as smaller groups of more confrontational protesters have faced off with police officers who have used tear gas and clubs against them, including this past weekend.

“Hong Kong cannot afford to have instability,” Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Chinese government’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told reporters. “Should the chaos continue, it is the entire Hong Kong society that will suffer.”

A television at a Hong Kong restaurant showing a news conference in Beijing by Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Chinese government’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. — CreditAnthony Wallace/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

In his opening remarks at the news briefing, Mr. Yang expressed support for the city’s leader, Carrie Lam, and the police, who have come under criticism for what protesters say is an excessive use of force against demonstrators.

Mr. Yang also said the local government should work on addressing economic issues including challenges with employment and schooling, a housing crisis, and the rising cost of living.

The news briefing appeared aimed at dousing the wave of opposition in Hong Kong — the most sustained challenge to China’s hold over the territory since 1997, when Britain returned it to Chinese sovereignty.

The protests crystallized around opposition to a proposed legal bill that would have opened the way to extraditions from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland. Many Hong Kongers distrust the Chinese mainland’s courts and police, which are controlled by the Communist Party, and opposition was widespread.

After huge demonstrations early in June, Mrs. Lam, the Beijing-backed chief executive of Hong Kong, suspended the proposed law indefinitely. But the protesters have continued taking to the streets of Hong Kong every week, especially on weekends, demanding a full withdrawal of the legislation and voicing a wider array of grievances.

Image

CreditLam Yik Fei for The New York Times

Mrs. Lam has refused to make any further concessions and her advisers have indicated that the administration is confident that it can ride out further protests, despite the escalating unrest and signs that the economy could suffer.

By emphasizing its support for Mrs. Lam yet also emphasizing her responsibility in upholding the law, the central officials also seemed to offer another message: that it was now up to Mrs. Lam, her administration and the police to put an end to the months of strife.

Political tensions and the worsening trade war between the United States and China have already driven down Hong Kong stocks more than 5 percent since early April. Hong Kong’s shares were down more than 1 percent midday on Monday, with property companies taking the biggest hit.

China had promised to give Hong Kong wide-ranging autonomy after 1997, including independent courts and much greater freedoms than in mainland China. But many Hong Kong residents say their city’s distinctive status has been sharply eroded, especially under Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party since 2012.

The demonstrators are increasingly angered by the lack of democratic government, a ruling class that has become more beholden to Beijing than to Hong Kong, and with what protesters and some experts have said are excessively heavy-handed methods used by the police to subdue crowds.

Image

CreditLam Yik Fei for The New York Times

But the Chinese government and its supporters in Hong Kong have focused their outrage on the demonstrators, especially those who have attacked government buildings and hurled bricks and steel poles at the phalanxes of police. The anger from Beijing grew after protesters vandalized the outside of the Chinese government liaison office in Hong Kong, including throwing paint on the national emblem.

The cycle of protests and forceful police response continued over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds of demonstrators who had come out to denounce a mob attack on protesters and what they say is a police force that acts without accountability.

On Monday, the Chinese government defended the city’s police force. “We understand the huge pressure facing the Hong Kong police and their families, and would like to salute the Hong Kong police who have been fearlessly sticking to their posts and fulfilling their duties against all odds,” Mr. Yang said.

Chinese official media reports have suggested that nefarious “hostile Western forces” — rather than heartfelt anger among Hong Kong residents — are behind the protests. And they have also defended the Hong Kong police, and even urged them to take more forceful measures.

“Hong Kong police must no longer be like gentle nannies when they’re enforcing the law,” an editorial in the overseas edition of People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s main newspaper, said on Monday.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/29/world/asia/china-hong-kong.html

2019-07-29 07:37:56Z
52780337830224

China’s Government Shows Support for Hong Kong Police and Leader as Protests Continue - The New York Times

Chinese officials made a strongly worded defense of the local authorities during a rare news conference in Beijing by the government office that oversees policy toward Hong Kong.

Mr. Yang also said the local government should work on addressing economic issues including challenges with employment and schooling, a housing crisis, and the rising cost of living.

Image

CreditLam Yik Fei for The New York Times

Image

CreditLam Yik Fei for The New York Times

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/29/world/asia/china-hong-kong.html

2019-07-29 07:34:22Z
52780337830224

Suspected Boko Haram attack on a funeral leaves 65 dead in Nigeria, official says - CNN

The attack occurred Saturday during a burial in the Nganzai district, near the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, local government chairman Muhammed Bulama said.

Twenty-one people were initially killed during the burial ceremony, Bulama said. An additional 44 people were killed when villagers ran after the assailants, the official said.

At least 10 people were injured in the attack. Eight of them were critically wounded and were being treated at an area hospital, he said.

Boko Haram militants have inhabited the northern states of Nigeria for the past decade. The terror group says its aim is to impose a stricter enforcement of Sharia law across Africa's most populous nation, which is split between a majority Muslim north and a mostly Christian south.

The group has bombed churches and mosques; kidnapped women and children; and assassinated politicians and religious leaders.

In January, the escalating violence forced 30,000 Nigerians to flee the country over a two day period, the UN refugee agency said.

CNN's Stephanie Busari reported from Lagos and journalist Isaac Abrak reported from Abuja. CNN's Sophie Sherry and Braden Goyette wrote from Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/28/africa/boko-haram-attack-nigeria/index.html

2019-07-29 07:29:00Z
52780341096752

Violence is escalating in Hong Kong. Here are three possible outcomes - CNBC

Riot police fire tear gas, after a march to call for democratic reforms in Hong Kong

Edgar Su | Reuters

Beijing is set to deliver a formal response to the ongoing Hong Kong protests at 3 p.m. local time on Monday.

Demonstrations started eight weeks ago in the city against a legislative push to allow people in Hong Kong to be extradited to Mainland China, but they've snowballed into a movement for full democracy and autonomy from Beijing.

Over the weekend, protesters again took to the streets, clashing with authorities. A march on Saturday against an assault the previous weekend by suspected triad gang members ended in violent turmoil as riot police waded in to disperse crowds. On Sunday, riot police fired rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets as demonstrators marched toward the Chinese government's office in the city.

As tensions escalate, China watchers are waiting to see how Beijing will respond. According to Ben Bland, director of the Southeast Asia Project at Sydney-based think tank the Lowy institute, there are three possible scenarios how the demonstrations could pan out from here.

Three directions Hong Kong could head from here:

Authorities wait out protesters
Beijing intervenes directly, imposes martial law
Authorities make meaningful concessions

The most likely outcome, said Bland, is that Beijing and Hong Kong will try to wait out the protests, arrest rally leaders after the momentum slows down and "slowly bring the city back to order."

It's unlikely, but possible, that Mainland authorities would directly intervene, Bland said, explaining that Beijing could exercise martial law but that would be the end of the "one country, two systems" principle. That concept was promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony was reunited with the mainland, and guarantees that the city maintains a separate economic and legal system.

If Beijing were to send the People's Liberation Army out into Hong Kong's streets to "stabilize the situation" (which it suggested last week it could do) that would have "a big negative impact" on markets, according to Jackson Wong, asset manager director at Amber Hill Capital. Such a move would "break a lot of beliefs that Hong Kong is autonomous," he explained, adding that "investors would probably flee initially."

Wong echoed Bland's assessment, saying "the situation in Hong Kong is not good. But it's not to an extent that we need the PLA in Hong Kong."

On the other end of possibilities, Chinese authorities could give "real concessions" and allow Hong Kongers full democracy — the right to an unrestricted vote for their own parliament and leader — which is what many protesters demand, Bland said.

A day after protesters stormed the legislative building, demonstration leaders released a statement making five demands: a full withdrawal of the proposed extradition bill; a retraction of the characterization of the movement as a "riot," a retraction of the charges against anti-extradition protesters, the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the Hong Kong Police Force's use of force, and the implementation of universal suffrage for the city's chief executive officer role and its legislature by 2020.

Some experts have pointed out that there has not been a singular protest leader with whom authorities could negotiate, but Bland said that isn't the issue. At the end of the day, he explained, the Mainland Chinese government has not shown interest in negotiating a resolution.

"There is no sign yet from Beijing or the Hong Kong government that they are willing to make any meaningful concessions beyond the suspension of the extradition bill which started this," said Bland.

Sean King, senior vice president of public policy and business development strategy firm Park Strategies offered similar analysis to Bland.

Citing the mass killing of pro-democracy student protesters at Tiananmen Square 30 years ago, King said, "Beijing will have no moral qualms about" bringing in the military to intervene. But such an act "would totally lose the Hong Kong populace once and for all," said King.

He said he expects the protests to continue on for weeks or even months before any settlement might be reached. As for why Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer Carrie Lam has yet to step down, King said if she resigns then it would symbolize Beijing admitting defeat.

"That would be giving into the masses," said King. He added that, if mainland authorities give Hong Kongers what they demand, which is full fledged democracy, then it's conceivable that citizens of Beijing, Shanghai and other mainland cities will ask for the same.

Signals from Beijing

The ongoing protests have drawn hundreds of thousands of supporters within the city and abroad. What started off as a peaceful demonstration hit a turning point after a small group of extreme protesters stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Building.

Beijing is increasingly signaling displeasure about the situation in Hong Kong. Last week, protests vandalized the National Emblem at the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong and Beijing responded with the charge that the acts were a "blatant challenge to the central government" that won't be tolerated.

"The problem has really been the pressure on Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy," said Bland. He added that there's been "relentless and concerted pressure over the last five or 10 years, and that's really driven the backlash because people feel it's not just their rights that are under pressure but their identity, their very way of life."

Bland added, the anger in Hong Kongers toward Lam, stems from the feeling that the Hong Kong government isn't on the people's side. Under the current system, the city's leader is elected from a pre-approved list.

Beijing, meanwhile, has pointed fingers at hostile outside forces and blamed U.S. and European politicians for interfering in China's "internal affairs. " The country more recently accused the CIA of involvement in the unrest, according to a China Daily, Beijing's English-language state newspaper.

In another article, the newspaper called the demonstrations "illegal assemblies," and a "clear demonstration of the protesters' total defiance of the law." It suggested that the political uproar in Hong Kong is similar to what has been "instigated in the Middle East and North Africa — local anti-government elements colluding with external forces to topple governments utilizing modern communication technology to spread rumors, distrust and fear."

Bland, for his part, said such claims "aren't very convincing but the Chinese government has been sticking with this line." Still, he added, Beijing isn't giving "any strong indications that they want direct intervention."

He added that the lack of explicit intervention from the mainland "is partly because it suits Beijing to have the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong police on the front line absorbing all these problems. It keeps it local rather than explicitly making it a national crisis."

– Reuters and CNBC's Weizhen Tan and Vivian Kam contributed to this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/29/violence-is-escalating-in-hong-kong-here-are-three-potential-outcomes.html

2019-07-29 04:16:05Z
52780337830224

Suspected Boko Haram attack on a funeral leaves 65 dead in Nigeria, official says - CNN

The attack occurred Saturday during a burial in the Nganzai district, near the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, local government chairman Muhammed Bulama said.

Twenty-one people were initially killed during the burial ceremony, Bulama said. An additional 44 people were killed when villagers ran after the assailants, the official said.

At least 10 people were injured in the attack. Eight of them were critically wounded and were being treated at an area hospital, he said.

The group has bombed churches and mosques; kidnapped women and children; and assassinated politicians and religious leaders.

In January, the escalating violence forced 30,000 Nigerians to flee the country over a two day period, the UN refugee agency said.

CNN's Stephanie Busari reported from Lagos and journalist Isaac Abrak reported from Abuja. CNN's Sophie Sherry and Braden Goyette wrote from Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/28/africa/boko-haram-attack-nigeria/index.html

2019-07-29 06:39:00Z
52780341096752

Minggu, 28 Juli 2019

Iran tanker seizure: UK warship HMS Duncan arrives in Gulf - BBC News

A second Royal Navy warship has arrived in the Gulf to protect British ships amid heightened tensions in the region.

HMS Duncan has joined frigate HMS Montrose to escort vessels sailing under the British flag through the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Montrose has so far accompanied 35 vessels through the strait, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK continued to push for a diplomatic resolution to the situation.

He said: "Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital not just to the UK, but also our international partners and allies.

"Merchant ships must be free to travel lawfully and trade safely, anywhere in the world."

Mr Wallace added the Royal Navy will continue to provide a safeguard for UK vessels "until this is the reality".

HMS Duncan is a Type 45 Destroyer which the Royal Navy describes as "among the most advanced warships ever built".

Why have tensions escalated?

Earlier this month, British Royal Marines helped seize Iranian tanker Grace 1 near Gibraltar which was suspected of breaking EU sanctions, infuriating Iran.

In response, Tehran threatened to capture a British oil tanker.

On 19 July, British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard in the key shipping route.

A second British-linked tanker, the MV Mesdar, was also boarded by armed guards but was released.

Tehran said the Stena Impero was "violating international maritime rules".

HMS Montrose was alerted but it was too far away to stop the seizure.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the tanker was captured after it collided with a fishing boat and failed to respond to calls from the smaller craft.

But the then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was seized in Omani waters in "clear contravention of international law" and then forced to sail into Iran.

The tanker's Swedish owners, Stena Bulk, said it had been complying with regulations and had been in international waters.

Stena Bulk said the 23 crew members, who are Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino, are in good health and have met with officials from their respective countries.

How has the UK reacted?

The then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt called the seizure of the Stena Impero "state piracy".

But he insisted: "Our priority continues to be to find a way to de-escalate the situation."

Speaking to the BBC, former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith described the UK-flagged ship's capture as a "major failure" by the UK.

The then defence minister Tobias Ellwood told Sky News "it is impossible simply to escort each individual vessel".

What has Iran said?

Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif said in a tweet the UK "must cease being an accessory to #EconomicTerrorism of the US".

He said Iran guarantees the security of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and insisted its action were to "uphold international maritime rules".

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has indicated the Stena Imepero could be released if the UK returns the Grace 1.

In a statement on his website he said: "We are not going to continue tensions with some European countries and if they are committed to international frameworks and abandon some actions, including what they did in Gibraltar, they will receive a proper response from Iran".

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49144717

2019-07-28 13:40:01Z
52780340144715