HK - Economic Data & News 01 (May 08 - Sep 14)

[winston]

Do you think that HK will have their autonomy for 50 years ?

Hong Kong journalists protest over Chinese VP visit

HONG KONG: Hong Kong journalists staged a protest on Saturday over claims of heavy-handed security during Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang's visit, saying the measures curtailed their freedom to report.

A group of about 300 journalists and photographers led by the Hong Kong Journalists Association marched from the government offices to the police headquarters in central Hong Kong, according to public broadcaster RTHK.

The association, which represents some 500 journalists in the city, complained earlier this week that the movement of journalists was restricted and reporters were kept far away from Li throughout his three-day visit.

They also said the security measures that were deployed were much more stringent than during previous visits by Chinese officials.

Police have said between 2,000 and 3,000 officers were tasked with protecting the vice premier each day.

Li, who is expected to succeed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday in his first visit as vice premier, where he announced a series of measures to boost the city's economy.

Pro-democracy activists who staged a demonstration on Thursday also complained about heavy security. Some were carried away by police outside a university where the Chinese official was attending an event.

Hong Kong, a former British colony which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, maintains its own political and legal system, and guarantees civil liberties not seen on the mainland, including press freedom and the right to protest.

Responding to the media protest, police said they have a responsibility to ensure the safety of political dignitaries based on a "risk assessment".

"Police respect press freedom and the media's right of reporting, and have always been striving hard to facilitate the media to conduct reporting activities," a spokesman said.

Source: AFP/ac

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 18/1/.html

[iam802]

Just don't ask China for help when times are bad.

[kennynah]

HK people should remember their roots...they so like to be trampled upon by the british... better they all come to london and sweep floor or be a waiter or a pimp here...

[winston]

The discussion is whether China will keep it's promise of allowing HK, to be "autonomous" for 50 years especially freedom of speech, freedom of demonstration, rule of law, free press, freedom of assembly etc.

[winston]

Hong Kong Journalist Sues Police for Illegal Arrest By Lin Yi

HONG KONG—Hong Kong-based reporter Kiri Choy has filed a lawsuit against the police for illegal detention.

On Sept. 8, Kiri Choy announced at a press conference that she is suing Hong Kong Police Chief Wai Hung Andy Tsang for arresting her while she was taking an interview on July 1 and for detaining her for more than 10 hours.

Mr. Ho said that the fact that the Hong Kong Police had continued to detain Ms. Choy even after learning her identity as a reporter was a gross violation of the core values of Hong Kong.

“If we don't have freedom of press, then we've lost more than half of our basic freedom of expression.”

He added that from the police's reaction during the rally on July 1 to the visit by China's Vice Premier Li Keqiang, it is clear that the Chinese Communist Party has interfered with a series of events in Hong Kong.

Mr. Ho said that the police's accounts of the arrest were self-contradictory. At first, they denied detaining the reporter. Later, they accused the reporter of being a demonstrator.

He said the purpose of the lawsuit was to clarify what truly happened and demand that the court uphold justice.

He said that this was the first case filed by a reporter in Hong Kong against the police chief for illegal detention and suppression of the freedom of the press.

He hoped the case can serve as a deterrent to the police. The goal is to stand up for the freedom of the press, Mr. Ho said.

Ms. Choy is an intern reporter with the New York-based NTD Television. When the police were clearing out demonstrators on July 1, she was detained as a demonstrator and kept for more than 10 hours.

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The director of NTDTV in Hong Kong strongly condemned her arrest. The Hong Kong Journalists Association and International Federation of Journalists both expressed great concern and demanded an explanation from the police.

Human Rights Watch criticized the action and suggested that discrimination may be a factor.

Amnesty International also held a press conference to voice its concern.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/china-n ... 61717.html

[winston]

How can a prime space be kept idled for 13 years ? Who has an interest to keep it idled for 13 years ?

Abandoned Airport May Help Solve Hong Kong’s Office ShortageBy Kelvin Wong

.Hong Kong’s abandoned Kai Tak Airport, idle for 13 years, may hold the answer to a space shortage in the world’s costliest office market where banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) jostle for towers.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-2 ... oblem.html

[kennynah]

perhaps it would have cost them plenty to tear it down... no economic returns for doing so?

perhaps they had plans to use it for emergencies, which had not yet occurred?

[winston]

In Shanghai, after the Expo, the pavillions were immediately torn down to make way for condominiums.

And I thought HK is a very efficient place.

Just blows my mind that these guys have been sleeping for 13 years.

maybe this is what you get when the government is not elected.

[kennynah]

well...we supposedly have elected officials too...but look at some of the things that happen here...

HK, i think, is a soulless money minded bunch... they wont do anything that does not materially benefit themselves...

[winston]

HK, i think, is a soulless money minded bunch... they wont do anything that does not materially benefit themselves...

That's what I'm saying.

Who stands to benefit when prime land is kept idled for 13 years ?

Hidden Content:

The existing developers and landlords

Maybe their ICAC should do some investigating ...