Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Thursday, November 28, 2019
A Thanksgiving Dinner View of Police in Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:55 PM
In the past, I have shared some of my Thanksgiving day experiences in different cities, such as drinking horse milk baijiu in Zhongshan and a rat running up my leg in Changsha. Like those times, today in Hong Kong offered me something new.
I observed the traditions by finding a buffet which included turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. For a bonus, the restaurant staff kindly sat me at a location with a prime view of the world outside. As I ate way too much food, I had the opportunity to watch a number of police vehicles, sometimes with sirens blaring and likely containing Special Tactical Squads or Police Tactical Units, head southward.
Their activity was possibly related to a nearby protest rally. I later visited it and saw no outward signs of police in the immediate vicinity though. So for the first time on this holiday, I felt like I should give thanks that no police shot tear gas in my direction today.
I observed the traditions by finding a buffet which included turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. For a bonus, the restaurant staff kindly sat me at a location with a prime view of the world outside. As I ate way too much food, I had the opportunity to watch a number of police vehicles, sometimes with sirens blaring and likely containing Special Tactical Squads or Police Tactical Units, head southward.
Their activity was possibly related to a nearby protest rally. I later visited it and saw no outward signs of police in the immediate vicinity though. So for the first time on this holiday, I felt like I should give thanks that no police shot tear gas in my direction today.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
O Fortuna, A Whirling Wheel in Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:05 PM
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis . . .
——————————————————————————
So now an explanation for those who would like one:
As I took the above photo today near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, the opening section O Fortuna from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana came to mind and it stayed there for a while. Here is an excellent recording of the widely used piece, which many will recognize at least in part even if they don't know its name, with Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus:
You can find the lyrics alongside an English translation here. The translation for the excerpt I shared above is:
Fate — monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel . . .
While much of Carmina Burana isn't as familiar to most people as the movement O Fortuna, it is certainly worth listening to in full while following along with a translation. There are even a few more references to the wheel.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Three Candidates With Shared Political Values and Fates Campaigning on Election Day in Yau Tsim Mong, Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:01 PM
While taking a look at seven different polling stations yesterday evening during Hong Kong's District Council elections, by chance I came across three candidates while they were still campaigning.
One was Leslie Chan (Chan Ka Long), who was running for the Tsim Sha Tsui West constituency.
Speaking in both Cantonese and English, Chan made it clear he was supportive of the five demands made by many protestors in the city.
Another was Leo Chu (Chu Tsz Lok) who was running for the East Tsim Sha Tsui & King's Park constituency.
As Chu spoke to a couple of women, people campaigned nearby for other candidates.
The last candidate I saw campaigning was Ben Lam (Lam Siu Pan), who was running for the Mong Kok East constituency.
Just 40 minutes before Mong Kok East's polling station a few hundred meters away would close at 10:30 p.m., Lam was greeting people as they left Prince Edward Station, where riot police stormed train carriages and beat people several months ago.
To my surprise, I later discovered all three candidates I happened to see were in the pro-democracy camp. Their results reflect the immense success of pro-democracy candidates across Hong Kong, as all three won.
So they all have reason to smile even more today.
One was Leslie Chan (Chan Ka Long), who was running for the Tsim Sha Tsui West constituency.
In front of iSquare |
Speaking in both Cantonese and English, Chan made it clear he was supportive of the five demands made by many protestors in the city.
Another was Leo Chu (Chu Tsz Lok) who was running for the East Tsim Sha Tsui & King's Park constituency.
Alongside Nathan Road near Man Ming Lane |
As Chu spoke to a couple of women, people campaigned nearby for other candidates.
The last candidate I saw campaigning was Ben Lam (Lam Siu Pan), who was running for the Mong Kok East constituency.
Outside Exit A of Prince Edward Station |
Just 40 minutes before Mong Kok East's polling station a few hundred meters away would close at 10:30 p.m., Lam was greeting people as they left Prince Edward Station, where riot police stormed train carriages and beat people several months ago.
To my surprise, I later discovered all three candidates I happened to see were in the pro-democracy camp. Their results reflect the immense success of pro-democracy candidates across Hong Kong, as all three won.
So they all have reason to smile even more today.
Polling Stations With and Without Long Lines During a Record-Setting Election in Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
3:34 AM
Hong Kong has just held its 2019 District Council elections. On Sunday morning and afternoon there were reports of long lines at polling stations.
Polling stations were open until at least 10:30 p.m. This evening I visited polling stations for seven different constituencies in the Yao Tsim Mong District roughly between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. None had a line extending outside.
The same held true in some other locations, which had benefits.
However, there were still long lines at some polling stations not long before polls were to close, As long as people were in line before 10:30 p.m. the Electoral Affairs Commission said they would be able to cast a vote.
Regardless of when and where there were lines today, don't be fooled by my photos. People voted in record numbers. Early results strongly indicate the the pro-democracy groups made major gains against pro-Beijing groups. Words like "decimated" are already being used for the latter.
Still, many races have yet to be declared. More later, but it's already clear Hong Kong's people were very motivated to express themselves through voting after months and months of intense protests.
Timelapse videos of long queues outside polling stations overwhelm my newsfeed. Here's another one in Taipo - northern district in #HongKong w/ highest turnout rate so far. Took me several mins to walk thru the whole line...still waiting to cast my vote. Turnout is the KEY today. pic.twitter.com/q4lWGBNEmW— Phoebe Kong 江穎怡 (@phoebe_kongwy) November 24, 2019
Polling stations were open until at least 10:30 p.m. This evening I visited polling stations for seven different constituencies in the Yao Tsim Mong District roughly between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. None had a line extending outside.
Tsim Sha Tsui West |
Jordan South |
Jordan West |
Yao Ma Tei South |
Mong Kok South |
Mong Kok West |
Mong Kok East |
The same held true in some other locations, which had benefits.
Now: This is the best time to vote, I have the whole voting station to myself 😂 voted within 1 min. This station had 67.6% of assigned voters voted as of 8.30pm. Pretty high among other districts. #HKelections pic.twitter.com/jeT6UH8bQB— Denise Tsang (@denise_tsang) November 24, 2019
However, there were still long lines at some polling stations not long before polls were to close, As long as people were in line before 10:30 p.m. the Electoral Affairs Commission said they would be able to cast a vote.
Regardless of when and where there were lines today, don't be fooled by my photos. People voted in record numbers. Early results strongly indicate the the pro-democracy groups made major gains against pro-Beijing groups. Words like "decimated" are already being used for the latter.
Still, many races have yet to be declared. More later, but it's already clear Hong Kong's people were very motivated to express themselves through voting after months and months of intense protests.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Thursday, November 14, 2019
The Remains of Vehicle Set on Fire Sit for Days in a Hong Kong Street
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:26 PM
Early this evening as I walked through Mong Kok, Hong Kong I saw something on Sai Yeung Choi Street that seemed remarkable even after seeing and experiencing so much recently in Hong Kong regarding the ongoing protests.
Using the word "dog" for "police", common practice for protestors in Hong Kong, the markings on the the vehicle "便衣狗車" claim it is a plainclothes police car. I can't confirm this is accurate. But the vehicle does look like some unmarked vehicles I have seen on multiple occasions set in the middle of a row of marked police vehicles making their way through the city. In any case, presumably the vehicle's current state is the result of protesters.
This tweet includes a video of a car on fire in Mong Kok which appears to be a perfect match in terms of vehicle type and location:
Perhaps just as remarkable that this car was lit on fire is that it was still sitting in the street. Another person commented on this issue yesterday:
So the car has been sitting there in this not so usable state at least for a couple of days. Of course this is far from Hong Kong's most pressing issue, which is one of many signs of just how widespread and intense the protests have been lately.
Using the word "dog" for "police", common practice for protestors in Hong Kong, the markings on the the vehicle "便衣狗車" claim it is a plainclothes police car. I can't confirm this is accurate. But the vehicle does look like some unmarked vehicles I have seen on multiple occasions set in the middle of a row of marked police vehicles making their way through the city. In any case, presumably the vehicle's current state is the result of protesters.
This tweet includes a video of a car on fire in Mong Kok which appears to be a perfect match in terms of vehicle type and location:
#Mongkok at night. More road barricades. A car has been set on fire. Several burst of explosion sounds. Bystanders watch on. #LiberateHongKong #HKprotests #StandWithHongKong #FreedomHK #GloryToHongKong #ProtestsHK #HKHumanRightsandDemocracyAct #StandwithHK #FightforHongKong #HKG pic.twitter.com/EcIGsOkcED— Truth Live Hong Kong (@HongTruth) November 12, 2019
Perhaps just as remarkable that this car was lit on fire is that it was still sitting in the street. Another person commented on this issue yesterday:
Presumably the car that was set on fire yesterday. Government given up on trying to return the streets to normal each morning. #Mongkok #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/IzcWN8VF4X— Ataraxis (@ataraxisfinch) November 13, 2019
So the car has been sitting there in this not so usable state at least for a couple of days. Of course this is far from Hong Kong's most pressing issue, which is one of many signs of just how widespread and intense the protests have been lately.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Fleeing the Tear Gas in Hong Kong's Central Financial District
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:53 PM
This afternoon I observed the interaction of protestors, police, media, medics, and onlookers in Central — Hong Kong's main financial and business district. Suddenly the police started firing numerous tear gas canisters and rounds before leaving the area.
The below video begins with a large crowd following the police as they move away from the area with the frontline black-clad protestors. At 1:49 in the video, as I am standing next to a CNN crew the tear gas canisters begin to fly. As I headed westward on Pedder Street directly away from the police, I thought that quite soon either the firing would stop or that I would be out of harms way. However, the number of tear gas canisters and the distance they reached was more intense than I expected.
For more context, here is the report by CNN's Ivan Watson that was wrapping up while I recorded the above video just as the police began shooting this round of tear gas:
Incredibly this tear gassing of protestors and many others is just a small part of the protest related events today in Hong Kong and seems to pale in comparison to some of them.
And thanks to the helpful Hongkongers who provided me with eyewashes after the tear gassing. I am fine now, folks. I can't say the same for some others here though.
The below video begins with a large crowd following the police as they move away from the area with the frontline black-clad protestors. At 1:49 in the video, as I am standing next to a CNN crew the tear gas canisters begin to fly. As I headed westward on Pedder Street directly away from the police, I thought that quite soon either the firing would stop or that I would be out of harms way. However, the number of tear gas canisters and the distance they reached was more intense than I expected.
For more context, here is the report by CNN's Ivan Watson that was wrapping up while I recorded the above video just as the police began shooting this round of tear gas:
Amnesty International accuses Hong Kong’s police of acting “out of control.” The police reject that criticism. More than 5 months into this crisis, the scene we filmed in Central Hong Kong on Tuesday did not demonstrate a confident police force in command of the situation. pic.twitter.com/9Vevoe0htg— Ivan Watson (@IvanCNN) November 12, 2019
Incredibly this tear gassing of protestors and many others is just a small part of the protest related events today in Hong Kong and seems to pale in comparison to some of them.
And thanks to the helpful Hongkongers who provided me with eyewashes after the tear gassing. I am fine now, folks. I can't say the same for some others here though.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Police Chase and Apprehend Protestors in Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:17 PM
Last night around 12:30 a.m. I thought all seemed relatively calm at my specific location in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Certainly, it was much calmer than what I experienced related to the ongoing protests in Hong Kong at a nearby location in Mong Kok two nights earlier.
Suddenly, I saw a number of black-clad protestors running in my direction.
The video I took below captures that moment when all certainly was not calm and number of others including the police apprehending at least two people and a police officer forcibly removing the respirator of a person whose outwear I think indicates "Press" or "Media". Most of the action occurs during the first six minutes of the video. I decided to post the full version in order to share some of the immediate aftermath as well. There is much going on throughout. The video has not been edited in any way except for having been uploaded to YouTube.
It would be an understatement to say I have seen much since I returned to Hong Kong four days ago. It would be a bigger understatement to say much more has happened here regarding the protests during that time. Especially given today's terrible events which include police shooting a protestor, a police officer driving his motorcycle into a crowd, and protestors lighting a person on fire, it is easy to believe the protests and the reactions to them will escalate further.
Suddenly, I saw a number of black-clad protestors running in my direction.
The video I took below captures that moment when all certainly was not calm and number of others including the police apprehending at least two people and a police officer forcibly removing the respirator of a person whose outwear I think indicates "Press" or "Media". Most of the action occurs during the first six minutes of the video. I decided to post the full version in order to share some of the immediate aftermath as well. There is much going on throughout. The video has not been edited in any way except for having been uploaded to YouTube.
It would be an understatement to say I have seen much since I returned to Hong Kong four days ago. It would be a bigger understatement to say much more has happened here regarding the protests during that time. Especially given today's terrible events which include police shooting a protestor, a police officer driving his motorcycle into a crowd, and protestors lighting a person on fire, it is easy to believe the protests and the reactions to them will escalate further.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
The Economist Depicts a Handcuffed Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:35 PM
The statement about the extradition protests in Hong Kong on this week's cover of The Economist is rather . . . arresting.
It seems safe to say that it won't be easy to get a complete copy of this issue in China. The image has all the stronger of a punch to me given that I spend most of my time in mainland China. I often associate Hong Kong with the greater freedoms and protections available there. An article in the magazine helps to explain the use of handcuffs on the cover and how the extradition law could negate important aspects of what Hong Kong offers:
Source |
It seems safe to say that it won't be easy to get a complete copy of this issue in China. The image has all the stronger of a punch to me given that I spend most of my time in mainland China. I often associate Hong Kong with the greater freedoms and protections available there. An article in the magazine helps to explain the use of handcuffs on the cover and how the extradition law could negate important aspects of what Hong Kong offers:
With the threat of extradition, anyone in Hong Kong becomes subject to the vagaries of the Chinese legal system, in which the rule of law ranks below the rule of the party. Dissidents taking on Beijing may be sent to face harsh treatment in the Chinese courts. Businesspeople risk a well-connected Chinese competitor finding a way to drag them into an easily manipulated jurisdiction.More at The Economist in "The Rule of Law in Hong Kong".
That could be disastrous for Hong Kong, a fragile bridge between a one-party state and the freedoms of global commerce.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Students, Tear Gas, and Masks: Today's Hong Kong Extradition Protests in 42 Tweets
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:10 PM
Photo taken by Chung-wah Chow of the protest in Hong Kong today before police cracked down |
The march in Hong Kong two days ago against a proposed extradition bill was not the end.
Today in Hong Kong people continued to protest. Today in Hong Kong the police responded with tear gas and more.
Below is a series of selected tweets covering a variety of topics regarding the protests that I shared after checking into Twitter this afternoon. They are presented here in the order I shared them, not the order in which the tweets originally occurred, with the exception of the first two since they provide overviews of what has motivated then protests. As usual, if you are viewing this post through an RSS reader and the images, videos, or referenced tweets don't tweets appear, try viewing the original post.
The last tweet was made not long before publishing this post. As it indicates, the protests haven't ended. What will happen next isn't at all clear.
If you’re looking for a primer on why hundreds of thousands of people are demonstrating in Hong Kong, check out this thread 👇 https://t.co/PCVtsAtVXz— Megha Rajagopalan (@meghara) June 12, 2019
Also a very good overview and analysis of the current Hong Kong protests, with some recent history to provide more context—this piece by @benjaminbland at @bopinion. https://t.co/x1duW3w3ze— Maura Cunningham 马丽娜 (@mauracunningham) June 12, 2019
Long video thread documenting the anti extradition law protests going on in Hong Kong today.... https://t.co/NzXf0eClXH— BenjaminRobertson李博岳 (@BMMRobertson) June 12, 2019
I havn't posted anything on WeChat except this one image, with a caption "tear gas". Friends in China tell me they cannot see my post. #censorshiptech pic.twitter.com/S5HqcaihdI— SJ (@SijiaJ) June 12, 2019
Multiple tear gas rounds fired towards the backs of retreating crowd, almost sparking a panic. Credit to all the protesters for keeping calm while being overcome by tear gas. pic.twitter.com/Pw6Uu3HcLA— Antony Dapiran (@antd) June 12, 2019
Enraged Lawmaker Charles Mok argues with police on disrespecting the legislature: “This is Legco! Do you think you’re the boss here? ... you’re beating up Hongkongers!” #HongKong #ExtradictionBill #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/LwLfZY43Qn— Naomi Ng 吳家殷 (@ngnaomi) June 12, 2019
#LIVE: Hong Kong police chief has just declared the clashes a riot. That declaration will carry serious implications for anyone arrested. https://t.co/fpKl8rH1bn #extraditionbill— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) June 12, 2019
He added that protesters would experience “regret the rest of their lives if they did not stop,” but there was no need - at the moment - to declare a state of emergency or curfew. Photo: @appledaily_hk— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) June 12, 2019
Full coverage: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX #NoToChinaExtradition pic.twitter.com/vmTe4cnr8j
Some #extraditionbill observations:— Jeffie Lam (@jeffielam) June 12, 2019
1. Super young protesters
2. Leaderless but very organised
3. Unlike #OccupyHK, they‘re v cautious to protect their identities with face masks & reluctant to give their full names - prolly bc what happened to the young activists over years pic.twitter.com/Yps0btPaw2
#HongKong's largest teachers' union has just declared it's launching a territory-wide school strike#NoExtraditionToChina— Yuen Chan (@xinwenxiaojie) June 12, 2019
Pepper spray hurts, but these young protesters keep hanging around; there are still thousands here blocking a major road artery. “If I don’t come out this time, there is no next time,” one of them told me. pic.twitter.com/tanR0tHqiJ— Mike Ives (@mikeives) June 12, 2019
Me: Are you closed?— 🚶🏻Curtis S. Chin (@CurtisSChin) June 12, 2019
Apple staff: We are closed.
Me: When will you re-open.
Apple: We are closed for the day.
4:15 pm.
Stores closing at Hong Kong’s IFC mall as #AntiExtraditionBill protests continue. pic.twitter.com/9vpaywEo6k
More scenes from retailers closing at IFC Mall in Hong Kong at 4:15 pm. Clearly an #economic toll is beginning as HK government seeks to push thru an #extraditionbill & speed #onecountryonesystem #AntiExtraditionBill @cherykang @fion_li @SCMPNews @HongKongFP @endacurran pic.twitter.com/BjP1vW4GjM— 🚶🏻Curtis S. Chin (@CurtisSChin) June 12, 2019
1000s of bottles of water and sodium chloride for treating tear gas victiums, thousands of construction helmets, miles of cling film to cover exposed arms, all ferried person to person to the front line. Saw a guy at lunch handing out maybe 200 burgers from Maccy Ds from a box.— Mike Bird (@Birdyword) June 12, 2019
Brawl now pic.twitter.com/MLgPkOnHmx— Mike Ives (@mikeives) June 12, 2019
Tear gas surrounds demonstrators carrying umbrellas as they clash with police outside Hong Kong's government HQ #ExtraditionBill #香港 #反送中 pic.twitter.com/s7e0C6S3OK— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) June 12, 2019
“Special conditions” and “large scale activities” in Hong Kong today mean cross border buses from Shenzhen are being rerouted. It’s incredible that Shenzhen is only a 14 minute train ride from HK yet almost everyone I’ve spoken to here in SZ doesn’t know what is going on pic.twitter.com/foK2uixG4n— Sue-Lin Wong 黄淑琳 (@suelinwong) June 12, 2019
The scene descended to chaos as the police move on the protestors. #ExtraditionLaw #HongKong pic.twitter.com/0Gy38xlrIo— Katherine Li (@Katherineli1997) June 12, 2019
British consulate opens door to protesters needing sanctuary. #HongKong #antiELAB— Adam Ni (@adam_ni) June 12, 2019
Other consulates should do the same, immediately. pic.twitter.com/tdNF5XitqX
So much tear gas was used by Hong Kong riot police that commuters waiting at nearby subway stations and people in shopping malls were coughing and tearing up, and many sought medical attention https://t.co/11vfkcurTe— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 12, 2019
— Hannah Dormido (@hannahdormido) June 12, 2019
Hong Kong police have just fired tear gas on protesters who demand the withdrawal of the #ExtraditionBill— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) June 12, 2019
TicToc's @JosieWonghk is there #香港 #反送中 pic.twitter.com/Q4C7ls66Of
Powerful quote that shows how the motivations of the protestors in HK today go far beyond the extradition bill. https://t.co/z41aNc8thS— Sui-Lee Wee 黄瑞黎 (@suilee) June 12, 2019
— Nathan VanderKlippe (@nvanderklippe) June 12, 2019
Tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed out of Admiralty, protesters close streets of Central. pic.twitter.com/97nZXvH1cy— Sheridan Prasso (@SheridanAsia) June 12, 2019
There is usually never a line at the train ticketing machines. Judging from an overheard convo, it appears that people are reluctant to use their rechargeable Octopus cards for fear of leaving a paper trail of them having been present at the protest. pic.twitter.com/s1rsgSnCqL— Mary Hui (@maryhui) June 12, 2019
"We're afraid of having our data tracked," one female protester told me.— Mary Hui (@maryhui) June 12, 2019
She said that this ticket-buying was't as prevalent during the 2014 Umbrella Movement. Five years on, however, people are more wary & aware.
A quirk of history: it used to be too humiliating for China to even ask for extraditions from Hong Kong. How the tide has changed with the passing of time. It would unquestionably be an embarrassment for China if the extradition bill were shelved now. https://t.co/NDHb7KNA8M— Mary Hui (@maryhui) June 10, 2019
Hong Kong protests on the front page of Wednesday's New York Times Live coverage here https://t.co/t86Q43LG4u pic.twitter.com/Yf1j5epy18— Austin Ramzy (@austinramzy) June 12, 2019
Asked if she will withdraw the #ExtraditionBill, Carrie Lam said as a mother, she cannot budge every time her son demands something #HongKong https://t.co/nO92qsIy0o— RTHK English News (@rthk_enews) June 12, 2019
Central is occupied right now, full of people checking their phones, trying to figure out what is happening. Teams are giving out water and bread. pic.twitter.com/aCmvJmiTL5— Louisa Lim (@limlouisa) June 12, 2019
Earlier inside Pacific Place shopping mall in Admiralty as #extraditionbill protest continues into evening. (courtesy of witness there) #HongKong— Fion Li (@fion_li) June 12, 2019
Police Fire Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets at Hong Kong ‘Riot Situation’ https://t.co/gwRbD0AhqQ @bpolitics @tictoc pic.twitter.com/NtreEhlxV9
“A person residing in the U.S.—or any country that has an extradition agreement with Hong Kong—could technically be transferred from the city to mainland China, according to Jerome Cohen, a law professor at New York University.” https://t.co/RyOKe6U7MS— Muyi Xiao (@muyixiao) June 12, 2019
Some incredible photojournalism by @LamYikFei for @nytimes of the Hong Kong extradition protests. https://t.co/pbtYxMpgv9— Andrew Peng (@TheAPJournalist) June 12, 2019
New barricades are being erected. The occupation does not appear to have dispersed, just moved further into the CBD. pic.twitter.com/Br6TwjFV2f— Louisa Lim (@limlouisa) June 12, 2019
The view in Central tonight. pic.twitter.com/n6lakjvpY8— Louisa Lim (@limlouisa) June 12, 2019
What a timing?! Telegram is the key plateform for #HongKong #antiELAB protest organisers. https://t.co/dSBVnX3AXv— Adam Ni (@adam_ni) June 12, 2019
When you're joining the revolution but also need to prepare for your math test. #HongKong #NoToChinaExtradition #extraditionbill pic.twitter.com/f9xSog9uDm— Christopher McCandless 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@ChrisMcCandl) June 12, 2019
I’m not sure it is a miscalculation: starting from the post-SARs Article 23 protests in the early 2000 Beijing seems to have taken the tack that to give an inch is to invite a mile.. their MO seems to be to possibly allow mild concessions but press on. #2047— Mei Fong/ 方凤美 (@meifongwriter) June 12, 2019
The view, a stonesthrow away from the HSBC building. You can see the lines of peaceful protestors stretching back from Central to the frontline close to the Government HQ @SCMPNews pic.twitter.com/p3ejoMc27Z— Danny Lee (@JournoDannyAero) June 12, 2019
One scene from HK’s streets, which still reek from the gusts of teargas via Instagram: https://t.co/ApYlz1HA9H pic.twitter.com/Ptx8L1wteq— Louisa Lim (@limlouisa) June 12, 2019
This truck just rolled through in Centra with additional supplies, to cheers from the crowd. People are now helping to unload& unpack boxes of bottled water. The crowd claps. #HongKongProtest pic.twitter.com/EbFyUlsgOu— Mary Hui (@maryhui) June 12, 2019
Added note: Although there were relevant reports, the word "blood" in the original title was changed to "masks" since none of the above tweets directly mention them.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Protesting Against Extradition in Hong Kong
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
3:19 AM
There was a big march in Hong Kong today:
Over a million people have joined a mass protest against the Hong Kong government’s controversial extradition bill, according to organisers. . . .To add to the many already out there, with permission I will pass on some photos of the protest shared by friends in Hong Kong. A few were shared publicly, and those are attributed. Most were shared privately, so out of care and such they aren't attributed.
The protesters marched towards the legislature over an issue that has underscored divisions in society over trust in the legislature and the Chinese judicial system.
Hong Kong’s government first proposed legal amendments in February to allow the city to handle case-by-case extradition requests from jurisdictions with no prior agreements, most notably China and Taiwan.
Source: Chung-wah Chow |
Source: Chung-wah Chow |
Source: Chung-wah Chow |
Monday, April 8, 2019
A Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong About Donald Trump
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
9:34 PM
About a month and a half ago in Hong Kong, as I left the Yau Ma Tei metro station I noticed an advertisement for the new Cantonese opera "Trump On Show".
Yes, this really exists:
Trump wasn't the only Republican U.S. politician that I recently noticed in Hong Kong. Admittedly, it was a bit confounding to turn around at a bus stop in Kowloon Bay and think "Is that really Dick Cheney?".
I don't expect to attend any "Trump on Show" performances, which opens April 12, or have anything worth saying about the movie "Vice". So this post is probably all you'll find about them here. I will update if I see any indications of a Hong Kong musical about George W. Bush though.
Yes, this really exists:
Start with a performer playing President Trump. Then bring in a long-lost brother who was raised in China.For more about those complications, read Mary Hui's piece about the Trumpian opera in The Washington Post, which includes some perspectives from the opera's creator, Li Kui-ming:
Throw in castmates portraying a ping-pong-loving Mao Zedong, a deal-seeking Kim Jong Un, Ivanka Trump and Mao’s power-hungry fourth wife.
They are singing. Opera. In Cantonese.
And, well, it’s complicated.
Li also studied the president’s quirks and habits — his penchant for fast food and television-watching habits — to develop Trump’s character.Oh boy.
Li, however, was struck by similarities between Mao and Trump.
“What they share in common is they both started a cultural revolution,” Li said.
Trump wasn't the only Republican U.S. politician that I recently noticed in Hong Kong. Admittedly, it was a bit confounding to turn around at a bus stop in Kowloon Bay and think "Is that really Dick Cheney?".
I don't expect to attend any "Trump on Show" performances, which opens April 12, or have anything worth saying about the movie "Vice". So this post is probably all you'll find about them here. I will update if I see any indications of a Hong Kong musical about George W. Bush though.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
An Apparent Mismatch for a Name: Mini Jumbo Wuzhou Buses in Guangxi, China
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:35 PM
Hong Kong formally names its minibuses, like the one which appeared in the previous post, "public light buses". Wuzhou, a city in the Chinese autonomous region Guangxi, also has minibuses. But instead of "public light bus" they have another name on them.
The "Wuzhou" and "Bus" parts of the name "Jumbo Wuzhou Bus" make obvious sense. "Jumbo" is less clear, though, since these are minibuses. If that is the jumbo size then what's the mini size?
A larger bus can help begin to clear up the mystery.
They have the same name on them, which is the name of a bus company. This is clearly stated in smaller Chinese print elsewhere on the buses.
Like buses in Hong Kong, some buses have advertising.
However, you won't see advertising quite like what's on the minibus in the previous post. Hongkongers have greater political rights and more freedom of speech than people in mainland China. The "Tell Right From Wrong, True From False" slogan was part of a campaign for the Labor Party's attempt to win a 2018 Kowloon West by-election. But China still limits Hongkongers' rights to a degree that leads some people to claim Hong Kong doesn't have real democracy. These limitations were evident in Kowloon West election when the Labor Party's original candidate, Lau Siu-lai, was barred from running due to her previous stances regarding Hong Kong's self-determination.
Back to more mundane matters . . . in Wuzhou there are buses in between the mini Jumbo Wuzhou Bus and the regular-sized Jumbo Wuzhou Bus in terms of size. So here are two mini-plus Jumbo Wuzhou Buses:
The word "珍宝" in the Chinese name for Jumbo Wuzhou Bus would often be translated as "treasure". But it is also a loanword in Cantonese meaning "jumbo" because of its similar sound to the English word. Like in Hong Kong, Cantonese is a commonly spoken language in Wuzhou.
I can't shed more light on what inspired the choice of "jumbo". But if you want to dig more, it might be worth looking into the Guangzhou buses with a similar name and logo.
The "Wuzhou" and "Bus" parts of the name "Jumbo Wuzhou Bus" make obvious sense. "Jumbo" is less clear, though, since these are minibuses. If that is the jumbo size then what's the mini size?
A larger bus can help begin to clear up the mystery.
They have the same name on them, which is the name of a bus company. This is clearly stated in smaller Chinese print elsewhere on the buses.
Like buses in Hong Kong, some buses have advertising.
However, you won't see advertising quite like what's on the minibus in the previous post. Hongkongers have greater political rights and more freedom of speech than people in mainland China. The "Tell Right From Wrong, True From False" slogan was part of a campaign for the Labor Party's attempt to win a 2018 Kowloon West by-election. But China still limits Hongkongers' rights to a degree that leads some people to claim Hong Kong doesn't have real democracy. These limitations were evident in Kowloon West election when the Labor Party's original candidate, Lau Siu-lai, was barred from running due to her previous stances regarding Hong Kong's self-determination.
Back to more mundane matters . . . in Wuzhou there are buses in between the mini Jumbo Wuzhou Bus and the regular-sized Jumbo Wuzhou Bus in terms of size. So here are two mini-plus Jumbo Wuzhou Buses:
The word "珍宝" in the Chinese name for Jumbo Wuzhou Bus would often be translated as "treasure". But it is also a loanword in Cantonese meaning "jumbo" because of its similar sound to the English word. Like in Hong Kong, Cantonese is a commonly spoken language in Wuzhou.
I can't shed more light on what inspired the choice of "jumbo". But if you want to dig more, it might be worth looking into the Guangzhou buses with a similar name and logo.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
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