Thread: Hong Kong says voters only have one option in 'elections' for city's next leader

The Hong Kong government on Monday said only one valid candidate has been approved to run in a forthcoming "election" for the city's top job, naming former police officer and security chief John Lee.


"The name of the one validly nominated candidate for the sixth-term Chief Executive Election was gazetted today (April 18)," the government said in a statement on Sunday.


The move comes after dozens of pro-democracy politicians and activists were arrested amid a citywide crackdown on public dissent and political opposition under a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020.


The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had also pushed through changes to Hong Kong's electoral system that effectively ensure that only "patriots" backed by a slew of CCP-backed committees and the national security police could make the slate.


Now, even the appearance of choice appears to have been dispensed with.


The government's Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, chaired by financial secretary Paul Chan said the 786 nominations garnered by Lee from the 1,500-strong Election Committee were valid.


The announcement came as a well-known figure from the 2019 protest movement calling for fully democratic elections was convicted of "organizing an illegal assembly" in a court in Eastern District.


Brother Lunch

David Li, known by his protest nickname Brother Lunch, appeared in Eastern Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, was found guilty and released on bail pending a social services report.


The court found that Li had repeatedly shouted slogans and made hand gestures at the International Financial Center, signaling the "five demands, not one less" of the protest movement which included universal suffrage and no limits on candidacy, as well as greater police accountability and an amnesty for political prisoners.


The fact that others joined in, and that Li appeared to be looking to see the effects of his demonstration on others, meant he had organized an assembly, despite the fact that he had stuck to a requirement for 1.5 social distancing in place at the time.


The defense said Li is autistic and has a diagnosis of ADHD, and called for his young age and rehabilitation to be taken into account.


Li was a regular participant in the "lunch with you" gatherings during the 2019 campaign to prevent legal amendments allowing the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China, which later broadened to include calls for full democracy and official accountability.


His conviction came as the creator of a banned sculpture commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre said he was unable to move his work out of Hong Kong, because at least 12 logistics companies had refused to take on the job.


NSL scares shippers
Danish artist Jens Galschiøt said he has been working with the Danish foreign ministry in a bid to get the sculpture out of Hong Kong, but that no removal company would move it from its current location to a cargo terminal at Hong Kong's airport.


Galschiøt said he has been turned down by at least 12 companies, who said they feared that moving the sculpture would put them in breach of the national security law.


He said there appears to be a greatly diminished trust in the city's judicial system since the law took effect.


Galschiøt revealed plans for smaller replicas of the sculpture to be placed in universities around the world, to serve as a focus for commemorating the dead of Tiananmen Square.


He said the statue had been cut into two parts by University of Hong Kong management at the time of its removal on Dec. 23, 2021.


The statue was placed on the university campus by the now disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democratic Patriotic Movements of China, which had it on loan from Galschiøt.


The 32-year-old Alliance now stands accused of acting as the agent of a foreign power, with leaders Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho, and Lee Cheuk-yan arrested on suspicion of "incitement to subvert state power," and the group's assets frozen.


The group was one of a number of civil society groups that disbanded following investigation by national security police.


The annual Tiananmen massacre vigils the Alliance hosted on June 4 often attracted more than 100,000 people, but the gatherings have been banned since 2020, with the authorities citing coronavirus restrictions.


China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office had previously accused the organization of inciting hostility and hatred against the CCP and the central government.

Hong Kong says voters only have one option in 'elections' for city's next leader — Radio Free Asia

We have posters who will claim Hong Kong held a legitimate election and John Lee won.

Originally Posted by misskit

The Hong Kong government on Monday said only one valid candidate has been approved to run in a forthcoming "election" for the city's top job, naming former police officer and security chief John Lee.

This election is expected to be a nailbiter , but I am going to go on a limb and predicts that Mr Lee will win with a 120% of the vote.

Originally Posted by misskit

We have posters who will claim Hong Kong held a legitimate election and John Lee won.

...names please...

Originally Posted by tomcat

...names please...

Is Torvarish back?

Is HK a democracy? Has it ever been? Right now, Covid restrictions are the big issue- the people I know don't give a toss about this democracy that never existed.

Originally Posted by sabang

Is HK a democracy? Has it ever been? Right now, Covid restrictions are the big issue- the people I know don't give a toss about this democracy that never existed.

…….. is it no longer a business hub in need of credibility? The things people take for granted huh.

Go there, then tell me it isn't a credible business hub. And I'll be straight with ya- HK people care far more about that than these ethereal notions of democracy (meaning of course, western style democracy). The colonial Governor of HK was never elected you know, just appointed by HM. We only cared that he (always a He, always a brit, always caucasian) was a capable administrator.

Originally Posted by sabang

Is HK a democracy? Has it ever been? Right now, Covid restrictions are the big issue- the imaginary people I know don't give a toss about this democracy that never existed.

FTBFY

Sabang: "Crimea shouldn't be part of Ukraine because a referendum said so"
Also Sabang: "Hong Kong is part of China!"

Both true 'arry- that is unusual for you!

Originally Posted by misskit

The Hong Kong government on Monday said only one valid candidate has been approved to run in a forthcoming "election" for the city's top job, naming former police officer and security chief John Lee.

Freedom of expression is a great thing - sadly our Hongkies will not find out what that means

Originally Posted by sabang

Go there, then tell me it isn't a credible business hub.

It's losing more and more influence and credibility

Originally Posted by sabang

HK people care far more about that than these ethereal notions of democracy

Luckily you speak for all Hongkies . . . oddly enough it isn't true

Originally Posted by misskit

The Hong Kong government on Monday said only one valid candidate has been approved to run in a forthcoming "election" for the city's top job, naming former police officer and security chief John Lee.

Queue the Chinky apologists...

Originally Posted by sabang

Is HK a democracy? Has it ever been? Right now, Covid restrictions are the big issue- the people I know don't give a toss about this democracy that never existed.

Ah here we are

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

The scientific, and technological means of controlling and managing the message are so sophisticated and are developing at such alarming pace,it has become difficult to even trust our own decision making process.

Did you wake thinking i was chatting to a someone in customer services about my Lazada order and the next thing i know we are in Thessaloniki

Originally Posted by sabang

Go there, then tell me it isn't a credible business hub. And I'll be straight with ya- HK people care far more about that than these ethereal notions of democracy (meaning of course, western style democracy). The colonial Governor of HK was never elected you know, just appointed by HM. We only cared that he (always a He, always a brit, always caucasian) was a capable administrator.

I was reminding you of your stance on HK and the mass exodus of funds, staff and corporate HQs to other hubs, especially the idea that HK position was likely to be taken over by Singapore?
My apologies for such a deception. Another issue that went over your retired head.
Your past is probably best left behind, along with your fabled mental acuity.

Not talking about the view taken by your imaginary friends, or the story you just copied from elsewhere (nice attempt at distraction).

I refer to YOUR views on the validity of Singapore as a business centre, when HK collapses under communist rule.

Your deflect, obfuscate, ignore, post a smiley routine gets ever more tiresome.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

There is a disease, and democracy at our level of social and technological development is pat of it.

You've fuking lost the plot.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

You've fuking lost the plot.

Is that your medical opinion?

Originally Posted by sabang

My views on Singapore? It will continue doing just fine- and it certainly doesn't rely on any exodus from HK for that. But HK will not collapse under 'Communist rule', not even close. Wish all you want. The GDP of HK has roughly doubled since the Handover, in spite of it contracting around 6% in 2020 due to the pandemic. I suppose it depends upon what business you are in, but ask many people who they think is HK's biggest competitor, and they answer Shanghai.

Year	GDP	Per Capita	Growth
2020	$346.59B	$46,324	-6.08%
2019	$363.02B	$48,354	-1.68%
2018	$361.69B	$48,543	2.85%
2017	$341.24B	$46,166	3.79%
2016	$320.84B	$43,731	2.17%
2015	$309.38B	$42,432	2.39%
2014	$291.46B	$40,315	2.76%
2013	$275.70B	$38,404	3.10%
2012	$262.63B	$36,731	1.70%
2011	$248.51B	$35,142	4.81%
2010	$228.64B	$32,550	6.77%
2009	$214.05B	$30,697	-2.46%
2008	$219.28B	$31,516	2.13%
2007	$211.60B	$30,594	6.46%
2006	$193.54B	$28,224	7.03%
2005	$181.57B	$26,650	7.39%
2004	$169.10B	$24,928	8.70%
2003	$161.38B	$23,977	3.06%
2002	$166.35B	$24,666	1.66%
2001	$169.40B	$25,230	0.56%
2000	$171.67B	$25,757	7.66%
1999	$165.77B	$25,092	2.51%
1998	$168.89B	$25,809	-5.88%
1997	$177.35B	$27,330	5.10%

Hong Kong GDP 1960-2022 | MacroTrends

HK will finally fall under the auspices of a communist government, led by an unchallenged puppet leading HK to utter disaster.
Compare the flailing economy of mainland China, with the interference it can now heap on HK. The Chinese took their time over it, but they have now crushed the life out of HK and any kind of future trading independence.

You were the one who said Singapore was unsuitable for blue chip HK companies to move to, in order to avoid Chinese influence. Now you are saying it’s a wonderful place to do business. This is despite multi nationals and senior HK managers making Singapore first and best choice for business moves.

Seems you retired just in time for them to ignore your previous advice and current indecision.

Singapore has always been a significant trading & financial hub. I have never said differently. It is not HK however, rather it has it's own set of benefits. Three things spring to mind-
1- Singapore does not sit on the doorstep to China. HK does, specifically the massive Pearl River delta region.
2- Singapore certainly has tax benefits, but less so than HK
3- Singapore is more regulated, HK considerably more laissez faire. The financial sector in HK dwarfs Singapore.

They are quite different places, as anyone familiar with the region will tell you. If you predict the utter demise of HK, you will be proven wrong- as so many before you. End of.

Originally Posted by sabang

Singapore has always been a significant trading & financial hub. I have never said differently. It is not HK however, rather it has it's own set of benefits. Three things spring to mind-
1- Singapore does not sit on the doorstep to China. HK does, specifically the massive Pearl River delta region.
2- Singapore certainly has tax benefits, but less so than HK
3- Singapore is more regulated, HK considerably more laissez faire. The financial sector in HK dwarfs Singapore.

They are quite different places, as anyone familiar with the region will tell you. If you predict the utter demise of HK, you will be proven wrong- as so many before you. End of.

When you say Singapore is more regulated, it means more honest and trustworthy.
HK may have operated in dodgy margins, but now it will run as China directs it to run. HK is no longer ‘special’, it is Chinese and therefore no longer trustworthy.
Please don’t pretend that Chinese economics are successful, because everyone knows they are failing despite the fact that they wrote the rules.

Originally Posted by sabang

1- Singapore does not sit on the doorstep to China. HK does, specifically the massive Pearl River delta region.

Utterly irrelevant now, rather a positive for SG

Originally Posted by sabang

2- Singapore certainly has tax benefits, but less so than HK

I paid 9% income tax on average, my business even less . . . with an amazing infrastructure . . . HK?

Originally Posted by sabang

3- Singapore is more regulated, HK considerably more laissez faire. The financial sector in HK dwarfs Singapore.

HK less regulated? .


Ever heard of Vistra? SG has overtaken HK.

Foreign exchange, Commodity trading etc etc etc . . . SG trumps HK.

Face it, HK is on a slide to the abyss because of our Beijing puppetmasters