AMPHIBIANS of HONG KONG
Hong Kong records first ever Covid-19 re-infection
A 33-year-old Hong Kong man was tested with novel coronavirus again after four months, becoming one of a few cases of COVID19 reinfection in the world.
Dutch and Belgian patients get coronavirus re-infection after Hong Kong reports world’s first reinfection case. More testing needed on new patients to see two instances of virus differ slightly.
Hong Kong researchers said they found antibodies several days after the man was hospitalized for the second time, but there were no antibodies when he tested positive after returning from Spain, which also proved that he had been reinfected and could therefore infect others. This case was believed to be the world’s first confirmed case of a human becoming reinfected after recovery.
Jin Dongyan, a biomedical professor at the University of Hong Kong, told the Global Times on Tuesday that genetic sequencing of the man’s virus during his first infection was similar to the virus detected in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province, when he was first diagnosed with COVID-19 in March. This time, the sequencing was similar with the virus found in Europe.
Jin also ruled out the possibility that the virus from March had remained in his body, thus bringing a positive test result, due to the completely different genetic sequencing of the virus. Most of those who test positive due to the virus remaining in their bodies shortly after they are cured do not infect others, but in this case, the man, although a silent carrier, could infect other people, Jin said.
Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung from the University of Hong Kong told the Global Times on Tuesday that the second infection has less symptoms or no symptoms in this case, but the viral load in the patient body is just as high as in any acute infection, meaning that the reinfected patient can be just as infectious as a patient who is infected the first time.
As the antibodies found in patients cured from the virus have a much better protective effect than COVID-19 vaccines in preventing them from being reinfected, the case showed that COVID-19 vaccines may fail to protect these recipients from being infected a second time, Jin said.
The case reminded people that vaccines are not a once-and-for-all solution, and they most likely can only protect them from getting serious symptoms, and scientists have to keep researching and properly respond to this issue, according to Jin.
8-28-20
An unnamed 25-year-old individual from Reno tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 on April 18, and had symptoms including a sore throat, headache, nausea, and diarrhea, according to a pre-print study. By April 27 the symptoms had resolved, and two coronavirus tests came back negative on May 9. On 31 May, the patient reported having a fever, headache, feeling dizzy, as well as a cough, nausea and diarrhea. Five days later, the patient was hospitalized after their condition worsened, and tested positive for the coronavirus again. Samples from the patient also showed they had antibodies against the coronavirus.
Australia HKSAR passport holders holding Temporary Graduate Visas or Temporary Skilled Shortage Visas will have their visas automatically extended for five years
The new visa arrangements mean that up to 10,000 Hong Kong passport holders in Australia will be able to extend their stay for five years, at the end of which they will be granted permanent residency in Australia after passing relevant character, security and health checks. Under the new visa policy announced by the Australian Government, HKSAR passport holders holding Temporary Graduate Visas or Temporary Skilled Shortage Visas will have their visas automatically extended for five years.
Following the enactment of Hong Kong’s National Security Law, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on July 9 that he would extend the visa period for Hong Kong residents and provide a pathway to apply for permanent residence.
According to ABC, there are currently nearly 10,000 Hong Kong citizens in Australia on temporary work visas, post-graduation temporary visas and student visas, and another 2,500 Hong Kong people outside Australia on these visas.
Hong Kong launch citywide testing.
HongKong will launch citywide COVID19 testing from Sep 1, which is expected to be completed within two weeks.
The HK govt will be responsible for sample collection, delivering samples, and the central govt will provide testing personnel and lab services. Without support of the central govt, Hong Kong cannot conduct the citywide testing
Huizhou left from Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong to the South China Sea
Agnes Ting Chow arrested
Pro-secession HK riot leader Agnes Ting Chow 周庭 arrested for violating national security law for HK, HK media reported.
The police did not handcuff Chow Ting when they took her away, but she faked as being handcuffed and ended up blowing the disguise by fiddling with her hair as shown in the video. Netizens also questioned her intention to pretend to be locked in handcuffs to attract the media’s spotlight, a tactic also “trained by the CIA” and identical to the way Joshua Wong pretended to be handcuffed in 2016.
Police say Chow Ting has been arrested on suspicion of violating Hong Kong’s National Security Law. In a post on Chow Ting’s Facebook page in the evening, his “ADMIN” said a group of police officers went to her home and her lawyer is on her way to support her.
A female lawyer arrived at the house to provide assistance.
The lawyer at the scene said the police were searching her home under a search warrant issued on August 6.
-2017年5月底，黄之锋与周庭到日本京都，参加由美国NGO组织“人权观察”举办的会议，声称要将“非法占中”转为实质政治影响力来“促进”所谓的“香港民主运动”。
-2017年6月，周庭在日本接受日本经济新闻社发行的《日经亚洲评论》英文周刊访问时，宣传“香港自决”论。
-2019年6月10日，周庭在东京召开记者会，宣称《逃犯条例》一旦修订通过，“将威胁所有港人和访港外籍人士的人权和人身安全”，希望日本政府像美国、英国、加拿大等国政府一样，要求港府撤销“逃犯条例”。
More personnel from Apple Daily to be arrested
After the arrest of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying 黎智英 , founder of Apple Daily, a citizen of the United Kingdom since 1996, for violating the national security law for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Police Force searched the headquarters of Next Digital 壹傳媒 , parent company of Apple Daily, on Monday morning, as more executives from the notorious media group were arrested.
Lai, the Hong Kong riot supporter, has been arrested for violating the national security law for Hong Kong for collusion with foreign powers, sources close to the Hong Kong Police Force confirmed with the Global Times on Monday morning. Police detained at least seven people during the operations.
Along with this arrest, two of Lai’s sons and two senior executives from Next Digital – an executive chairman and a chairman in charge of the outlet’s operation and finances – have also been arrested. One of Lai’s aides, Mark Simon, who fleed to Taiwan, is currently wanted by police.
This was the first time the local media mogul, who is widely seen as a “modern traitor,” was arrested for violating the law, which was enacted on June 30 and targets four types of criminal acts in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) – acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.
Some legal experts believe the case will involve a group charge of violating the national security law for Hong Kong, targeting the notorious local newspaper Apple Daily, which has played a role of instigating hatred, spreading rumors and smearing Hong Kong authorities and the mainland for years. It has also played an active role in inciting anti-government riots as it is backed and funded by foreign forces to bring about a “color revolution” in the city, experts said.
The police said the operation is still ongoing and has not ruled out further arrests.
“It’s likely that more personnel from the media outlet will be arrested,” considering what the newspaper has done, Lawrence Tang Fei, a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday.
Lai had been arrested multiple times over the past year on suspicion of participating in an unlawful assembly and intimidating journalists, defying police bans and clashing with police amid social turmoil across the city. But Lai had been also granted bail several times, and had travel bans imposed.
“This time, for violating the national security law, it will be difficult for him to be granted bail again,” Tian Feilong, a legal expert on Hong Kong affairs at Beihang University in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday.
The arrest also represents the most typical case of violation of the national security law for Hong Kong, and Lai is highly likely to face heavy penalties given that he has constantly challenged the law, Tian said.
The law carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with the chief perpetrator in particular likely to face severe punishment.
Local media also said that in addition to Lai, six other individuals, including his two sons, had also been arrested for collusion with foreign powers. Lai was also suspected of fraud, the sources said.
While Western politicians, media outlets and activists paint Lai as a “hero” for democracy who has been “suppressed,” many Chinese netizens cheered the arrest early Monday morning.
“Finally, we see he is being arrested!” a netizen said in a Weibo post on Monday morning. “Never too late for justice,” another netizen said.
Next Digital stock price surges following founder Lai Chee-ying’s arrest, looks like money laundering (payment from the sponsor to help with the legal proceedings)
Stock prices of Hong Kong media company Next Digital, run by Jimmy Lai Chee-ying which publishes tabloid newspaper Apple Daily, surged more than 330 percent at 2 pm Monday to HK$0.40, after Lai was arrested for violating the national security law of Hong Kong for collusion with foreign powers. There was almost no trading for Hong Kong-listed Next Digital in the morning session, but the company’s share price was driven up in the afternoon session, with transaction soaring to HK$11.8 million. Its market capitalization surpassed HK$950 million ($122 million).to “There may be some investors buying Next Digital to send the message that although Lai has been arrested by local police, the company will remain intact in business,” Liang Haiming, chairman of the China Silk Road iValley Research Institute told the Global Times Monday. According to financial results released by Next Digital, the company posted a loss of HK$415 million in 2019.
8-20-20 Lai was charged with threatening a journalist in June 2017 in Victoria Park. The case was originally scheduled for Wednesday but delayed due to tropical storm Higos. The trial is being conducted in English and the court has allowed two key prosecution witnesses to remain anonymous. When Lai arrived at the court at around 9 am, he encountered a number of protesters holding banners and calling him a “traitor.” They called for Lai to be severely punished and accused him of harming Hong Kong and local youngsters. One day before the hearing, US President Donald Trump called Lai a “wonderful gentleman” and a “brave man” and sent his best wishes to Lai when asked at a White House press conference if he had a message for him. Lai, 72, will face a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of HKD$2,000 if convicted. Lai was earlier released on HKD$4,000 bail but was not allowed to leave Hong Kong during the bail period. He has tried a few times to apply with the courts to cancel the restriction but was refused.
9-10-20, 15 people were arrested for manipulating stock prices of Next Digital after founder Jimmy Lai was arrested.
Mark Simon Wanted
As a former employee of the US CIA, Mark Simon is also a former advertising director of Next Media Group, and was once the chairman of the Hong Kong branch of the US Republican Party and has close ties with the US Ambassador to China.
Senior Chinese official ridicules US latest sanctions against HK
“I don’t have any assets abroad. Isn’t it a waste of effort to impose sanctions? Of course, I could send $100 to Mr Trump for him to freeze,” said Luo Huining, director of the central government’s liaison office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), in a humorous response on Saturday to US’ sanctions imposed on 11 officials from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.
“Being on the US sanctions list shows that I have done what I should have done for the country and for Hong Kong,” said Luo, who is also the national security advisor to the HKSAR committee for safeguarding national security.
The liaison office on Saturday expressed opposition and strong condemnation to the sanctions imposed by the US Department of the Treasury on 11 individuals for “undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly of the citizens of Hong Kong” on Friday.
Several officials in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and senior officials from the Chinese mainland are on the list. It includes Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office, and Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s office for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong.
In a statement released on Saturday, the liaison office said “we will never fear arrogance. If the US thinks that the so-called sanctions will force China to compromise and give up, then they have misunderstood the times, miscalculated and wasted their efforts.”
Since the promulgation of the national security law for Hong Kong, some US politicians interfered in China’s internal affairs. Now they have violated the basic norms of international law and resorted to imposing sanctions against Chinese officials under the ridiculous pretext of “limiting Hong Kong’s political freedom,” the statement said.
The liaison office said the sanctions show the US actually does not care about the rights and freedom of Hong Kong people, but the freedom of Hong Kong secessionists who endanger China’s national security and the freedom of gangsters and people who have harmed the interests of Hong Kong residents.
The unscrupulous intentions of US politicians to support the Hong Kong secessionists have been revealed, and their clowning actions are really ridiculous, the statement stressed.
The office solemnly called on US politicians to see the general trend clearly and soberly. “No matter how rough your interfere and extreme the pressure you exert, you will not be able to stop the trend of prosperity and development of modern China, nor will it be possible to shake the ‘one country, two systems’ principle,” it said.
Officials in Hong Kong also responded their firm opposition to the US sanctions.
“It is my duty and honor to safeguard the security of the country and Hong Kong. Foreign sanctions against me mean nothing to me. I will continue to concentrate on my duty,” said Commissioner of Hong Kong Police Chris Tang Ping-keung in response to the US sanctions, according to Hong Kong media reports.
“The US has many laws to safeguard national security, but is highly critical of the security law for HK, fully reflecting its double standards and hypocrisy. Safeguarding national security is a matter of course, and attempts to intimidate through ‘sanctions’ will never succeed,” said Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu, state news broadcaster CCTV reported.
The HKSAR government’s Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Tsang Kwok-wai criticized the “sanctions” calling them a self-deception.
“They have no effect on me,” he said, noting that the US, claiming to be a democratic country that respects human rights, but blatantly digs into personal privacy, like a hooligan.
“We are not intimidated by them,” he said. “It only reinforces our belief that what we are doing is the right thing.”
The latest sanction introduced by the US government on Hong Kong will definitely hurt Hong Kong-US relations, said Edward Yau, HKSAR Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in an interview on Saturday morning.
“In the long run, it will inflict wounds on US’ interests in Hong Kong, too,” Yau said, calling the US sanction “unreasonable and barbarous.”
“My family and I are not afraid,” said Chan Kwok-ki, secretary general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, stressing that the “sanctions” are a good opportunity for Hong Kong residents, especially those who still have illusions about the US, to see clearly the unjustifiable and insolence of the US government.
“I am very honored to have the opportunity to serve in this position. I will do my best to serve the interests of the country and Hong Kong,” Chan said.
The HKSAR government vehemently criticized the “sanctions,” slamming it of being shameless and despicable. The measure represents blatant and barbaric interference in China’s internal affairs, using HK as a pawn in its ploy to create troubles in China-US relationship, out of self-serving interests of some US politicians, a spokesperson from the HKSAR government said.
Speaking on behalf of her senior colleagues who are being targeted, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that “we are discharging an honorable duty to safeguard national security, protecting the life and interests of not only the 7.5 million Hong Kong people but also the 1.4 billion Mainlanders. We will not be intimidated.”
Observers from the Chinese mainland noted that the officials on the list should have prepared for the US’ move so it won’t have any impact on them.
The observers are also happy to note that Hong Kong officials have demonstrated a strong collective will and do not fear US’ sanctions. It shows that after experiencing the social turmoil that lasted over a year, Hong Kong officials are being more mature in their politics, they said.
Western media’s favorite Hong Kong ‘freedom struggle writer’ is American ex-Amnesty staffer in yellowface
An American man with ties to Amnesty International and key Hong Kong separatist figures has been posing online as a Hong Kong native named Kong Tsung-gan. Routinely cited as a grassroots activist and writer by major media organizations and published in English-language media, the fictitious character Kong appears to have been concocted to disseminate anti-China propaganda behind the cover of yellowface.
Through Kong Tsung-gan’s prolific digital presence and uninterrogated reputation in mainstream Western media, he disseminates a constant stream of content hyping up the Hong Kong “freedom struggle” while clamoring for the US to turn up the heat on China.
Whispers about Kong’s true identity have been circulating on social media among Hong Kong residents, and was even mentioned in a brief account last December by The Standard.