Welcome back to HKFP Monitor. This week, Hong Kong officials took action against efforts to cast invalid votes and boycott the upcoming ...
Welcome back to HKFP Monitor. This week, Hong Kong officials took action against efforts to cast invalid votes and boycott the upcoming "all-patriots" legislative elections, with one case being prosecuted under the city's local security law.
An independent bookstore named Book Punch's "unregistered school" case brought focus to a 2017 government announcement that excluded interest-based classes from its oversight.
Meanwhile, a local media investigation found a “job ad” recruiting people to vote on December 7. The city’s public broadcaster quietly replaced a Japanese anime series amid the ongoing China-Japan spat.
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As the "patriots only" Legislative Council (LegCo) elections draw near, Hong Kong officials have stepped up enforcement against efforts to boycott the vote and submit invalid ballots on December 7.
On Thursday, four people appeared in court regarding social media posts that are said to have included or supported such demands. In one instance, a 68-year-old man was charged with a more severe offense: he wassubject to the city's locally developed security regulations, more commonly referred to as Article 23, for reportedly sharing "seditious" content on social media platforms. This charge could result in a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if found guilty.
The other three accused individuals wereaccused of sharing social media content first posted by activists Alan Keung and Tong Wai-hung, who are located abroad.
The court approved the Independent Commission Against Corruption's request to issue arrest warrants for the two individuals. Keung has been listed on the national security wanted list since July, with a reward of HK$200,000 offered for his capture.participation in the political organization Hong Kong Parliament.
Following the arrests, Beijing's Office for Ensuring National Securitystatedacts that interfere with and sabotage the elections would be "sternly punished." They also characterized demands for blank votes and boycotts as "enduring malicious ideas from anti-China and foreign forces."
Four individuals were among at least 14 people detained in the past week for election-related violations, according to the local media outlet The Collective.reportedon Thursday. Five of the individuals involved were under age. Numerous incidents reportedly included damaging official election posters or campaign materials belonging to the candidates.
The suppression of demands for blank votes and election boycotts started in 2021, when such actions werecriminalized under an electoral reformintended to ensure that only loyal citizens managed the city.
The legal change also banned actions that "intentionally hinder and block" individuals from casting their vote in an election.
The electoral changes, which occurred less than a year after Beijing introduced a national security law in Hong Kong, were approved in a legislature without any opposition. In 2020, pro-democracy lawmakers stepped down collectively to object to the removal of four of their members. Several of them were imprisoned last year in Hong Kong's most significant national security case, related to an unofficial legislative primary election that took place in July 2020.
During the 2021 LegCo election, the initial polls conducted under the updated system saw a series of arrests by authorities following some individuals sharing a post from former lawmaker Ted Hui, who is now in exile. Hui hadurged Hongkongers to submit blank or invalid votesin demonstration against Beijing's changes to its electoral system and the restrictions on freedoms he observed under the national security law.
Security Secretary Chris Tang at that timecalled Hui’s behaviour “despicable”and cautioned that instructing individuals not to vote or to submit an invalid ballot could breach the national security law imposed by Beijing.
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The recent legal case involving independent bookstore Book Punchhas sparked debates regarding the legal interpretation of a "school" that necessitates registration in Hong Kong.
The proprietor of the Sham Shui Po business, Pong Yat-ming, was called to court this week to deal with allegations connected to a Spanish language course conducted at the shop in April. He is charged with operating an unlicensed school and allowing an unqualified individual to teach, along with other accusations.
The bookstore mentioned in a Facebook update in May that the visit by Education Bureau (EDB) officials on the day of the class was "unforeseen." The post referred to a 2017statementThe EDB was established by the legislature, which clarified that the law used to prosecute Pong would not be applicable to courses that "merely focus on mastering skills and techniques or fostering a hobby or interest."
The EDB provided examples such as painting, dancing, and drama as subjects that do not need school registration, but it did not explicitly reference language classes.
It is uncertain whether this defense will be discussed in court. Pong, who did not have legal counsel during his court appearance on Thursday, requested a postponement to wait for documents from the prosecution. He has not yet provided a response to the charges, and the case will be reviewed again in January.
Bookstore Punch and other local independent bookstoreshave faced increasing scrutinyfrom Hong Kong authorities in recent years. In July, an event showcasing independent stores and publishers faced criticism from the Beijing-aligned media outlet Wen Wei Po, whichalleged that the organizers were promoting "soft resistance."
In September, Book Punch stated that it had to cancel several events because of "anonymous and misleading" allegations, mentioning that some guests encountered "top-down pressure" to step down.
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A vote-buying scheme exposed?: An investigationHK01 this week exposed a potential vote-buying plan before the December 7 LegCo election, offering individuals HK$150 for casting a vote.
A "hiring ad" was shared in a WhatsApp group seeking part-time workers for a company named "iCreate Marketing." The information provided in the ad stated that the position was intended to increase participation by recruiting registered voters.
Candidates had to share personal details (such as their name, identification, and residence) and send a photograph taken outside the voting location as evidence.
Lawyer Johnathan Man stated to HK01 that this practice might not breach current election laws. Although the laws forbid providing incentives to vote for particular candidates or encouraging a boycott, the existing legislation does not address financial rewards solely for the act of voting.
The city's anti-corruption commission, although not commenting on the particular case, stated that election regulations do not prohibit encouraging individuals to vote, as long as the encouragement is not tied to supporting specific candidates or avoiding the election.
The Office of Registration and Elections stated it would not address specific cases, noting that any discovered illegal activities would be forwarded to law enforcement authorities for further action.
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Japanese animation removed by local television station:The Hong Kong government-run public broadcaster RTHK ceased broadcasting the anime series.Cells at Work!during escalating conflicts between China and Japan.
The latest diplomatic conflict wasdriven by comments from new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichiindicating that the nation could launch a military operation if China invades Taiwan.
Netizens noticedit was reported earlier this week that RTHK had removed the Japanese cartoon, which had just launched its second season, and substituted it with a sports show.
The political commentary section of the Hong Kong Economic Journal (HKEJ)wroteon Thursday, the summary of the first episode and the teaser for the second episode, which was broadcast last week, also "disappeared" from the network's website.
RTHK only toldthe HKEJ that it regularly reviews its broadcasting schedules to offer high-quality content to the public.
The Hong Kong-based media outlet did not verify a connection to the escalating Sino-Japanese disputes. Nevertheless, the action occurred at the same time as thepostponed launch of animated films Cell at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancersin mainland China during the diplomatic conflict.
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A copy of a well-known whale skeleton was revealed close to Shek O this week, following damage to the original bones caused by a typhoon. The new display takes the place of a temporary 3D-printed model, which was taken down last year.
Keep an eye out for our complete report this afternoon.
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BBC: Inside the destroyed Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong
BBC: China's extensive investment in the UK provided it with access to military-grade technology, the BBC was informed
The Straits Times: Chinese trains, visitors, and capital are pouring into Laos. Locals question whether it is worthwhile.
