I’m about to drop another depressing story about Hong Kong with @Nuttallreports. But first, a full minute video documenting the first time kittens Miko and Momo playing with the classic, “ball on string.”
Incredible development. The grey-eared Miko, who earlier didn’t really know what was going on, has made off with the ball leaving Momo with only the stick to play with!
Now, back to our regular programming. What the new Hong Kong security law means for ... everyone on the planet. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar @Nuttallreports #HK #cdnpoli #NationalSecurityLaw
Ottawa announced it will suspend Canada’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong and block sensitive military exports, while issuing a grim travel warning:
"You may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention ... and possible extradition to mainland China." thestar.com/news/canada/20…
"You may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention ... and possible extradition to mainland China." thestar.com/news/canada/20…
I spoke with Alvin, who's trying to find out how to safeguard his rights.
“Did not plan on spending Canada Day drafting an affidavit declaring that I am a Canadian citizen and would never renounce Canadian citizenship of my own free will, but here we are" thestar.com/news/canada/20…
“Did not plan on spending Canada Day drafting an affidavit declaring that I am a Canadian citizen and would never renounce Canadian citizenship of my own free will, but here we are" thestar.com/news/canada/20…
The law, which bans activities Beijing deems to endanger national security, has drawn astonishment and condemnation for the fact that it purports to apply not just to the actions of everyone in HK, but to the actions of anyone outside the region as well. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
I'm wondering if the worldwide scope of the law is clear to the general public, and not just China and Hong Kong specialists?
This story by me and @Nuttallreports lays out what you need to understand now. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #NSL #HK
This story by me and @Nuttallreports lays out what you need to understand now. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #NSL #HK
Actions by individuals outside the region are liable to be considered violations of this law.
The maximum sentence for its list of vaguely defined offences is life imprisonment.
Hong Kong’s first day under the new law saw more than 370 people arrested. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
The maximum sentence for its list of vaguely defined offences is life imprisonment.
Hong Kong’s first day under the new law saw more than 370 people arrested. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
.@ayhcheung said dual citizens had already been more at risk, since Chinese authorities have coerced prisoners in the past to denounce their second citizenships to deny them consular assistance.
thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #HK
thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #HK
Are your friends or family not online or don’t follow the news? This really is something every person has to pay attention to, even though it’s the latest in a series of unreal events of 2020. thestar.com/news/canada/20… 
People should "also avoid boarding flights by Cathay Pacific and other vessels registered in Hong Kong, since the law states that it applies to those who commit crimes 'aboard ships or aircraft registered in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.'" thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Legal experts have been working around the clock to get out translations and interpretations of the law to the public. Our piece cites comments and translations by @ChinaLawTransl8, @ayhcheung, @donaldcclarke, @AmySommers1 and @jeromeacohen: thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar
Other full English translations have been published, but I found this side-by-side original and English translation by @ChinaLawTransl8 most helpful: chinalawtranslate.com/bilingual-hong…
Before working in mainland China, I made the decision to formally renounce my HKSAR/Chinese citizenship. It's actually unclear how much this will protect me if I get detained. People have asked me about the options for Hong Kongers with the privilege of a second passport...
There seems to be two avenues: 1) to officially declare a change of nationality and 2) to apply to renounce Chinese nationality. But please get expert advice first. Forms: immd.gov.hk/eng/services/c… and immd.gov.hk/eng/services/c…
Chinese law makes it much more difficult for someone from mainland China to renounce their citizenship. @ayhcheung advises consulting with a lawyer for advice, including whether to declare that you will not renounce your second citizenship under coercion. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
What will international companies do to protect employees? Will there be pressure to self-censor? @AmySommers1 answered my questions in a way that's very thought-provoking. You may want to ask your company what they're planning to do. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
What does this law mean for open criticism of the Chinese Communist Party in Canada? My colleague @Nuttallreports tackles this question in consultation with Canadian experts. Also widely applicable to other parts of the world. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar #cdnpoli
Miko and Momo are happy to help!
I almost forgot to mention the issue of extradition... Canada will suspend its treaty with HK but advocates from @alliancecanhk tell me they are concerned about other countries some people should avoid travelling to or taking flight connections through.
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Cheuk Kwan called the new law “ominous” and reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984.
“China is now bullying its way through the world and thinking they can control everybody else. They are actually criminalizing the kind of free speech we enjoy in Canada.” thestar.com/news/canada/20…
“China is now bullying its way through the world and thinking they can control everybody else. They are actually criminalizing the kind of free speech we enjoy in Canada.” thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Map showing countries with extradition treaties to Hong Kong and China. Canada just suspended our treaty with HK. bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-…
Really important point to keep in mind.
Example of how wide-ranging and draconian the security law is -- I just referenced the protest slogan, "Liberate Hong Kong" on the radio with @jodyvance. That itself means I may have violated the law. Unclear if media has the ability to use banned phrases. theguardian.com/world/2020/jul…
Hong Kong press club demands assurance of press freedom under national security law as police hit out at media hongkongfp.com/2020/07/03/hon… @HongKongFP
Ending this thread with a photo of Hong Kong born cats, now Canadian citizens. But remember, Beijing likely won’t recognize their Canadian citizenship.
I lied. One more picture of Momo wishing 2020 would be over already. And reversed. Start over at 2019.
