US Consulate Condemns Hong Kong's Government for 'Repression' of Independence Day Celebrations
The US consulate in Hong Kong on Tuesday condemned the city's government for what it called repression of US Independence Day celebrations after local education authorities reportedly cautioned teachers and students not to attend such events organized by American diplomats.
The consulate accused the Hong Kong government of interfering with US Consulate General–hosted events, saying, 'US embassies and consulates worldwide celebrate Independence Day every year by hosting receptions and other festivities. We condemn the Hong Kong government's repression of US Independence Day celebrations.' It added, 'Its attempts to characterize these activities as unlawful only further reveals its insecurity and fear of freedom.'
The consulate's criticism came days after a Facebook page, Edu Lancet, reported that the city's education authorities had sent 'friendly reminders' to multiple schools asking their teachers not to casually join the consulate's events and be cautious about violating the national security law. The reminder also asked the schools to discourage their students from joining such events, it said.
The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims by the Facebook page, which often provides updates about the education sector. A local English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post, also reported that the authorities had reminded schools to be vigilant about any attempts to promote US Independence Day celebrations on campus.
The city's education bureau has not immediately commented. Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang previously accused the founder of the page, Hans Yeung, of seizing opportunities to incite division in society in a media interview published in March.
Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 following massive anti-government protests in 2019, saying the legislation was necessary to return stability to the city. Under the law, dozens of leading activists were prosecuted or jailed, while others fled. Fears about the law drove many middle-class families and young professionals to emigrate elsewhere.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Minnesota lawmaker shot to death at home to lie in state at Capitol ahead of funeral
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were gunned down earlier this month in what authorities say was a politically motivated killing, will lie in state in the state Capitol Rotunda on Friday, a day ahead of their funeral, Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday. Hortman will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans accorded the honor. The Hortmans were shot to death in their home in the northern Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park early June 14. Before that, authorities say the gunman wounded another Democrat, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, who lived a few miles away in Champlin. The Hortmans' golden retriever, Gilbert, who was seriously wounded in the attack and later had to be euthanized, will also lie in state with the couple. The public can pay their respects at the Capitol from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. A private funeral is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday. A livestream will be available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel. Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle faces state and federal murder and other charges in the shootings. He surrendered June 15 after what authorities have called the largest search in Minnesota history. His next court appearance is also on Friday. Two of the six federal counts against him can carry the death penalty. Federal prosecutors allege Boelter also stopped at the homes of two other lawmakers that night and had dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials in other states. A lifelong friend, David Carlson, told The Associated Press last week that Boelter had been struggling to find work and was wrestling with a 'darkness' that was 'inside of him' at the time of the shootings. He said Boelter did not hold back when it came to his distaste for Democrats, but he never seemed threatening or talked to him about any of the officials whom he allegedly targeted. Boelter's federal defenders have declined to comment on the case. He remains jailed and has not entered a plea.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday witnessed a strong recovery amid a reported ceasefire between Israel and Iran, traders and analysts said. On Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump said on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be phased in over 24 hours. The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 6,079 points, or 5.23 percent, to close at 122,246 points on Tuesday afternoon, compared to the previous day's close of 116,167 points. 'Stocks closed near all-time high after Iran, Israel agreed to a ceasefire receding fears of escalation in the Middle East tensions,' Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation told Arab News. 'Upbeat economic data on cement sales for Jul-May'25, bull run in global equities and receding fears over high inflation, impact on exports for supply disruptions over Middle East conflict played a catalyst role in the record bullish close.' Raza Jafri, head of research at Intermarket Securities Ltd., attributed the momentum to reduction in international oil prices along with settling regional tensions. In volatile trading on Tuesday, crude futures slumped more than five percent after Trump's declaration of the Iran-Israel ceasefire. 'With valuations still shy of a long-term mean and Pakistan having recently unveiled a market-friendly budget, bullish momentum is expected to continue,' Jafri added. On Monday, Pakistan's stocks and currency markets had tumbled as investors reacted to the US foray into the Israel-Iran conflict a day earlier. Monday's 3.2 percent fall to 116,167 points was the worst since May 8, when the index had plunged 5.9 percent day-on-day during the India-Pakistan military standoff.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Powell Says Fed Can Wait To Reduce Interest Rates As Trump Demands Cuts
The Federal Reserve will continue to wait and see how the economy evolves before deciding whether to reduce its key interest rate, Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday – a stance directly at odds with President Donald Trump's calls for immediate cuts. 'For the time being, we are well positioned to wait to learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance,' Powell said in prepared remarks he delivered early Tuesday before the House Financial Services Committee. Powell is facing two days of what could be tough grilling on Capitol Hill, as Trump has repeatedly urged the Fed to reduce borrowing costs. Powell has often received a positive reception before House and Senate committees that oversee the Fed, or at least muted criticism. Powell has also often cited his support in Congress as a bulwark against Trump's attacks, but that support could wane under the president's ongoing assaults. Trump lashed out again in the early hours of Tuesday morning, posting on his social media site: 'I hope Congress really works this very dumb hardheaded person over. We will be paying for his incompetence for many years to come.'
