
Hong Kong condemns US for extending ‘national emergency' status for city
'The US has blatantly and repeatedly breached international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and vainly interfered with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters by extending again the so-called 'national emergency with respect to Hong Kong',' a government spokesman said.
'Such an act is arbitrary and unreasonable.'
The US had once again been 'overriding the rule of law with politics, and wantonly smearing, by despicable political manoeuvres' the work of the administration in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, the government added.
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a one-year extension of the 'national emergency' status.
A presidential document said: 'The situation with respect to Hong Kong, including recent actions taken by the People's Republic of China to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong's autonomy, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTHK
3 hours ago
- RTHK
'Russia will not give Ukraine security guarantee'
'Russia will not give Ukraine security guarantee' Volodymyr Zelensky (left) will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen (right) and other European leaders. Photo: Reuters Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday rejected the idea of Russia offering his country security guarantees, after US and EU officials promoted the possibility. White House envoy Steve Witkoff earlier said US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to "robust security guarantees" for Ukraine during a meeting in Alaska on Friday. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday hailed the proposal as an offer of NATO-style security guarantees from the United States. "We welcome President Trump's willingness to contribute to (NATO) Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine, and the coalition of the willing, including the European Union, is ready to do its share," von der Leyen said. Zelensky also welcomed the idea of US security guarantees -- but was less positive about Russia's intentions. "What President Trump said about security guarantees is much more important to me than Putin's thoughts, because Putin will not give any security guarantees," he told a press conference in Brussels alongside von der Leyen. "Security means a strong army, which only Ukraine can provide. I believe that only Europe can finance this army." Von der Leyen and Zelensky also shared their thoughts on a possible meeting between Trump, Putin and the Ukrainian leader. "So far, Russia gives no sign that the trilateral will happen and if Russia refuses, then new sanctions must follow," Zelensky said. Von der Leyen had said she wanted to see the three-way meeting happen "as soon as possible". Zelensky will meet Trump in Washington on Monday, accompanied by von der Leyen and other European leaders. (AFP)


South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Singapore beyond 60: Lawrence Wong vows to keep country ‘exceptional'
Singapore 's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mapped out his vision for the city state on Sunday in his first National Day Rally since his ruling party won the general election in May, promising to expand on a cross-border economic initiative and inject new life to northern towns. Advertisement Noting that the country was at a critical juncture after marking its 60th year of independence on August 9, Wong outlined long-term policy plans to 'take charge of our own destiny' in an era of global uncertainty with international trust waning, nations prioritising self-interest and a United States in retreat. 'We are not going to sit back and resign ourselves to being mere bystanders in a world shaped by others,' Wong said, addressing his Cabinet colleagues and members of the establishment and grass roots in the Singapore equivalent of a state of the union address. 'We take pride in whatever we do, and strive to be the best possible versions of ourselves [ …] That's how we've achieved exceptional performance. That's how we will continue to stay exceptional – as a people and a country,' Wong added. The central business district skyline in Singapore in May. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has outlined long-term policy plans to 'take charge of our own destiny' in an era of global uncertainty. Photo: Reuters Independent political observer Felix Tan called Wong's rally a 'rousing' speech that sought to 'make everybody feel that [ …] they all belong and they can contribute in some way or other'.


South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
The big shift in ethnic affairs exposed by China's corruption crackdown
First came the investigation in January into Qizhala, the ethnic Tibetan former chairman of the Tibet autonomous region. Then in May, it was the turn of Lan Tianli, the ethnic Zhuang chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. In July, just as Qizhala was being expelled from the Communist Party, Liu Hui, the ethnic Hui former chairwoman of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, came under investigation for alleged corruption. The three cadres are among just a handful of senior officials from ethnic community groups to have fallen from grace in China in the past few decades. Observers say that the downfall of the officials reflects a broader push for political discipline, signalling that ethnicity-based leniency in elite politics no longer applies. Liu Hui, former chairwoman of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, came under investigation in July. Photo: CCTV Unlike provinces, which have governors, autonomous regions are overseen by chairmen or chairwomen. The positions are second only to the party chief of the region and have generally been set aside for people from non-Han communities as part of efforts to promote ethnic inclusion. The overwhelming majority of regional party secretaries have been Han.