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HKFP
4 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
3 democrats released after serving jail terms in Hong Kong's largest nat. security trial
Three Hong Kong pro-democracy figures have been released after serving four years and five months in prison – the latest democrats convicted in the city's largest national security case to be freed. Frankie Fung, a pro-democracy activist, returned to his Kowloon City home in a police vehicle on Monday morning, according to an HKFP reporter at the scene. Fung was seen carrying a bag of belongings and did not respond to questions from reporters. Two other activists, Carol Ng and Lau Chak-fung, arrived home in police vehicles on Monday morning, local media reported. Lau was seen entering his residential building carrying two bags of belongings, also without responding to questions from reporters. The trio, who had been detained since 2021, were sentenced in November to four years and five months in jail after pleading guilty to subversion under the Beijing-imposed national security law. They were among a group of 47 opposition figures charged with the offence. A total of 45 were convicted in May last year, while two were acquitted. The case revolves around an unofficial primary election in July 2020 that aimed to help the pro-democracy camp win a controlling majority in Hong Kong's legislature. The 47 opposition figures were accused of conspiring to subvert state power after they planned that, once a legislative majority was obtained, they would threaten to indiscriminately veto the government budget to force it to accede to political demands, such as universal suffrage. In the verdict, three trial judges ruled the scheme would create a 'constitutional crisis.' After Fung, Ng and Lau were released on Monday, a total of 11 democrats in the case have completed their prison terms, including ex-lawmaker Claudia Mo in late April and LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham in late May. Meanwhile, 34 others are still serving their sentences, including ex-law professor Benny Tai, who was sentenced to 10 years behind bars – the heaviest penalty in the case. The Court of Appeal earlier this month heard the appeal submissions from 12 democrats in the case, including ex-lawmaker 'Long Hair' Leung Kwok-hung and journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho, as well as from the government, which sought to overturn the acquittal of Lawrence Lau. The judges presiding over the appeals hearing said they would rule within nine months. Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Girl who died in Fiordland drowning missed 'every moment, every day'
By Liu Chen of RNZ The mother of a 10-year-old Australian girl who drowned during a visit to New Zealand says a coroner's report into her daughter's death has spurred feelings of overwhelming sadness as well as some comfort. Tegan Chen, of Lindfield, New South Wales, drowned in the fast-flowing Marian Creek in Fiordland National Park in January last year after she fell in and was swept downstream. In findings released July 9, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale described Tegan as "a very active and happy girl". Tegan's mother, Deb Fung, said she missed her daughter "every moment, every day". Fung said pictures in the coroner's report showed how easy it was to walk out onto the rocks from the track. The Department of Conservation installed warning signs immediately after the incident, with permanent signs installed later. A viewing platform that had been planned prior to Tegan's death had also been completed in June, covering the rocks that were previously accessible. Barriers had been constructed on all sides of the platform. "I'm glad that they've done that and, gosh, if that had been in place before ... which, when you think about it," Fung said, tapering off as she considered other outcomes of their visit to the national park. She said the family had been processing their grief and were grateful for the support of their family and friends. "Holding the memories of her very closely ... building memories with her in spirit differently," Fung said. "I guess facing the pain rather than trying to escape and trying to forget has been ... our approach ... and that's really helped." Fung said her daughter's passing had changed the family's perspective on life. "Just learning to try and embrace whatever days we have ahead of us and projects or things that have meaning and purpose rather than just going about life like nothing has changed or nothing really matters," she said. Tegan's father, Adrian Chen, said the family were constantly reminded of what they had lost, but they were also looking at opportunities to make a difference to other people with what they had experienced. "There is a lot of grief and a lot of traumas out there, not just for us, ... that a lot of people are going through," he said. "If we can be an encouragement to others ... and I guess almost helping people to see difficult circumstances is not just something to mourn and grief, but something that can also reshape us. "Like there's strength and resolve even amidst the tears and grief." Adrian Chen said it could be difficult for men to open up if they encountered difficult situations, but it was important for them to "take time out and to reflect and to face those emotions". "I think without the chance to do that, then ... I think what often happens is that we will bottle it up and then we'll have an eruption, like a volcano exploding," he said. The couple were planning to build a memorial garden outside of Sydney in which people could plant trees to mark the birth and passing of loved ones, which, at the same time, would be a reforestation project that helped the environment, Fung said. Aaron Fleming, director of operations in Southern South Island at the Department of Conservation, said the department looked closely at its facilities, systems and processes following a tragedy like this to identify room for improvement and ensure steps were taken to reduce the likelihood of similar things happening. "On behalf of the Department of Conservation I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Tegan's family and acknowledge the terrible loss they have suffered," Fleming said. "We have an ongoing programme of reviewing of similar sites across public conservation lands to identify any that need further hazard warnings in place."
Nikkei Asia
11-07-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Hong Kong retail gets mainland makeover as Chinese brands move in
HONG KONG -- The Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong was buzzing on a Friday evening in mid-June, yet not a single customer ventured into Prince Beef Brisket and Offal Noodles in the heart of one of the city's top tourism and shopping spots. Just next door, customers streamed into Hefu Noodle, a more stylish and spacious mainland Chinese chain with similar prices. "They have taken away half of our business since they opened in December, because their mainland owner has deep pockets for top-notch decorations," lamented Ms. Fung, a Prince Noodles worker in her early 40s.
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
E-review on Sabah's 40% revenue entitlement case Aug 7
KOTA KINABALU (July 7): A High Court here today fixed August 7 for e-review of a judicial review brought by Sabah Law Society (SLS) to get declaration on 40 percent entitlement grant for Sabah which allegedly had not been reviewed for 48 years since 1974. Justice Datuk Celestina Steul Galid set the date on whether to give further directions on this matter or if there is a need for clarification on certain points. Monday (July 7) was fixed for full hearing for the said judicial review. Lead counsel for SLS legal team Dr David Fung Yin Kee submitted that for these years namely 1974-2021 (referred to as the Lost Years) all of the revenue derived by the Federation from Sabah 100% was allegedly taken by the Federation. Fung submitted that there was allegedly no 'share of growth of the Federal revenue derived from Sabah'. He contended that there was no review done, therefore, no agreed periods, no Order of YDP Agong, and no annual grants under Article 112C of the Federal Constitution which allegedly breaches of Constitutional Imperatives. He explained that February 14, 2022 was the second review, April 17, 2022 was the second review Order (for period of 2022 to 2026). June 23, 2023 was the third review and November 22, 2023 was the third review Order (for period of 2023 to 2027). When inquired by court whether any document to explain the silence or alleged failure to provide 40 percent grant over the Lost Years, Fung said that there were no documents at all which in their case was that there had been no reviews for the Lost Years. The Federal government, on the other hand, maintains that there is an 'ongoing review'. He contended that can they have an 'ongoing review' with no results? Is rolling year by year allowed under Article 112D of the said Constitution? There is no period and no agreed amount. Fung said that for there to be a review, both the federal and Sabah state governments must meet and reach an agreement on the period and annual grants every five years. 'If they are unable to agree, then can proceed to appoint an independent assessor in accordance with Article 112D(5). 'No excuses for no agreement because there is a specific provision for an independent assessor to be brought in, the assessor's decision would be binding on the federal and state governments,' said Fung. In reply, Senior Federal Counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly @ Arwi submitted that the review is a process, until there is an agreement to succeed the 1969 review order, the same shall continue to be in force. Ahmad Hanir said that the first review order is still continuing to be in force. When inquired by court on what is the evidence on the agreement between the parties on the grant, Ahmad Hanir answered that the evidence is the grant itself, i.e. the review order, until an order is made to alter the 1969 review order, it is evidence of Sabah's acceptance of the same being continually in force. Ahmad Hanir submitted that the review is a process and the fact that both the federal government and Sabah state government have had numerous meetings to discuss this matter and there are ongoing negotiations. However, he explained that there were no documents to show that the ongoing review as most of the documents are classified. As for state government of Sabah, State Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh submitted that there was allegedly had not been any review for the lost 48 years and the review order only provides for the respective sums as provided therein, and not beyond. Soh submitted that naturally follows that Sabah is entitled to the 40 percent grant for the lost 48 years. He argued that Sabah state government has agreed to accept an interim special grant (from 2022 onwards) on a 'without prejudice' basis and reserves its right to rely on the original formula under Article 112C of the said Constitution and the right to claim for any arrears for failure to conduct a review. Soh added that Sabah state government agreed that there was scope for the court to order the various declarations sought, the mandamus to hold review for the lost 48 years, However, they submitted that there was no basis for the court to quash the 2022 review order. Three years ago, SLS was granted a leave to commence the said judicial review by a High Court here which was on November 11, 2022. The federal government had appealed against the said High Court's decision on May 16, 2024 which was dismissed on June 18, 2024, with no order as to costs. SLS had named the government of the federation of Malaysia and the state government of Sabah as the first and second respondents respectively in their judicial review. The Society sought from court a declaration that the failure of the first respondent to hold the second review in the year 1974 with the second respondent is a breach and contravention of its constitutional duty stipulated under Article 112D, Clauses (1), (3) and (4) of the Federal Constitution. It also sought from court a declaration that 40 percent entitlement remains due and payable by the first respondent to second respondent for each consecutive financial year for the period from the year 1974 to the year 2021. Apart from that, SLS further sought from court a declaration that the failure to pay the 40 percent entitlement by the first respondent to the second respondent for each consecutive financial year for the period from the year 1974 to the year 2021 is a breach of the fundamental right to property of the second respondent and ultimately of the people of Sabah as enshrined under Article 13 of the Federal Constitution. Further, they sought an order of mandamus directed to the first respondent to hold another review with the second respondent under the provisions of Article 112D of the Federal Constitution to give effect to payment of the 40 percent entitlement under Article 112C read with subsection (1) of Section 2 of Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution for each consecutive financial year for the period from the year 1974 to the year 2021 within 30 days and to reach a decision within 90 days from the date of this order. Lastly, SLS is also seeking an order that the first respondent pays the entitlement as determined under paragraph 3 (a) above to the second respondent or as constitutional damages for breach of Article 13 of the Federal Constitution or both. Counsel Jeyan Marimuttu, Janice Junie Lim and Grace Liew also represented SLS. Senior Federal Counsel Senior Federal Counsel Nurhafizzan Azizan and Azza Azmi, Federal Counsel M. Kogilambigai A/P Muthusamy and Nur Atirah Aiman Rahim also acted for the federal government. State Counsel Devina Teo and Roland Alik also acted for the state government.
RTHK
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
WestK Shanghai Week a 'great success': Betty Fung
WestK Shanghai Week a 'great success': Betty Fung The Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Betty Fung, said Hong Kong artists made their mark during the 2025 WestK Shanghai Week. File photo: RTHK The West Kowloon Cultural District's (WestK) first major event outside Hong Kong -- the 2025 WestK Shanghai Week -- was an immense success and drew over 300,000 participants in Shanghai via online and offline channels. That's according to Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. Speaking on RTHK's Backchat programme, Fung said the Shanghai Week project is part of WestK's broader plan to go global. "We presented seven major signature programmes across six venues in Shanghai, I think by any standard this was a bold attempt, [and] required a lot of resources and coordination," she said. "I think I can call it a great success." The WestK chief said there is great demand on the mainland and elsewhere for original content from the SAR, and the programmes that were brought to Shanghai contained a strong Hong Kong element. The original Cantonese musical, "The Impossible Trial", for example, received overwhelming success in the mainland city, she said. Another major accomplishment, Fung added, was helping talented, up-and-coming Hong Kong artists and performers make their mark outside the city. "Through this week of events, many of them had become beloved artists in Shanghai, and there were people actually queuing up outside the theatres to ask for signatures.' Going forward, Fung said WestK will continue to work on establishing itself on the regional and international stage. "I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture exhibition is now in Shanghai and will go to Doha in Qatar later this year, and also our programmes like the Hong Kong Palace Museum exhibitions will be on show at the Capital Museum in Beijing,' she noted. 'So this 'going global' strategy will continue not just to mainland cities but many different parts of the world." Fung said she's exploring the possibility of taking WestK highlights to cities where there is a large Cantonese-speaking population, saying she believes there is great demand for artistic and cultural content from Hong Kong.
