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Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Former District Councilor Arrested by National Security Police Booted From Stage Play by Government
Chan Kim-kam, a former Tsuen Wan district councilor who was arrested last year by Hong Kong police's National Security Department, She said authorities warned that the venue would not be rented out unless she was removed from the cast. Chan also revealed that the school where she had been teaching terminated her employment after receiving a complaint letter. Chan was arrested ahead of June 4, 2024, under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, commonly known as Article 23, and was subsequently released on bail. The National Security Bureau accused her and others of posting anonymously on a social media page, using the 'upcoming sensitive day,' meaning the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4, 1989, to incite netizens to organize or participate in illegal activities. In her May 18 post, Chan Kim-kam said government authorities reviewed the cast list for the upcoming stage performance, which was set to premiere in two weeks in a public venue. The theater group was told to replace a specific actor—referring to Chan—or risk having their previously approved venue booking revoked. She also said that a teaching job she had already started was abruptly terminated after the school received an anonymous complaint letter written in simplified Chinese. The dismissal was carried out without any appeals process or proper procedure, effectively ending her employment, according to Chan. Related Stories 5/6/2025 5/6/2025 The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which is responsible for handling the rental of government venues, told Ming Pao newspaper that it manages all venue booking matters in accordance with existing booking procedures and rental terms and would not comment on individual bookings. Chan also wrote in her post that if these two incidents are dismissed by those in power as mere 'isolated cases,' the vulnerable individuals involved would be left to face unreasonable suppression alone and ultimately disappear from public view. She wrote that everyone labeled as 'sensitive' is being censored, rejected, isolated, pressured to leave, and made invisible. As a result, they are unable to pursue their passions or build a life—often struggle even to find work, which affects their very survival. She said, 'My voice may be weak and carry little weight, but I will not stay silent.' Other Venue Bookings Cancelled Other pro-democracy figures have also been denied access to rental venues for performances in Hong Kong. In January, what was supposed to be the 20th anniversary concert of singer-songwriter Pong Nan, originally scheduled to be held in the West Kowloon Cultural District, had its booking cancelled at the last minute. Nan had previously criticized artists who supported the Hong Kong government's crackdown during the 2019 democracy movement. Both the band Per Se and the Hong Kong Festival Orchestra were also originally scheduled to hold a concert at the Hong Kong City Hall in January, but received a notice from the City Hall that the hall needed to close for inspections and repairs, and the performance was eventually cancelled. A pro-communist website had published an article before the performance claiming that the orchestra belonged to the 'yellow camp,' meaning a group supporting the democratic movement, according to Ming Pao. The founder of the Hong Kong Festival Orchestra, Sean Li, has also been subjected to repeated accusations from pro-Beijing groups that he was the conductor and English lyricist of a version of the banned protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong,' reported the news outlet.
Leaders
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
UK Lifts Sanctions on Syria's Interior, Defense Ministries
The British government has lifted sanctions on Syria's interior and defense ministries marking the latest easing of sanctions following Assad's fall from power. Syria's General Intelligence Directorate, Air Force Intelligence Agency and National Security Bureau were also emitted from the list of entities subject to financial sanctions by the U.K, according to Reuters. Such sanctions were primarily due to the repression of civilian population or 'supporting or benefiting from the Syrian regime.' In this regard, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa stated that lifting sanctions would prevent another civil war in Syria. 'Any chaos in Syria will damage not just neighboring countries but the whole world,' Al-Sharaa said. Currently, the new Syrian government seeks to restore relations with Western and Arab countries and build new diplomatic relations to boost its stability and security. New Diplomatic Relations In a remarkable milestone in the Syrian foreign policy, Syria and South Korea unfolded a new chapter of diplomatic relations on Thursday, according to Arab News. A high-level delegation from South Korea has visited Syria and held several meetings with Senior officials in Syria. The Korean delegation met with Syria's President Al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in the Syrian capital. During the visit, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani signed an agreement with his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, in Damascus to establish diplomatic ties between both countries. According to the SANA Agency, the new agreement would unleash new horizons of cooperation between Syria and Korea, open embassies and exchange diplomatic missions between both countries. Importantly, this cooperation seeks to restore Syria's international standing that has collapsed because of the policies of the former Assad regime. 'This development opens a new chapter of cooperation with Syria, whose bilateral relations with South Korea had been severed due to its close ties with North Korea,' South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Related Topics: Syria Resumes Direct Flights with UAE Syria's Al-Sharaa Strengthens Ties with UAE President at Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Israeli Attack on Syria's Koya Short link : Post Views: 14
Japan Times
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Taiwan says China using AI to 'divide' the island with disinformation
China is using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to ramp up disinformation against Taiwan to "divide" Taiwan's public, the island's National Security Bureau said. Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty claims. Taiwan strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims. China staged two days of war games and live-fire drills near the democratically governed island this month, triggering concern by the United States and many of its allies.
Al Arabiya
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and ‘divide' the island
China is using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to ramp up disinformation against Taiwan to 'divide' Taiwan's public, the island's National Security Bureau said. Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty claims. Taiwan strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims. China staged two days of war games and live-fire drills near the democratically governed island this month, triggering concern by the United States and many of its allies. In a report to parliament, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, the security bureau said it had detected more than half a million pieces of 'controversial messages' so far this year, mostly seen on social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok. Beijing has targeted sensitive moments such as President Lai Ching-te's speech on China last month or chipmaker TSMC's announcement of new US investment to launch what the report said was 'cognitive warfare', adding such efforts were 'designed to create division among our society.' 'As the application of AI technology becomes more widespread and mature, it has also been found that the Chinese Communist Party has been using AI tools to assist in the generation and dissemination of controversial messages,' the report said. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment. The report said China has also ramped up its 'grey-zone' tactics against Taiwan, with a sharp increase so far this year in the number of Chinese coast guard incursions as well as air balloons in Taiwan's waters and airspace. Those moves have forced Taiwan to dispatch its own forces in response and depleted its resources, the report said. Lai, who says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, in March labelled China a 'foreign hostile force'. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under Chinese control.
Reuters
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and 'divide' the island
TAIPEI, April 8 (Reuters) - China is using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to ramp up disinformation against Taiwan to "divide" Taiwan's public, the island's National Security Bureau said. Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty claims. Taiwan strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims. China staged two days of war games and live-fire drills near the democratically governed island this month, triggering concern by the United States and many of its allies. In a report to parliament, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, the security bureau said it had detected more than half a million pieces of "controversial messages" so far this year, mostly seen on social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok. Beijing has targeted sensitive moments such as President Lai Ching-te's speech on China last month or chipmaker TSMC's ( opens new tab announcement of new U.S. investment to launch what the report said was "cognitive warfare", adding such efforts were "designed to create division among our society." "As the application of AI technology becomes more widespread and mature, it has also been found that the Chinese Communist Party has been using AI tools to assist in the generation and dissemination of controversial messages," the report said. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment. The report said China has also ramped up its "grey-zone" tactics against Taiwan, with a sharp increase so far this year in the number of Chinese coast guard incursions as well as air balloons in Taiwan's waters and airspace. Those moves have forced Taiwan to dispatch its own forces in response and depleted its resources, the report said. Lai, who says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, in March labelled China a "foreign hostile force". China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under Chinese control.
