Hong Kong Today!

Protests Continue!

Photo: Twitter/@ianbremmer, 4 October 2014

Hong Kong Protests Spread

Opposing Plans to Create Committee to Screen Out Candidates for City Leadership

Thousands have taken to the streets in Hong Kong, with clashes between pro-democracy protesters and the authorities escalating. The police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowds that have besieged the city government headquarters since Friday. The protesters oppose the planned electoral changes introduced by Beijing, which would set up a committee dominated by functionaries loyal to the Chinese government to screen out candidates for the post the city’s chief executive. Pro-democracy groups call the proposal a mockery of the election.

The South China Morning Post reported today that the authorities were struggling to cope with sheer number of protesters, with some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares paralyzed. The Occupy Central, the most prominent groups fighting against the planned electoral changes, said additional protesters are pushing their way to join the main protest site at Tamar Park. The police have arrested nearly 100 protesters since Friday.

Occupy organizer Benny Tai Yiu-ting told the Morning Post “no one would be able to stop the campaign now… It would only end when the current chief executive steps down and the Beijing government retracts it decision.” (South China Morning Post, 28 September)

Photo credit: Protesters rally against planned electoral changes in Hong Kong; 28 September 2014 (Top photo: The South China Morning Post; Bottom photo: Getty Images)

Beijing Coverage of Hong Kong today:
China News reports: "Hong Kong people enjoy green space and sunshine."

 Photo credit: China News/Twitter/ianbremmer, 28 September 2014

Hong Kong Passes Iran Sanctions Law, Freezes IRISL Assets

Hong Kong has passed laws to comply with UN sanctions against Iran. The new laws that went into effect last Friday include asset freezes on Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its affiliates. The US had accused 20 shipping firms in the city of ties to IRISL and of fronting Iranian businesses involved in the country's nuclear and missile programs.

Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, received Beijing's approval to pass the new laws.

"The administration took time to deliberate internally on how best to implement the new and expanded sanctions," the Hong Kong government said in a statement on Wednesday [AFP, 30 March].

Hong Kong Impounds Iran Ship

Hong Kong has detained an Iranian cargo ship, the Decretive. The authorities detained the IRISL vessel on 14 November for default on a $268 million loan owed to four banks led by the German bank HSH Nordbank. The loan was taken by IRISL to finance the construction of Decretive in 2008. Earlier this year, the authorities in Singapore impounded three IRISL ships for default on $210 million loan to a French bank. Uskowi on Iran broke the news of the seizure of those ships, and they’ve since been auctioned.

IRISL is under sanctions imposed against Iranian entities. Its chairman told reporters in Tehran that the banks improperly called in the loan in response to UN and US sanctions.