Epoch Times Launches “Hong Kong and the World” Website

Hong Kong, this special administrative region, is a place where miracles abound. A famous international city in a small place, with over 7 million Hong Kongers proud to work hard in this blessed land, free from natural disasters, creating a prosperous society with a fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.

Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) broke its promise. China’s national security law dominates the Hong Kong government, violating the “one country, two systems” principle. Civil society collapsed and freedom of the press disappeared. Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers have gone abroad to start a new life; but many others stayed home, clinging to their beliefs and waiting for dawn.

Hong Kong needs worldwide attention. We create and dedicate the website (English) “ Hong Kong & the world (Hong Kong & the World) to continuously cover the situation of Hong Kong and Hong Kong people, in the hope that this precious and once splendid pearl of the world does not descend into chaos.

As the world’s economic and financial center, Hong Kong enjoys one of the freest economies thanks to its independent judiciary, low tax rate, professional talent and free trade system. This Asian financial center has topped the Heritage Foundation think tank’s Index of Economic Freedom for 25 years, until 2021. It has been repeatedly crowned the world’s most competitive economy by the school of Commerce International Institute for Management Development (IMD) based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Hong Kong is also a member of some 50 international organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In 2021, the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom excluded Hong Kong, because its economic policies are “controlled by Beijing”. In the first five months of this year, funds for Hong Kong IPOs hit a 12-year low. According to a report from the TV show IFC Media, citing a survey by the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, nearly half of European companies with a presence in Hong Kong plan to relocate all or part of their operations and staff out of the city. Asia’s global city is losing its professionals and foreign capital, the appeal of Asia’s main financial center is fading.

Hong Kong, an international transport and logistics hub, enjoys its image as a world-class transport hub with Hong Kong International Airport, container ports and cruise terminals. Hong Kong was the first choice for regional offices and headquarters of many large companies around the world. It has also hosted many international events, thus playing an active and important role on the world stage.

Today, Hong Kong has again lost its pivotal status with Communist China’s rigid and aggressive policies.

Hong Kong, an Asia-Pacific and international legal center, is the only common law jurisdiction, within China. The independent judiciary and the non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal, hailing from different countries, enjoy a good reputation and have been highly appreciated by the international legal community. Courts used to exercise judicial power without interference.

Since the movement against the extradition bill erupted, affecting millions of Hong Kongers in 2019, the Hong Kong government has detained more than 10,000 Hong Kongers, including middle school students. It has become the norm for pro-democrats and protesters to be jailed without trial. Since the mass protests began on June 9, 2019, there are now 1,014 political prisoners in Hong Kong, an exponential increase in three years. At the time, there were only a handful of political prisoners. According to a new report from HKDC (Hong Kong Democracy Council), “Hong Kong has one of the fastest growing political prisoner populations in the world, rivaling Belarus, Burma and Cuba. » The resignation of an Australian judge and two British judges of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong sends a message of distrust in the city, with regard to judicial impartiality.

Hong Kong was once an information hub with well-developed communication structures and a free flow of information, enjoying a high degree of press freedom. The media industry was flourishing, with award-winning journalists, and it disseminated diverse information. According to the World Press Freedom Index, out of 180 countries and regions in the world, Hong Kong rose from 18th rank in 2002 at 148th rank in 2022, and now finds itself wedged between the Philippines and Turkey. Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Dailyand the popular news site Booth News were forced to close their doors. Small media outlets have voluntarily shut down due to legal risks, and journalists have been arrested for national security offences. The CCP suppresses independent cultural organizations, stifles their space for survival and development, and monopolizes cultural discourse.

Hong Kong is a center of exchange of Chinese and Western cultures. The world should remember and hold hope in Hong Kong – a unique wealth of traditions that retains traditional Chinese culture and spirit, which has not been destroyed and defiled by the CCP, and which has also incorporated the universal values ​​of the West.

Hong Kong, a name that was once admired and cherished, is now teetering in dire straits. The history and benefits Hong Kongers were proud of disappeared overnight, along with the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, after the CCP violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration by enacting force the “Hong Kong National Security Law”, and taking the side of administering Hong Kong in a comprehensive and direct manner.

In such a difficult context, at least 110,000 Hong Kongers have emigrated to the United Kingdom, after the British government launched the British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport program. Net emigration, from July 1, 2020 to April 2, 2022, was 325,497 people. Fortunately, Hong Kongers remain dignified wherever they go. While living in harmony with local people, many Hong Kongers continue to work hard for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, this Pearl of the Orient and one of the four little dragons of Asia, must not be reduced to being another city directly subjected to the totalitarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party. The special meaning of belonging to Hong Kong must be preserved, before it disappears completely from the international scene. Hong Kong people should protect the global wealth they have developed, and pay attention to Hong Kongers at home and abroad.

Hong Kong belongs to the world with its core values ​​inherited from a combination of Chinese and Western cultures. It is on this basis that we have created this web page:

At this special time, we hope that all countries in the world will continue to help Hong Kong, until it regains its splendour. We also hope that journalists and people in Hong Kong who have this aspiration will support us in this great endeavour.

Hong Kong is going through the most difficult period in its history. *“What is this pain in the wind and the rain? Do not be afraid. At least we still have dreams. » For the sake of the next generation, the “Hong Kong of the world” will live on overseas. Together, let’s keep Hong Kong’s history alive.

*Note: Those are the lyrics from a Taiwanese song by singer Zheng Zhi-Hua.

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