Insights from Hong Kong

Posts Tagged ‘Li Keqiang’

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From Today’s Cantonese Press

In China, Hong Kong on 19 March 2013 at 10:01 AM

 

Fa Yuen street fire in Mongkok originated at a faulty electrical switch.

The fire that killed nine was accidental but the murder of one was premeditated. At least that’s the outcome of an inquest into the Mongkok fire last year – and the preliminary police findings of Sunday’s murder-suicide.

Xi calls on Hong Kong to unite around Leung

Yesterday, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang met with Hong Kong and Macau Chief Executives Leung Chun-ying and Fernando Chui for the first time as President and Premier. Xi expressed that he was happy that Leung’s stated wish to “maintain stability while seeking change” had earned the support of Hong Kong’s people. However, he stressed that the key to success was in the implementation of policy. He also called on Hong Kong society to unite around Leung, using a Chinese proverb that to express that when many people work together, great works can be accomplished. In the afternoon, Premier Li Keqiang held a separate meeting with the two SAR Chief Executives to express the mainland’s support for Hong Kong and Macau.

 

Police suspect Harbourside murder-suicide was premeditated

Police suspect the apparent murder-suicide case which resulted in the stabbing death of tycoon Peng Chi-hui and the death of his partner, Wong Suk-kan, from a 77-floor plunge was the premeditated outcome of a relationship problem. According to Teddy Hung Hon-yee, a shareholder of the electric current therapy center that Wong operated, Wong had previously learned that Peng was having an affair. This caused her great distress, causing her to lose 30 pounds in a short time. Hong said that Wong showed up at the center on Friday to pay staff for the upcoming month and to settle the rent. Therefore, it is possible that she knew that she would kill Peng.

 

Fa Yuen Street fire inquest jury says the resulting deaths were accidental

Last year, a fire in a building on Mong Kok’s Fa Yuen Street resulted in the deaths of nine people. Following a 15-day inquest, the jury ruled that the deaths were the accidental result of an electrical malfunction at a stall below the building. The jury also made suggestions designed to reduce the risk of fires to the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department and three other government divisions. The ruling displeased some of the relatives of the deceased, who complained that it did not leave any room to determine who was responsible.

 

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From Today’s Cantonese Press

In China on 15 March 2013 at 12:29 PM

Other than the boss’ son, no one has ever had such assurances of a job as the leaders of China’s Communist Party. Xi Jinping is President! Li Keqiang is Premier!

NPC selects national leaders

Yesterday, the National People’s Congress (NPC) elected Xi Jinping as President of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission. The NPC also elected Li Keqiang as Premier, Communist Party Standing Committee Member Zhang Dejiang as Chairman of the NPC, and Politburo member Li Yuanchao as Vice President. Li Yuanchao may assist Zhang Dejiang in handling Hong Kong and Macau affairs in the future.

Rita Fan is reelected to the NPC Standing Committee

Yesterday, Rita Fan was once again elected to the Standing Committee of the NPC, but she received more opposing votes than during the last election. Fan received 2,790 votes in favor of her reelection. Opposing votes and abstentions numbered 124 and 27 respectively. Fan said that her fall in popularity might be due to her open criticism of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. She also said that her age might have played a role.

Choi Yuen Village road dispute flares up again

The dispute over ownership rights to an access road to New Choi Yuen Village has once again flared up. The villagers purchased the land for the village in 2011 with money they received from the government in compensation for the demolition of their old village in preparation for the construction of the new high-speed railway to Guangzhou. Residents have offered HK$500,000 to the landlords to purchase the rights to use the road. Yesterday, the chairman of a village council said that the landlords did not want to accept the money because he was not happy with the attitude of the villagers at a recent meeting. The owner also said that the issue was not only about money.

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China Pop Quiz: Slowing Economy + Social Unrest + Political Change = ???

In China, Public Affairs on 11 May 2012 at 9:57 AM

POP QUIZ

Solve the following problem:

If X stands for slowing economy…

Trade figures revealed yesterday show a marked decline in China’s exports and imports. Whereas economist predicted double-digit rises for both, growth was paltry. In April exports rose 4.9 per cent and imports rose only 0.3 per cent.

“Most economists agreed that the disappointing data would increase the likelihood of supportive policy measures being announced…” (Today’s South China Morning Post – Business – Page 1)

If Y stands for civil unrest…

On National Public Radio (NPR) in the USA, former Chinese dissident Bob Fu was interviewed on “All Things Considered” after testifying before US Congress. During his testimony he had dialed Chen Guangcheng and translated his request for asylum in America. Later in the NPR interview, Bob Fu said dissent is growing across China.

“Every four minutes in China today somewhere there is a protest. All the signs indicated that China that China is in a transition, a transition that current Beijing leaders do not like but gradually have to accept.” Bob Fu, President, China Aid

 That dissent reached tragic levels yesterday in Yunnan Province. Protesting against the forced demolition of her house by the local council, a woman suicide bomber killed two and injured 13 in Qiaojia county. This is a serious escalation of violent protests. Previous protesters committed suicide or faced jail for their actions. This is the first report of a multiple homicides to demonstrate the plight of the dispossessed.

If Z stands for political change….

China is preparing for political change. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be convened in autumn. At that a new President will be appointed. All signs are this will be Xi Jinping. The new Premier is poised to be Li Keqiang.

China is trying to ensure a smooth transition, yet the recent cases of Bo Xilai and Chen Guangcheng make that difficult – let alone a slowing economy and nationwide unrest.

Solve the equation:

X (slowing economy) + Y (increasing civil unrest) + Z (political change-over) = ? 

Please post responses to the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China.

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Chen to Hillary: Take Me to USA Tomorrow

In America, China, Public Affairs on 4 May 2012 at 10:45 AM

Hillary Clinton has an unusual parting gift.

Madame Secretary of State is in Beijing for high-level trade and strategy talks with counterparts in China. The week before her arrival blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng fled house arrest and traveled across the country to seek shelter in the US Embassy in Beijing. He came six days before Hillary arrived.

Chen was reported as saying he wanted to kiss Hillary Clinton. Chalk that up to another case of poor translation. He said he wanted to meet her.

On her day of arrival in Beijing, Chen was escorted from the US Embassy to a local hospital for medical treatment. Accompanying him was US Ambassador Gary Locke. At the time Chen said he wanted to stay in China with his family.

That was then.

Since departing the US Embassy, Chen claims he was coerced. US officials purportedly said Cheng’s family would be returned to Shandong province and beaten.

Also at the time he was lauded by human rights activists for choosing to remain in China. The US Government said it would monitor his condition. China denounced America for meddling.

This is now.

On Thursday Chen asked US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to take him with her. She departs China tomorrow. He fears for the safety of his family. Now the world is watching. How can Hillary Clinton leave China without Chen Guangcheng?

US Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney calls the treatment of Chen Guangcheng ”a dark day for freedom”.

These activities are overshadowing the broader US-China talks at a crucial time. Both countries are preparing for changes in government. In November Barack Obama faces re-election, and while he is quietly confident he still faces an uphill campaign.

The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be convened in autumn. At that a new President will be appointed. All signs are this will be Xi Jinping. The new Premier is poised to be Li Keqiang. China is trying to ensure a smooth transition, yet the recent cases of Bo Xilai and Cheng Guangcheng make that difficult.

In the meantime Hillary Clinton says she will not serve a second term as US Secretary of State. This visit is one of her most high-profile. Coming at the end of her career, potentially, it is important she leave on a high. Not with an activist in her carry-on baggage.

How this gets resolved will play a major role in US-China relations.

In Hong Kong there’s a joke circulating in the local community. Chen was accompanied to the hospital and was told American officials would stay by his side. Apparently after checking him in they all fled, knowing the couldn’t see them. Problem is Chen can still hear.

“大使先生是你還在這裡嗎? Mr Ambassador are you still here?”

Room on there for one more?

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