In Hong Kong, âone unpatriotic politician is too many,â Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of Beijingâs Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told a press conference Friday.
It was one day after Chinaâs parliament had rubber-stamped a sweeping overhaul of Hong Kongâs electoral system â the biggest change since 1997, when Beijing regained sovereignty over the former British colony. The revamping effectively excludes pro-democracy candidates, part of a broader tightening of controls after two years of mass protests in the city of 7.5 million people.Â
Why We Wrote This
Sweeping changes in Hong Kong aim to put patriots in charge. But what is patriotism? Beijingâs definition contrasts sharply with many Hong Kongersâ.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
The European Union (EU) continues to face COVID-19 vaccine production challenges in the bloc, along with increased COVID-19 infection cases driven by the mutating coronavirus. Whereas the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) have seen declines in COVID-19 cases, which is allowing for some easing of restrictions. Tension between the EU and UK remains heightened, particularly with respect to customs issues at Ireland/Northern Ireland’s border. Nevertheless, transatlantic partners came together on some sanctions actions this week.
In the US, the Biden Administration moved this week to suspend the duties imposed against UK and EU goods towards negotiating a settlement in the 16-year large civil aircraft dispute with European countries. The US Senate took another step toward confirming Katherine Tai as the next US Trade Representative this week, while Gina Raimondo officially joined President Joe Biden’s Cabinet as his Secretary of Comm
Department Press Briefing – March 5, 2021 (Hong Kong Excerpts) | U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau usconsulate.gov - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from usconsulate.gov Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.