Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai is on trial accused of endangering China's national security. Lai, 76, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces which carry a possible life sentence and a lesser charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material. A month into the high-profile trial, the prosecution.
In his New Year’s message, China’s dictator Xi Jinping reiterated his promise that Taiwan will “surely be reunified with China”. Yet when the people of Taiwan, due to go to the polls to elect a new president in just over a week, look at Xi’s rule, it is unlikely that they will voluntarily choose his model of governance. That means the likelihood of China attempting to take Taiwan by force – militarily or by economic blockade or both – increases if Xi’s vision is to be fulfilled.
Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan looked to broaden his range as an actor in Hong Kong-produced movies in the 1990s, making hits such as Rumble in the Bronx and forgettable films such as Mr Nice Guy.