Eric Loh

14 minutes ago, stevenl said:

That's the impression I get as well from doing some quick research on this. I do think that in the long run it will hurt China, but it will hurt US as well.

The actual economic contribution is 2.7% of mainland China and has been going down since 1997. However Hong Kong still has a vibrant and big market for equity and debt financing and the mainland will have to think hard if they want impose their might and change the special administration status. Too much has been talk about about China will to take away the 1 country 2 systems policy; it will not happen as that is not the mainland desire. This is about security and safety of Hong Kong and how it may affect the cohesion of China. Hong Kong will continue to have their own constitution which is unique for any large country and will continue to enjoy their freedom but matters concerning security will be reined in by China. US hawks are using Hong Kong as as a proxy in their dispute with China.   

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Bejing used hong kong as a proxy for circumventing tariffs and trade, now that China wants to put their boots on Hong Kongs throat, there is no reason to allow any of this, and no reason for Hong Kong to get any special status as they are clearly just going to take control. 

So just how much does China depend on Hong Kong for trade. You really has no clue. Hong Kong is only 3% of China GDP. Taking away the special status means nothing to China but will mean a lot to Hong Kong. Once again the Trump's China hawks are using the wrong part of their anatomy for thinking. 

18 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

People in the US (and other open societies) can freely talk about the 4 people who were murdered that day.

 

Can people in China freely talk about the 'at least 10,000' people killed in Tiananmen Square? 

 

Are you beginning to see the importance of the freedom of expression? 

Both tragedies were about freedom of expression. 

5 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

And what about the proposed bill to make it illegal to criticise the Chinese national anthem?

Why is this singled out when many Western and Asian countries have laws to protect its national anthem. Thailand has strict laws on their royal anthem. Britain and Australia have protocols on how one should behave when the national anthem is played. 

9 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

f China want peace and stability, let the country keep running with its own system as promised before. The locals had elections in November 2019 and they voted for pro democracy. 

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/25/what-happened-hong-kong-elections/

 

As I said, the freedom of speech and assembly are still in place. This security law deals with specific behavior that threatens the safety of the people and country. 

11 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Eric, why on earth would any right-minded person from Hong Kong want to be more like the CCP? Do you really think the CCP can be trusted? There is no rule of law in China. Exactly the same as it is here in Thailand. Which right-minded person would want to be part of a system where there are no rules and where might is right? 

Not right for you to be condescending of the Hong Kong's population desire to be part of the mainland. Those who don't want to be part of that majority has the liberty to migrate. There are no restriction on immigration. 

5 minutes ago, yuyiinthesky said:

Sure, we have seen at the Tiananmen Square incident 1989 that the CCP would never treat protesters as terrorists, right?

What they did in Tiananmen Square was a tragedy like the Kent State massacre. 

18 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Eric, do you really think the CCP are genuinely trying to differentiate between any rogue protestors and the genuinely peaceful ones? The CCP doesn’t care. You agree with what they say or you can end up in prison or disappeared. 
 

Do you know the details of this bill that will be passed without any input from the locals? Do you really imagine it to be something that’s even remotely fair to people’s political freedoms? 

The new security law deal specifically with subversion, terrorist and any behavior that gravely threatens national security and foreign interference. The freedom to speak and assembly are still allowed. The status of Hong Kong financial hub is not threatened. Seem every country has the same concerns and have laws to maintain peace and stability to their citizens. 

26 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

What a condescending, glib and disingenuous attitude towards people fighting for their freedom of expression. It’s really sad to see people who think that the enemy of their enemies are their friends. 

It has descended to frequent violent and chaotic conducts and even attacks by protesters at citizens who disagreed with their approach. Most peaceful protests have left the movement. Who is behind this violent group is still under much suspicion. The central government is doing like every country to control the situation before it gets out of hand. Majority of Hong Kong population still want to be associated with the mainland. You really don't know about the sentiment on the ground for you to sound condescending.      

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Pressed if this would include sanctions, he said: "No it's something you're going to be hearing about ... before the end of the week, very powerfully I think."

 

Probably nothing or a feeble response because he is scared of the retaliation. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Twitter fact-checks Trump tweet for the first time

Will never happen to other developed global leaders except for Trump. It's so undignifying to the country. 

8 minutes ago, Phil McCaverty said:

There you go again, "WuFlu". How do you expect anyone to take you seriously?

 

 

They are not serious but just trolling. 

Infections and deaths still rising. Should devote more time for policies to stop the upward trajectory and bring back confidence to the people than wasting time on blaming and playing golf.   

I am sure the protestors are not duly concerned if they are not terrorists. 

1 hour ago, Logosone said:

China's huge market is maturing

1.4 B population and a growing middle class and central government implementing policies for a domestic driven economy; it is a massive market too enticing for foreign companies to exit and will in fact attract lots more FDI. The only fear that China has is a popular uprising. Reasons enough to put the brakes on Hong Kong dissent. They don't fear US aggressive posturing. 

5 hours ago, Tug said:

It’s going to be a buyers market for used cars this fall might just get something for the wife

A fleet of 500,000 cars reported. 

16 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Has China apologized for trying to enslave the whole of the Korean people into communist totalitarian tyranny? 

Got your history all knotted up BB. 

10 minutes ago, rasmus5150 said:

No matter where you come from, it will be quick to dig up the history books and accuse you of something from the past.

 

Right now it's about not repeating those mistakes, and listen to the majority of Hong Kong's population. Pretty sure they want to distance themselves from Chinese communism, and the oppression it brings.

If listening to the majority of Hong Kong’s population is the litmus test, then most polls will tell you that only about 17% of the population seeks independence. If you understand the angst of Hong Kong’s population, you will find out that most are protesting on social issues and inequality. Most still subscribed to the 1 China 1 systems policy. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/01/02/interesting-poll-shows-hong-kongers-not-exactly-against-china/#54570d3f3b1a

Extraordinary times now. Cheaper to import than produce their own oil and they are broke like hell and can’t even pay the ships to export their oil. A new world order will surface after this pandemic.