A US official said yesterday that people in Hong Kong should have a bigger say in who governs them, following Beijing's announcement that it will spell out the rules for how the territory's leaders and lawmakers are chosen.
Pro-democracy activists marched to the Hong Kong government headquarters in the morning, carrying a banner that accused Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) of "sacrificing Hong Kong's autonomy" by not standing up to Beijing.
China announced on Friday that its most powerful legislative committee will "interpret" the territory's constitutional laws relating to the selection of its leader and legislature.
Newspapers yesterday reported that Beijing's ruling will focus on whether any move toward political reform can be initiated locally, or whether it must come from Beijing.
The US Consulate General reiterated its view that Hong Kong people should have more power politically. Beijing condemns such US statements as improper meddling in its internal affairs.
"The United States supports greater democratization in Hong Kong through electoral reform and universal suffrage," said consular spokeswoman Susan Stevenson. "We believe that an open society and the greatest possible degree of autonomy and governance by the rule of law is essential to maintaining stability and prosperity in Hong Kong."
Shen said that the government should consult fully with residents and "move toward a government that more fully represents the interests of the people."
South Korea’s air force yesterday apologized for a 2021 midair collision involving two fighter jets, a day after auditors said the pilots were taking selfies and filming during the flight and held them responsible for the accident. “We sincerely apologize to the public for the concern caused by the accident that occurred in 2021,” an air force spokesman told a news conference, adding that one of the pilots involved had been suspended from flying duties, received severe disciplinary action and has since left the military. The apology followed a report released on Wednesday by the South Korean Board of Audit and Inspection,
Indonesian police have arrested 13 people after shocking images of alleged abuse against small children at a daycare center went viral, sparking outrage across the nation, officials said on Monday. Police on Friday last week raided Little Aresha, a daycare center in Yogyakarta on Java island, following a report from a former employee. CCTV footage circulating on social media showed children, most younger than two, lying on the floor wearing only diapers, their hands and feet bound with rags. The police have confirmed that the footage is authentic. Police said they also found 20 children crammed into a room just 3m by 3m. “So
About 240 Indians claiming descent from a Biblical tribe landed at Tel Aviv airport on Thursday as part of a government operation to relocate them to Israel. The newcomers passed under a balloon arch in blue and white, the colors of the Israeli flag, as dozens of well-wishers welcomed them with a traditional Jewish song. They were the first “bnei Menashe” (“sons of Manasseh”) to arrive in Israel since the government in November last year announced funding for the immigration of about 6,000 members of the community from the states of Manipur and Mizoram in northeast India. The community claims to descend from
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