Category Archives: Awaiting a Democratic HK

Sun Apr 18, 4:20 AM ET HONG KONG (AFP) – Many people in Hong Kong want democracy but new obstacles set down by China will seriously dampen these aspirations, according to analysts. Calls for universal suffrage in the former British colony, handed over to China in 1997, grew louder after 500,000 people marched against anContinue reading “News: Beijing Hurdles Democracy Hong Kong Grows Apathetic”

From: Amnesty International: The death penalty worldwide: developments in 2003 China Limited and incomplete records available to Amnesty International at the end of the year indicated that at least 726 people were executed. The Chinese government keeps national statistics on death sentences and executions secret; the true figures are believed to be much higher. InContinue reading “Amnesty International: Death Penalty World Wide 2003”

Democracy lawmakers to confront Hong Kong chief over reform statement Fri Apr 16, 4:02 AM ET HONG KONG, (AFP) – Pro-democracy lawmakers say they will use a rare meeting with Hong Kong’s leader to demand an explanation for his submission to China that the territory is not ready for universal suffrage. Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwaContinue reading “Democracy lawmakers to confront Hong Kong chief over reform statement”

Hong Kong party vows to fight for full democracy 15 April 2004 HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s biggest democracy party vowed yesterday to carry on its fight for full direct elections even though China’s messengers have made it clear that Beijing will not allow this. China’s parliament last week revised electoral laws in Hong Kong’s constitution,Continue reading “News: Hong Kong party vows to fight for full democracy”

Coz he really hates it really, but can’t say “no” to Beijing. He’s probably hoping for us to vote him out!!!! Thu Apr 15,11:40 AM ET By DIRK BEVERIDGE, Associated Press Writer HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s leader said Thursday the territory’s electoral system should be reformed by the time his successor is chosen inContinue reading “Hong Kong Leader Wants Electoral Reform”

BEIJING (Agence France-Presse) — A former student leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests is in critical condition after a five-month hunger strike in his Shanghai prison cell, said a human rights group. Zhang Ming, one of 21 student leaders wanted for their roles in the protests, was sentenced to seven years in jailContinue reading “News: Protest chief critical after hunger strike”

News Feature, Russell Mahakian, Pacific News Service, Apr 14, 2004 Editor’s Note: Many Chinese democracy activists from Tiananmen Square and earlier movements are keeping the faith, working from Western countries for human rights and an open political system in their homeland. But their ranks are thinning. OAKLAND, Calif.–Chinese democracy activists in exile around the worldContinue reading “News: China’s Dissidents Turning Homeward”

BBC.com A small group of ‘net commandos’ at the University of Toronto are looking to help people get around government controls on the internet, as technology correspondent Clark Boyd reports. China has a sophisticated way of filtering the net Ron Deibert’s computer screensaver is a two-word message. It spins in those rare moments when theContinue reading “News: ‘Net ninjas’ take on web censorship”

BEIJING : In a quiet alleyway about a block from the Chinese capital’s bustling shopping district Wangfujing, lives the highest-ranking official held as a political prisoner in China. But 15 years after former premier and Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang was put under house arrest for sympathizing with pro-democracy student demonstrators and opposing the government’sContinue reading “News: Impact of deposed Tiananmen-era Chinese leader debated ahead of anniversary”