LONDON: Britain's foreign ministry said on Monday (Sep 24) that it was concerned by the decision by Hong Kong to ban a group promoting independence from China, the first outlawing of a political organisation since Britain handed its former colony back.

The city's secretary for security announced the ban on the Hong Kong National Party using a previously little noticed colonial-era law that requires all social groups and organisations to register with the police.

"We are concerned by the decision," Britain's foreign ministry said in a statement. "The UK does not support Hong Kong independence, but Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its rights and freedoms are central to its way of life, and it is important they are fully respected."

Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under an agreement which said it could keep its wide-ranging freedoms and autonomy.</s>HONG KONG (AP) — Authorities in Hong Kong on Monday took an unprecedented step to quash separatist voices by banning a political party that advocates independence for the southern Chinese territory on national security grounds.

John Lee, the territory's secretary for security, announced that the Hong Kong National Party would be prohibited from operation from Monday.

At a briefing, Lee said the political party led by 27-year-old Andy Chan posed a threat to national security because it wants Hong Kong to be an independent republic and has taken steps to push this agenda. Lee cited as examples alleged plans by the party to recruit members and infiltrate schools to promote its views.

Lee said the party also "spreads hatred and discrimination against mainlanders in Hong Kong," referring to people from mainland China who live in the city. He accused the party of saying that it would employ all means to achieve its goals, including force — though the South China Morning Post newspaper said he acknowledged that the party hasn't actually used violent means to promote its cause.

The ban cites a national security law that has not been invoked since 1997. It is likely to raise further questions about Beijing's growing influence in the former British colony, which was promised semi-autonomy as part of its 1997 handover. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials have warned separatist activity would not be tolerated.

The perception that Beijing is reneging on its promise of semi-autonomy and eroding Hong Kong's free elections and freedom of speech is helping fuel a rising generation of young activists calling for greater autonomy, if not outright independence.

Huge pro-democracy protests erupted in 2014 in response to the decision by China's ruling Communist Party to retain the right to effectively pre-screen candidates for Hong Kong's leadership.

In Beijing, the office in charge of Hong Kong affairs in China's Cabinet, the State Council, expressed support for the ban, saying in remarks carried by the official Xinhua News Agency that the move was necessary to protect China's national security.

A spokesman for the office said China fully supported punishing what Xinhua described as "any acts that jeopardize national security," and that Beijing has "zero tolerance for any organizations preaching 'Hong Kong independence' or engaging in activities of splitting the country."

Chan, the leader of the National Party, had no immediate comment on Monday. He had told The Associated Press in July that police approached him with documents detailing his speeches and activities since the party's formation in 2016.

The party was founded in response to frustration about Beijing's treatment of Hong Kong. Despite a promise of autonomy, activists complain mainland influence over its democratic elections is increasing.

Chan and other pro-independence candidates were disqualified from 2016 elections to the Hong Kong legislature after they refused to sign a pledge saying Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. The Hong Kong National Party has never held any seats on the council.

Maya Wang, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, said the ban sets a dangerous precedent. "The banning of the Hong Kong National Party is a milestone in the Beijing and Hong Kong governments' assault on Hong Kong's freedoms," Wang said. Though Hong Kong police said the party has not yet used any violence, it justified the ban as a necessary pre-emptive move.

"This justification sets a dangerous precedent, where more non-violent pro-democracy political groups may be similarly banned," Wang wrote in an email.</s>Authorities in Hong Kong on Monday took an unprecedented step against separatist voices by banning a political party that advocates independence for the southern Chinese territory on national security grounds.

John Lee, the territory’s secretary for security, announced that the Hong Kong National Party will be prohibited from operation from Monday.

Lee’s announcement did not provide further details. But Hong Kong’s security bureau had previously said in a letter to the National Party’s leader, 27-year-old Andy Chan, that the party should be dissolved “in the interests of national security or public safety, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.” Chan had no immediate comment.

That letter had cited a national security law that has not been invoked since 1997. The ban is likely to raise further questions about Beijing’s growing influence in the former British colony, which was promised semi-autonomy as part of the 1997 handover. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials have warned separatist activity would not be tolerated.

The perception that Beijing is reneging on its promise of semi-autonomy and eroding Hong Kong’s free elections and freedom of speech is helping fuel a rising generation of young activists calling for greater autonomy, if not outright independence.

Huge pro-democracy protests erupted in 2014 in response to the decision by China’s ruling Communist Party to retain the right to effectively pre-screen candidates for Hong Kong’s leadership.

Chan, the National Party leader, had told The Associated Press in July that police approached him with documents detailing his speeches and activities since the party’s formation in 2016.

The party was founded in response to frustration about Beijing’s treatment of Hong Kong. Despite a promise of autonomy, activists complain mainland influence over its democratic elections is increasing.

Chan and other pro-independence candidates were disqualified from 2016 elections to the Hong Kong legislature after they refused to sign a pledge saying Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. The Hong Kong National Party has never held any seats on the council.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>Hong Kong’s short-term money market rates soared to their highest in at least a decade on Monday, as the city’s Financial Secretary repeated a warning to homebuyers to expect higher mortgages when the local cost of funds rise in lockstep with US benchmarks later this week.

The Hong Kong interbank offered rate (Hibor), a gauge of short-term lending between banks, with a maturity of one day, jumped 176 basis points to 3.38 per cent, its highest level since 2007. Hibor with tenors of one week and one month, both rose to their highest levels since 2008, climbing 120 basis points to 2.87 per cent and 28 basis points to 2.17 per cent respectively.

Higher rates drove the city’s currency higher for a third day, with the Hong Kong dollar changing hands at 7.8091 per US dollar after its biggest intra-day increase in 15 years last Friday, because of expectations of higher interest rates in the city.

Traders that were previously conducting arbitrage trades in the currency market by selling the low-yielding Hong Kong dollars for higher yielding US dollars were now scrambling to unwind such positions.

Commercial banks have so far left their prime rates unchanged since 2008 even as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city’s de facto central bank, has been raising its base lending in lock step with the Fed to maintain the Hong Kong dollar peg with the US dollar.

HKMA chief executive Norman Chan Tak-lam however said that Hong Kong banks were expected to consider raising interest rates if the cost of capital increases following widely expected anticipated US rate rise this week, local media reported on Friday.

Showing that it was getting harder and costlier to obtain funds, a slew of commercial banks last week raised their fixed deposit rates, continuing a trend which started a few months ago.

“Tighter liquidity conditions is triggering expectations for higher prime rates, which is in turn pushing up Hibor further,” said Westpac Asia head of macro strategy Frances Cheung.

The squeeze in liquidity seems to be especially pronounced with the approach of the quarter end, and also because of strong funding demand for the public holiday Tuesday, and for next week’s national day, said Eddie Cheung, Asia currency strategist at Standard Chartered Bank.

Carie Li, a Hong Kong-based economist with OCBC Wing Hang Bank, pointed out that Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao has frozen HK$3 billion (US$384.09 million) of capital for its initial public offering, which will be released later this week, and thereby keeping Hibor rates elevated.

Any increase in commercial banks’ prime rate would bring soaring real estate prices in Hong Kong closer to a tipping point, given the highly leveraged nature of the city’s property market.

The signs of a property market slow down are here. Shu Qi, one of the highest paid actresses in China, sold her Tai Po villa at a HK$2 million loss on Sunday, agents said, amid expectations that home prices would fall over the next 12 months.

Explainer: What Hong Kong’s interest rate increase means for Hibor, prime and mortgages



Higher interest rates could hurt families with big mortgage obligations, the Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in a blog last month, repeating a warning that he has made several times.

Existing borrowers, who have a total of HK$1.26 trillion in outstanding mortgage loans, may soon face similar pressure as banks are expected to increase their best lending rate, or prime rate, as early as the end of this month – the first rise in 12 years.</s>Hong Kong police are investigating if a man fatally attacked his wife with a knife before jumping to his death from a commercial building in Sheung Wan on Wednesday morning.

The man fell from the Hua Qin International Building on Queen’s Road Central and was found dead on the building platform at about 8am.

The woman was found inside a unit in the building unconscious and seriously injured. She was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital and later certified dead.

Initial information showed the pair were married, according to a source. He said officers were looking into whether the man jumped to his death after injuring his wife.

If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines,</s>The U.S. State Department said Tuesday on Twitter it is concerned about Hong Kong's ban on a political party that advocates for independence from China, adding that it violates core Democratic values.

Hong Kong has banned the Hong Kong National Party, a further sign of the mainland's tightening grip on the semi-autonomous territory.

 

 Secretary for Security John Lee announced Monday the Hong Kong National Party is prohibited from operating under an ordinance that cites the interest of national security and public safety. The official ban comes just two months after he informed party founder Andy Chan the government was taking steps to outlaw the group.

 

 This is the first time the Hong Kong government has officially banned a political party since Britain returned sovereignty to Beijing in 1997.

 

 U.S.-based Human Rights Watch researcher Maya Wang issued a statement Monday calling the ban on the HKNP "a milestone in the Beijing and Hong Kong governments' assault on Hong Kong's freedoms.''

Chan is one of many young activists who have openly criticized the mainland's tightening grip on the former British colony. Hong Kong was granted a huge level of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula established when Beijing regained control of the territory. The activists are split between those seeking greater autonomy for Hong Kong, and those seeking full independence.

 

 The pro-independence Hong Kong National Party was born out of the massive 2014 "Umbrella Revolution" street protests demanding fully free elections.

 

 Chan warned last month that Hong Kong "is quickly being annexed and destroyed by China" in a speech before a group of foreign journalists. The group hosted Chan in defiance of Chinese demands to cancel the speech in Hong Kong.</s>HONG KONG (AP) - Authorities in Hong Kong on Monday took an unprecedented step against separatist voices by banning a political party that advocates independence for the southern Chinese territory on national security grounds.

John Lee, the territory's secretary for security, announced that the Hong Kong National Party will be prohibited from operation from Monday.

Lee's announcement did not provide further details. But Hong Kong's security bureau had previously said in a letter to the National Party's leader, 27-year-old Andy Chan, that the party should be dissolved "in the interests of national security or public safety, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others." Chan had no immediate comment.

In this Aug. 14, 2018, photo, Andy Chan, founder of the Hong Kong National Party, speaks during a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong. Authorities in Hong Kong have taken an unprecedented step against separatist voices by banning a political party that advocates independence for the southern Chinese territory on national security grounds. Hong Kong's secretary for security, John Lee, announced Monday, Sept. 24, that the Hong Kong National Party will be prohibited from operation. (Paul Yeung/Pool Photo via AP)

That letter had cited a national security law that has not been invoked since 1997. The ban is likely to raise further questions about Beijing's growing influence in the former British colony, which was promised semi-autonomy as part of the 1997 handover. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials have warned separatist activity would not be tolerated.

Chan, the National Party leader, had previously told The Associated Press that police approached him with documents detailing his speeches and activities since the party's formation in 2016.

The party was founded in response to frustration about Beijing's treatment of Hong Kong. Despite a promise of autonomy, activists complain mainland influence over its democratic elections is increasing.

Chan and other pro-independence candidates were disqualified from 2016 elections to the Hong Kong legislature after they refused to sign a pledge saying Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. The Hong Kong National Party has never held any seats on the council.</s>Hong Kong, 24 September 2018 - Hong Kong's largest annual music and arts festival, Clockenflap returns for its 11th edition this year with Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong as the official hotel partner.

Music-loving guests are invited to book the Weekend Getaway accommodation package and stay close to the festival that will bring an eclectic array of talented musicians, breakthrough acts, and unique attractions to the city.

The hotel is only steps away from the Central Harbourfront, which will be home to Clockenflap from 9 to 11 November 2018. This year's diverse line-up features artists from Hong Kong and around the world, with headlining performances from American indie legends Interpol, R&B sensation Khalid, former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, and Taiwanese singer-songwriter Anpu.

The Weekend Getaway room package is priced from HKD 4,000 and includes:
• 
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Rates are subject to availability, based on double occupancy and subject to 10% service charge. For further information and reservations, please visit Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

The iconic Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is the epitome of contemporary luxury combined with Oriental heritage. Having delighted guests with award-winning services and impressive facilities for over 50 years, it is a much-loved address for those seeking an exclusive sanctuary in the heart of the city. The hotel's spacious rooms and suites offer magnificent views of the renowned Victoria Harbour and the city's skyline. A collection of 10 outstanding restaurants and bars,including three that hold Michelin Star status, a Shanghainese-inspired holistic spa,an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre, make Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong the quintessential "home away from home" for discerning leisure and business travellers alike.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 31 hotels and seven residences in 21 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group's oriental heritage and unique sense of place. Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development, and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Photography of Mandarin Oriental is available to download in the Photo Library of our Media section, at www.mandarinoriental.com.Further information is also available on our Social Media channels.</s>THE government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region yesterday banned the so-called “Hong Kong National Party,” which advocated “Hong Kong independence.”

In exercise of the power conferred on the secretary for security by the Societies Ordinance, “I hereby order that the operation or continued operation of the Hong Kong National Party in Hong Kong be prohibited,” said Lee Ka-chiu, secretary for security of the HKSAR government.

The order was published in the Gazette yesterday and took effect on publication.

The “Hong Kong National Party” is now an illegal group, Lee said at a press conference, adding that according to the Societies Ordinance, to join in activities of or provide financial help to any illegal group is against the law. The order was made to safeguard national security, public security, public order, and other people’s rights and freedom, he said.

The “Hong Kong National Party” sets “Hong Kong independence” as its creed, which is against the Basic Law, he noted.

The group has taken substantial action following the creed and declared that it will not rule out the use of force to attain “Hong Kong independence,” Lee said, stressing that such speeches and actions should not be taken merely as political slogans.

Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of association and speech, but such freedom is not limitless and should be within the law, Lee said.

Earlier, Lee had sent a letter to the group, giving them time to submit explanations. But its convenor still kept advocating “Hong Kong independence.”

The moves were condemned by various communities in Hong Kong, and they asked the HKSAR government to deal with the group according to law.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council said yesterday that it resolutely supports the HKSAR government’s ban on the so-called “Hong Kong National Party.”

The HKSAR government’s decision to bar the group from operating according to relevant laws and legal procedures is an action that should be taken to maintain national security and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and is absolutely necessary, a spokesman for the State Council said.

The central government firmly supports the HKSAR in punishing any acts that jeopardize national security in accordance with the law, said the spokesman.</s>related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

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Hong Kong's controversial bullet train got off to a smooth start on Sunday, as hundreds of passengers whistled north across the border at speeds of up to 200 kph (125 mph), deepening integration of the former British colony with mainland China.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's controversial bullet train got off to a smooth start on Sunday, as hundreds of passengers whistled north across the border at speeds of up to 200 kph (125 mph), deepening integration of the former British colony with mainland China.

While the US$11 billion rail project has raised fears for some over Beijing's encroachment on the Chinese-ruled city's cherished freedoms, passengers at the sleek harbourfront station were full of praise for a service that reaches mainland China in less than 20 minutes.

"Out of 10 points, I give it nine," said 10-year-old Ng Kwan-lap, who was travelling with his parents on the first train leaving for Shenzhen at 7 a.m.

"The train is great. It's very smooth when it hits speeds of 200 kilometres per hour."

Mainland Chinese immigration officers are stationed in one part of the modernist station that is subject to Chinese law, an unprecedented move that some critics say further erodes the city's autonomy.

The project is part of a broader effort by Beijing to

fuse the city into a vast hinterland of the Pearl River Delta including nine Chinese cities dubbed the Greater Bay Area.

Beijing wants the Greater Bay Area, home to some 68 million people with a combined GDP of US$1.5 trillion, to foster economic integration and better meld people, goods and sectors across the region.

Critics say the railway is a symbol of continuing Chinese assimilation of Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with guarantees of widespread autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent legal system.

But at a ceremony on Saturday ahead of the public opening, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam praised the so-called "co-location" arrangement with Beijing which the government has said is necessary to streamline immigration.

Scores of excited passengers straddled a yellow strip across black tiles that highlighted the demarcation line between Hong Kong and mainland China, while others passed through turnstiles surrounded by red, orange and white balloons.

"I'm excited to experience the high-speed train, even more excited than when I take a plane," said a 71-year-old retiree surnamed Leung.

While there have been questions over whether Hong Kong residents would be able to access foreign social media, largely banned in mainland China, in zones subject to Chinese law, some passengers arriving in Shenzhen, on the mainland side, were able to bypass China's so-called Great Firewall.

The rail link provides direct access to China's massive 25,000-km national high-speed rail network and authorities on both sides have hailed it as a breakthrough that will bring economic benefits, including increased tourism.

"No matter what you think about the new line, high-speed rail is extremely convenient," said Feng Yan, assistant professor at the Communication University of China in Beijing who took the bullet train from Shenzhen to Hong Kong.

"Even if it takes some time for people to realise how convenient it is, sooner or later they will."
The government of Hong Kong bans the pro-independence localist party Hong Kong National Party.