tyb
has to have distance and this is the way to achieve that.
China's new security law for Hong Kong: Five things to know
Seventeen years after half a million street protesters in Hong Kong forced the government to shelve a proposed national security bill, Beijing this week introduced an even stronger proposal.
This time, however, it will not need a nod from local citizens or lawmakers, as mainland Chinese authorities are running out of patience after months long anti-government protests, which have greatly tarnished Beijing's carefully managed international image.
As the world weighs the impact of the proposal on the "one country, two systems" framework that underpins life and business in the Asian hub, here are five things you need to know.
What exactly is in the national security bill?
The draft legislation would pave the way for Beijing to set up national security institutions in Hong Kong. It is largely seen as a replacement of the controversial national security law, Article 23, which was suspended after the massive protest in 2003.
But unlike Article 23, which requires local legislation, the new national security law proposal would bypass Hong Kong's Legislative Council, the equivalent of the city's parliament, where meetings have been frequently interrupted by filibustering instigated by pro-democracy lawmakers. Instead, it will be included as an annex to the Basic Law, the city's mini-constitution.
The new proposal targets activities such as "splitting the country, subverting state power," as well as terrorism and foreign interference in Hong Kong. Anti-government demonstrators in Hong Kong have been referred to as terrorists by some mainland officials.
Wang Chen, vice chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, which is in session until Tuesday, said on Friday that Article 23 had been "demonized" by people "with ulterior motives." Wang added that "new problems and challenges" had prompted Beijing to push the legislation at the national level instead of relying on Hong Kong to enact its own national security law.
Why is the law being proposed now?
Beijing's timing has raised questions among many in Hong Kong. Some say it was chosen to minimize global attention as the world in particular the U.S. and Britain, the primary supporters of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement is preoccupied with containing the coronavirus pandemic. Another factor in the decision may be that Hong Kong is unlikely to see a return of large-scale protests while social-distancing rules remain in place, although flare-ups of unrest are possible.
Analysts say the move shows Beijing has lost confidence in the ability of pro-establishment Hong Kong lawmakers to push through controversial legislation since that side suffered a major setback during last November's district council elections. Pro-Beijing parties also are not expected to claim a big win in the upcoming vote for the Legislative Council in September.
What has been the reaction in Hong Kong?
Investors sold off stocks, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index tumbling 5.6% on Friday, the day that Beijing formally proposed the national security legislation. It was the biggest one-day decline in nearly five years. Property developers, whose assets are heavily concentrated in the city, took the biggest hit. Real estate stocks slumped 7.7%.
Meanwhile, Google searches in Hong Kong for emigration to other countries spiked shortly after news of the law first broke. According to Google Trends, the Chinese word for "immigration" reached the highest popularity reading 100 on Thursday night, in what appears to be a reflection of concerns over diminishing democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.
Downloads of virtual private networks, which are widely used to bypass internet restrictions and disguise digital footprints, also surged in Hong Kong. NordVPN, a popular provider, said it handled 120 times more downloads on Thursday than on the previous day, while rival Surfshark reported a 700% rise in Hong Kong sales on Friday morning.
What is Washington's position on the issue?
China has frequently condemned what it describes as foreign interference in its domestic matters. In particular, Beijing has singled out Washington as a driving force behind street protests in Hong Kong.
Two members of the U.S. Congress quickly responded to the latest developments by proposing a bipartisan bill that would essentially sanction any Chinese officials who enforce the proposed national security law. The measure would impose sanctions on people or entities that violate China's legal obligations to Hong Kong under the Basic Law, as well as on banks that do "significant transactions" with them.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/China-s-security-law-for-Hong-Kong-Five-things-to-know
UK To Enforce 14 Day Quarantine On All Inbound Passengers
Details of the UK’s quarantine requirements have been revealed today by Home Secretary Priti Patel. From June 8th, all arrivals will have to quarantine for 14 days, risking fines of up to £1,000 ($1,218) for non-compliance. While some will be exempted, this will affect the majority of arrivals to the UK. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the plan to introduce a quarantine in a briefing last week. Today, Home Secretary Priti Patel has revealed the full extent of the move and what it will entail.
According to her announcement, all arrivals into the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, starting June 8th. She claims this will “reduce the risk of cases crossing our border.” hose arriving in the UK will be required to fill out an online locator form to provide full details of where they will spend their 14 days of isolation. Refusal to fill in the form will invoke a fine of £100 ($122) and could see the UK Border Force refusing entry to those who do not comply.
In the situation where the arrival does not have a suitable facility in which to spend their quarantine, they will be required to spend the 14 days in “facilities arranged by the government.” Spot checks will be carried out, and those breaching the rules will be fined up to £1,000 ($1,218). Within the plan, there are some exemptions, including lorry drivers, seasonal farmworkers, and health professionals involved in the fight against COVID-19. There will also be exemptions for those traveling from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It was hoped that some ‘air bridges’ would be included, allowing tourists to travel from low infection rate countries to the UK without quarantine. However, the government said that, at least initially, these were not being included.
The measure will be reviewed every three weeks after it begins. Virgin Atlantic, which is planning job cuts of around 3,000 workers, has previously said that this quarantine would prevent it from restarting flights until at least August. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has called the plan “bonkers,” suggesting that it would be impossible to police.
Airlines UK, a trade body representing British airlines, has said that it makes no sense to invoke quarantine at this late stage, and that it will be incredibly harmful to aviation. It told Sky News, “It is just about the worst thing government could do if their aim is to restart the economy.”
https://simpleflying.com/uk-to-enforce-14-day-quarantine-on-all-inbound-passengers/
NATO urges Russia to comply with Open Skies Treaty
NATO is asking Russia for full compliance with a treaty that allows more than 30 countries, including Russia and the United States, to conduct surveillance flights over each other's territory.
NATO held an emergency meeting on Friday after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Thursday that Washington plans to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies. The United States accuses Russia of violating the terms of the treaty.
During the meeting, NATO member nations agreed on the need to bring Russia back to compliance.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later said Russia has undermined the treaty by following it "selectively."
Some European members of NATO such as France and Germany have expressed their disappointment over the US decision in a joint statement, while adding that they share Washington's concerns about Russia.
The statement says the treaty offers clear added value to arms control architecture and cooperative security.
The treaty was signed after the end of the Cold War.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200523_10/
dust this one off too