A Chinese state-run newspaper yesterday reported that authorities had arrested a Taiwanese and a Belizean for allegedly colluding with foreign forces to meddle in the affairs of Hong Kong, where secondary-school students and retirees joined forces to protest, the first of several weekend rallies planned across the territory.
The Chinese Communist Party newspaper in the southern city of Guangzhou said that police had arrested the Belizean for allegedly colluding with people in the US to meddle in Hong Kong’s affairs.
Separately, the newspaper said that Taiwanese Morrison Lee (李孟居) was arrested by police in nearby Shenzhen on Oct. 31 for allegedly stealing state secrets for foreign forces after making a trip to Hong Kong in August to support “anti-China” activities.
Lee, an adviser for Pingtung County’s Fangliao Township (枋寮), had been missing since Aug. 19 after traveling to Shenzhen.
He was being investigated for “engaging in criminal acts that endanger state security,” a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said in September.
Hong Kong has seen relative calm since local elections last week delivered an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates.
Still, activists yesterday appeared keen to maintain the momentum of their movement.
Elderly Hong Kongers, some with visors and canes, stood not far from young, black-clad protesters. All listened to pro-democracy speakers in a gathering marked by a festive mood.
The government is looking into setting up an independent committee to review the handling of the crisis, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung (張建宗) told reporters.
“We are looking for relevant candidates and we have already started preparatory work, so we hope we will make some progress in the short term,” Cheung said.
Cheung’s comment came in response to a question that did not specify police or government handling, but one of the protesters’ demands is for an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality.
Some critics on social media have said that such a committee would fall short of the independent investigation they have been demanding.
In an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also called for an investigation into allegations of excessive police force.
“I appeal the government to take important confidence-building measures, including a proper independent and impartial judge-led investigation into reports of excessive use of force by the police,” Bachelet wrote.
At one point in yesterday’s rally, the crowd in the park rose to sing Glory to Hong Kong, which has become the unofficial anthem of protests.
Many of them put their hands in the air with five fingers outstretched, a symbol of the pro-democracy movement.
Source: Taipei Times - 2019/12/01
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