 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 by Staff Writers Hong Kong (AFP) July 1, 2017
Carrie Lam's swearing-in as Hong Kong's new leader on Saturday marks the culmination of the lifelong civil servant's career as she inherits a divided city fearful of China's encroaching influence. Lam, 59, was widely seen as Beijing's preferred candidate when she was elected in March by a mainly pro-China committee representing special interest groups, from real estate and agriculture to teaching and medicine, as well as lawmakers. But critics have said she will only further polarise a society riven by mass protests three years ago against Beijing's interference in the affairs of the semi-autonomous city and still divided between those loyal to China and those concerned about its growing influence. Before landing the top job, Lam served as deputy to her highly unpopular predecessor Leung Chun-ying, slammed as a puppet of Beijing. Appointed by Leung as chief secretary in 2012, the new leader promoted a Beijing-backed political reform package rejected as "fake democracy" by opponents. Bespectacled Lam -- whose Cantonese name is Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor -- is nicknamed "lai-ma" or "wet-nurse" by opponents in a jibe over what they say was fawning loyalty towards her former boss. A mother of two adult sons, Lam is known as a tough and effective enforcer. In 2007, she personally faced off with protesters over the demolition of a historic pier built during Hong Kong's colonial days under British rule. The landmark was ultimately destroyed. At the height of the mass street protests in 2014 -- known as the "Umbrella Movement" -- she met with student representatives in a televised meeting about the political reform dispute. Ultimately activists failed to win concessions on democratic reform, including fully free leadership elections. Lam was an activist herself during university in the 1970s, with one photo published in the South China Morning Post showing her marching in protest against the expulsion of four "leftist" students. She came from humble origins, growing up in a modest family of five children in the crowded district of Wanchai. But recent gaffes have fanned criticism that Lam -- who is usually elegantly dressed and sports a short coiffed hairstyle -- is out of touch with ordinary people. She appeared unfamiliar with how to use the city's ubiquitous "Octopus" travel card to get into the subway platform. She was also mocked for a lack of common sense after an anecdote related to reporters -- about a late-night hunt for toilet paper -- revealed she didn't know where to buy essentials in a city packed with convenience stores. In an interview last month with Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Lam said the government must imbue the young generation with a sense of Chinese national identity. The government will "strictly enforce the law" against any acts advocating Hong Kong independence, she told Xinhua.
China bans use of torture, forced confessions -- againBeijing (AFP) June 27, 2017 Chinese police and prosecutors are banned from using torture to obtain evidence under rules released Tuesday, in the latest attempt to curb forced confessions in the country's criminal justice system. Confessions obtained through torture, threats and illegal detention are inadmissable in court, the Supreme Court said on its website. The aim is to "accurately punish the crime" and thereb ... read more Related Links China News from SinoDaily.com
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
