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Airports and trains
Over breakfast some years back, in one of those times I had the opportunity to sit down with tycoon Ramon S. Ang or RSA, together with a small group of fellow journalists, he talked about the importance of having an airport express similar to Hong Kong’s much-touted MTR which connects the airport to the rest of the city. .....»»
GCash sets sights on further international expansion
With GCash Overseas, Filipinos in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia can now download and use the GCash app, whether they have Philippine SIMs or local mobile phone numbers in the countries or territories where they live......»»
Elijah Woods on first-ever Asia tour, ‘loving’ Filipino fans
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer Elijah Woods (stylized as elijah woods) is bringing to Asia his ilu 24/7, 365 tour. The series of shows will commence on May 13 in Singapore and travel through Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Tokyo and Taipei......»»
Hong Kong, Philippines work to enhance relations
Filipinos are slowly beginning to travel back to Hong Kong following continued efforts by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to woo tourists from the Philippines, as well as renew and improve trade and economic ties between the two nations following the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
China: Barge hits brige near Guangzhou, plunging vehicles in water
BEIJING — Two people were killed after a barge collided with a bridge over a waterway in China’s Pearl River Delta near Guangzhou city, causing part of the bridge to break off, plunging vehicles into the water, Chinese state media reported on Thursday. The Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration said in a statement on their WeChat.....»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
Envi group urges Senate to probe Samal-Davao bridge project
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 15 January) – The Sustainable Davao Movement has called on the Senate to investigate the implementation of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project due to the ties of the government’s winning contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), to the China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), which the United States government blacklisted in […].....»»
Uy resort units chart recovery
Subsidiaries of Davao businessmen Dennis Uy resort developer PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc. said it has restructured its indebtedness with China Banking Corp., or Chinabank. The debts were streamlined through the execution of agreements for the sale, leaseback, with option to buyback certain land and improvements of its subsidiaries. The restructuring covers the property of the subsidiaries in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu, with an area of approximately 12.5 hectares, plus improvements. The consideration for the investment and resulting percentage of ownership are still subject to final negotiations by the Parties, which are expected to be completed within 60 days, based on the MoU. P3.1-B bridge loan The restructuring also allows the subsidiaries to repay the P3.1-billion bridge loan facility extended by Chinabank in 2018, while, at the same time, grants them continued possession and use over the property to finish the construction and development of the Emerald Bay Project. In addition, the option to buy back of the restructuring allows the subsidiaries or its nominees to reacquire the properties. Lapulapu Leisure Inc. and Lapulapu Land Corp., the two units of Resorts Group Holdings also signed a memorandum of understanding with Cebu-based property developer AppleOne Properties Inc. The MoU establishes broad parameters whereby AppleOne can make an investment in the subsidiaries, with the intention of obtaining most of the equity interest in the subsidiaries, or an asset purchase of the land and improvements of the Emerald Bay Project. The post Uy resort units chart recovery appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine locals lose hope as China-funded bridge threatens ‘biologically priceless’ Paradise Reef
If a proposed China-funded bridge connecting Samal Island and Davao City went ahead, the rich marine ecosystem of Paradise Reef will be threatened, marine biologists say......»»
Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay
The biggest Asian Games in history, boasting about 12,000 competitors -- more than the Olympics -- will open on Saturday in the Chinese city of Hangzhou after a year's delay because of Covid. Athletes including world and Olympic champions will fight for medals in 40 sports from athletics, swimming and football to eSports and bridge. Nine sports, among them boxing, break dancing and tennis, will serve as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics. The Games were supposed to take place last September but were postponed because of China's strict zero-Covid rules, before China's ruling Communist Party abruptly abandoned the policy. The 19th edition of the Games, which were first held in New Delhi in 1951, throws together competitors from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. For China, which hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics in a Covid-secure "bubble" in Beijing, it is a chance to show off its organizational, sporting and technological prowess after the pandemic years cut the country off from the sporting world. "We have overcome a lot of challenges but we are now fully conditioned to hold a successful Games," Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesperson for the Games, said on Wednesday. Sport meets politics The Games will be staged at 54 venues -- 14 newly constructed -- mostly in Hangzhou but also extending to cities as far afield as Wenzhou, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south. The centerpiece is the "Big Lotus" Olympic stadium with a capacity of up to 80,000 where athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and meet Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad there, along with other visiting leaders, Chinese state media says. Assad is making his first visit to ally China since the war erupted in Syria in 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, along with Xi, and weeks later launched the invasion of Ukraine. Hangzhou, a city of 12 million people an hour's bullet train from Shanghai, is famed in China for its ancient temples, gardens and its beloved West Lake. It is also the unofficial home of China's tech industry, notably the birth place of Jack Ma's Alibaba. The Games will showcase some of the latest tech to come out of the city, including driverless buses, robot dogs and facial recognition. China medal dash Hosts China have topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982 and are expected to do so again by the time the curtain comes down on October 8. They should reign in swimming, with Qin Haiyang fresh from his heroics at the world championships, where he announced himself as the new undisputed breaststroke king. The 24-year-old swept all three men's events and set a new world record in the 200m. In athletics, another of the most closely watched sports, India's Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games javelin crown. His nearest competitor should be world silver medalist Arshad Nadeem from arch-rivals Pakistan and the countries are also on a collision course in cricket and hockey. ESports, in what is seen as a step toward Olympic inclusion one day, will make its full Asian Games debut having been a demonstration sport five years ago. Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as "Faker", has god-like status in League of Legends and will lead the South Korean charge at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre. There is an added incentive which has caused controversy in South Korea -- winning gold will exempt them from having to do military service. A feature of the Asian Games is that it includes sports that are a little more quirky than the Olympics. Xiangqi -- also known as "Chinese chess" -- the card game bridge and the ancient wrestling discipline of kurash are all on the menu. Although the Games officially open on Saturday, the sporting action began on Tuesday, when North Korea returned to major international competition for the first time since the pandemic with a 2-0 win over Taiwan in men's football. The post Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl-US ‘bilateral sail’ to boost maritime cooperation
The Philippines and the United States are currently conducting a “bilateral sail” in waters off the western Palawan within the South China Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said the activity is part of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board framework that aims to develop operational interoperability between the navies of the two countries. Ileto added that the event also highlights the "robust maritime cooperation" between the US and the Philippines. During the bilateral sail, the AFP deployed the Navy's guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) while the US Navy deployed the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114). Meanwhile, the AFP Western Command's Naval Task Force 41 and the US 7th Fleet will also carry out "division tactics" using the BRP Jose Rizal and the US Navy's USS Ralph Johnson to improve their cooperation capabilities, which involves practicing ship maneuvering near other vessels to boost bridge team confidence in handling challenging sailing conditions. "In particular, this event aims to provide an opportunity for the Philippine Navy and the US Indo-Pacific Navy to test and refine existing maritime doctrine and demonstrate their defense capabilities in line with the shared commitment of upholding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region," Ileto said. The AFP, he added, will continue to be involved in "bilateral and multilateral activities" that will contribute to further developing its capability to perform its mission to the country's national sovereignty and national territory. "The AFP continues to engage in joint training and exercises with other nations, using existing agreements to further improve its defense and maritime capabilities," Ileto further stressed. *CAPTION: BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) conducted bilateral sail on September 4 to enhance interoperability. Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and US Navy’s USS Ralph Johnson sail through Philippine waters to carry out Division Tactics rehearsal. (Photo courtesy of AFP-Western Command)* The post Phl-US ‘bilateral sail’ to boost maritime cooperation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A lot of catching up to do
A disturbing trend at the close of the qualifying round of the ongoing FIBA World Cup in the host cities of Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta saw Asian teams left to the mercy of traditional world powerhouses in basketball, having been relegated to the classification round of the 32-nation quadrennial event. The FIBA World Cup, a premier international basketball tournament, showcases the prowess of nations in the sport. In recent editions, however, a consistent trend has emerged where Asian teams, including the Philippines, found themselves relegated to the so-called consolation round, with none advancing to the second phase of the Round of 16. This phenomenon has ignited discussions about whether Asia, the world’s most populated region, is lagging behind its global counterparts in basketball. The best that the Philippines, Japan, Iran, Jordan, China and Lebanon could aspire to now is to top this round and earn a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics as the best-placed team from the region. While basketball has grown exponentially in Asia over the years, this historical disadvantage is not easily overcome. Skills development takes time, and it requires sustained efforts in coaching, talent identification, and grassroots programs. Nations with strong basketball traditions often boast of well-established leagues, state-of-the-art training facilities, and investment in coaching expertise. These conditions foster the growth of talent from a young age and create a competitive environment that nurtures skills development. Conversely, many Asian countries, while passionate about basketball, face challenges in terms of inadequate facilities, limited financial support, and lack of structured development pathways. This results in a smaller talent pool and limited opportunities for players to hone their skills against high-quality opposition. Without the necessary infrastructure and resources, it becomes challenging for Asian teams to compete at the same level as their global counterparts. The level of competition a team regularly faces has a profound impact on its development. Strong competition exposes players to different playing styles, strategies, and skill sets, ultimately contributing to their growth. Many Asian countries struggle to consistently engage in high-intensity international matches due to the regional distribution of basketball prowess. In contrast, European and American teams often benefit from participating in competitive leagues and tournaments, where they face off against other basketball powerhouses. This exposure enhances their ability to adapt to different game scenarios and raises the overall skill level of their players. For Asian teams, limited exposure to high-level competition hinders their ability to refine their gameplay and compete effectively on the global stage. Gilas Pilipinas, for one, was hounded by player availability issues, not to mention injuries in its build-up to the World Cup. A young team composed of the best talents outside of the Philippine Basketball Association was once formed and earned accolades even from the harshest of critics as the young guns turned the tables twice on a South Korean squad in the qualifiers. The youthful squad would have by now made an impact in the World Cup, but sadly, poaching by other Asian leagues of its members has decimated Gilas Pilipinas, leaving the coaching staff no choice but to turn to Philippine Basketball Association players to shore up its bid. While it is evident that Asian teams, including the Philippines, have struggled to advance beyond the qualification round in the FIBA World Cup, attributing this solely to a deficiency in skill, however, would be unfair and simplistic. Historical context, infrastructure, competition levels, and cultural factors all contribute to the performance disparity. Add to this size, which Asians do not have in a sport that requires a lot of it. Rather than viewing Asia as lagging behind its global counterparts, it is more constructive probably to recognize the progress that has been made and the challenges that persist. Asian countries are working tirelessly to bridge the gap, investing in grassroots programs, coaching education, and infrastructure development. As these efforts bear fruit over time, we may witness a more competitive landscape in international basketball, where Asian teams can compete on a more level playing court. The post A lot of catching up to do appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DD unit’s overseas expansion on high gear
Homegrown Hotel 101 has cranked up its expansion overseas through its landmark developments overseas including one in Japan. Parent DoubleDragon is targeting to list its subsidiary Hotel 101 Global at NASDAQ (US Stock Exchange). Eventually, Hotel 101 Global is expected to derive over 95 percent of its revenues outside of the Philippines. The first three overseas Hotel101 projects will be in Niseko Hokkaido, Japan; Madrid, Spain and California, USA. At Hokkaido, Japan, 26 August 2023, was a Filipino moment as the Mang Inasal founder and DoubleDragon Corp. chairperson Edgar Injap Sia II and Jollibee founder and DoubleDragon Corp. co-chairperson Tony Tan Caktiong met with Niseko Mayor Kenya Katayama and Kutchan Hokkaido Mayor Kazushi Monji. They led the groundbreaking of the 1.17-hectare property of Hotel 101 and started construction of the 482-room Hotel 101-Niseko project. Hotel 101 is the first Filipino hotel chain to expand overseas. The contractor of Hotel 101-Niseko is Iwata Chizaki Inc., one of the largest contractors in Japan, and the same contractor which built the Chitose International Airport in Saporro, Hokkaido Japan. The Niseko hotel project in Hokkaido, Japan is one of Hotel 101’s first three overseas projects, with the other two to be in Madrid, Spain and California USA. Niseko Hokkaido Japan is a world-class premier ski destination that remains popular year-round from its picturesque landscapes to its natural hot springs. The Singapore-registered Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd. is the worldwide expansion subsidiary of DoubleDragon. These first three overseas sites will serve as bridge projects to jumpstart the transition of Hotel101 to transcend beyond these first three countries and become a global brand with a truly unique business concept that can be planted in over 100 countries. 25 countries by 2025 Target near term expansion roadmap for Hotel101 Global is to be in these first 25 countries by 2026, namely: Philippines, Japan, Spain, USA, United Kingdom, UAE, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Turkey, Italy, Germany, France and China. DoubleDragon has accumulated a completed recurring income portfolio of over 1.2 million square meters in diversified hard assets in office leasing with its Jollibee Tower, DD Meridian Park complex, its string of CityMall community centers, CentralHub industrial warehouse complexes, its string of Hotel 101 projects in the Philippines and overseas. As of 30 June 2023, DoubleDragon’s total equity stands at P81.64 billion and total cash position stands at P6.54 billion. DoubleDragon has recently been upgraded to the highest PhilRatings PRS Triple A Credit Rating. The post DD unit’s overseas expansion on high gear appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cheers as FIBA nears
As the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 opening day nears, PLDT and Smart gathered dignitaries and heads of embassies and consulates in the Philippines to promote camaraderie among nations in the most anticipated global sports event this year. “We are grateful to be able to come together to celebrate the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we can host the world’s biggest stage in basketball alongside Japan and Indonesia,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO, who also heads the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 local organizing committee. “The FIBA World Cup goes beyond basketball: it is about the heart and capabilities of all participating countries, and our ability to bring honor to our nations. We are eager to showcase our countrymen’s love for the sport and promote Filipino hospitality, while promoting the sportsmanship and culture of the countries that will play here in the Philippines,” he added. Dignitaries and special guests representing 25 countries attended the event hosted by PLDT Enterprise in Makati City. The event also served as an opportunity for the Philippine government, represented by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Foreign Affairs Senior Special Assistant Alex Lamadrid, to present the plans of the government to support this global event. “The FIBA World Cup gives opportunities for Filipinos themselves to show their love for country, because what we will see is a great sense of nationalism in cheering for the Philippine team. This nationalism which will be replicated throughout the citizens of the world whom we are very eager to welcome to the country as we host the World Cup,” said Frasco. “The Department of Foreign Affairs, for its part, will continue to pursue and take advantage of the universal appeal of sports in bringing people together, to bridge cultural or social differences, and bring more cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit and development,” said senior special assistant Lamadrid. The role of PLDT Chairman and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan is central to the story of how the Philippines came to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup. After losing the bid against China in 2015, Pangilinan, who was then chair of SBP, started to form a multi-country consortium to win against competitor countries. And the rest is history. “The FIBA World Cup is an apex event in basketball, and it’s good for Filipinos to see how Gilas can compete with the rest of the world. It is the sporting event of the year, and we’ve gotten the full support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and various government agencies as well as the private business sector. We are very thankful for them; we couldn’t have done this without their help. This is truly a national effort,” said Pangilinan. The post Cheers as FIBA nears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US flags Manila Bay reclamation project tied to a Chinese firm
The United States government has expressed concerns over the “negative long-term and irreversible” impact on the environment of the ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay which are allegedly linked to a Chinese construction firm. In a statement on Wednesday, US Embassy in the Philippines spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said the reclamation projects in Manila Bay may affect the resilience to natural hazards of the country’s capital region and nearby areas, as well as to its commerce. Gangopadhyay also particularly mentioned reclamation projects handled by China Communications Construction Co., a firm that was added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea. “The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices,” he said. Of 32 ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, China Communications Construction Co., or CCCC, is involved in two projects such as the Pasay Harbor City Reclamation Project and Manila Waterfront City Development Project. Earlier this year, the state-run Chinese construction firm, vowed to make more investments in the Philippines, shortly after its officials met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a courtesy call in Malacanang. Aside from its alleged hand in the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, CCCC is also supporting other infrastructure projects in the Philippines, including the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project and North & South Harbor Bridge, among others. The Presidential Communications Office previously said that the CCCC proposed to Marcos the construction of the 270-km Laoag City-Rosario City Highway Project, Juncao Technology Demonstration Center, and a Juncao Industrial Park for Juncao grass cultivation and processing. Juncao is a hybrid of the Giant Napier Grass developed by the Fujian Agriculture and Forest University from eight different types of grass through tissue culture. The proposed Juncao technology project, once approved, will be funded through Chinese foreign aid, PCO said. According to the Embassy, the US government would continue "to support high quality, sustainable, and transparent investments to benefit the Filipino people." Likewise, it stressed that they would continue to engage with the appropriate authorities on the matter. The Daily Tribune has sought comments from the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the issue, but it has yet to respond as of press time. The post US flags Manila Bay reclamation project tied to a Chinese firm appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wrong wood puts PNR officials in jail
Seven former officials of the Philippine National Railways, or PNR, failed to convince the Sandiganbayan to overturn their conviction for graft over the procurement of P47.13 million worth of substandard rails in 2013. In a resolution dated 26 July, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division turned down the separate motions for reconsideration of PNR former division manager Abdul Pangandaman, department managers Estelito Nierva and Ruben Besmonte, legal counsel Neofito Perilla, assistant department manager Divina Dantes and principal engineers Cesar Bocanog and Marlo Arias for lack of merit. The seven accused were found guilty of two counts of graft and were sentenced to up to 20 years in jail. Imports from China Filed by the Ombudsman in 2017, the case stemmed from the procurement of the PNR officials of P47.13 million worth of larch wood from China through Nikka Trading despite knowing that the board resolutions and bidding documents specified that the ties be made of yakal, a Philippine hardwood species. The PNR intended to use the ties for the rehabilitation of the Bicol Express tracks. Nikka Trading, based at Cityland Herrera Tower in Bel-Air, Makati, received the payment in two tranches, the first amounting to P37.7 million and P9.39 million for the second payment. The sum was for the purchase of 10,490 pieces of bridge ties, 942 pieces of joint ties, and 41 sets of switch ties, all made of larch, a kind of softwood imported from China. The previous decision stated that the respondents provided unwarranted benefits, preferences, and undue advantages to Nikka Trading by continuing to accept the items, even if they did not meet the product criteria, to the damage and injury of the PNR or the government. The post Wrong wood puts PNR officials in jail appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
7 PNR officials convicted of graft
The Sandiganbayan convicted seven ex-officials of the Philippine National Railways of graft in connection with the anomalous procurement of P47.13 million worth of substandard railroad ties made of the wrong wood in 2013. All seven defendants, namely, former division manager Abdul Pangandaman, department managers Estelito Nierva and Ruben Besmonte, legal counsel Neofito Perilla, assistant department manager Divina Dantes and principal engineers Cesar Bocanog and Mario Arias, were found guilty of two counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division and sentenced to up to 20 years of jail time. They were also barred from future government employment through perpetual disqualification. The PNR’s erstwhile chief Junio Ragragario and division manager Rosendo Calleja, meanwhile, were acquitted by the anti-graft court due to the prosecution’s failure to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was filed by the Ombudsman in 2017 after it was discovered that PNR officials had spent P47,134,980 on substandard larch wood imported from China from Nikka Trading, despite knowing that the board resolutions and bidding documents specified that the ties be made of yakal, a Philippine hardwood species. Nikka Trading, based at Cityland Herrera Tower in Bel-Air, Makati, received the payment in two tranches: the first amounts to P37,747,832 and P9,387,148 for the second. The sum was the purchase of 10,490 pieces of bridge ties, 942 pieces of joint ties and 41 sets of switch ties, all made of larch, a kind of soft wood, imported from China. According to state prosecutors, the respondents provided unwarranted benefits, preferences and undue advantages to Nikka Trading by continuing to accept the items even if they did not meet the product criteria, to the damage and injury of the PNP or the government. The PNR intended to use the purchased wood ties for the rehabilitation of the Bicol Express tracks. The anti-graft court’s decision to convict the officials included an inquiry about why the PNR planned to acquire such a large quantity of yakal notwithstanding the issuance of E.O. 23, which imposed a log ban. “This is not to insist that Yakal should have been procured, considering the existence of E.O. 23 imposing a log ban,” the Sandiganbayan stated in its 69-page decision. “On the contrary, this court is perplexed why the PNR, after having been made aware of such ban, still intended to procure vast amounts of Yakal, and later on, in Invitations to Bid which were sent out specifying Yakal as the wood specie, all at the cost of violating a total log ban on Yakal.” According to the Sandiganbayan, the mad dash to procure wood for the rehabilitation of the PNR railways by the accused officials has not only stripped the government of precious resources but also put public safety on the line. The post 7 PNR officials convicted of graft appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong police detain more than 20 on Tiananmen anniversary
Hong Kong police on Sunday detained more than 20 people, including key pro-democracy figures trying to commemorate the anniversary of the bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown, as hundreds in Taiwan mourned the dead with a vigil. For years, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers would converge on the city's Victoria Park and its surrounding neighborhood to commemorate the events of June 4, 1989 -- taking part in candlelight vigils. But since Beijing's imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 to quell dissent, the annual vigil has been banned and its organizers charged under the law. This weekend, scores of police were deployed in the area, stopping people for searches and questioning. Some found with a candle -- regarded as a symbol of the Victoria Park vigil -- were questioned and detained. More than 700 kilometers (430 miles) away on the self-ruled island of Taiwan, hundreds gathered at Taipei's Liberty Square to chant "fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong" as night fell. They lit candles in the shape of "8964" -- numerals forbidden in mainland China because it references the events of June 4, 1989. "We need to cherish the freedom and democracy we have in Taiwan," Perry Wu, 31, told AFP. "I feel really sad to see the news of people getting arrested today in Hong Kong." Hong Kong police said late Sunday they had detained 23 people between the ages of 20 to 74 who were suspected of "breaching the peace". One woman, 53, was arrested for obstructing police officers. Among the most prominent activists AFP saw bundled into police vans was Chan Po-ying, the leader of the League of Social Democrats, one of the few remaining opposition parties. The veteran activist, who was released hours later, held a small LED candle and two flowers before she was seized by police. Other recognizable figures taken were Alexandra Wong, a well-known activist nicknamed "Grandma Wong" and Leo Tang, a former leader of the now-disbanded Confederation of Trade Unions. On Saturday, Hong Kong police arrested four people for "seditious" acts and "disorderly conduct". Another four were detained on suspicion of breaching the peace. The office of UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a tweet late Sunday it was "alarmed by reports of detentions" in Hong Kong and called for the "release of anyone detained for exercising freedom of expression & peaceful assembly." 'Let the world know' Discussion of the Tiananmen crackdown is highly sensitive for China's communist leadership and commemoration is forbidden on the mainland. The government sent troops and tanks to Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 to break up peaceful protests, brutally crushing a weeks-long wave of demonstrations calling for political change. Hundreds -- by some estimates, more than 1,000 -- were killed. Hong Kong was for decades the only Chinese city with a large-scale commemoration -- a key index of the liberties and political pluralism afforded by its semi-autonomous status. This year, Victoria Park was transformed for a "hometown carnival fair" organized by pro-Beijing groups. Erase memories Beijing has gone to exhaustive lengths to erase the 1989 event from public memory in the mainland. All mention of the crackdown is scrubbed from China's internet. Over the weekend, sites of more recent protests -- a bridge in Beijing where a "freedom" banner was unfurled, and Wulumuqi Street in Shanghai where demonstrations happened in November -- also saw heightened security. Hong Kong authorities were vigilant in the weeks before June 4, with police seizing a commemorative "Pillar of Shame" statue for a security trial and removing books on the Tiananmen crackdown from public libraries. But there were still pockets of defiance on Sunday around Hong Kong -- a shop gave away candles, while a bookstore displayed Tiananmen Square archival material. At the US consulate in the evening, dozens of candles could be seen shimmering in the large complex's windows. 'Face the consequences' Sidestepping questions about whether public mourning was allowed, Hong Kong's leader John Lee had repeatedly maintained that the public must act according to the law or "be ready to face the consequences". Vigils planned around the world, from Japan to Australia, saw people standing with candles next to images of the brutal crackdown. In London, protesters staged a re-enactment featuring a blow-up tank and women dressed in white, emulating a statue to liberty set up on Tiananmen Square in 1989. A 59-year-old poet from China's Sichuan province, told AFP at the Trafalgar Square rally that his family fled soon after brutal crackdown. "Chinese people in my generation know what happened, but the younger ones, not really," said the man, who declined to be named for fear of Chinese reprisals. "Their parents, their grandparents, need to keep up the knowledge, and we all need to remember at events overseas like this." The post Hong Kong police detain more than 20 on Tiananmen anniversary appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong police detain prominent democracy figures on Tiananmen anniversary
Hong Kong police on Sunday detained several key pro-democracy figures attempting to commemorate the anniversary of the bloody Tiananmen crackdown, as hundreds in democratic Taiwan mourned the dead in a candlelight vigil. For years, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers would converge on the city's Victoria Park and its surrounding Causeway Bay neighborhood to commemorate the events of 4 June 1989 -- taking part in candlelight vigils. But since Beijing's imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 to quell dissent, the annual vigil was banned, and the organizers were charged under the law. This weekend, scores of police were deployed in the area, stopping people to search their belongings and question them. An armored vehicle was sighted parked near a shopping center. Anyone found with a candle -- regarded as a symbol of the Victoria Park vigil -- was questioned and even detained, while police appeared to cast a broad net on what was deemed offensive. More than 700 kilometers (430 miles) away, nearly 500 people gathered at Taipei's Liberty Square to chant "fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong" as night fell. They lit candles in the shape of "8964" -- numerals that are forbidden in mainland China because it references the events of 4 June 1989. "We need to cherish the freedom and democracy we have in Taiwan," Perry Wu, 31, told AFP. "I feel really sad to see the news of people getting arrested today in Hong Kong." By evening, AFP reporters in Hong Kong had witnessed more than a dozen people taken away by police in vans. Among the most prominent was Chan Po-ying, the leader of the city's League of Social Democrats, one of the last few remaining opposition groups. The veteran activist was holding a small LED candle and two flowers before she was seized by police. Other recognizable figures detained were Alexandra Wong, a well-known activist nicknamed "Grandma Wong", former chairwoman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association Mak Yin-ting, and Leo Tang, a former leader of the now-disbanded Confederation of Trade Unions. At Victoria Park, a man sitting on a bench holding an unlit candle was surrounded by cops. As he was led to a police van, he said, "I raised a candle... I was (taken) for just sitting there." The swift removal of people comes a day after police arrested four for "seditious" acts and "disorderly conduct". Another four people were detained on suspicion of breaching the peace. 'Let the world know' Discussion of the Tiananmen crackdown is highly sensitive for China's communist leadership and commemoration is forbidden on the mainland. The government sent troops and tanks to Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 to break up peaceful protests, brutally crushing a weeks-long wave of demonstrations calling for political change. Hundreds -- by some estimates, more than 1,000 -- were killed. For decades, Hong Kong was the only Chinese city with a large-scale commemoration -- a key index of the liberties and political pluralism afforded by its semi-autonomous status. But after the vigil was banned since 2020, the park was barricaded with metal barriers. This year, Victoria Park was transformed for a "hometown carnival fair" organized by pro-Beijing groups. "The pro-Beijing camp wants to... occupy the venue to exclude the mourners," said Chiu, a 68-year-old retiree, who sat on a park bench with an unlit candle by him in quiet defiance -- a short distance from the fair. Erase memories Beijing has gone to exhaustive lengths to erase the 1989 event from public memory in the mainland. All mention of the crackdown is scrubbed from China's internet. Over the weekend, sites of more recent protests -- a bridge in Beijing where a "freedom" banner was unfurled, and Wulumuqi Street in Shanghai where demonstrations happened in November -- also saw heightened security. Hong Kong authorities were vigilant in the weeks before June 4, with police seizing a commemorative "Pillar of Shame" statue for a security trial and removing books on the Tiananmen crackdown from public libraries. But there were still pockets of defiance Sunday around Hong Kong -- a shop gave away candles, while a bookstore displayed Tiananmen Square archival material. 'Freedom to mourn' Sidestepping questions about whether public mourning was allowed, Hong Kong's leader John Lee had repeatedly maintained that the public must act according to the law or "be ready to face the consequences". Vigils planned around the world, from Japan to Sydney, saw people stand solemnly with a candle next to images of the 1989 crackdown. Hong Kong activist Wong Yat-chin, currently in prison for a national security charge, said he mourned the "loss of the freedom to mourn". "It's not a crime to remember a day," he said on his Instagram page Sunday. The post Hong Kong police detain prominent democracy figures on Tiananmen anniversary appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
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