Police confirm 77 people arrested over controversial mask ban since Friday

More than 70 people have been arrested over Carrie Lam’s controversial mask ban since it was implemented at midnight on Saturday morning, Hong Kong police said today. At a police press conference this afternoon, Kwok Yam-yung, regional......

AdChoiceTV News has been trying to reach Chief Executive Carrie Lam for more comments.

Updates will be posted soon...





AdChoiceTV News, Robi Chan reporting.

Footage of mainlander assaulted in Hong Kong sparks outrage in China (VIDEO)

Video of a Chinese office worker being punched by a Hong Kong democracy supporter as a crowd chanted “go home” has caused outrage on the mainland, highlighting widening polarization in the financial hub. Footage shot by both reporters......

AdChoiceTV News, Robi Chan reporting

High school student shot in chest charged with rioting and assaulting officer

(Hong Kong) - A high school student who was shot in the chest at point blank range by a police officer during this week’s National Day protests could face up to 10 years in jail after he was formally charged with rioting and assault this afternoon.

Gunshot victim Tsang Chi-kin, 18, is still recovering at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in hospital after being shot by an officer during a clash in Tsuen Wan. The bullet was lodged in the left side of his chest, just three centimeters from his heart, and was removed in an emergency surgery Tuesday night.

Now it appears that Tsang could face up to 10 years in jail after police formally charged him this afternoon with participating in a riot and two counts of assaulting a police officer.

According to Apple Daily, Tsang’s case will be entered at the Sha Tin Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, along with those of six other people also charged for their involvement in Tuesday’s protests.

According to RTHK, the ages of the defendants range from 18 to 38, with the oldest defendant being charged with arson.

Updates to follow. - AdChoiceTV News

Authorities to implement ban on masks under draconian emergency powers law: reports

(Hong Kong) - Authorities are expected to implement a ban on face masks under Hong Kong’s draconian emergency powers law in an apparent bid to clamp down on ongoing anti-government protests, according to local media reports.

According to an exclusive report by HK01, authorities are currently in the final stages of enacting the ban through the Emergency Regulations Ordinance(ERO), a colonial-era law that grants the city’s leader and government sweeping powers in the event of public emergencies to “make any regulations whatsoever” — everything from censoring media outlets, to pressing citizens into forced labor, to locking down the city’s ports.

This afternoon, TV station TVB  eported that authorities are expected to announce the mask ban on Friday following an executive council meeting.

In Hong Kong, face masks, in particular surgical masks, became more common following the 2003 SARS outbreak. But since the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, they have also become popular among demonstrators, who use them to hide their identities.

Calls for a face mask ban go back as far as 2016, and in recent months some members of the pro-Beijing camp have again asked authorities to implement an anti-mask law as the city’s current protest movement escalated.

The news has prompted netizens on LIHKG to re-share a segment from a live debate between candidates for the 2016 New Territories East by-election, which was contested by the now-imprisoned localist activist Edward Leung. In the debate, Leung rebutted pro-Beijing candidate Holden Chow’s calls for an anti-mask law, saying that was what sparked the Ukrainian revolution in 2014.

Robert Chan, CEO of Robert Chan International Ltd based in Hong Kong said that the last time the ERO was invoked was during the 1967 Leftist Riots, which began as a result of trade union disputes and saw months of clashes between the colonial police and pro-Communist sympathizers. The riots are considered a watershed moment in the city’s history, and saw dozens of people killed, some in a citywide a bombing campaign. - AdChoiceTV News

Geely back in PH, starts with Coolray

China-made automotive brand Geely is making a comeback in the Philippines, targeting to initially sell around 2,000 units of its Coolray SUV.

The local arm of Japanese conglomerate Sojitz Corp. is bringing back Geely about a decade after the Chinese brand left the Philippine market.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP), which is in charge of the distribution and after-sales service of Geely auto vehicles, officially launched the Coolray Wednesday night at Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City Taguig. 

Froilan Dytianquin, general manager for SGAP’s sales and marketing division, told reporters on the sidelines of the launch that the Coolray had been getting attention through mall shows.

At an entry price of around P978,000, with the top of the line variant costing close to P1.2 million, the local distributor aims to entice millennials to embrace the Chinese auto brand.

By the end of the year, SGAP expects to sell around 300 units of the Coolray and then up to 2,000 by the end of 2020.

Other models will be launched in the coming months.

It is even possible to launch hybrid cars in the Philippines, he said, “probably next year.”

“I would say this is a young brand. Of course, there would be difficulty. A Chinese brand has to start from the bottom considering we have to prove our brand,” he said.

Geely Auto Group is a leading automobile manufacturer based in China.

It employs more than 50,000 people and operates 12 manufacturing plants and five global research and development centers.

Kyub Graphic & Signs CEO, John Clet Par one of an advertising agency who were trying to bag-a-deal with Sojitz G Auto Philippines for its annual outdoor advertising services told reporters that the COOLRAY brand of Geely can certainly make a noise in the Auto Industry and can hit its target sales for the said model.  - ADCHOICETV NEWS

AdChoiceTV, Robi Chan contributed to this report

Student shot in chest recovering in ICU as hundreds gather in show of support

The first person to be shot with live ammunition in Hong Kong’s months-long protest movement is reportedly conscious and recovering in intensive care today as hundreds gathered outside his high school in Tsuen Wan in a show of support for the badly injured teenager.

The gunshot victim, identified as 18-year-old Tsang Chi-kin, is a student at the Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College.

This morning hundreds of current and former students gathered outside the school to voice their support for Tsang, chanting “Tsang Chi-kin, add oil!” and placing their hands on the left side of their chests. Tsang was shot in the left lung.

Tsang was shot during a clash with police in Tsuen Wan yesterday as chaotic and unsanctioned National Day protests raged across the city.

In one video from the scene, filmed by the City University of Hong Kong’s Editorial Board, a group of masked, black-shirted protesters can be seen swarming around a fallen police officer and beating him with umbrellas and sticks on Tai Ho Road.

Another officer approaches the melee with his pistol drawn and aimed at the protesters.

In a separate video, filmed by the University of Hong Kong’s student television station Campus TV, Tsang can be seen swinging what appears to be a metal rod at the second officer just as he wheels around with his gun raised.

The rod appears to graze the arm holding the gun, and the weapon discharges, shooting Tsang in the chest at point blank range.

Another City University video taken in the aftermath of the shooting shows Tsang lying on the ground, blood streaming from his chest, crying out to be taken to the hospital.

According to Ming Pao, Tsang was first sent to Princess Margaret Hospitaland then transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he underwent an emergency chest operation to have the bullet removed. A medical source told the newspaper that the bullet was three centimeters to the left of his heart.

The outlet reported just before midnight that after a four-hour operation, Tsang was conscious and recuperating in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

At a police press briefing at 11:45pm last night, Police Commissioner Stephen Lo defended the shooting as “reasonable and legal,” saying that the officer who opened fire had legitimately feared for his life, RTHK reports.

“The officer was under attack, his life was threatened. He issued a warning to no avail, and with no other option available, used his weapon,” Lo said.

“The officer opened fire to try to get himself, or his colleagues, out of a life-threatening situation. In this very short span of time, he made a decision and shot the assailant. So I believe that was his best judgement at the time, and I think this is reasonable and legal.”

AdChoiceTV, Robi Chan contributed to this report.

CHINESE VISA FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDERS (UPDATE 2019)

CHINESE VISA FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDERS REQUIREMENT:

• Passport  – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport’s information/photo page and emergency contact page.
• Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Chinese Visa Form 2013 Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

• Photo – Affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. Glue the photo to the appropriate field. Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.
• Travel itinerary
• Airline Ticket reservation
• Hotel Reservations
• Invitation letters from China, if applicable

GOT PREVIOUS CHINESE VISA?

If you’ve had Chinese visa before, you should submit a photocopy of the visa. If the visa is on your old passport, you should also submit the old passport.

FIRST TIME CHINESE VISA APPLICANT?

Need to provide financial document such as below

• Bank certificate including 6-months bank statement
• Employment certificate stating salary and length of employment
• BIR stamped income tax return form
• For Businessmen, provide business papers and latest ITR.
• Professional ID, student ID when applicable
• All other relevant document you can think of that could prove your financial capability to support your travel to China

HOW TO APPLY FOR CHINESE VISA?

• Applicant may submit his/her visa application in person or entrust someone (with authorisation letter) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.
• No appointment is required.
• Mail applications will not be accepted.
• You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

HOW MUCH IS CHINESE VISA AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

• Single Entry 1400 pesos
• Double Entry 2100
• 6mo Multiple Entry 2800
• 1yr Multiple Entry 4200

Regular processing time is 4 working days. For expedited application, additional fee will be collected. Visa payment is made during passport collection. Only cash payment will be accepted.

• Express service (3-days): +1100 pesos
• Rush service (2-days): +1700 pesos  (not applicable for first time application)

Duterte balancing act meant to avoid 'international crisis' with China: Palace

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - President Rodrigo Duterte is "treading cautiously" to address the allision between a Chinese ship and Filipino fishing boat to avoid an international crisis, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Duterte, a lawyer, is a "very cautious person" and is "trained to listen to all sides especially because there are adversarial claims," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

"He doesn't want this blown into an international crisis given the fact that it took a long time before the relationship between the Philippines and China improved from the time of the previous administration until the President nurtured it again. He is taking care of it." He said.

Duterte called the weekend encounter near Reed Bank in the South China Sea a "maritime incident."

The Chinese embassy in Manila had downplayed the incident, saying the crew of trawler Yuemaobinyu 42212 "bumped into" the Filipino boat and then left due to safety fears.

It said the incident was not a "hit and run," as some Philippine authorities had claimed, because the Chinese crew "confirmed the fishermen from the Filipino boat were rescued."

Panelo said the President was also taking into account the welfare of Filipinos working in China and Filipino fishermen in Reed Bank, called Recto Bank by the Philippines.

We can understand of course the outrage by our countrymen because all of us were really outraged because it appeared as if the incident was intentional. Of course, we will react. He said.

Panelo said the Philippines would wait for China's investigation into the Reed Bank incident. - AdChoiceTV News

AdChoiceTV News, Robi Chan contributed to this report

Talk to China or Go to War?

MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio criticized those who say China might wage war over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as he downplayed this fear as part of a "false option."

One of those who have raised this possibility is President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

In a forum on Tuesday, June 18, Carpio said: "The option for the Philippines is not either to talk to China or go to war with China. This is a false option, and shows a dismal lack of understanding of international law and international relations."

Carpio explained: "China itself does not want war because war will give the US an excuse to intervene in the South China Sea dispute, considering the existing Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty. China's strategy is to control the South China Sea without firing a single shot." 

Carpio pointed out, too, that many people do not understand China's "3-warfare strategy." The 3-warfare strategy refers to China's use of "3 mutually reinforcing strategies" of psychological operations, media manipulation, and legal warfare, The Diplomat reported. 

AdChoiceTV News, Robi Chan contributed to this report

China warns US against 'harm' to trade ties over Huawei ban

BEIJING - China warned the United States on Thursday against further harming trade ties after President Donald Trump effectively barred Chinese telecom giant Huawei from the US market and put it on a blacklist.

"We urge the US to stop its incorrect actions... to avoid doing additional harm to China-US economic and trade relations," commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a weekly press briefing.

"China has said many times national security issues should not be abused," Gao said, adding China is resolutely against any country taking unilateral action against any Chinese entity according to its domestic law.

Beijing has always asked firms to abide by the relevant rules and regulations of the countries they operate in, he said, noting China would take measures "to resolutely safeguard the legitimate interest of our companies".

Trump stepped up Washington's battle against Huawei on Wednesday, effectively barring the telecom titan from the US market and adding it to a list which would restrict US sales to the firm amid an escalating trade war with Beijing. - AdChoiceTV

Written by: Robert Tagnawa Chan