🌊 Free Tide: Disbanding dissent
🌊 Free Tide: Disbanding dissent
Cocktails, canapés, and networking
Good morning.
I’ve just learned that Gochujang pasta is a thing. I’ve also just learned that sasaengs are a thing.
Also, women who network look no further, I've found the event for you. Although you need to keep scrolling to find out what it is, so perhaps do look a little further.
— Jasmine Lee
Mass dissent group goes under
After 19 years of organising some of HK’s largest protests, Civil Human Rights Front has disbanded for good.
Why did the group disband? CHRF’s statement cites “unprecedented challenges” which include the imprisonment of its convenor (and no successor), the inability to host rallies (due to the police and the pandemic), and other restrictions the group faces due to the National Security Law. These, amongst other surmounting difficulties, have led to the official decision to call it quits.
What are people saying? Executive Councillor Regina Ip said that the CHRF “opposes China and disrupts Hong Kong”, and that the city is better off without it. Political scientist and lecturer at Chinese University Ivan Choy believes this is all part of a larger picture: "It is not an isolated event...we should position it under a larger trend and context of the crisis faced by the civil society in Hong Kong."
Here’s a quote from the official police statement acknowledging CHRF’s disbandment:
[S]ince its establishment in 2002, CHRF had never registered with the Companies Registry as a company, nor registered with Police Licensing Office as a legal society. As such, CHRF has been operating illegally. Police reiterated that an organisation and its member(s) remain criminally liable for the offence committed, regardless of the disbandment of the organisation or the resignation of its member(s). Police will continue to investigate if any organisation and person have violated the Hong Kong National Security Law and other Hong Kong regulations.
Truly a heartfelt goodbye from the police force.
The CHRF isn’t the only large pro-democracy group to come apart as of late; if you hadn’t heard, the Professional Teachers’ Union also announced its disbandment the other day. Here’s the Hong Kong Free Press’ explainer of how the 48-year-old union went under in 11 days.
COVID-19
Coronavirus in Hong Kong
New cases: 1 (imported)
Total cases: 12,034 cases so far
A Cyberpunk Arrival
Are you personal acquaintances with Sophia the Robot? Probably not, but Sharmaine Kwan is. In case you missed it, last week’s Leader of the Week was a particular treat. I personally do love contemporary artists, but to speak to one who creates passionate works of neon is a delight.
Also, Paid Tide readers get to find out her secret spot to chill in the heart of the city. You can chill with us if you become a monthly or annual subscriber.
Event
CanCham Hong Kong is holding a “Midsummer Night’s Networking Cocktail” to encourage networking amongst businesswomen and female entrepreneurs.
Where:
Centricity, 2/F Chater House, Chater Road, Central
When:
Wednesday, 18 August
Member Price: HKD 380
Non-Member Price: HKD 450
Would I go? I am a businesswoman and female entrepreneur who also enjoys canapés and cocktails. I’ll let you guess.
Diplomat: Community Updates
The Pakistan Consulate also organised a Mango Fiesta, which introduced Pakistani mangoes to HK’s market. Honestly, I was sold at “Mango Fiesta”. It turns out Chaunsa was the favoured mango type among guests.
To get our full list of sweet, sweet updates, become a paid subscriber.
In other news
Find your zen in this garden. HKFP published a guide to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, a “haven” for local wildlife. Support your local green spaces, check it out.
For our sweet-toothed readers
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