Good morning.
I woke up to see that I managed to convince one of our readers yesterday to upgrade to a paid subscription. Perhaps it was because I teased them with our fun fact (“secret”) about Franchesca Wong, TVB’s brownface specialist.
Thank you ever so much, maybe we’ll be able to bring back paid labour to HT one day ♡
PS Today is National Security Education Day. I wonder how our friend the National Security Owl is doing?
On Today’s Tide
Protests | Frances Hui, the first Hong Kong activist to obtain US asylum.
COVID-19 | New social distancing rules incoming.
Events | Get Hoppy!
For premium High Tide readers:
COVID in China | In Shanghai, daily COVID cases hit a new record while a phone call between a worker and a resident reveals the human consequences of the pandemic.
Crime | Lester Shum, former district councillor, gets six months in jail. A student charged with sedition has to quit student union and social media. Policemen are charged with misconduct.
Appointments | Xiqu Centre Advisory Panel and Candidate Eligibility Review Committee.
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US grants asylum to its first HK activist
Protests
Frances Hui, the founder of the US-based NGO We the Hongkongers, has become the first Hong Kong pro-democracy activist to receive asylum status in the United States. Her advocacy work includes the Write in Hongkonger campaign, which encouraged Hong Kong residents in the US to – as the campaign suggests – write in “Hongkonger” in the US census for their race/ethnic identity.
Unbeknownst to the public, Hui fled Hong Kong two years ago and filed an asylum application, keeping this information private due to safety concerns at the time.
Seeking asylum was once an unfamiliar concept for Hongkongers. The government is propelling its people to find freedom and justice from other states while forcing political charges like colluding with foreign forces on Hongkongers to impose fear of a truth-speaking society. The international community has to act – put an end to China’s expansionism, stop all forms of genocide committed by China, and provide Hongkongers a lifeboat.
— Frances Hui, Founder of We the Hongkongers
She will continue her work in Hong Kong pro-democracy activism from abroad.
Source:
Two years ago Harbour Times spoke with Hui about her work and asked what identity means to her. You can listen to the full episode below:
Changes coming to COVID restrictions
COVID-19
Social distancing measures will be changing from 21 April, which will allow at-home get-togethers and nighttime restaurant dining. Restaurants will be able to open until 10 PM with a limit of four people per table (up from two), and banquets will be limited to up to 20 people. Bars and pubs will remain closed for the time being.
Coronavirus in HK
New cases: 1,043
23 imported
579 detected by PCR tests, 464 detected by RATs
1 Omicron BA.5 variant
Deaths: 54
Testing is required for people who were present at 40 specified places.
Hong Kong will be organising shelters to put pets who test positive for COVID-19 until they recover. The government did not give a certain answer when HKFP asked them if these shelters would exterminate pets in the facilities.
Events and Deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends, and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes.
Asia Society Hong Kong Centre is re-opening its doors on 21 April!
The Asia Society Hong Kong Centre in Admiralty is set to welcome visitors on-site again from 21 April. The independent, non-governmental educational organisation has a range of upcoming events and exhibitions lined up, which you can learn more about through their listing page here!
🍻 Good Things Hop'in Threes — Farm to Pint Collaboration Triple IPA Launch @ The Globe
Head on down to The Globe, the UK-inspired gastropub in Soho, Central, this Friday for the release of international collab Carbon Brew’s “Good Things Hop’in Threes” – a Triple Dry-Hopped IPA brewed with fresh hops from Loftus Ranches and Yakima Chief Farm.
It’s the biggest IPA they’ve brewed so far, so gear up for an epic night afternoon out! 🎉
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