Deadly fire kills eight, national security police investigate CUHK graduation protest | Hong Kong Weekly Political Briefing

COVID-19 rise sparks fourth wave fears - #STOPGAP2020 highlights art made during lockdown in 2020 - urban transport the theme of EnviroSeries Conference

Nov 21, 2020

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This week on HT

EnviroSeries Conference envisions a future of sustainably-driven urban transport

by Jasmine Lee

The four-part series for the Business Environment Council’s upcoming conference centres around the transformation of Hong Kong’s urban transport into a system focused on sustainability and the people it serves.

Upcoming exhibition #STOPGAP2020 proves that under lockdown, art can still flourish

by Jasmine Lee

Co-presented by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong, the show reveals artwork born of the limitations brought by the 2020 pandemic.

This week in Hong Kong

COVID-19

An uptake in COVID-19 cases has resulted in lower primary schools suspending in-class sessions and fear that the fourth wave is here. On Friday (November 21), there were 26 new cases reported. The government placed a ban on large “staycation” gatherings identified to have contributed to new cases.
The government announced mandatory testing for high-risk groups. David Webb, a political commentator and analyst, argues against this in a recent article and instead suggests a compensation scheme for self-employed/lower-income residents who must self-isolate.

Jordan Fire

A deadly blaze earlier this week killed eight people, one of whom died later in the hospital. Six others remain in critical condition. The cause of the fire was due to candles that caught flame on soundproofing material during a Diwali and birthday celebration. The Consul General of Nepal urged the SAR government to extend aid to the families of the victims.

Protests

After a pro-democracy protest at a CUHK graduation, the national security police began to undergo an investigation with reports of people shouting independence slogans and flying pro-independent banners at the event.
Three former lawmakers (Ray Chan, Chu Hoi-dick, and Ted Hui) have been arrested for their participation in throwing foul-smelling liquid and a rotting plant during a LegCo session over the summer.

Diplomat

Foreign ministers from the Five Eyes published a joint statement criticising Beijing for passing a law that makes it able to disqualify Hong Kong lawmakers who support HK independence.
Canada introduces a pathway that allows Hongkongers to apply for a three-year work visa if they have attained a university degree from outside of Canada within the last five years.

High Tide