分类： politics

Hong Kong is conducting its Legislative Council (LegCo) elections under the shadow of the city’s most devastating fire in over seven decades, which claimed 159 lives in Tai Po last month. The electoral process represents the second poll since China’s comprehensive 2021 electoral reforms, which mandated that all candidates demonstrate loyalty to Beijing.

The government has deployed an extensive campaign to boost voter participation, distributing incentives including shopping vouchers, complimentary museum entries, and public pool access. These measures aim to create a festive atmosphere around the voting process, with Chief Secretary Eric Chan emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement.

Meanwhile, authorities are addressing the aftermath of the November 26 tragedy that engulfed Wang Fuk Court’s residential towers. Investigators have identified substandard flame-retardant scaffolding mesh as a key factor in the fire’s rapid spread. The government has established an independent investigative committee, arrested 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter, and ordered citywide removal of similar renovation materials.

The disaster has raised significant concerns about building safety standards in a city where many reside in aging high-rises. Authorities have simultaneously moved to suppress dissent, detaining several individuals including a former district councillor for suspected sedition related to petitions demanding an independent inquiry.

Political campaigning was briefly suspended following the fire, though government-organized forums resumed after several days. Chief Executive John Lee maintains that proceeding with elections is essential to ‘transform grief into strength,’ suggesting new legislators could expedite reconstruction efforts.

With 161 candidates competing for 90 seats, approximately one-quarter of incumbent lawmakers are stepping down amid reports of Beijing’s unofficial age limitations. The election occurs against a backdrop of historically low voter turnout, with the 2021 election recording merely 30% participation following the electoral overhaul that effectively barred opposition candidates.

Hong Kong conducted its second legislative election under a revamped political framework on Sunday, with voter participation rates emerging as a critical indicator of public sentiment. The electoral process unfolded against the somber backdrop of a catastrophic apartment fire that claimed 159 lives less than two weeks prior, raising substantial questions about governmental accountability and oversight mechanisms.

The electoral system, fundamentally restructured in 2021, has effectively marginalized pro-democracy opposition voices through stringent candidate vetting processes requiring demonstrated loyalty to Beijing. Of the Legislative Council’s 90 seats, only 20 are now directly elected by the general populace, while 40 are selected by a pro-Beijing election committee and 30 represent functional constituencies from major industries.

Chief Executive John Lee actively encouraged voter participation, framing the election as instrumental for advancing policy reforms and addressing the recent tragedy. Despite government efforts to boost turnout through extended voting hours, additional polling stations, and transportation subsidies, analysts projected continued voter apathy. The previous 2021 election saw participation plummet to approximately 30%, and many anticipated further suppression due to public discontent over the government’s handling of the fire incident.

Campaign activities remained suspended throughout the final days preceding the election as a mark of respect for fire victims. Authorities simultaneously pursued legal action against individuals accused of encouraging election boycotts or invalid voting. The devastating fire has exposed systemic deficiencies in building maintenance regulations and alleged bid-rigging practices, placing additional scrutiny on the government’s governance capabilities.

Political observers noted that depressed turnout could indicate dissatisfaction even among traditional government supporters, potentially reflecting broader concerns about accountability and institutional effectiveness within the territory’s political framework.

In a forceful address at the Doha Forum on Saturday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa launched a sharp critique against Israel, accusing the nation of deliberately exporting regional crises to obscure international focus on its military operations in Gaza. Speaking with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Sharaa characterized Israel as a state “in a fight against ghosts,” exploiting the October 7 attacks to justify an aggressive posture across the Middle East.

The Syrian leader detailed a stark contrast between his administration’s outreach and Israel’s response. Since assuming power in Damascus following the fall of the Assad dynasty in December 2024, Sharaa claimed to have sent positive messages advocating for regional peace and disavowing conflict exportation. However, he asserted that Israel reciprocated with “extreme violence,” citing over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 ground incursions into Syrian territory.

Sharaa reiterated calls for Israel to withdraw from territories seized during the recent conflict, including the strategic UN buffer zone on Mount Hermon. He confirmed that negotiations are currently underway with the United States to facilitate this withdrawal, while simultaneously expressing support for the foundational 1974 disengagement agreement. The president warned that tampering with this agreement or establishing alternative security arrangements like demilitarized zones could lead to dangerous instability, questioning who would protect such zones without Syrian forces.

Addressing Syria’s internal challenges, Sharaa acknowledged the deep sectarian divisions inherited from the Assad regime but emphasized his administration’s commitment to reconciliation and institutional rebuilding. He highlighted economic recovery as crucial for stability, specifically noting efforts to persuade Washington to lift Caesar Act sanctions originally imposed against the previous government. Despite ongoing difficulties, Sharaa portrayed Syria as on a “positive path toward stability and economic growth,” with governance based on competence rather than sectarian quotas.

The geopolitical context of these remarks was underscored by recent comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who issued a veiled warning to Israel against interfering with Syria’s “evolution” following a deadly raid. Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining “strong and true dialogue” between the nations to support Syria’s transition to prosperity.

Qatar and Egypt, serving as primary guarantors for the Gaza ceasefire agreement, issued a joint appeal on Saturday for Israel’s complete military withdrawal from Gaza and the immediate deployment of an international stabilization force. These measures, presented during the Doha Forum conference, are deemed essential for implementing the fragile truce’s subsequent phases.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani emphasized that mediators are currently advancing negotiations toward the ceasefire’s next stage. While the initial phase saw Israeli forces reposition behind a designated “yellow line” within Gaza and Hamas release remaining living hostages alongside returning most deceased captives’ bodies, a comprehensive agreement beyond this temporary pause remains elusive.

“We are at the critical moment. It’s not yet there. So what we have just done is a pause,” Al Thani stated, adding that “a ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces, [and] there is stability back in Gaza.”

Despite Qatar’s mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the United States—culminating in the October 10th ceasefire—Israel has reportedly committed 600 violations resulting in over 360 fatalities and 900 injuries. Palestinian health authorities confirmed five additional deaths from Israeli fire in northern Gaza on Saturday.

The proposed second phase envisions Israel’s complete withdrawal from remaining Gaza positions, establishment of an interim governing body, and deployment of an international stabilization mission. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed the urgency of this force’s deployment given daily ceasefire violations, suggesting it be stationed along the “yellow line” for verification purposes.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, representing another ceasefire guarantor, revealed ongoing discussions regarding the stabilization force’s leadership and composition. He asserted its primary objective should be separating Palestinians from Israelis, while controversially arguing that disarming Hamas should not be the immediate priority, stating: “We need to put things in proper order, we have to be realistic.”

Israel has expressed opposition to Turkey’s potential participation in the force, highlighting diplomatic tensions surrounding the proposed international mission.

Peruvian Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, a permanent member of the International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber since March 2018, has become an emblematic figure in the escalating tension between the ICC and the United States government. Despite a 2021 decision by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to deprioritize Afghanistan investigations involving US citizens, Judge Ibanez remains among six ICC officials sanctioned by the Trump administration in June for their judicial work.

The sanctions stem from Judge Ibanez’s participation in a 2020 ICC panel that authorized investigations into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan since 2003 by multiple parties, including the Taliban, Afghan National Security Forces, and US military and CIA personnel. Notably, the ICC has since issued two arrest warrants specifically targeting senior Taliban leaders for gender-based persecution crimes against humanity.

In an exclusive interview with Middle East Eye during the 24th Assembly of States Parties in The Hague, Judge Ibanez revealed the profound personal and professional consequences of these sanctions. Beyond the intended restrictions on property and travel, the measures have unexpectedly impacted her family—particularly her daughter, whose US visa was abruptly canceled without explanation, hindering her professional activities as an international lawyer.

The practical ramifications extend to daily financial transactions: frozen dollar accounts, canceled credit cards, and restrictions on services including Uber, Western Union, and various digital platforms. Judge Ibanez emphasized that these sanctions represent not merely personal attacks but systematic challenges to judicial independence and the Rome Statute system itself.

Despite these pressures, Judge Ibanez remains resolute, drawing on her 35-year background as a prosecutor in Peru specializing in terrorism and human rights cases. Having previously faced threats during high-profile trials and even an arrest warrant from Russia, she views the US sanctions as confirmation that her work ‘is meaningful for the world.’ The ICC judiciary, she asserts, remains united and undeterred, continuing their mission to combat impunity for international crimes and deliver justice to vulnerable victims worldwide.

The interview concluded with a call for practical support from the European Union and international community, urging action beyond verbal solidarity to protect the ICC’s judicial independence and the integrity of international justice mechanisms.

In an exclusive written interview with Xinhua, Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev delivered a firm reiteration of the international consensus regarding Taiwan’s status, emphasizing that “the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China” and that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.”

The senior diplomat’s statements came specifically in response to recent erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan, which he contextualized within concerning patterns of Japanese right-wing forces attempting to revive militaristic ideologies. Yermekbayev anchored his position in historical precedent, noting that SCO member states first affirmed this position on Taiwan during their landmark 2002 summit in St. Petersburg.

Marking the 80th anniversary of both the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, Yermekbayev highlighted the significance of historical memory in contemporary geopolitics. He referenced the September 1 statement issued during the SCO Tianjin Summit, where leaders collectively warned that “ignoring historical lessons is bound to lead to grave consequences” and that preserving objective historical truth remains essential to preventing the recurrence of past tragedies.

The Secretary-General articulated the SCO’s unwavering commitment to fundamental international principles, including mutual respect for national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, alongside the non-interference in internal affairs. These principles, enshrined in both the UN Charter and SCO Charter, form the bedrock of the organization’s approach to global governance and conflict prevention.

Yermekbayev concluded with a sobering reminder that member states bear “a shared responsibility for both the past and the future” to ensure future generations are spared from the scourge of war, positioning the SCO as a guardian of both historical truth and future peace.

Hong Kong’s National Security Department has made its first publicly confirmed arrest in connection with social media commentary surrounding the catastrophic Wang Fuk Court housing complex fire that claimed 159 lives last month. The 71-year-old suspect was taken into custody on Saturday for allegedly publishing “information with seditious intention” targeting both Hong Kong and central Chinese governments.

Chief Superintendent Steve Li of the National Security Department stated the individual stands accused of exploiting the November 26 tragedy to incite social unrest through inflammatory online content. “He pointed to the Hong Kong and the central governments as instigators of exploiting the tragedy to cause chaos and turmoil,” Li told reporters, characterizing such claims as “totally impossible.”

The arrest represents the intersection of two parallel investigations: one examining the fire’s causes and another addressing perceived threats to national security. Authorities have additionally charged the man with improperly disclosing details from an ongoing national security investigation after he allegedly shared confidential information online despite explicit warnings.

The devastating blaze has ignited complex debates about governmental accountability and building safety standards. Forensic analysis indicates substandard construction materials—particularly flammable green netting and foam board window installations—contributed to the fire’s rapid spread through seven of the complex’s eight towers. At least 21 individuals have been detained in connection with suspected corruption and negligence related to ongoing renovation work.

This law enforcement action occurs against a politically charged backdrop, with officials warning against using the tragedy to undermine governmental authority. The arrest coincides with Hong Kong’s legislative elections, which feature no opposition candidates following political vetting processes implemented after the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Chief Executive John Lee has pledged decisive action against those attempting to “sabotage the commitment of society” through the exploitation of tragic events.