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Hong Kong protests

November

Another figurehead for the movement is media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is also in prison.

How Hong Kong’s media baron took on Beijing’s might

From refugee to media mogul to prisoner – Jimmy Lai built a $US600 million empire before losing it in the fight for democracy.

  • Jessica Sier
Gordon Ng was first detained in 2021.

Wong blasts Beijing over Hong Kong protest sentences

Australian Gordon Ng was among 45 dissidents who Hong Kong’s High Court on Tuesday sentenced to jail terms of up to 10 years.

  • Updated
  • Andrew Tillett, James Pomfret and Jessie Pang

October

Chungking Mansions in Hong Kong have long had a role as a global gateway to China.

Chungking Mansions, the chaos and glory at the heart of Hong Kong

How a 1960s block of towers filled with deal makers and refugees came to define the changing city.

  • Orla Ryan

July

Jimmy Lai.

Why Britain’s new PM could hold the key to Jimmy Lai’s freedom

Keir Starmer cut his teeth as a barrister at the same firm as Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who is fighting for the release of Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai.

  • Gus McCubbing and Hannah Wootton

June

Jimmy Lai walks through the Stanley prison in Hong Kong, in July.

Diplomatic niceties ignore the human rights cost of doing business with China

The persecution of Jimmy Lai marks the death of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and is a red flag for those still seeking to get rich in China.

  • Sebastien Lai
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High Court judge Patrick Keane defended serving on Hong Kong’s top court.

Australian judges looking isolated on HK’s top court

Some Australian judges don’t share their British peers’ doubts about judicial independence in Hong Kong since the mainland’s tough national security laws.

  • Updated
  • Primrose Riordan
Hong Kong’s then leader Carrie Lam pushed through contentious national security laws ahead of a legislative council election in the city.

Ex-Crosby Textor pollster ‘deeply uncomfortable’ with Hong Kong work

The think tank which commissioned the research was founded by city’s former chief executive who remained a part of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

  • Kylar Loussikian
Riot police clash with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong in January 2020.

Crosby Textor advised pro-Beijing HK officials

The Australian political consultancy provided advice used by pro-Beijing officials in Hong Kong ahead of the start of national security laws that dramatically curtailed free speech.

  • Kylar Loussikian

March

Hong Kong is becoming as risky for business as mainland China, and more expensive too.

Why Australians should care about Hong Kong’s security crackdown

Hong Kong has adopted China’s definitions of national security risks, calling into question its status as safe gateway to China for Australians.

  • Kevin Yam

February

Hong Kong city skyline view from Kowloon.

Why Hong Kong is again stirring the interest of Australian companies

It’s not the same as the pre-pandemic, security lockdown era, but there is still “so much opportunity”, says the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong boss.

  • Michael Smith

December 2023

A Hong Kong police officer holds a British flag brought by a pro-democracy activist known as “Grandma Wong”, outside the West Kowloon courts last month.

Hong Kong activist convicted under security law flees to UK

Tony Chung is the latest high-profile pro-democracy campaigner, and among its youngest, to leave the city in violation of restrictions on overseas travel.

  • Shibani Mahtani

September 2023

NAB and Westpac have closed branches in Hong Kong this year, leaving CBA and ANZ as the two Aussie banks with a presence there.

NAB closes Hong Kong office, follows Westpac out

The bank has 50 staff in the city, and has told them that it intends to consolidate operations into Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

  • James Eyers
 Donald Trump supporters.

Trump’s trials will inspire a global epidemic of whataboutism

The spectacle of a leading candidate in the US presidential election facing possible imprisonment is still a gift for authoritarian governments.

  • Gideon Rachman

July 2023

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‘Pursued for life’: Hong Kong’s bounty hunters target Australians

The Hong Kong government’s decision to put a price on the heads of two Australian residents has strained efforts to mend ties between Canberra and Beijing.

  • Michael Smith
Activist Nathan Law, pictured protesting in Rome, now lives in the UK.

Hong Kong’s bounty sends a terrible message to the world

Putting a price on the heads of protesters is off-putting to the people and businesses the territory is trying woo back.

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Hong Kong political exile Ted Hui has been living in exile in Australia since March 2021.

Hong Kong ‘trashing its reputation’ with bounty, say targeted exiles

Two Australian residents are among eight activists in exile around the world who were named by the territory’s police, an action Penny Wong called “deeply disappointing”.

  • Updated
  • Michael Smith
HSBC, which has been heavily criticised for backing the new law on stifling dissent in Hong Kong, faces a challenge to survive its present form.

HSBC accused of persecuting dissident Hong Kongers who flee territory

HSBC faces growing scrutiny of its activities in China and Hong Kong, where it has been accused by British MPs of complicity in human rights abuses.

  • Simon Foy

February 2023

James Wilson (left) and Scottie Callaghan (right), the founders of Hong Kong’s Fineprint Coffee at one of their outlets on Hong Kong Island.

Hong Kong declares it is ‘back in business’ but fears remain

After four years of political upheaval and border closures, Hong Kong hopes to revive its reputation as a regional financial and tourist hub.

  • Michael Smith and Emma Connors

December 2022

The images of Jimmy Lai being led away handcuffed and surrounded by police in 2020 went on to become one of the most poignant symbols of the erosion.

Jimmy Lai case exposes Hong Kong’s legal regression

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s latest legal battle has exposed rising fears about the independence of the city’s common law legal system.

  • Michael Smith

July 2022

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Xi defends Hong Kong clampdown as new leader sworn in

China’s president swore in Hong Kong’s new leader at a ceremony marking 25 years since the end of British rule.

  • Michael Smith