1167: The inspirational elder Jimmy Lai still imprisoned by China. @Michael_Yon, @GordonGChang

Published: Feb. 16, 2021, 2:48 a.m.

Image:  The charming Star Ferry boats have been faithfully carrying passengers from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back since 1888. While the two sides of Victoria Harbour are now connected by a world-class infrastructure system of road and rail tunnels, tens of millions of people still climb aboard the humble Star Ferry vessels each year. Many visitors take the ride for an up-close look at one of the world’s most photographed harbours, while locals have kept their affection for it because, even after a century, it’s still a highly reliable and efficient form of transport. National Geographic rates the Star Ferry crossing as one of 50 ‘places of a lifetime’.   Michael Yon: @Michael_Yon, war correspondent;andGordon Chang, @GordonGChang, Daily Beast, in re:  The denial of bail for Jimmy Lai, still in custody by Mainland—Michael will report inside info on this development.  Gordon dined with Jimmy Lai last year, when Mainland sent bully boys to throw firebombs at Jmmy’s home.   Lai publishes Apple Daily, the leading Hong Kong publication.  Jimmy Lai is 82 years old, an inspirational figure; he could have left long ago, but is standing ground, perhaps to be a martyr, will sacrifice himself to help save Hong Kong, He’s a hero. This is normal CCP intimidation tactics; would do the same things to HH the Dalai Lama if they could get their hands on him. They’re frankly worse than the Nazis, which is very hard to do—have been committing genocide for decades.  Eager to do the same thing on Taiwan.  Very likely this [losing] policy is required by Xi Jinping, despite likely dissent by other party members.  Hong Kongers knew that Biden was likely to be a sell-out, I agree with Gordon: the safest thing to do is cut all ties with Mainland.   Return to USSR-type stuff: Hong Kong exit ban, dictatorship writ large in skywriting.  Jimmy Lai knew he’d be persecuted of some sort. He gave up a profitable clothing chain because of his beliefs.