830: On the Road to Baku. Lavishly rich Hong Kong sends refugees from Beijing predation to the UK and US. @MarkLClifford @AsiaBizCouncil, @GordonGChang
Image: Greeks fleeing the Destruction of Psara in 1824 (painting by Nikolaos Gyzis). On the Road to Baku. Mark Clifford, @MarkLClifford @AsiaBizCouncil, former editor-in-chief of the South China Morning Post and a Hong Kong resident since 1992, and Gordon Chang: @GordonGChang, Daily Beast; in re: The Hong Kong Protection Act. The US has offered temporary protection status to Hong Kong residents. The people of HK welcome the attention given by the world as they're terrified of [Beijing’s predatory intrusions]. About 300, 000 people emigrated after the 1999 handover; the UK has extended a similar provision and we think maybe 100,00 will accept, and maybe another 100,00 to the US. Will Beijing close the borders to prevent emigration? This is a real slap in the face to Beijing—the richest other country offered this is El Salvador. Cathay Pacific used to have 35 flights a week to New York; now has three. People are thinking, Well, sell the apartment, move to the UK, and start again. It’s to the great benefit of the US that we’ve invited many immigrants. This will continue till Beijing closes the doors. Jimmy Lai, 72 years old, is now in jail essentially for having abrogated a provision of a lease. It's irrational.