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EXCLUSIVE: CEO shares personal threats to shut down Hong Kong Watch

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UK based human rights group, Hong Kong Watch, is being urged by Hong Kong authorities to shut down its website after being accused of breaching China’s National Security law

“This is Beijing, really reaching out well beyond its borders to threaten our basic freedoms in the democratic world.”

CEO of Hong Kong Watch, Benedict Rogers, says that they will not remain silent. Despite threats of jail time.

While China heavily restricts the internet on the mainland, Hong Kong does not usually censor the web which allows its residents to access sites that might be critical of Beijing.

Over a month ago, the group realised that their website was blocked. Just two weeks ago Rogers says he received a letter from the Hong Kong Police followed by an email from the Hong Kong National Security Bureau, announcing that the Hong Kong Watch poses “a serious threat” to China’s National Security.

“It demanded we take it [the website] down within 72 hours of receipt of the letters and failure to comply could result in me facing a very heavy fine of HK $100,000 and a potential jail term,”

he tells ticker news.

How is this law justified?

According to Rogers, the Chinese government justifies it under the Draconian National Security Law which includes an extraterrestrial clause that was imposed on Hong Kong two years ago.

“[It] basically says, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in Hong Kong or a resident of Hong Kong. You can be anywhere in the world and be in violation of their National Security Law, so they’re using that against us,” he says.

Hong Kong Watch is the first advocacy group to be targeted by this law.

Even though Benedict Rogers and his family have received many threatening letters over the past few years, the group has made it clear that they will not be silenced by the Hong Kong government.

“We’re certainly not going to comply,” he says, “We’re very grateful that British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, made a very strong statement.”

Truss said the Chinese Government and Hong Kong authorities must respect the universal right to freedom of speech, and uphold that right in Hong Kong in accordance with international commitments, including the Joint Declaration.

“Attempting to silence voices globally that speak up for freedom and democracy is unacceptable and will never succeed,”

she said.

The Chinese Government and Hong Kong authorities must respect the universal right to freedom of speech, and uphold that right in Hong Kong in accordance with international commitments, including the Joint Declaration.

Other governments including, Australia, Canada and others have also spoken up for the group.

Why does Beijing want to shut down Hong Kong Watch?

Rogers says one factor could be that the Hong Kong Watch was at the forefront of an effort in the United Kingdom to lobby for the British government to introduce its British National Overseas scheme for Hong Kong.

“We’ve [also] been very much at the forefront of calls for sanctions against Beijing and the Hong Kong government for dismantling Hong Kong’s freedoms. And that’s clearly a red line in their mind under the National Security Law,”

he says.

Currently, Australian journalist Cheng Lei is on trial behind closed doors in China for spy charges and there are concerns for her wellbeing.

Cheng was working for the Chinese state media CGTN and she’s being accused of supplying state secrets, Rogers says this is extremely concerning.

“It’s yet another example of China, not just threatening but arresting and imprisoning not only their own citizens but foreign nationals … Australia has really stood up to China, but the rest of the democratic world needs to do the same and we need to coordinate better our responses to Beijing’s increasing aggression,” he said.

Savannah Pocock contributed to this report.

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Russia test-launches nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile

Russia successfully tests nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, with Putin declaring it ready for deployment amid rising tensions over Ukraine

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Russia successfully tests nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, with Putin declaring it ready for deployment amid rising tensions over Ukraine

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In Short:
– Russia tested the Burevestnik cruise missile, claiming it is ready for deployment after a successful 14,000-kilometre flight.
– Concerns about the missile’s safety persist due to previous failed tests and a fatal incident during development.
Russia tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, claiming it is ready for deployment.

President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test, which demonstrated a flight of 14,000 kilometers over 15 hours. The announcement comes amid heightened nuclear rhetoric related to tensions over Ukraine.Banner

Putin described the missile, also known as “Storm Petrel” or “Skyfall,” as “invincible,” claiming its design allows it to evade current and future missile defense systems.

Western analysts have raised doubts regarding its effectiveness and safety, citing a high failure rate in testing, with only two successful tests out of 13 since 2016.

Concerns Raised

The Burevestnik’s development has faced significant setbacks, including a 2019 explosion during testing that resulted in fatalities and radiation release. The incident raised concerns about the safety of nuclear propulsion systems.

The missile’s development aligns with Russia’s strategic interests following the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001. Its introduction coincides with intensified nuclear rhetoric from Russia as the conflict in Ukraine persists into its fourth year.

Russia’s nuclear posturing includes recent drills showcasing intercontinental ballistic missiles, coinciding with geopolitical tensions as Russia employs such threats to influence Western support in Ukraine.


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Trump meets Xi and Albanese at ASEAN Summit

Trump’s ASEAN talks with Xi and Albanese may reshape Indo-Pacific trade, defense, and critical minerals strategies.

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Trump’s ASEAN talks with Xi and Albanese may reshape Indo-Pacific trade, defense, and critical minerals strategies.


President Trump’s talks with Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN Summit could redefine trade, defence, and critical minerals strategy across the Indo-Pacific.

Professor Tim Harcourt from UTS joins to unpack the global and regional implications.

#ASEAN #Trump #XiJinping #AnthonyAlbanese #Trade #Defence #AUKUS #CriticalMinerals #USChina #IndoPacific


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Bitcoin tops $110K as South Korea reforms crypto rules

Bitcoin surpasses $110,000 as South Korea reforms boost crypto and Coinbase expands into tokenised securities, reshaping inflation debates.

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Bitcoin surpasses $110,000 as South Korea reforms boost crypto and Coinbase expands into tokenised securities, reshaping inflation debates.


Bitcoin has surged past $110,000 amid South Korea’s sweeping digital asset reforms and Coinbase’s expansion into tokenised securities.

Peter Chung from Presto Research joins to unpack what’s driving crypto’s comeback and how it’s reshaping the inflation hedge debate.

#Bitcoin #Crypto #DigitalAssets #Coinbase #SouthKorea #Blockchain #InflationHedge #Tokenisation


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