Meet Belinda Winterbourne – the person behind the new crackdown on overseas NGO’s in China

In the news

In todays’ SCMP is an article on Hong Kong’s NGOs feeling isolated and confused by mainland China’s new law restricting their activities, but no one has bothered to find out why these new laws are being implemented.

A little bit of research will show this new law is linked to the so-called ‘709 crackdown’ on Human Rights Lawyers, all of which was triggered by revelations of the conspiracy in Hong Kong between the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and local pan-democratic legislators which took place on 15 November 2009 to trigger the 2010 defacto civil referendum.

The main culprit and the person responsible for the crackdown on Human Rights lawyers and the implementation of the new NGO laws in China is Belinda Winterbourne, NDI program manager in Hong Kong from 2006 to 2012.

The face that launched a thousand crackdowns

Belinda Winterbourne, NDI Program Manager, Hong Kong (2006 to 2012)

The SCMP article: ‘Hong Kong’s NGOs isolated and confused by mainland China’s new law restricting activities, research finds’

According to the article, in a study by the China Philanthropy Research Institute and China Global Philanthropy Institute, many non-governmental organisations in Hong Kong felt alienated and uncertain after the ‘Law on Management of Domestic Activities of Overseas Non-governmental Organisations’ was passed in April, under which all overseas NGOs must register with and obtain approval from the police rather than the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which their domestic counterparts must do. The requirement takes effect next year.

The mainland’s adoption of the law governing overseas NGOs has sent a chill throughout the sector in Hong Kong that operates there, with some groups saying they had stopped work over the border. They said it was especially troubling the law categorised NGOs in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as overseas groups, even though they were based in China. Organisations interviewed for the study said they felt mainland government agencies had undergone a change in attitude.

Here’s a link to the article: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2038791/hong-kongs-ngos-isolated-and-confused-mainland-chinas-new-law

The conspiracy which led to the 709 crackdown and the Law on Management of Domestic Activities of Overseas Non-governmental Organisations

On 15 November 2009 a conspiracy took place between pan-democrat legislators and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Hong Kong to discuss plans to trigger the de-facto ‘referendum’ in January 2010. The conspiracy was videotaped and put on YouTube in a series of eleven short videos (Part 1/11 to Part 11/11).

The main players in this conspiracy were: Cyd HO Sau-lan (何秀蘭) and Gary FAN Kwok-wai (范國威), Hong Kong pan-democratic legislators, YEUNG Kai-cheung (楊繼昌) of the League of Social Democrats and Belinda Winterbourne, Program Manager and Stephen Tong, Program Officer of the NDI in Hong Kong.  Here’s a link to full details of this conspiracy: http://nedprogramsinhk.blogspot.com/2016/08/conspiracy-between-pan-democratic.html

Here’s what Belinda Winterbourne said in Video 10/11 between 8.28 to 9.19 minutes in the video:

This is the moment Belinda Winterbourne said the words that launched the NGO crackdown in China

Christian raised the point that how much time do we have. Just now he mentioned you know ‘til January for example, but let’s say if we did want to conduct a civil referendum let’s say between now and the end of the (inaudible), how long does it usually take to educate the public on civil referendum, cos I presume that you’d have to do a lot of publicity prior to the actual exercise umm and educate them why we are doing this and you know how does that vote count eventually.

These words are important, because Beijing has a copy of these video tapes and they are directly responsible for the 709 crackdown on Human Rights Lawyers and implementation of the Law on Management of Domestic Activities of Overseas Non-governmental Organisations. You can check on the subversive organizations, individuals and groups in China which are illegally receiving funds from the American Government here: http://nedactivitiesinchina.blogspot.com/search/label/China

The reason NGOs in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are categorized as overseas groups, even though they were based in China is because the NDI has offices in Hong Kong and even though it claims to be an NGO, has illegally established itself as a company in Hong Kong.

Other NGO’s or groups which are based in Hong Kong and which have been illegally funded by the American Government to destabilize China include Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, SynergyNet, Civic Exchange and others. You can check on the illegal funding by the American Government of NGO’s and other groups in Hong Kong engaged in subversive activities here: http://nedactivitiesinchina.blogspot.com/search/label/Hong%20Kong

This is why the Chinese Government has categorized NGOs in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as overseas groups under the Law on Management of Domestic Activities of Overseas Non-governmental Organisations.

Big thank you to the NDI and Belinda Winterbourne

On behalf of all of the Human Rights lawyers who have been incarcerated in China and all of the NGO’s whose lives have been made a misery, let’s all say a big than you to the National Democratic Institute, with a special thanks to Belinda Winterbourne.

Big thank you to Belinda Winterbourne
Your stupid acts have made life a misery for thousands!

And perhaps something for the NDI and its masters to consider – your stupid actions in Hong Kong have had and will continue to have far reaching consequences!

If you run an NGO and you want to operate in China, here’s a checklist on how to avoid problems

The Law on Management of Domestic Activities of Overseas Non-governmental Organisations was implemented because the American Government, through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is funding subversive activities in Hong Kong. Its lead agency in Hong Kong is the National Democratic Institute (NDI). If you have received funding from the NED, its’ Core Grantees or any of its associates, then you are definitely in trouble. Here’s a quick checklist of the NED and its’ Core Grantees:

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) allocates US Government funds to the following four Core Grantees:

1. National Democratic Institute (NDI), representing the Democratic Party,

2. International Republican Institute (IRI), representing the Republican Party,

3. Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), representing the business sector,

4. Solidarity Center (previously known as the Free Trade Union Institute, then American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS)), representing the labor sector.

To be on the safe side, you need to check your donor list to make sure none of these institutes are, or have been donors of yours. You also need to check with all of your local and overseas donors to make sure none of them has any connections with, has contributed funds to, or is being funded by any of them. 

If you are receiving money from any of these institutes, you will fall foul of the new law, because the NED is funding activities to destabilize China in an attempt to contain its growing influence and if you are in any way connected to them, you will be considered a ‘subversive organisation’.

Photo Credit

Belinda Winterbourne. Vic Perton on Flickr.

See link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/8552305@N06/1394589493

Sixtus LEUNG Chung-hang and YAU Wai-ching have committed a crime – they should be arrested, charged and prosecuted

When Sixtus LEUNG Chung-hang and YAU Wai-ching were taking their oath of office in LegCo on 12 October 2016 they both committed the offence of making a False Declaration under Section 103 of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, CAP 541D.

LEUNG Chung-hang taking the LegCo oath with a banner bearing the words Hong Kong IS NOT China

YAU Wai-ching taking the LegCo oath displaying a banner bearing the words Hong Kong IS NOT China

There should be no discussion about what they have done is right or wrong. They should be arrested, charged and prosecuted.

Evidence

This is based on the following evidence:

(1). YAU Wai-ching and LEUNG Chung-hang were recently nominated as candidates in the 2016 Legislative Council General Elections.

(2). As part of this nomination procedure each of them had to complete a Nomination Form under Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation Cap. 541D. This nomination form includes at Part II a Statutory Declaration of Eligibility.

2016 LegCo Election Nomination Form

Part II - Consent to Nomination and  Declaration of Eligibility

Part II - Consent to Nomination and  Declaration of Eligibility (cont'd)

Paragraph 5 of Part II of this declaration states:

我特此聲明，我會擁護《基本法》和保證效忠香港特別行政區。

I declare that I will uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Part II - Consent to Nomination and  Declaration of Eligibility
Para 5 - Declaration to uphold the Basic Law

See the following link to the form: http://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/legco/2016lc/reo-n-gc-2016lc.pdf

(3). To be eligible as a candidate in the 2016 LegCo elections this section had to be completed and signed by ‘individual candidates’.

(4). Article 1 of the Basic Law states: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China whilst Article 12 of the Basic Law states: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be a local administrative region of the People's Republic of China, which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government. 

(5). At the first meeting of the 2016 Legislative Council on 12 October 2016, all newly elected candidates were required to take the Legislative Council Oath of Office. On this occasion, both YAU Wai-ching and LEUNG Chung-hang displayed banners which read ‘Hong Kong IS NOT China’. This is a clear violation of the Basic Law!

(6). Whilst Article 77 of the Basic Law states: ‘Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be immune from legal action in respect of their statements at meetings of the Council’, displaying these banners in this way is an action, not a statement and as recently demonstrated by the prosecution of Raymond WONG Yuk-man for assault in the Legislative Council chamber, LegCo members are not immune from prosecution for their actions in Legislative Council meetings.

Conclusion

The display of these banners is unequivocal evidence that when YAU Wai-ching and LEUNG Chung-han signed in their Statutory Declaration of Eligibility they would uphold the Basic Law, this was a statement which they knew to be false in a material particular in an election related document under Section 103 of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, CAP 541D.

Sixtus LEUNG Chung-hang and YAU Wai-ching have committed a crime. They should be arrested, charged and prosecuted.

Link to CAP 541D

Here’s a link to the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, CAP 541D: CAP 541D

Full text of Section 103 of CAP 541D

Here’s the full text of Section 103 – ‘Offence of False Declaration’ of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, CAP 541 D:

(1) A person who, in an election related document, makes a statement which that person knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly makes a statement which is incorrect in a material particular or knowingly omits a material particular from an election related document commits an offence.

(2) A person who directly or indirectly by himself or herself or by another person on his or her behalf conspires with, incites, compels, induces, coerces, intimidates or persuades another person to make a false statement in an election related document or to provide information which that person knows to be wrong in a material particular in an election related document commits an offence.

(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable to a fine at level 2 and to imprisonment for 6 months.

(3A) An offence under subsection (1) or (2) is to be an offence prescribed for the purposes of sections 39 and 40 of the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap 542). (L.N. 65 of 2000; 11 of 2012 s. 55)

(4) In this section election related document (與選舉有關的文件) means a form, declaration, application, authorization, notice, statement or a nomination form required or used for the purposes of this Regulation.

Make a complaint to the Electoral Affairs Commission 

If you wish to make a complaint about this, you can complain to the Electoral Affairs Commission via the contact details given in the following link: http://www.eac.gov.hk/en/contact/contact.htm

The real reason Joshua WONG was blacklisted and deported by Thailand

Following Joshua WONG’s deportation from Thailand he wants to know why he was blacklisted and which other countries he is likely to be blacklisted in. 

Photo courtsey of SCMP

These questions are answered below:

Why was Joshua WONG blacklisted and deported from Thailand?

Almost every year since 1983 the US Congress has allocated US Government funds to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) to ‘strengthen democracy’ around the world.

One of the ways the NED does this is through mounting ‘color revolutions’ to topple legitimate governments and replace them with US subservient systems. Every country in Asia is now aware of the chaos caused by the NED organized Middle East – North Africa (MENA) color revolutions and as a result, now appreciate the threat that NED activities pose in their own countries.

They are also aware the Occupy Central protests/Umbrella Movement was a failed color revolution mounted in Hong Kong by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The NDI is the Democratic Party wing of the NED and  one of the NED’s four core grantees, so because the NED are still funding activities in Hong Kong, almost every country in Asia is watching things here closely. Joshua WONG is an NED puppet and the willing face of the NED color revolution in Hong Kong.

What threat does Joshua WONG pose to Thailand?

Joshua WONG as an individual is insignificant. He poses no threat to anyone, but when he is being manipulated as a tool of American foreign policy, he poses a very real threat to the National Security of anywhere in Asia where the NED is funding activities, including Thailand. The reasons for this can be found in two US Government funded strategies:

The NDI target youth in their programs

The NDI consider youth as a key component of NDI programs. As early as 2004 the NDI were working to develop youth activists in over 50 countries and today those countries include China (Hong Kong), China (Taiwan), Thailand, Malaysia and others. To show the importance the NDI place on youth, here are details from the NDI 2012 Civic Update on Youth Programming:

NDI Civic Update on Youth Programming. May 2012
Front Page

NDI Civic Update on Youth Programming. May 2012
Article on Why the NDI works with Youth

Read about how the NDI implemented their Youth Program in Hong Kong in the following post:

http://nedhkcommentary.blogspot.com/2016/08/youth-dissatisfaction-how-ndi.html

The NED is building networks of cross-border activists

In the NED 2012 Strategy Document, one of the NED’s key goals is building cross-border networks of democracy activists, of whom youth are a key component.

NED 2012 Strategy Document

NED 2012 Strategy Document
Building Cross-Border Networks

NED 2012 Strategy Document
Building Cross-Border Networks

NED 2012 Strategy Document
Building Cross-Border Networks

Joshua WONG is a component in this NED cross-border activist network in Asia. The issue is, Asian leaders have seen how the NED has destabilized nations across the world with their color revolutions, so they will quite rightly take all legitimate means to ensure their countries are not next on the list. 

Read the 2012 NED Strategy Document here:

http://www.ned.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2012StrategyDocument.pdf

Examples of Joshua WONG related NED activities

1. NED activities in Hong Kong

The NED has been funding subversive activities in Hong Kong since 1996. Here’s a list of all NED grants to Hong Kong since 1996:  http://nedactivitiesinchina.blogspot.com/search/label/Hong%20Kong

Significant amongst these if the following NED grant in 2012 to the NDI to fund Hong Kong’s color revolution (Occupy Central protests/Umbrella Movement):

“National Democratic Institute for International Affairs - US$460,000 - To foster awareness regarding Hong Kong's political institutions and constitutional reform process and to develop the capacity of citizens - particularly university students - to more effectively participate in the public debate on political reform, NDI will work with civil society organizations on parliamentary monitoring, a survey, and development of an Internet portal, allowing students and citizens to explore possible reforms leading to universal suffrage”.

NED Annual Report 2012
NED Grants to China (Hong Kong)

2. NED activities in Malaysia

Joshua WONG was deported from Malaysia on 26 May 2015 after trying to meet up with Malaysian activists.

Photo and text courtesy of Wall Street Journal

The NED has been funding subversive activities in Malaysia since 1999. Here are details of the NED’s grant page to Malaysia from their 2015 Annual Report:

NED Annual Report 2015
NED Grants to Malaysia

3. NED activities in Thailand

Joshua WONG was deported from Thailand in October 2016 after trying to meet up with Thai activists. The NED has been funding subversive activities in Thailand since 1996. Here are details of the NED’s grant page to Thailand from their 2015 Annual Report:

NED Annual Report 2015
NED Grants to Thailand

Which other countries is Joshua WONG likely to be blacklisted in? 

The answer to this is actually quite simple – just check out the NED website and find out where else they are funding activities in Asia. 

Here’s a list of some of the countries which received NED funding for programs in 2015. In many cases, this is the first page - some of these countries are receiving numerous grants (Source: NED Annual Report 2015):

Bhutan

Burma

Cambodia

China

Indonesia

Malaysia

Mongolia

Nepal

North Korea

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Vietnam

The NED also fund programs through their grants to Asia and South Asia. 

Some of the recent grants to Hong Kong are 'hidden' in here.

This is just the list of grantees in 2015. The NED are funding programs in other countries which did not receive grants in 2015. 

Our advice to Joshua WONG

Rather than bother the Hong Kong Government, we recommend Joshua WONG and all of his student activist friends check with their American handlers before making any future travel arrangements. They after all are the people with the most up-to-date information on where the NED are funding subversive activities and more importantly, which country is next in line for a color revolution.

Representative Chris Smith suppresses the truth in Congressional-Executive Commission on China 2016 Annual Report

Key words: Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Chris Smith, tell the truth, NED, NDI, American meddling, Hong Kong, booksellers, China

Congressional-Executive Commission on China background

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) was created by Congress in October 2000 with the legislative mandate to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, and to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. The CECC consists of nine Senators, nine Members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials appointed by the President.

The Chairman of the CECC is Representative Christopher Smith (Chris Smith).

Chris Smith (courtesy Chris Smith Twitter account)

CECC 2016 Annual Report

The CECC has just released its annual report for 2016, which includes a section on Hong Kong in an open letter to President Obama. 

Congressional Executive Committee on China
2016 Annual Report

Here’s a link to the report: 

https://www.cecc.gov/media-center/press-releases/cecc-releases-2016-annual-report

Here’s what Chris Smith wrote to President Obama:

Challenges to Hong Kong’s ‘High Degree’ of Autonomy

The actions of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments during the past reporting year continue to raise concerns about the future of the guaranteed freedoms, autonomy, and rule of law that distinguish Hong Kong from mainland China and underpin Hong Kong’s financial reputation and prosperity.

The disappearance, alleged abductions, and detention in mainland China of five Hong Kong-based booksellers is one of the most grave violations of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy since 1997.

While recent LegCo elections saw some young activists associated with the “Umbrella Movement” protests of 2014 gain elective office, the process was marred before voting commenced, as the Hong Kong authorities disqualified candidates who refused to sign a loyalty pledge affirming Hong Kong as an “inalienable part of China.”

Given the important economic interests the United States has in Hong Kong, and China’s international commitments to protect a “high degree of autonomy” in Hong Kong, the Commission’s report recommends that the administration continue to issue annually the report on Hong Kong outlined in Section 301 of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. 

In addition, the report recommends that the Administration and Congress work together to determine whether separate treatment for Hong Kong, which is allowed under the Act, is merited if Hong Kong’s autonomy and its guaranteed freedoms are further eroded. 

Congressional Executive Committee on China
2016 Annual Report - Letter to President Obama
Section on Hong Kong

What was suppressed from the report

The report talks about “Principled U.S. leadership”, so this post challenges Chris Smith to tell the President and the people of Hong Kong the truth about what the US Government, through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is doing in Hong Kong.

1. What does Chris Smith know about the NED

Research shows Chris Smith is actually one of the NED’s biggest supporters. According to a NED Democracy Net press release on 5 March 1999:

‘Representative Chris Smith Calls NED Most Cost-Effective Item in Budget - Washington, D.C. - Congressman Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) praised the work of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), calling NED "the most cost-effective item in the federal budget."

Smith, who chairs the House Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights called attention to the Endowment's efficiency and effectiveness in promoting democracy around the world at a hearing of his subcommittee yesterday’.

NED Press Release on Democracy Net dated 5 March 1999

Chris Smith praising the NED

This shows Chris Smith is fully aware of what the NED is and what they are doing.

2. Were the Hong Kong ‘booksellers’ funded by the NED?

Chris Smith talks about the ‘bookseller’ case, but failed to brief the President about NED programs in China. Here are details of NED grants supporting subversive activities in China since 1994:

http://nedactivitiesinchina.blogspot.com/search/label/China

Many of the grant recipients are publishers. We would like to know if the Hong Kong ‘booksellers’ are among the publishers who were being funded by the NED?

As an aside, perhaps Chris Smith could also brief the President on how many of the lawyers caught up in the so-called 709 crackdown are NED funded. At the same time, it might be a good time for Chris Smith to explain to the American public exactly how their tax payer dollars are being squandered on failed programs in China.

3. Protecting Hon Kong’s “high degree of autonomy”

Chris Smith talks about protecting Hon Kong’s “high degree of autonomy”. That is very noble, but if it is the case, can Chris Smith please tell the truth about how the NED has been undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy since 1994 through its grants program. Details of NED grants to fund subversive activities which have threatened Hong Kong’ high degree of autonomy can be found here:

http://nedactivitiesinchina.blogspot.com/search/label/Hong%20Kong

In particular, we would like to know full details of how the following grants from the NED to the American Democratic Party’s National Democratic Institute (NDI) are being used:

NED grant to the NDI in 2012 for programs in Hong Kong

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs - US$460,000 - To foster awareness regarding Hong Kong's political institutions and constitutional reform process and to develop the capacity of citizens - particularly university students - to more effectively participate in the public debate on political reform, NDI will work with civil society organizations on parliamentary monitoring, a survey, and development of an Internet portal, allowing students and citizens to explore possible reforms leading to universal suffrage.

NED Annual Report for 2012
Grants to China (Hong Kong)

This is the US Government grant which was used to fund Hong Kong's color revolution (Occupy Central/Umbrella Movement).

NED grant to the NDI in 2013 for programs in Hong Kong

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs - $400,000 - Enhancing Representative Governance - To strengthen the ability of mainland Chinese civil society organizations (CSOs) to request and publicize information under China's open government regulations, and to strengthen the ability of Hong Kong CSOs to conduct organized monitoring of legislative processes. In both contexts, NDI will work with CSO partners to shed light on government actions and contribute to greater accountability and better governance.

NED Annual Report for 2013
Grants to Asia Regional (Hong Kong)

NED grants to the NDI in 2014 for programs in Hong Kong

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs - Political Processes - $410,000 - Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Hong Kong & China - To engage Hong Kong civic and political sectors in substantive dialogue around governance and electoral reform processes and to provide civic education for Chinese activists. NDI will assist efforts to promote citizens’ voices in Hong Kong’s political reform process and provide technical assistance to Chinese activists on organizational and advocacy skills. In Hong Kong, NDI will support online platforms and community initiatives that promote citizen-created models of governance. NDI will also conduct a young women’s leadership initiative.

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs - Political Processes - Supplement: $51,210 - Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Hong Kong - To amplify citizens’ voices in Hong Kong’s political reform process and provide technical assistance to mainland Chinese activists on organizational and advocacy skills. In Hong Kong, NDI will support online platforms and community initiatives that promote citizen-created models of governance. NDI will also conduct a young women’s leadership initiative for up to 20 participants from mainland China and Hong Kong.

NED Annual Report for 2014
Grants to Asia Regional (Hong Kong)

NED grant to the NDI in 2015 for programs in Hong Kong

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) - Promoting Public Dialogue on Political Reform in Hong Kong and China - $343,750 - To promote public dialogue on political reform in Hong Kong and China. The institute will conduct an expert assessment mission to Hong Kong and draft a report for public dissemination and distribution to the diplomatic community, policymakers, and the media. The institute will invite international scholars and experts to conduct public seminars on comparative models of governance, and will also host workshops on legal advocacy to enable victims of violence to pursue protection, compensation, and justice.

NED Annual Report for 2015
Grants to Asia Regional (Hong Kong)

4. Chris Smith and Conflict of Interest

Finally, we would like Chris Smith to explain to both the President and the people of Hong Kong how the US Congress can allocate US Government funds to the NED for work in Hong Kong and China and he can sit as Chair of a Congressional Commission commenting on Hong Kong and China and yet does not declare a Conflict of Interest in his role and his Commission makes no mention of the NED or its funding.

5. Message to Chris Smith

The reason for raising this is because, if this is what US Democracy really means, you can keep it. Get out of Hong Kong, stop interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs and leave us to settle our own affairs through the high degree of autonomy that China has been so graceful to bestow upon us! We don’t need your interference.

Through your stupid meddling, America has cost Hong Kong its political future, so get out and leave us alone, because until you stop meddling, there will be no trust between Hong Kong and Beijing and we will never be able to make any progress on political reform. 

Capiche?

Open Letter to US Consul-General Kurt Tong – when are you going to tell the truth about what the NED are doing in Hong Kong?

US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau,

26 Garden Road,

Central,

Hong Kong.

Mr Kurt Tong, US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
Photo: Courtesy HKFP

Mr. Tong,

You recently briefed the American Chamber of Commerce on the special relationship enjoyed between Hong Kong and America and stated:

"'one country, two systems' is not only a very unique and special reality. It is also a construct that both China's central government and the people of Hong Kong -- and for that matter, the United States as well -- all aim to maintain”.

You also said:

“the United States and the people of Hong Kong share an abiding respect for certain fundamental freedoms, and certain core values”.

The Standard. 22 September 2016

We believe as a people our shared core values include commitments to honesty and integrity and a desire for open, transparent and accountable government. Your predecessor Mr. Clifford Hart was not an honest man. He suppressed the truth about what your government is doing in Hong Kong, not only from the Hong Kong people, but also from your president. 

NED is funding a colour revolution in Hong Kong

Your government has funded a colour revolution in Hong Kong and if you truly share our core values, we would like you to tell the truth about what the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is doing spending US Government funds in Hong Kong, specifically, can you tell the truth about the following:

Question 1. What was the US$460,000 given by the NED to support Occupy Central spent on?

In 2012 the NED granted the National Democratic Institute (NDI) US$460,000 to:

“To foster awareness regarding Hong Kong's political institutions and constitutional reform process and to develop the capacity of citizens - particularly university students - to more effectively participate in the public debate on political reform, NDI will work with civil society organizations on parliamentary monitoring, a survey, and development of an Internet portal, allowing students and citizens to explore possible reforms leading to universal suffrage”.

NED Annual Report 2012
Grants to Hong Kong

Can you explain to the Hong Kong people what this money was spent on, and specifically, which university students were the subjects of your program and what was their role in the Occupy Central Protests/Umbrella movement?

Question 2. What was the US$461,210 given by the NED to amplify citizen’s voices in Hong Kong spent on?

In 2014 the NED granted the NDI further funds to amplify citizen’s voices in Hong Kong, as follows:

“Political Processes - US$410,000 - Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Hong Kong & China - To engage Hong Kong civic and political sectors in substantive dialogue around governance and electoral reform processes and to provide civic education for Chinese activists. NDI will assist efforts to promote citizens’ voices in Hong Kong’s political reform process and provide technical assistance to Chinese activists on organizational and advocacy skills. In Hong Kong, NDI will support online platforms and community initiatives that promote citizen-created models of governance. NDI will also conduct a young women’s leadership initiative”.

“Political Processes - Supplement: US$51,210 - Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Hong Kong - To amplify citizens’ voices in Hong Kong’s political reform process and provide technical assistance to mainland Chinese activists on organizational and advocacy skills. In Hong Kong, NDI will support online platforms and community initiatives that promote citizen-created models of governance. NDI will also conduct a young women’s leadership initiative for up to 20 participants from mainland China and Hong Kong”.

NED Annual Report 2014
Asia Regional Grants

NED Annual Report 2014
Asia Regional Grants to Hong Kong
to amplify citizen's voices.

Can you explain to the Hong Kong people what this money was spent on? 

3. Is the US Government funding the independence movement in Hong Kong?

In March 2016, your staff held a secret meeting with leaders of localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, including Edward Leung Tin-kei and Ray Wong Toi-yeung.

SCMP report on secret meeting with US consular staff in March 2016

SCMP report on secret meeting with US consular staff in March 2016

Your predecessor Gary Hart refused to disclose the truth about this meeting. What we want to know, on behalf of the Hong Kong people is this - is the American government funding the Hong Kong independence movement?

After you have answered these questions, you might wish to explain to the American public how their taxpayer dollars are being spent, because using American Government funds the NED has worked incessantly to undermine and destabilize Hong Kong, making it almost ungovernable.

To achieve your government's goals, the NED has bribed our politicians, corrupted our institutions and attacked the very fabric of our society, including using school children to fight your battles, so  if your claim that America aims to maintain the ‘one country, two systems’ is true, then Hong Kong’s enemy and the evil you need to confront is the NED, so the solutions to Hong Kong’s problems lie not in Hong Kong or China, but in reforming your own government.

References

Hong Kong Standard. US envoy Tong urges HK to safeguard 'one country, two systems' and not lose it. 22 September 2016. Link: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news.php?id=79854

National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Annual Report 2012. Grants to Asia – China (Hong Kong) in 2012.

National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Annual Report 2014. Grants to Asia – Asia Regional. Hong Kong in 2014.

SCMP. ‘Not some kind of secret meeting’: Hong Kong Indigenous leaders meet with American diplomats. 10 March 2016. Link: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1922922/not-some-kind-secret-meeting-hong-kong-indigenous-leaders