bc magazine

Eureka

Three Eureka Moments in One Show!
Now in their thirties, Victor Fung, Lai Tak-wai and Bruce Wong demonstrate their ideas in a series of new works. Three completely different choreographers share their eureka moment in diverse styles of contemporary dance.

If These Walls Could Talk
Identity X Relationship
Music starts. He and she fall in love at first sight.
They are a perfect match, but in a blink of the eye, someone else stands next to him.
Together, apart, death, rebirth.
Battles of the sexes, a glimpse into the complicated and ambiguous relationships between men and women – love turns to hate turns to love again and identities and feelings are bombarded over and over.

Choreography
Victor Fung: graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). He furthered his studies in choreography and completed his postgraduate studies at London Contemporary Dance School. He is currently conducting doctoral research with funding from Middlesex University and Dance4. In 2011, he established Victor Fung Dance, a platform through which his collaborative works with international dance artists are presented. He received the“Award for Young Artist” at the 2013 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards in recognition of his artistic achievement in dance. Recent performance credits include the Hollywood production 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves and Aida at Royal Albert Hall, his choreography for CCDC includes Fighter in Strip Teaser 2012.

Overwhelming
Humanity X Turbulence
Listen to your body through dance. Walk to the chaotic edge of the maze in your heart. Dancers reshape the form of ideas and inspirations, unveiling the humanity lurking under appearance. When we are going through pains and changes in the mist, should we follow the main road or find our own track?

Choreography
Lai Tak-wai: graduated from HKAPA majoring in modern dance. In 2002, he was awarded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Dance Fund Scholarship to further his studies at the National Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Paris. He then joined the Junior Ballet Contemporain in Paris for the 2002/03 season. Lai was a full-time dancer at Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in 2005 and was at CCDC from 2008 to 2014. At the 2013 Hong Kong Dance Awards he received the “Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer” award for his performance in In Search of the Grand View Garden. He is currently an independent choreographer and freelance dancer. His choreography includes Sleepless, Substitute and Timeline in It’s My Turn.

How to Become…
Kung Fu X Id
Practice is the pursuit of enlightenment – comprehension, realisation and full understanding. Martial arts and dance are pursuits of physical and mental advancement. In a cross-over between kung-fu and dance, Bruce Wong shares his pursuit of the inner-self with the audience. Wong has won champions in the martial arts champion Baguazhang and Neijia Quan at the Hong Kong Open Wushu Championships. This is his search to find a way to cleanse one’s soul.

Choreography
Bruce Wong: CCDC dancer Bruce Wong entered HKAPA in 1995, where he was awarded several scholarships and was chosen to represent the Academy on overseas tours during his studies. In 1998, he was awarded an Asian Cultural Council Fellowship to participate in the American Dance Festival in the US. He received the Hong Kong Jockey Club Dance Fund Scholarship to attend Hollins University in the US for a Master’s degree. In 2010, he was one of the few dance finalists worldwide to be selected for the prestigious Rolex Mentor & Protege Arts Initiative. His recent choreography includes The Legend and The Hero, Dress Me Down in Strip Teaser 2012 and Re/dis-connect in It’s My Turn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Vtj-RADws

《發現號》從頭發現一閃即逝的靈光!Eureka Moment – From Head to Toe! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Vtj-RADws)

Eureka
City Contemporary Dance Company
When: 18-20 September, 2015
Where: HK Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre
Tickets: $220, $160 from Urbtix
More info:
18-19 September – 8pm
19-20 September – 3pm

HK Cricket Premier League: 13 September Match Reports

Babar Hayat in action against Hong Kong Cricket Club in the Hong Kong Premier League One-Day Tournament — Babar Hayat on his way to a century against Hong Kong Cricket Club in the Hong Kong Premier League One-Day Tournament

Little Sai Wan beat Hong Kong Cricket Club by 123 runs
Little Sai Wan (LSWCC) got their 2015-16 One-Day Premier League campaign off to a flying start with a 123-run victory over defending champions Hong Kong Cricket Club at HKCC on Sunday thanks to some power hitting from their middle-order batsmen.

Batting first after winning the toss, the HKCC team made most of the early running with wickets to Simon Cook, Tim Cutler and Harry Bailey restricting LSWCC to 3/58 from their first 20 overs. But from there, it was all LSWCC. Babar Hayat and Ehsan Khan made the most of some early let-offs to build a partnership that was steady at the start but which flourished towards the end. Together they combined for 162 runs, scored in 23.1 overs at a touch under 7 runs per over. HKCC’s slow bowlers had no answer to the onslaught, with Ahan Manglik, Courtney Kruger and Scott McKechnie conceding 104 runs from their collective 10 overs. Hayat fell a couple of balls after reaching his run-a-ball 100, which featured three fours and eight sixes, while Ehsan Khan hit 83 with eleven fours and one six.

If the Hayat/Khan partnership had been impressive, the partnership between Munir Dar and Shahid Wasif was explosive. From 5/237 at the fall of Ehsan’s wicket, Dar and Wasif plundered another 90 runs off the next 33 balls, at a staggering 16.36 runs per over. Dar struck three fours and six sixes in his 21-ball 54 while Wasif bettered that with two fours and six sixes in his 16-ball 49 not out as DLSWCC finished on 6/332 from their 50 overs. None of the HKCC bowlers were spared – Wasif smashed Simon Cook back over his head for two huge sixes while Tim Cutler, whose first six overs had cost just 10 runs, conceded 63 runs from his last four.

Needing a swift and solid start to their innings, the HKCC openers of David Jacquier and James Redmayne were pegged down by a tight opening spell from Jangzeb Khan and Niaz Khan. Jangzeb bowled Jacquier (5) and had Scott McKechnie (13) caught behind while the run-out of Redmayne (10) left HKCC struggling at 3/36 in the 11^th over. A fine fourth wicket partnership worth 84 runs between HKCC skipper Courtney Kruger and Nizakat Khan lifted HKCC into a good position and at 3/119 after 22 overs, they were 58 runs ahead of DLSWCC at the same point of their innings. But the dismissals of Kruger (42) and Matt Twomey (1) in quick succession, set HKCC back on their haunches. Simon Cook (31) and Nizakat (46) did their best to up the run-rate but when they both fell in successive overs from Ehsan Khan, the HKCC chase was all but over. Daljeet Singh batted well for 31 and his was the final wicket to fall as HKCC slumped to 209 all out in 40.1 overs.

Ehsan Khan completed a fine all-round performance by claiming 5/37 from his eight over spell, while Jangzeb Khan picked up 2/25 from six overs at the top of the innings.

At HKCC: DLSWCC 6/332 from 50 overs beat HKCC 209 from 40.1 overs by 123 runs Scorecard

Kowloon Cricket Club beatHong Kong Under 19s by 140 runs
In the day’s other match,Kowloon Cricket Club plundered the U19s attack for 326 runs with Jamie Atkinson hitting 93 and Kincit Shah and Ryan Campbell completing half-centuries. Tanveer Ahmed was the best of the U19s bowlers, picking up 3/54 from his ten over spell.

In reply, the U19s started solidly with the openers putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. But wickets tumbled regularly and from 8/95 there was no coming back. Left-arm spinner Dan Pascoe did the damage for KCC, picking up 5/30 from his ten over spell. A last wicket partnership between Tanveer Ahmed and Saad Mohammad was the best for the U19s as the finished on 186 from 48.5 overs.

At KCC: KCC 7/326 from 50 overs beat HKCA U19s 186 from 48.5 overs by 140 runs. Scorecard

Source: HK Cricket Association

Hong Kong Bar Association on Zhang Xiaoming’s Speech

Further reaction to Zhang Xiaoming’s speech on Saturday when he stated that Hong Kong’s Chief Executive enjoys a special legal position that puts him above the legislature and judiciary. The Hong Kong Bar Association said in an eight-page statement in both Chinese and English that the role of Hong Kong’s chief executive was clearly defined in the city’s mini-constitution and could not be said to be above the law.

Here is the Press Statement of HKBA – English – 14 September, 2015 in full.

HK Domestic Cricket Round-up: 12-13 September 2015

HK Domestic Cricket Round-up: 12-13 September 2015

Saturday, 12th September 2015
Three matches were played in the second week of the season with Hong Kong Cricket Club Witherers beating Kowloon Cricket Club Crusaders in a thriller while KCC Tartars and CCC Jing Sun played out a tie. In Division Two, SCC Lancers had a seven wicket win over Kai Tak at PKVR Park.

Saturday Championship Division 1
At Hong Kong Cricket Club, hosts HKCC Witherers batted first and posted 9/184 from their 35 overs with Charlie Bright hitting 40 at the top of the order and Andrew Jacobs finishing unbeaten on 41. In reply, KCC Crusaders look good early but four wickets to Anton Buntin and three to Tobias Raper knocked them over for 179.
At HKCC: HKCC Witherers 9/184 from 35 overs beat KCC Crusaders 179 from 33.1 overs by 5 runs

Over at Kowloon Cricket Club, KCC Tartars and CCC Jing Sun played out a thrilling tie. Tartars batted first after winning the toss and they scored 170 from 34.5 overs. Tartar’s top scorer was Ankur Sharma with 32 while Reid Mawdsley picked up 3/31 for CCC. In reply, CCC Jing Sun got to 4/134 but lost their last six wickets for 36 runs as the match finished in a tie. Chris Harris top scored for CCC Jing Sun while Ateeq ul-Rehman claimed 4/26 and Ghulam Mustafa picked 3/40 for Tartars.
At KCC: KCC Tartars 170 from 34.5 overs tied with CCC Jing Sun 170 from 33.1 overs.

Saturday Championship Division 2
At Po Kong Village Road Reservoir Ground (PKVR), SCC Lancers dismissed Kai Tak for just 97 and cruised to victory in less than 20 overs. Kai Tak batted first after wining the toss bu they were pegged back early with the loss of both openers with only 12 runs on the board. Saurav Biswas helped lead a mini revival for Kai Tak but his 24 was their best on the day as the last 6 wickets could only muster 22 runs. The wickets were shared around by the Lancers’ bowlers with Nitesh Talwar, Rahul Tonapi and Tauseef Bukhari all claiming three each. An unbeaten 55 from Soma Nair was more than enough to see SCC Lancers to victory in 19.3 overs.
At PKVR Park: Kai Tak 97 from 24.1 overs lost to SCC Lancers 3/98 from 19.3 overs by 7 wickets.

Sunday, 13th September 2015

Women’s Twenty20 Cup
In the second week of the Women’s T20 Cup, HKCC Willow Wielders, DLSW Wasps and CCC Fung Wong were victorious.

In the early game, CCC Fung Wong scored a nine wicket victory after dismissing PACC for 22 in just 8.5 overs. The CCC women only needed 4.4 overs to knock off the required runs.
At PKVR Reservoir: PACC 22 from 8.5 overs lost to CCC Fung Wong 1/25 from 4.4 overs by 9 wickets.

There was an even more lop-sided game in the second match of the day with HKCC Willow Wielders thumping USRC by ten wickets. None of the USRC batters could register a run as USRC was dismissed for 23 in ten overs with Subhadra Bandyopadhyay picking up 7-2 from three overs. HKCC Willow Wielders had no trouble knocking off the wining runs in 4 overs.
At PKVR Reservoir: USRC 23 from 10 overs lost to HKCC Willow Wielders 0/24 from 4 overs by 10 wickets.

The final game of the day did see some decent action as DLSW Wasps beat KCC Maidens by 64 runs. Shanzeen Shahzad hit 65 and Yousaf Mehreen scored 61 as the Wasps scored an impressive 3/161 from their 20 overs. In reply, KCC Maidens could only manage 7/97 from their 20 overs with Shanzeen and Kinza Zahid picking up two wickets each.
At PKVR Reservoir: DLSW Wasps 3/161 from 20 overs beat KCC Maidens 7/97 from 20 overs by 64 runs.

One-Day Premier League
The One Day Premier League competition kicked off with defending champions HKCC taking on DLSWCC Prism at Hong Kong Cricket Club and KCC facing the HKCA U19s at Kowloon Cricket Club. Both matches were scored live on Cricinfo for the first time.

At Hong Kong Cricket Club, Little Sai Wan Prism stunned the hosts by 123 runs thanks to a brilliant batting effort that saw them post 6/332 from their 50 overs. Babar Hayat scored the first century of the season with a run-a-ball 100 while Ehsan Khan hit 83 runs. The pair shared a 163 run partnership before Munir Dar (54) and Shahid Wasif (49*) smashed 90 runs off 33 balls to lift DLSW to their big total.

HKCC made a good fist of their reply, being well ahead of the DLSW score in the early stages of their innings. But the regular loss of wickets blighted their chase and they eventually fell 123 runs short. Nizakat Khan’s 46 was the best for HKCC, sharing an 84-run partnership with Courtney Kruger who scored 42, while Simon Cook and Dlajeet Singh both struck 31. Ehsan Khan did the damage with the ball for DLSW, claiming 5/37 from his 8 over spell.
At HKCC: DLSW Prism 6/332 from 50 overs beat HKCC 209 from 40.1 overs by 123 runs

In the day’s other match, Kowloon Cricket Club defeated the HKCA Under-19s by 140 runs at Kowloon Cricket Club. KCC plundered the U19s attack for 326 runs off their 50 overs with Jamie Atkinson hitting 93 and Kincit Shah and Ryan Campbell completing half-centuries. Tanveer Ahmed was the best of the U19s bowlers, picking up 3/54 from his ten over spell.

In reply, the U19s started solidly with the openers putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. But wickets tumbled regularly and from 8/95 there was no coming back. Left-arm spinner Dan Pascoe did the damage for KCC, picking up 5/30 from his ten over spell. A last wicket partnership between Tanveer Ahmed and Saad Mohammad worth 72 runs was the best for the U19s as the finished on 186 from 48.5 overs.
At KCC: KCC 7/326 from 50 overs beat HKCA U19s 186 from 48.5 overs by 140 runs.

Source: HK Cricket Association

Police Re-Write History to Remove Communists

The Hong Kong Police Force website has been re-writing history in an apparent attempt “clean up” the ‎Communist Party and pro-China individuals reputations. Words like “communist” have been removed in several places as have details of communists making bombs at school & setting up “struggle committees” during the 1967 communist instigated riots.

Another comment on a trend back then that resembles Hong Kong today has been removed “wealthy businessmen who had blessed the troubles, the “red fat cats” dispatched their children to universities in the much-disparaged United States and Britain”

As have all mentions of “Little Red Book”

Here is the original text from the Internet archive and ‘new’ version of history – deleted parts in bold

Police website text in 2010 – source
This brief flurry was but a rehearsal for the following spring. In China, the political turmoil spread and eventually lashed Hong Kong. Inflamed by rhetoric, fuelled by misplaced ideas of nationalism, huge mobs marched on Government House, waving aloft the Little Red Book and shouting slogans. Ranks of police faced crowds hurling insults, spitting, sometimes throwing acid. Never have strict discipline and stringent training paid such dividends. Staunchly, the thin khaki line held firm. Those early days in May 1967 were the start of a torrid, worrying summer. The mass protests tapered off, to be replaced by a campaign of terror and bombing. Bus and tram drivers were threatened, sometimes attacked if they went to work to keep Hong Kong on the move. Bombs were made in classrooms of left-wing schools and planted indiscriminately on the streets. Struggle committees were formed to foment strife against the government, although it was swiftly apparent none of the leaders to go to China to participate in the nationwide strife that was taking such an appalling toll, and the wealthy businessmen who had blessed the troubles, the “red fat cats” dispatched their children to universities in the much-disparaged United States and Britain.

Through the tear smoke and the terror, the police held firm. They never quavered.

Their loyalty was never in doubt. And in a remarkable show of support, the public rallied to their side. It was the common people of Hong Kong, and the police sworn to protect them, who turned the tide. The insanity gradually ebbed.

But was worse to come. In the most serious single incident of that year of violence, communist militia opened fire from the Chinese side of the border. Five policemen were cut down in the hail of bullets, nine others were injured. They were among a death toll which included bomb disposal officers killed trying to defuse booby-traps in city streets. The entire population was revolted by the bombings, particularly when a seven-year-old girl and her brother, aged two, playing outside their North Point home were killed.

Revived Police Website text
This brief flurry was but a rehearsal for the following spring. In China, the political turmoil spread and eventually lashed Hong Kong. Inflamed by rhetoric, fuelled by misplaced ideas of nationalism, huge mobs marched on Government House. Ranks of police faced crowds hurling insults, spitting, sometimes throwing acid. Never have strict discipline and stringent training paid such dividends. Staunchly, the thin khaki line held firm. In May 1967, the mass protests tapered off, but to be replaced by a campaign of terror and bombing. Bombs were planted indiscriminately on the streets.

Through the tear smoke and the terror, the police held firm. They never quavered. Their loyalty was never in doubt. And in a remarkable show of support, the public rallied to their side. It was the common people of Hong Kong, and the police sworn to protect them, who turned the tide. The insanity gradually ebbed.

But was worse to come. In the most serious single incident of that year of violence, gunmen opened fire from the border area in Sha Tau Kok. Five policemen were shot dead in the hail of bullets, nine others were injured. They were among a death toll which included bomb disposal officers killed trying to defuse booby-traps in city streets. The entire population was revolted by the bombings, particularly when a seven-year-old girl and her brother, aged two, playing outside their North Point home were killed.

UPDATE
As the public increasingly criticises the police for re-writing history on its website, Police Commissioner Steven Lo Wai-chung is reported to have responded that the “streamlined version” is to match modern reading habits as the original version was “too long to fit in the page and people may lose interest in reading it.”

Sources: 本土新聞Local Press, PassionTimes 熱血時報, 蘋果日報, Hong Kong Police Force, Real Hong Kong News, Internet Archive Wayback Machine

HK Tap Festival 2015

Hong Kong Tap Festival 2015
18-26 September 2015
Honorary Advisor: Mandy Petty

RONxll (Hisao Ogatsu), who is regarded as one of the greatest tappers in Japan, is the Hong Kong Tap festival’s featured guest tapper. RONxll style is characterised by his great skill and dexterity. He has performed on many stages and in various movies, including his role as the choreographer and dancer in Zatoichi, directed by the well-known Japanese director Takeshi Kitano. In the movie RONxll astonishes the audience with a unique style of tap dancing wearing traditional Japanese wooden clogs. He’s also performed and participated in numerous tap shows and tap festivals, including Noise & Funk, a Broadway musical directed and choreographed by the tap master Savion Glover; Human Rhythm Project of Chicago Tap Festival; REVO TRAP Live at Hyogo Performing Arts Center; Tap Together of Taipei Tap Festival.

The Hong Kong Tap Festival 2015 (HKTF 2015) also presents guest workshop for tap dance lovers to join. There will be 15 classes in 3 consecutive days at CCDC Dance Centre, taught by three Japanese tap masters. Students can learn from the Festival’s featured guests, taking glimpses into their dancing and teaching. Aspire to enhance your understanding and knowledge of the global trend in tap dance? It’s something you shouldn’t miss!

Gala Performances: Beat Me Tap
Venue: Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre
Date and time:
25/09/2015 (Fri五) 8pm#
26/09//2015 (Sat六) 3pm
26/09/2015 (Sat六) 8pm
Ticket Price : $180, $140*

#Meet-the-artist session on 25 Sept.
*Discount tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder and full-time students.

Guest Tappers/Choreographers:
RONxII (Hisao Ogatsu) (JP)
PORI (Yuta Hori) (JP)
ton (Tomomi Kodota) (JP)
Dance Works (TW)
Hou-jiung “Little Eyes” Chen (TW)

Local Tappers/Choreographers:
Ken Kwok, Eve Leung, Tan- ki Wong, Calvin Tang, Marix Ho, To Chan, Rex Chiu, The Autistic Genius, Ani Wan, Vanessa Lee

Presented by: R&T (Rhythm & Tempo)
Artistic Director: Ken Kwok
Producer: Chi-wing Wong
Live Band: Patrick Lui
Technical Director: Benny Shaw
Deputy Stage Manager: Adonic Lo
Assistant Stage Manager: Gary Cheung
Sound Designer: CanDog
Lighting Designer: Adonic Lo
Graphic Designer: Wing-suet Lo
Video: C.PRODUCTION HOUSE
Ticketing: Man-yan Ho

Tickets are NOW available at URBTIX
Programme Enquiries: 6804 6297
Ticketing Enquiries: 3761 6661 (10am-8pm Daily)
Credit Card Telephone Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
Mobile Ticketing App Booking: My URBTIX(Android and iPhone/iPad Versions)

*Participants of age 6 or above are welcome.
*The presenter reserves the right to substitute artists and change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.
*For information of other HKTF 2015 events including guest workshops, sharing session and Fun Tap Jam, please check out our other promotional materials.
www.facebook.com/HKTAPFEST
www.RNTTAP.com

香港踢躂節2015
18-26/09/2015
榮譽顧問：敏迪貝蒂

大匯演＜拍・我・踢躂＞
地點： 西灣河文娛中心劇院
日期及時間:
25/09/2015 (Fri) 8pm#
26/09//2015 (Sat) 3pm
26/09/2015 (Sat) 8pm
票價： $180, $140*

#9月25日演出後設有演後藝人談。
*設有六十歲或以上高齡人士、殘疾人士及看護人、全日制學生票半價優惠。

嘉賓舞者：
RONxII (小勝久生 Hisao Ogatsu) (日本)
PORI (堀雄太 Yuta Hori) (日本)
ton (門田巴魅Tomomi Kodota) (日本)
舞工廠舞團 (台灣)
陳厚均（小眼睛） (台灣)
本地編創舞者：
郭偉傑、梁美嘉、王丹琦、鄧偉豐、何威智、陳濤、趙浩然、結界達人、尹巧茵、李佳齡

主辦: R&T (Rhythm & Tempo)
藝術總監：郭偉傑
監製: 黃志榮
現場音樂：雷柏熹
技術總監：邵少威
執行舞台監督：羅兆鏵
助理舞台監督：張繼業
音響：夏恩蓓
燈光設計：羅兆鏵
平面設計：羅永雪
錄像： C.PRODUCTION HOUSE
票務：賀文欣

門票現正在城市售票網發售。
節目查詢： 6804 6297
票務查詢： 3761 6661 (10am-8pm每日Daily)
信用卡電話購票： 2111 5999
網上購票： www.urbtix.hk
流動購票應用程式購票： My URBTIX(Android and iPhone/iPad Versions)

*適合6歲或以上人士參與。
*如遇特殊情況，主辦機構保留更換節目及表演者的權利。
*其他有關香港踢躂節2015的活動如大師工作坊、分享會及即興踢躂匯，請留意我們其他的宣傳刊物。
www.facebook.com/HKTAPFEST
www.RNTTAP.com

HK Tap Festival 2015 Gala Performances
Date: 25-26 September, 2015
Venue: Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, Theatre
Tickets: $180 from Urbtix
More info:
25.09.2015 (Fri) 8pm
26.09.2015 (Sat) 8pm, 3pm

Zhang Xiaoming’s Comments Devoid of Legal Basis

Not that the ‘Rule of Law’ means anything in China where a ‘contract’ is often worth less than the paper it’s written on, but according to the Progressive Lawyers Group, Zhang Xiaoming’s recent statement has no legal basis under the Basic Law.

The Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office, Zhang Xiaoming, said on the 12 September that the Chief Executive’s (CE) position transcends that of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and that separation of powers between these three branches of government can only be applied at the level of a sovereign.

The Progressive Lawyers Group considers such views to be devoid of legal basis for the following reasons.

(1) The CE’s position stems from the Basic Law, with no “special legal status”

The Basic Law has constitutional status in Hong Kong SAR, and is the source which sets out the CE’s powers. The SAR’s affairs, including the CE’s roles and limits on his powers, are provided for under the Basic Law, and cannot be altered simply by some apparatchik claiming that the CE is the means by which the Central Government rules Hong Kong:

– Article 2 of the Basic Law clearly states that Hong Kong enjoys executive, legislative, and independent judicial (including the power of final adjudication) powers.

– Article 11 of the Basic Law requires that Hong Kong’s systems in respect of executive, legislature and judiciary shall be based on the Basic Law itself.

– Article 59 of the Basic Law stipulates that the SAR Government is the executive branch of government in Hong Kong, and that the CE is the head of the SAR Government. Thus, the CE is clearly and merely part of the executive branch, and does not in any way enjoy a status which transcends the executive branch.

– Article 64 of the Basic Law also states that the SAR Government must abide by the law. Thus, as the head of the SAR Government, the CR must abide by and cannot transcend the law, including the Basic Law.

As can be seen, under the Basic Law, there does not exist any so-called special legal position when it comes to the CE’s role in Hong Kong’s political system. Thus, Zhang Xiaoming’s statements are devoid of legal basis.

(2) Separation of powers between the three branches of government is not only applicable at the sovereign level, the CE is subject to legislative and judicial checks

The separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, where they operate independently but also subject to checks on each other’s powers, is something that is currently applicable to the national, state and even local governments of many democratic jurisdictions. Zhang Xiaoming’s assertion that this concept is applicable only at the level of the sovereign clearly shows his ignorance in this regard.

As to Hong Kong, looking at the provisions of the Basic Law as a whole, the existence of such separation of powers is relatively clear, and was affirmed by the Court of Final Appeal (see Leung Kwok Hung v The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2014), paragraph 27). The Basic Law clearly delineates Hong Kong’s executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and in a various parts set out provisions which create checks on each other’s powers. For example:

– Article 64 of the Basic Law states that the SAR Government must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council.

– Articles 49, 50, 51 and 76 states that the CE’s checks on the Legislative Council, such as the special circumstances when he can dissolve the Legislative Council.

– As regards the judiciary, Article 80 of the Basic Law states that the various courts of Hong Kong constitute the Hong Kong’s judiciary, which exercises the Hong Kong SAR’s judicial power, and the independence of the judiciary is protected by Article 85: “The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference”.

(3) Zhang Xiaoming should seek to familiarise himself with the Basic Law

Zhang Xiaoming graduated with law degrees from Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Renmin University of China, both of which are apparently colleges of renown within Mainland China. However, his remarks on Saturday demonstrated his twisting and ignorance of the law, which is a disservice to his alma mater’s reputation. Rather than yet again sowing trouble and discord in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming the apparatchik should seek first to familiarise himself with the Basic Law before saying anything further on these topics. In short, Zhang’s comments are so patently absurd that those seeking to defend him should be careful of being seen as sailing too close to the wind, lest they end up also appearing as buffoons themselves.

Progressive Lawyers Group
14 September 2015
https://www.facebook.com/proglawgroup

Originally published in The Stand News

The Progressive Lawyers Group are a group of Hong Kong lawyers dedicated to promoting core values of rule of law, judicial independence, democracy, human rights, freedom, and justice.

Megabites: Portobello Burger

New on the Maya takeaway menu is the delicious Portobello burger – layers of either cashew truffle cheeze or spicy sunflower cheeze with lettuce and tomato sandwiched between two massive portobello mushrooms with some raw mash on the side ($88). And no I’m not one of those health food obsessed vegetarians, I’m a healthy meat loving hedonist, who isn’t put off by the raw, vegan, gluten free mumbo and just enjoys good tasty food, well prepared. That my body may benefit is pleasant a side-affect. Just as stress relief is happy side effect of a night drinking Jack Daniels with friends.

Maya Cafe
Shop G7, Nan Fung Tower, 173 des Voeux Road, Central. Tel: 2111 4553