Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
@aimenlau.bsky.social
🇭🇰🇲🇾🇨🇦 | Information Operations and Transnational Repression Research | formerly at Alliance Canada Hong Kong and Doublethink Lab | she/elle | views are my fault
Pinned
Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
@aimenlau.bsky.social
· Jan 10
Books I read in 2025
1) Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
A political satire inspired by the 2017 coup that ended Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe told through the perspective of animals. The use of animals as a metaphor wasn’t the most effective for me, the book was an overall fun read
1) Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
A political satire inspired by the 2017 coup that ended Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe told through the perspective of animals. The use of animals as a metaphor wasn’t the most effective for me, the book was an overall fun read
I am having flashbacks that are making me both incredibly proud and worried
A HK university student has created a petition urging the gov't to respond to "4 big demands" after the deadly Tai Po fire, including setting up an independent investigation committee. In full: buff.ly/86gUoQk
HK student urges gov't to respond to 4 demands after fatal Tai Po fire
A HK university student has created a petition urging the gov't to respond to "4 big demands" after the deadly Tai Po fire, including setting up an independent investigation committee.
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 2:19 AM
I am having flashbacks that are making me both incredibly proud and worried
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
A HK university student has created a petition urging the gov't to respond to "4 big demands" after the deadly Tai Po fire, including setting up an independent investigation committee. In full: buff.ly/86gUoQk
HK student urges gov't to respond to 4 demands after fatal Tai Po fire
A HK university student has created a petition urging the gov't to respond to "4 big demands" after the deadly Tai Po fire, including setting up an independent investigation committee.
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
A HK university student has created a petition urging the gov't to respond to "4 big demands" after the deadly Tai Po fire, including setting up an independent investigation committee. In full: buff.ly/86gUoQk
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
“There was no alarm,” said Ng Yuk-fan, a 62-year-old retired cleaner who was babysitting her 3-year-old grandson. “If there had been an alarm, you would have heard it go la-la-la-la-la,” she said.
Latest on the deadly Hong Kong fire:
www.wsj.com/world/asia/t...
Latest on the deadly Hong Kong fire:
www.wsj.com/world/asia/t...
‘There Was No Alarm’: Hong Kong Inferno Spread Across Towers in Silence
Shrouded buildings and broken alarms left many apartment dwellers unaware of the unfolding disaster.
www.wsj.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:56 PM
“There was no alarm,” said Ng Yuk-fan, a 62-year-old retired cleaner who was babysitting her 3-year-old grandson. “If there had been an alarm, you would have heard it go la-la-la-la-la,” she said.
Latest on the deadly Hong Kong fire:
www.wsj.com/world/asia/t...
Latest on the deadly Hong Kong fire:
www.wsj.com/world/asia/t...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
The aftermath begins.
As far back as Sept 2024, Hong Kong’s Labour Department dismissed resident concerns that the scaffolding nets were unsafe, saying the materials met safety standards, based on documents from Prestige Construction and Engineering
(🎁 Free to read)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
As far back as Sept 2024, Hong Kong’s Labour Department dismissed resident concerns that the scaffolding nets were unsafe, saying the materials met safety standards, based on documents from Prestige Construction and Engineering
(🎁 Free to read)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Officials Had Been Warned for Over a Year Before Hong Kong Fire
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 AM
The aftermath begins.
As far back as Sept 2024, Hong Kong’s Labour Department dismissed resident concerns that the scaffolding nets were unsafe, saying the materials met safety standards, based on documents from Prestige Construction and Engineering
(🎁 Free to read)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
As far back as Sept 2024, Hong Kong’s Labour Department dismissed resident concerns that the scaffolding nets were unsafe, saying the materials met safety standards, based on documents from Prestige Construction and Engineering
(🎁 Free to read)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
I have also spoken to a journalist that lives in the neighborhood and he has confirmed that the government "care teams" have started taking over relief centers, kicking out volunteers and taking over supplies donated by the general public.
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I have also spoken to a journalist that lives in the neighborhood and he has confirmed that the government "care teams" have started taking over relief centers, kicking out volunteers and taking over supplies donated by the general public.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
I’ve seen the Wang Fuk fire variously described in int’l media as HK’s “worst fire since WW2” or even “in more than 100 years.”
The death toll is still sadly rising but a quick factcheck for now: both the 1948 Wing On godown fire and 1947 SS Sai On fire were, as things currently stand, more deadly.
The death toll is still sadly rising but a quick factcheck for now: both the 1948 Wing On godown fire and 1947 SS Sai On fire were, as things currently stand, more deadly.
November 28, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I’ve seen the Wang Fuk fire variously described in int’l media as HK’s “worst fire since WW2” or even “in more than 100 years.”
The death toll is still sadly rising but a quick factcheck for now: both the 1948 Wing On godown fire and 1947 SS Sai On fire were, as things currently stand, more deadly.
The death toll is still sadly rising but a quick factcheck for now: both the 1948 Wing On godown fire and 1947 SS Sai On fire were, as things currently stand, more deadly.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
NEW:🦁The Lion Rock spirit in action: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/28/g... #hongkong @hongkongfp.com
A grassroots relief effort has sprung to life across Tai Po, and online, as Hongkongers rally to volunteer, offer food, shelter and clothing to the victims of the #TaiPo fire tragedy.
A grassroots relief effort has sprung to life across Tai Po, and online, as Hongkongers rally to volunteer, offer food, shelter and clothing to the victims of the #TaiPo fire tragedy.
November 28, 2025 at 3:17 AM
NEW:🦁The Lion Rock spirit in action: hongkongfp.com/2025/11/28/g... #hongkong @hongkongfp.com
A grassroots relief effort has sprung to life across Tai Po, and online, as Hongkongers rally to volunteer, offer food, shelter and clothing to the victims of the #TaiPo fire tragedy.
A grassroots relief effort has sprung to life across Tai Po, and online, as Hongkongers rally to volunteer, offer food, shelter and clothing to the victims of the #TaiPo fire tragedy.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Having all the live news feeds open and feeling restless and helpless is both nostalgic and triggering.
November 28, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Having all the live news feeds open and feeling restless and helpless is both nostalgic and triggering.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
"7k for a house like a cell and you really think we out here scared of jail?”
November 28, 2025 at 2:09 AM
"7k for a house like a cell and you really think we out here scared of jail?”
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Nearly a year has passed since Assad’s regime collapsed. Disinformation has only intensified, shaping public opinion and deepening uncertainty.
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
Disinformation is fueling fear and division in Syria’s new political landscape. In this earlier piece, @noura.bsky.social breaks down the emergent trends in disinformation in Syria as well as the actors and tactics shaping the narrative.
timep.org/2025/01/30/t...
timep.org/2025/01/30/t...
Truth in Transition: Disinformation in Post-Assad Syria
Disinformation fuels fear and division in Syria’s new political landscape, eroding trust and blocking the path to a peaceful political transition.
timep.org
November 22, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Nearly a year has passed since Assad’s regime collapsed. Disinformation has only intensified, shaping public opinion and deepening uncertainty.
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
"Starting tonight, the Government will provide an emergency cash subsidy of HK$10,000 to each affected household to offer immediate relief."
10, 000 HKD (1,285.45 USD) feels like such a slap in the face for those who lost loved ones and watched their entire lives destroyed by the fire
10, 000 HKD (1,285.45 USD) feels like such a slap in the face for those who lost loved ones and watched their entire lives destroyed by the fire
Government undertakes comprehensive follow-up on Tai Po fire (with photos/video)
www.info.gov.hk
November 28, 2025 at 12:41 AM
"Starting tonight, the Government will provide an emergency cash subsidy of HK$10,000 to each affected household to offer immediate relief."
10, 000 HKD (1,285.45 USD) feels like such a slap in the face for those who lost loved ones and watched their entire lives destroyed by the fire
10, 000 HKD (1,285.45 USD) feels like such a slap in the face for those who lost loved ones and watched their entire lives destroyed by the fire
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Wrote on views of Takaichi in Taiwan in my latest for @NikkeiAsia. Takaichi's domestic viewpoints are very out of step with the progressive values contemporary Taiwan holds dear, making her the latest right-wing actor to uncomfortably back Taiwan
asia.nikkei.com/opinion/taiw...
asia.nikkei.com/opinion/taiw...
Taiwan's cautious embrace of Japan's new hawkish prime minister
Taipei welcomes Takaichi's comments on Taiwan, even as Japan's right wing uses island for its own ends
asia.nikkei.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Wrote on views of Takaichi in Taiwan in my latest for @NikkeiAsia. Takaichi's domestic viewpoints are very out of step with the progressive values contemporary Taiwan holds dear, making her the latest right-wing actor to uncomfortably back Taiwan
asia.nikkei.com/opinion/taiw...
asia.nikkei.com/opinion/taiw...
Important context as well
Perhaps you might not realize that Beijing and now GovHK wants to end the use of bamboo because Chinese state-owned construction companies can't get a sniff into the Hong Kong market as they have no expertise.
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
November 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Important context as well
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
(7:07 am) Hour 41 of the Tai Po fire
November 27, 2025 at 11:17 PM
(7:07 am) Hour 41 of the Tai Po fire
Anndddddd I was sent this piece which places blame solely on cites bamboo scaffolding as the reason for the rapid spread of the fire
November 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Anndddddd I was sent this piece which places blame solely on cites bamboo scaffolding as the reason for the rapid spread of the fire
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Hongkongers really do community so well.
Hongkongers built their own SOS map as seven towers burned
When a fatal fire tore through seven high-rise towers in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, thousands of families were glued to a single webpage that offered updates far more quickly than official governmen...
www.abc.net.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Hongkongers really do community so well.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Further political context: In the 2019 District Council elections, all 19 of the elected seats of Tai Po District Council were won by "yellow" (i.e., Hong Kong pro-democracy) candidates. The pro-Beijing camp was completely wiped out bar for the two ex officio members of the 21 person strong body.
This 2024 post from the DAB’s Peggy Wong is quickly becoming infamous.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
November 27, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Further political context: In the 2019 District Council elections, all 19 of the elected seats of Tai Po District Council were won by "yellow" (i.e., Hong Kong pro-democracy) candidates. The pro-Beijing camp was completely wiped out bar for the two ex officio members of the 21 person strong body.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Folks often forget the fight for democracy in HK isn’t a “Beijing vs us” thing in matters of human rights - I mean that matters too - but also the fight for local representation so that problems like these don’t get swept under the rug
This 2024 post from the DAB’s Peggy Wong is quickly becoming infamous.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
November 27, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Folks often forget the fight for democracy in HK isn’t a “Beijing vs us” thing in matters of human rights - I mean that matters too - but also the fight for local representation so that problems like these don’t get swept under the rug
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
This 2024 post from the DAB’s Peggy Wong is quickly becoming infamous.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
November 27, 2025 at 7:37 AM
This 2024 post from the DAB’s Peggy Wong is quickly becoming infamous.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
November 27, 2025 at 9:17 AM
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
🚨 journo job! 🚨
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
China Correspondent
Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers award-winning, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of journalists, c...
workwithus.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
🚨 journo job! 🚨
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
This fire is going to be a headache for Beijing in Hong Kong because:
1. Some loyalists politicians in Hong Kong are involved in the building renovation scandal leading to this disaster.
2. Beijing still does not have the ability to fully control the narrative, at least not on the social media.
1. Some loyalists politicians in Hong Kong are involved in the building renovation scandal leading to this disaster.
2. Beijing still does not have the ability to fully control the narrative, at least not on the social media.
Over 750 firefighters have been deployed to tackle Wednesday's deadly fire at a Tai Po housing estate, which has left at least 13 dead and 30 injured. In full: buff.ly/AzB4aq0
Over 750 firefighters deployed to deadly Tai Po estate fire; at least 13 dead as China's Xi sends condolences | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Over 750 firefighters have been deployed to tackle Wednesday’s deadly fire at a Tai Po housing estate, which has left at least 13 dead and 30 injured. Bamboo scaffolding, erected as part of large-scale...
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 3:17 AM
This fire is going to be a headache for Beijing in Hong Kong because:
1. Some loyalists politicians in Hong Kong are involved in the building renovation scandal leading to this disaster.
2. Beijing still does not have the ability to fully control the narrative, at least not on the social media.
1. Some loyalists politicians in Hong Kong are involved in the building renovation scandal leading to this disaster.
2. Beijing still does not have the ability to fully control the narrative, at least not on the social media.
Reposted by Ai-Men Lau 劉羿雯
Hoping Western journalists stop jumping on the bandwagon of blaming the bamboo scaffolding and completely glossing over the negligence of the building developer that the residents themselves have been complaining about. (but you know how it is)
November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Hoping Western journalists stop jumping on the bandwagon of blaming the bamboo scaffolding and completely glossing over the negligence of the building developer that the residents themselves have been complaining about. (but you know how it is)