lokman tsui
@lokman.org
writer, recovering academic, amateur activist, with a focus on free speech, new technologies, and hong kong. fellow @citizenlab.ca. he/him. writing a personal history of home and authoritarianism.
CNN, please don't be so dismissive of Cantonese.
It is a proper language spoken by a lot of people (estimate around 80 million).
This from the same CNN reporter who wrote an article blaming bamboo for the Tai Po fire.
cc: @klustout.bsky.social
It is a proper language spoken by a lot of people (estimate around 80 million).
This from the same CNN reporter who wrote an article blaming bamboo for the Tai Po fire.
cc: @klustout.bsky.social
No thanks to CNN for marginalizing Cantonese in this article about Chinese gender pronouns:
🙄 Set in Hong Kong but first mention of Cantonese is 25 paragraphs in
🙄 Dismisses it as "an informal and colloquial language"
🙄 Writes 他 five times but refuses to write 佢 (Canto)
www.cnn.com/2025/12/25/c...
🙄 Set in Hong Kong but first mention of Cantonese is 25 paragraphs in
🙄 Dismisses it as "an informal and colloquial language"
🙄 Writes 他 five times but refuses to write 佢 (Canto)
www.cnn.com/2025/12/25/c...
Soon you may be able to type a new Chinese character: the gender-neutral pronoun | CNN
Chinese pronouns are largely split between female and male – prompting LGBTQ activists to invent their own gender-neutral pronoun. That movement just took a big step forward.
www.cnn.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
CNN, please don't be so dismissive of Cantonese.
It is a proper language spoken by a lot of people (estimate around 80 million).
This from the same CNN reporter who wrote an article blaming bamboo for the Tai Po fire.
cc: @klustout.bsky.social
It is a proper language spoken by a lot of people (estimate around 80 million).
This from the same CNN reporter who wrote an article blaming bamboo for the Tai Po fire.
cc: @klustout.bsky.social
Reposted by lokman tsui
手空空，無一物，路遙遙，無止境。 亂離中，流浪裏，餓我體膚勞我精。 艱險我奮進，困乏我多情。 千斤擔子兩肩挑， 趁青春，結隊向前行。 珍重珍重，這是我新亞精神。 珍重珍重，這是我新亞精神。
Amidst chaos, flux, starve my body, grind my spirit. I persevere in hardship, am steadfast in adversity ... while youth lasts, we march forward together. Cherish, cherish, this is the spirit of New Asia!
Amidst chaos, flux, starve my body, grind my spirit. I persevere in hardship, am steadfast in adversity ... while youth lasts, we march forward together. Cherish, cherish, this is the spirit of New Asia!
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s New Asia College Student Union has suspended its operations, making it the third college union at the school to do so in the span of a week. In full: buff.ly/BnSIRKW
Third student union at Chinese University of Hong Kong suspends operations in a week
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s New Asia College Student Union has suspended its operations, making it the third college union at the school to do so in the span of a week.
buff.ly
December 29, 2025 at 12:54 AM
手空空，無一物，路遙遙，無止境。 亂離中，流浪裏，餓我體膚勞我精。 艱險我奮進，困乏我多情。 千斤擔子兩肩挑， 趁青春，結隊向前行。 珍重珍重，這是我新亞精神。 珍重珍重，這是我新亞精神。
Amidst chaos, flux, starve my body, grind my spirit. I persevere in hardship, am steadfast in adversity ... while youth lasts, we march forward together. Cherish, cherish, this is the spirit of New Asia!
Amidst chaos, flux, starve my body, grind my spirit. I persevere in hardship, am steadfast in adversity ... while youth lasts, we march forward together. Cherish, cherish, this is the spirit of New Asia!
Reposted by lokman tsui
@indexoncensorship.org reports:
"In Hong Kong, force majeure means political pressure"
tinyurl.com/5xn4c9be
#HongKong #NSL #CCP #Censorship
"In Hong Kong, force majeure means political pressure"
tinyurl.com/5xn4c9be
#HongKong #NSL #CCP #Censorship
In Hong Kong, force majeure means political pressure - Index on Censorship
Hong Kong authorities are using the blanket term to stifle events and voices which they find uncomfortable
tinyurl.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
@indexoncensorship.org reports:
"In Hong Kong, force majeure means political pressure"
tinyurl.com/5xn4c9be
#HongKong #NSL #CCP #Censorship
"In Hong Kong, force majeure means political pressure"
tinyurl.com/5xn4c9be
#HongKong #NSL #CCP #Censorship
Reposted by lokman tsui
Exiled journalism’s biggest threat is something more mundane than censorship
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/exil...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/exil...
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Exiled journalism’s biggest threat is something more mundane than censorship
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/exil...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/exil...
Reposted by lokman tsui
When the Hong Kong fire occurred, initial international media coverage focused on bamboo scaffolding. This Orientalised and exoticised the tragedy, obscuring the fact that it was not just an accident, but an outcome shaped by long-term neglect and inequality, writes @tingguowrites.bsky.social.
The Distance Between Us | Made in China Journal
A week after the devastating fire that claimed at least 159 lives in Hong Kong on 26 November, people were still queuing daily for hours until after midnight to join the mourning. As flowers, gifts, a...
madeinchinajournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
When the Hong Kong fire occurred, initial international media coverage focused on bamboo scaffolding. This Orientalised and exoticised the tragedy, obscuring the fact that it was not just an accident, but an outcome shaped by long-term neglect and inequality, writes @tingguowrites.bsky.social.
Reposted by lokman tsui
Context: the #HongKong Government budgeted 77% more on promotion this year than in 2021 Legco Election.
With 4 more hours of voting:
• 2025 turnout rate will likely exceed the 2021 percentage of 30.20%
• Votes cast as of 7:30p are still fewer than 2021, but with the extra hour of voting this year it _should_ surpass 2021 as well
• 2025 turnout rate will likely exceed the 2021 percentage of 30.20%
• Votes cast as of 7:30p are still fewer than 2021, but with the extra hour of voting this year it _should_ surpass 2021 as well
As of 7:30pm:
Turnout percentage: 27.47% (2025*) vs 26.49% (2021)
Votes: 1,134,652 (2025*) vs 1,184,829 (2021)
Turnout percentage: 27.47% (2025*) vs 26.49% (2021)
Votes: 1,134,652 (2025*) vs 1,184,829 (2021)
December 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Context: the #HongKong Government budgeted 77% more on promotion this year than in 2021 Legco Election.
Reposted by lokman tsui
Here's a graph for the nerds
December 7, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Here's a graph for the nerds
Reposted by lokman tsui
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by lokman tsui
A 71-year old man was arrested by national security police for posting comments suggesting the central government and Hong Kong government were the ones causing chaos, and that Beijing’s disaster assistance was merely “performative”
news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/comp...
news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/comp...
宏福苑五級火｜國安處拘71歲男子涉發表煽動言論及披露助查內容 - RTHK
一名71歲男子涉嫌在社交平台公開協助調查後的內容，及發放涉及大埔宏福苑火災的煽動言論，被警方國安處拘捕。 國安處總警司李桂華表示，星期二邀請涉案男子到旺角警署就一宗危害國家安全的案件協助調查，發現他翌日在社交平台「肆無忌憚」將部分內容公開，...
news.rthk.hk
December 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A 71-year old man was arrested by national security police for posting comments suggesting the central government and Hong Kong government were the ones causing chaos, and that Beijing’s disaster assistance was merely “performative”
news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/comp...
news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/comp...
Reposted by lokman tsui
As of 1:30pm:
Turnout percentage: 15.18% (2025*) vs 14.39% (2021)
Votes: 627,139 (2025*) vs 643,603 (2021)
* 2025 election started 1 hour earlier and ends 1 hour later
Turnout percentage: 15.18% (2025*) vs 14.39% (2021)
Votes: 627,139 (2025*) vs 643,603 (2021)
* 2025 election started 1 hour earlier and ends 1 hour later
December 7, 2025 at 6:03 AM
As of 1:30pm:
Turnout percentage: 15.18% (2025*) vs 14.39% (2021)
Votes: 627,139 (2025*) vs 643,603 (2021)
* 2025 election started 1 hour earlier and ends 1 hour later
Turnout percentage: 15.18% (2025*) vs 14.39% (2021)
Votes: 627,139 (2025*) vs 643,603 (2021)
* 2025 election started 1 hour earlier and ends 1 hour later
Reposted by lokman tsui
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has suspended its student union’s operations, a day after they hid a student message urging accountability for the Tai Po fire. In full: buff.ly/weCw7sD
Hong Kong Baptist University suspends student union after messages urging gov’t heed concerns on Tai Po fire | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has suspended its student union’s operations. It came one day after union notice board messages urging the government to respond to public concerns over the fatal...
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has suspended its student union’s operations, a day after they hid a student message urging accountability for the Tai Po fire. In full: buff.ly/weCw7sD
this is authoritarianism.
"Beijing's insistence that sovereignty cannot be challenged has reshaped even the vocabulary of disaster. A call for answers can be reframed as agitation. Grief can be interpreted as defiance. Volunteerism can be treated as "gathering"."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
"Beijing's insistence that sovereignty cannot be challenged has reshaped even the vocabulary of disaster. A call for answers can be reframed as agitation. Grief can be interpreted as defiance. Volunteerism can be treated as "gathering"."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Hong Kong's grief meets Beijing's red lines
The blaze that consumed Wang Fuk Court burned for two days, but its political shock waves may echo for weeks, even months.
www.abc.net.au
December 3, 2025 at 11:55 AM
this is authoritarianism.
"Beijing's insistence that sovereignty cannot be challenged has reshaped even the vocabulary of disaster. A call for answers can be reframed as agitation. Grief can be interpreted as defiance. Volunteerism can be treated as "gathering"."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
"Beijing's insistence that sovereignty cannot be challenged has reshaped even the vocabulary of disaster. A call for answers can be reframed as agitation. Grief can be interpreted as defiance. Volunteerism can be treated as "gathering"."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Reposted by lokman tsui
GovHK transcript of the question by AFP and the response by CE John Lee in which he is asked why he deserves to keep his job:
www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...
www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...
December 2, 2025 at 7:55 AM
GovHK transcript of the question by AFP and the response by CE John Lee in which he is asked why he deserves to keep his job:
www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...
www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...
Reposted by lokman tsui
AFP question to Chief Executive John Lee:
"Over the past few years, you have spoken about leading Hong Kong from chaos to order and from order to prosperity. And yet this prosperous society allowed 151 people to burn to death. Can you tell us why you deserve to keep your job?"
"Over the past few years, you have spoken about leading Hong Kong from chaos to order and from order to prosperity. And yet this prosperous society allowed 151 people to burn to death. Can you tell us why you deserve to keep your job?"
December 2, 2025 at 2:44 AM
AFP question to Chief Executive John Lee:
"Over the past few years, you have spoken about leading Hong Kong from chaos to order and from order to prosperity. And yet this prosperous society allowed 151 people to burn to death. Can you tell us why you deserve to keep your job?"
"Over the past few years, you have spoken about leading Hong Kong from chaos to order and from order to prosperity. And yet this prosperous society allowed 151 people to burn to death. Can you tell us why you deserve to keep your job?"
"Lee vowed to crackdown on forces that "sabotage" social unity and said anybody who dares to sabotage this commitment to society will be held to justice."
When even Bloomberg puts "sabotage" in quotation marks.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
When even Bloomberg puts "sabotage" in quotation marks.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Hong Kong Pledges Independent Fire Probe, Crackdown on ‘Sabotage’
Hong Kong’s leader John Lee pledged to launch an independent committee over the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades, while vowing to crackdown on forces that “sabotage” social unity.
www.bloomberg.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:54 AM
"Lee vowed to crackdown on forces that "sabotage" social unity and said anybody who dares to sabotage this commitment to society will be held to justice."
When even Bloomberg puts "sabotage" in quotation marks.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
When even Bloomberg puts "sabotage" in quotation marks.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"the 'election' will reportedly proceed" tells you everything whose needs are being prioritized.
1/ The latest from HKFP on the Tai Po blaze as of Monday night: 151 people are dead, 30 are unaccounted for, and 14 have been arrested in connection with the Wang Fuk Court fire.
Full coverage: buff.ly/6HVaFLa
Full coverage: buff.ly/6HVaFLa
December 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"the 'election' will reportedly proceed" tells you everything whose needs are being prioritized.
Reposted by lokman tsui
This #GivingTuesday don't forget about global, multilingual, community journalism. @globalvoices.org brings you the stories that our community members know need telling. We're under threat from authoritarianism, budget cuts, & attacks on journalists. You can help. globalvoices.org/donate/
![SHOW GlobalVoices the [#GivingTuesday heart] globalvoices/donate](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:sqhk2ksk2hgrgf7tfdztchls/bafkreibzfu6speylz5krmqqo2pkzqeghlo53givrf7jvp6jbc5nqumhj2i@jpeg)
November 29, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This #GivingTuesday don't forget about global, multilingual, community journalism. @globalvoices.org brings you the stories that our community members know need telling. We're under threat from authoritarianism, budget cuts, & attacks on journalists. You can help. globalvoices.org/donate/
a major factor in the fire disaster was the malfunctioning of the fire alarms.
what makes me angry and sad is that the hk authories have learned nothing. what they have been doing - and now are continuing to do - is to turn off the alarm systems of society: dissent, a free press, speaking truth.
what makes me angry and sad is that the hk authories have learned nothing. what they have been doing - and now are continuing to do - is to turn off the alarm systems of society: dissent, a free press, speaking truth.
The HK authorities arrested a student on sedition charges because he made a petition asking the government to 1) ensure accommodation for displaced residents; 2) setup independent investigation; 3) review construction supervision system 4) probe regulatory neglect.
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
HK man arrested for alleged sedition in relation to fatal Tai Po blaze
A HK man has been arrested on suspicion of sedition in relation to the fatal Tai Po fire, according to local media reports, citing unnamed sources.
hongkongfp.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
a major factor in the fire disaster was the malfunctioning of the fire alarms.
what makes me angry and sad is that the hk authories have learned nothing. what they have been doing - and now are continuing to do - is to turn off the alarm systems of society: dissent, a free press, speaking truth.
what makes me angry and sad is that the hk authories have learned nothing. what they have been doing - and now are continuing to do - is to turn off the alarm systems of society: dissent, a free press, speaking truth.
Reposted by lokman tsui
The HK Polytechnic Uni academic quoted by numerous international media outlets has 'clarified' remarks he made in Channel 4 interview in which bamboo scaffolding was highlighted as a culprit for the Tai Po fire and (falsely) claimed that mainland fire trucks were helping to fight the blaze.
Clarification on remarks regarding the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire | News | News and Events | Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering
I wish to address and clarify several points arising from my recent interview with Channel 4 News on 26 November 2025 regarding the Wang Fuk Court fire ...
www.polyu.edu.hk
November 30, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The HK Polytechnic Uni academic quoted by numerous international media outlets has 'clarified' remarks he made in Channel 4 interview in which bamboo scaffolding was highlighted as a culprit for the Tai Po fire and (falsely) claimed that mainland fire trucks were helping to fight the blaze.
state-mandated learned helplessness
As a HKer, yes this is wild. As a China reporter, this is 💯 standard. See this piece from state news agency Xinhua to understand how the recovery must unfold:
“With the firm support of the Central Gov’t, the HKSAR Gov’t WILL LEAD ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY to overcome the difficulties and move forward”
“With the firm support of the Central Gov’t, the HKSAR Gov’t WILL LEAD ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY to overcome the difficulties and move forward”
November 30, 2025 at 10:48 AM
state-mandated learned helplessness
Reposted by lokman tsui
As a HKer, yes this is wild. As a China reporter, this is 💯 standard. See this piece from state news agency Xinhua to understand how the recovery must unfold:
“With the firm support of the Central Gov’t, the HKSAR Gov’t WILL LEAD ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY to overcome the difficulties and move forward”
“With the firm support of the Central Gov’t, the HKSAR Gov’t WILL LEAD ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY to overcome the difficulties and move forward”
November 30, 2025 at 10:43 AM
As a HKer, yes this is wild. As a China reporter, this is 💯 standard. See this piece from state news agency Xinhua to understand how the recovery must unfold:
“With the firm support of the Central Gov’t, the HKSAR Gov’t WILL LEAD ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY to overcome the difficulties and move forward”
“With the firm support of the Central Gov’t, the HKSAR Gov’t WILL LEAD ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY to overcome the difficulties and move forward”
Reposted by lokman tsui
State-backed Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao has taken down an investigative report published on 28 Nov which cited industry sources saying building maintenance works effectively controlled by cartel, rife with corrupt practices in tender process, widespread cost and corner-cutting in materials.
November 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
State-backed Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao has taken down an investigative report published on 28 Nov which cited industry sources saying building maintenance works effectively controlled by cartel, rife with corrupt practices in tender process, widespread cost and corner-cutting in materials.
Reposted by lokman tsui
When insecurity runs deep, everything looks like a security threat. This sort of paranoia will only deepen public resentment and distaste towards the Hong Kong government and its Beijing Overlord.
The HK authorities arrested a student on sedition charges because he made a petition asking the government to 1) ensure accommodation for displaced residents; 2) setup independent investigation; 3) review construction supervision system 4) probe regulatory neglect.
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
HK man arrested for alleged sedition in relation to fatal Tai Po blaze
A HK man has been arrested on suspicion of sedition in relation to the fatal Tai Po fire, according to local media reports, citing unnamed sources.
hongkongfp.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
When insecurity runs deep, everything looks like a security threat. This sort of paranoia will only deepen public resentment and distaste towards the Hong Kong government and its Beijing Overlord.
The HK authorities arrested a student on sedition charges because he made a petition asking the government to 1) ensure accommodation for displaced residents; 2) setup independent investigation; 3) review construction supervision system 4) probe regulatory neglect.
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
HK man arrested for alleged sedition in relation to fatal Tai Po blaze
A HK man has been arrested on suspicion of sedition in relation to the fatal Tai Po fire, according to local media reports, citing unnamed sources.
hongkongfp.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The HK authorities arrested a student on sedition charges because he made a petition asking the government to 1) ensure accommodation for displaced residents; 2) setup independent investigation; 3) review construction supervision system 4) probe regulatory neglect.
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
hongkongfp.com/2025/11/30/h...
Reposted by lokman tsui
Columbia and Northwestern are the academic homes to the most prestigious journalism schools in the country and they are the two universities that caved to the Trump administration’s extortion demands that are directly connected to the First Amendment. Just gonna sit with that for a while.
November 29, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Columbia and Northwestern are the academic homes to the most prestigious journalism schools in the country and they are the two universities that caved to the Trump administration’s extortion demands that are directly connected to the First Amendment. Just gonna sit with that for a while.