Hong Kong and Fake News
Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Monday 3rd August, 2020
Hong Kong’s New National Security Law
POV. It’s no secret that China is having a growing influence around the world including in New Zealand. I think as Christian leaders we would be wise to understand what is going on. China is not Governed Democratically but rather by a socialist republic run by a single party (CCP). China has a history of Human Rights abuses. On that basis alone we should be concerned. Rodney Jones from Wigram Capital Advisors said, on TV 1’s Q and A yesterday, that Chinese Citizens in NZ are safe but they don’t ‘feel’ safe. He explains why here. His interview starts at 15mins.
How can we reach out to the approximately 250,000 Chinese New Zealanders especially the Christians living amongst us at a time of considerable unrest in Hong Kong and general concern about China’s behaviour around the world? What must we do today to continue to ‘enjoy’ the benefits of a Western Democracy including ‘our freedoms’ - freedom of speech, freedom of the Press and freedom of religion?
Here is a helpful article backgrounding the National Security Law that came into force a month ago.
I quote. “China has passed a wide-ranging new security law for Hong Kong which makes it easier to punish protesters and reduces the city's autonomy.
Critics have called it "the end of Hong Kong" - so what do we know, and what do people fear the most? What is this law all about?
Hong Kong was always meant to have a security law, but could never pass one because it was so unpopular. So this is about China stepping in to ensure the city has a legal framework to deal with what it sees as serious challenges to its authority.
The details of the law's 66 articles were kept secret until after it was passed. It criminalises any act of:
- secession - breaking away from the country
- subversion - undermining the power or authority of the central government
- terrorism - using violence or intimidation against people
- collusion with foreign or external forces”
Some Christians Love Fake News
POV. It is certainly not just Christians who are into Fake News and Conspiracy Theories but I’m sure they do represent a much higher percentage compared to non-Christians. The reason for that is the subject for another time but my goodness we should all be concerned. Have a read of this piece about misleading claims from Billy Te Kahika as a classic example. https://factcheck.afp.com/misleading-claim-spreads-online-new-zealand-has-authorised-troops-enter-homes-enforce-covid-19
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Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
