Search - Hong Kong Free Press

SITUATION REPORTJan 14, 2021 | 22:13 GMT

Hong Kong: 11 More People Arrested Over Failed Flee Attempt to Taiwan

Hong Kong police have arrested 11 individuals suspected of trying to help 12 Hong Kongers flee to Taiwan to escape charges related to the 2019 protests, Reuters reported Jan. 14.

Hong Kong SAR, China

GuidanceJan 13, 2021 | 14:26 GMT

Geopolitical Calendar

Stay informed about the significant meetings and events the Stratfor team is tracking.

SITUATION REPORTJan 12, 2021 | 19:50 GMT

Hong Kong, China: Beijing Reportedly Planning More Crackdowns, Electoral Reforms

The Chinese government is reportedly considering more crackdowns and/or electoral reforms in Hong Kong to limit the pro-democracy camp’s prospects in planned Sept. 5 legislative elections for fear that its pro-Beijing allies in the city may otherwise fail to win a majority, The Japan Times reported Jan. 12, citing unnamed sources with “direct knowledge of China’s plans.”

Hong Kong SAR, China

China

China in Transition

AssessmentsJan 8, 2021 | 22:31 GMT

A large group of pro-Trump protesters stands on the steps of the U.S. Capitol after storming the building’s grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington D.C.

For U.S. Rivals, the Capitol Siege Offers a Window of Opportunity

U.S. adversaries are likely to see the recent Capitol siege as an opportunity to quickly take action against U.S. interests ahead of Inauguration Day, calculating that a distracted Washington will be ill-equipped to respond to provocations that may strengthen their negotiating leverage with President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration. Since Jan. 6, multiple key national security officials have announced their resignations, reducing the cadre of security experts who have longstanding relationships with President Donald Trump. To avoid anything close to a repeat of the Jan. 6 siege, national security officials in Washington will be laser-focused on guaranteeing the safety of the events surrounding Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, though doing so will risk diverting resources and attention from potential foreign threats.

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

China in Transition

SITUATION REPORTJan 7, 2021 | 21:45 GMT

Hong Kong: Arrested American Released on Bail as U.S. Threatens Sanctions

Hong Kong authorities granted bail to 50 pro-democracy activists who were arrested in yesterday’s mass raid, including U.S. lawyer John Clancey, the South China Morning Post reported Jan. 7. Responding to the arrests, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the White House was considering new sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the detentions, along with potential restrictions on the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the United States.

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

On SecurityJan 7, 2021 | 10:00 GMT

Stephan Balliet, who is accused of shooting two people dead after an attempt to storm a synagogue in Halle an der Saale, eastern Germany, wears a face mask as he waits for the start of the 18th day of his trial on Nov. 3, 2020, at the district court in Magdeburg, eastern Germany.

Right-Wing Terrorism in Europe: A Threat Poised to Expand in 2021

The violent right-wing threat in Europe is growing as terrorists exploit ongoing political, economic, and social tensions to expand their activities, including plotting attacks. The threat from terrorists who believe they must trigger a civil war to save society will challenge security services and further polarize societies.

SnapshotsJan 6, 2021 | 21:38 GMT

Hong Kong Police Force Senior Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-Wah holds a press briefing following the arrest of dozens of opposition figures under the city’s national security law on Jan. 6, 2021.

In Hong Kong, Mass Arrests Signal an Escalated Opposition Crackdown

A mass arrest of moderate pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong signals an escalation in the application of the city’s national security law to a broader segment of the political opposition, which will increasingly limit the policymaking power of any pro-democracy forces. The first-time detention of a U.S. citizen, meanwhile, will also test whether U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration will be able to navigate Hong Kong tensions without jeopardizing its broader relations with Beijing. On Jan. 6, Hong Kong police carried out a citywide operation in which nearly 1,000 officers netted 53 pro-democracy activists and former lawmakers linked to the July 2020 opposition primary for legislative council elections, leveling accusations of subversion under the city’s draconian national security law.

PodcastsJan 4, 2021 | 04:30 GMT

Pen and Sword: Brad Taylor's American Traitor

In this episode of the Pen and Sword podcast from Stratfor, a RANE company, Emily Donahue speaks with Best-selling author, Brad Taylor about Taylor's new book, American Traitor.

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Annual ForecastsJan 3, 2021 | 21:37 GMT

2021 Annual Forecast

The geopolitical environment in 2021 will be shaped by two global developments: the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efforts by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's administration to restore collaborative relationships across the globe.

SITUATION REPORTDec 30, 2020 | 20:50 GMT

China: Arrested Hong Kongers Receive Prison Sentences for Flee Attempt

A mainland Chinese court in Shenzhen issued prison sentences for 10 Hong Kongers arrested for attempted flight by boat to Taiwan in late August, the South China Morning News reported Dec. 30.

Hong Kong SAR, China

China

China in Transition

SITUATION REPORTDec 29, 2020 | 21:19 GMT

Hong Kong: Facing Security Law Charges, Jimmy Lai Resigns as Next Digital Chairman

Hong Kong media tycoon and outspoken pro-democracy figure, Jimmy Lai, has resigned from his post as chairman of Next Digital, the South China Morning Post reported Dec. 29.

GuidanceDec 24, 2020 | 16:58 GMT

The EU and British flags in front of the European Commission headquarters on Dec. 9, 2020, in Brussels.

The EU and U.K. Reach a Trade Deal, Ending Brexit. What Now?

Five years of economic uncertainty for households and companies that began with the Brexit referendum of 2016 have come to an end. The European Union and the United Kingdom have reached a free trade agreement that covers most goods, but only a limited number of services. This means that manufacturers in the European Union and the United Kingdom will be able to continue trading with each other from Jan. 1, 2021, without any quotas or tariffs, and the heavily disruptive scenario of trade under World Trade Organization tariffs has been avoided. On the contrary, the services sector (which represents around 80% of the British economy) will have limited access to the EU single market.

PodcastsDec 24, 2020 | 10:00 GMT

Essential Geopolitics: China's Internal Dialogue

In this episode of the Essential Geopolitics podcast from Stratfor, a RANE company, Emily Donahue speaks to Stratfor Senior Vice President of Strategic Analysis Rodger Baker about China in 2021.

United States

Hong Kong SAR, China

Security

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

SITUATION REPORTDec 17, 2020 | 21:49 GMT

Hong Kong: New Pro-Beijing Party Criticizes Chief Executive for 2019 Protests

In an interview with the South China Morning Post published on Dec. 17, the founder of Hong Kong's new pro-Beijing Bauhinia Party, Charles Wong Chau-chi, blamed Chief Executive Carrie Lam for the 2019 unrest and said the party’s formation was motivated by a perception of the city’s “weak” governance and indecisive pro-establishment camp.

SITUATION REPORTDec 15, 2020 | 20:13 GMT

India, U.K.: Foreign Ministers Discuss Stronger Security, Economic Ties

U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed strengthening the two countries’ defense and security ties, as well as their trade and economic relations, during bilateral talks held in New Delhi, the Hindustan Times reported Dec. 15.

India's Own Worst Enemy

SITUATION REPORTDec 11, 2020 | 21:39 GMT

Hong Kong: Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Charged Under National Security Law

Hong Kong authorities have charged pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai with foreign collusion and endangering national security under the draconian law Beijing imposed in June, NowTV reported Dec. 11, citing an anonymous police source.

On StratforDec 11, 2020 | 11:00 GMT

Grading Our 2020 Annual Forecast as 2021 Approaches

Every December here at Stratfor, we sit down and do the critical work of self-assessment, taking the forecast we made the previous December and seeing how it stacked up against actual world events. Even with the pandemic throwing the world a little askew, we still had a strong 2020 forecast with quite a few hits and just a handful of misses. Without further ado, we present the Stratfor 2020 Annual Forecast Scorecard.

SnapshotsDec 3, 2020 | 21:18 GMT

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a Feb. 1, 2020, press conference in Sydney.

Australian Bill's Passage Would Turn up the Heat With China

The impending passage of a new law meant to limit Chinese government deals with subnational governments in Australia portends an even greater deterioration in ties.

Australia

China

SITUATION REPORTDec 2, 2020 | 18:31 GMT

Hong Kong: Prominent Pro-Democracy Activists Sentenced to Prison

Three well-known Hong Kong activists have received prison sentences after pleading guilty to charges related to their involvement in a June 2019 siege on police headquarters, the South China Morning Post reported Dec. 2.

On GeopoliticsNov 27, 2020 | 11:00 GMT

Amid multipolar great power competition, middle powers will become more significant, and perhaps less predictable.

Middle Powers: Maneuvering Among Giants

A multipolar world system creates both greater opportunity and greater incentive for middle powers to assert their interests and seek to influence global norms and developments. Middle powers will be courted by big powers, giving them more room to maneuver. They will be critical components of any balance of power in the international system.

Filters

Search Tools

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Stratfor.com

Subscribe

Help & Support

OUR COMMITMENT