HONG KONG: A senior Hong Kong lawmaker was expelled from a prestigious Chinese government body yesterday, in a sign that Beijing will not tolerate dissent from loyalists over pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous city.
James Tien had his “qualifications revoked” as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the state-run China News Service said.
The prominent businessman and politician had criticised Hong Kong’s embattled leader Leung Chun-ying for failing to put an end to more than a month of pro-democracy protests — an unusual move for a pro-Beijing lawmaker.
The CPPCC voted to pass the “decision on revoking Tian Beijun’s membership in the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference,” the government body said, using Tien’s name in Mandarin and without providing further details.
In a brief statement after the decision, Tien said he accepted the CPPCC ruling and that he would resign as leader of the Liberal Party.
Security balloon in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Singapore will deploy a huge tethered surveillance balloon to boost its maritime and air security.
The helium-filled “aerostat” will be equipped with radar equipment that can spot threats from as far as 200 kilometres away, the ministry said in a post on its website late Tuesday.
“It will be deployed sufficiently high enough so as to have a clear line of sight over Singapore’s air and sea space,” the ministry said.
“Existing systems are facing increasing constraints, mainly due to the construction of taller buildings which prevent the systems (from) establishing a clear line of sight,” it added.
The Straits Times reported that the balloon will be able to scan up to Malacca in Malaysia for stray aircraft as well as detect small boats coming from Indonesia’s Pekanbaru.
The US-made, 55-metre blimp will be operated by eight ground crew and can run at a height of up to 600 metres. Agencies
