License Revocations- China’s Justice Ministry Tightens Control on Lawyers

In what some Chinese lawyers are calling a foreboding sign of authorities’ impending crackdown, China’s Justice Ministry began revoking licenses from two groups of lawyers in recent months. Legal professionals who spoke to The Epoch Times said they were worried about the tightening control. In late July, the Justice Ministry issued a directive for authorities to revoke the licenses for two groups: lawyers who have citizenship other than Chinese nationality, and those who hold another job other than their legal work. China does not allow dual citizenship. However, many wealthy and powerful Chinese elite apply for citizenship in another country and do not report their foreign citizenship status to authorities. Meanwhile, many lawyers in China hold other jobs in order to make a living. Wu Kuiming, human rights lawyer in Guangdong Province, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times in a phone interview that the license revocations began in April, as required by the Justice Ministry. But the ministry did not issue a formal document until July. Actions taken by provincial justice departments verified Wu’s information. Hong Kong Police Officer Tests Positive for CCP Virus; Source Unknown A male police officer at the Hong Kong Police Headquarters tested positive for the CCP virus, but the policeman had neither close contact with the public nor travel history 14 days before the test. The source of the infection is unknown. The Hong Kong government claimed that they conducted nationwide testing with the assistance of the CCP, causing controversy. Even A Hong Kong health official, when asked, admitted that she did not register for testing. On Aug 30, the Infectious Diseases Division of the Hong Kong Center for Health Protection stated this male police officer works at the Complaints Division of the Hong Kong Police Headquarters in Wan Chai. Six or seven colleagues were listed as close contacts.