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05/30/2025

EP 2 : Exploring London in Summer 2025: Festivals, Theatre, and Exhibitions

Welcome to the show! This episode is your simple guide to London's vibrant summer in 2025, drawing directly from the information in our sources. We'll preview major music events like British Summer Time Hyde Park, featuring headliners such as Olivia Rodrigo and Stevie Wonder, and the LIDO Festival with artists like Massive Attack and Charli xcx. Theatre lovers can look forward to the National Theatre's lineup, including returning hits like Dear England and London Road, plus the War Horse tour. Explore notable museum exhibitions, such as the V&A's displays on Cartier and Marie Antoinette Style, and the Design Museum's 'More than Human' exhibition. Considering an event or outdoor activity? We cover options like the London Summer Walk and venue hire at the Inner Temple or the Regent's Park Sports Hub. Join us for a look at what London has in store for summer 2025!

05/30/2025

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15 min
06/30/2025

EP 8 : Latest Global and UK News Updates

Tune into This Week Unpacked, the essential podcast from "Bridging Hongkongers. Reporting Truth.". We connect Hongkongers worldwide through independent journalism, standing for truth, integrity, and the right to be heard. Each episode provides insightful analysis on the week's most significant stories, bridging events from the UK to Hong Kong and beyond. We delve into critical issues such as: The profound changes and shrinking freedoms in Hong Kong five years after the National Security Law's implementation, including its impact on protests, elections, the justice system, and press freedom. This includes the dissolution of pro-democracy parties like the Social Democratic League and the implications for its imprisoned or exiled members. The end of a cultural era in Hong Kong with the passing of Chua Lam, the last of the "Hong Kong Four Talents," and the lasting legacies of these influential figures. Pressing challenges facing the UK, such as the breaking point of the graduate job market where youth, including high achievers, struggle to find employment amidst economic uncertainty and skills mismatches. The exodus of staff in UK 999 emergency services, highlighting the threats to public safety due to work pressure, staff shortages, and resource deficits.Major legislative shifts in the UK, including the passing of the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons and the ongoing debate over its strict safeguards and ethical implications. The delicate diplomatic tightrope the UK government faces amid rising Chinese espionage concerns, balancing national security with economic ties. Government policy U-turns, such as the Labour Government's reversal on welfare reform due to internal party pressure and public opinion. Intriguing incidents and cultural events, from escaped brown bears causing a "honey heist" at a UK wildlife park, prompting safety reviews, to the controversial "redecorating" of RAF Brize Norton by pro-Palestinian activists, sparking debates on terrorism and security, and the cultural and environmental concerns raised by record crowds at UK Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge. Join us for a comprehensive look at the week's headlines, offering details, insights, and a commitment to reporting the truth.

06/30/2025

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23 min
06/08/2025

EP 6 : Foreign Consulates Mark Tiananmen Anniversary in Hong Kong Amid Censorship; Residents Offer Subtle Tributes

Foreign consulates in Hong Kong used social media to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on June 4. Actions included the British Consulate-General posting an image of an empty chair with "VIIV" (symbolising June 4), the British Embassy in China sharing a video referencing "Tank Man" and the White Paper Movement, the US Consulate-General updating its Facebook cover to a candlelight image and displaying electronic candles in its windows, and the Canadian, Australian, and EU consulates posting candlelight images. These posts aimed to remember the victims and reaffirm commitment to human rights and freedom. However, China's stringent online censorship swiftly removed related posts on platforms like Weibo, often within minutes to hours. This censorship is seen as suppressing historical truth and curtailing diplomatic expression. Meanwhile, despite the ban on Victoria Park's candlelight vigil for the sixth consecutive year under the National Security Law (NSL), some Hong Kong residents found subtle ways to commemorate, such as strolling near Victoria Park dressed in black, holding phone flashlights, or displaying electronic candles. These acts, despite a heavy police presence, underscore the enduring memory of the tragedy in Hong Kong. Hong Kong was historically the only place in China with open Tiananmen commemorations, but the NSL has banned such gatherings. The government insists the NSL and Article 23 are necessary for stability. The city's shift, with shrinking freedoms and a muted social landscape, contrasts sharply with its vibrant past. These consulate posts and individual tributes serve as reminders of June 4, 1989, though their visibility is limited by censorship and surveillance.

06/08/2025

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33 min
05/10/2025

EP 2 : Truth & Turbulence: Analyzing the Week's News from Hong Kong and Beyond

This episode of "Bridging Hongkongers: This Week Unpacked" delves into major headlines from the past week, drawing on reporting from the source. First, The 2025 World Press Freedom Index reveals that Hong Kong's ranking has plummeted to a record low of 140th globally, placing the city in the "red zone" indicating a "very serious" situation. This marks a stark decline from its previous standing as a bastion of press freedom in Asia. Sources highlight how the National Security Law (NSL) and Article 23 legislation have fueled a crackdown, leading to the closure of independent media like Apple Daily and Stand News and legal charges against journalists. We discuss the resulting pervasive self-censorship, the loss of the public's right to know, and the negative impacts on Hong Kong's economy and international standing. Next we analyze the results of the UK 2025 Local Elections. These elections saw a major shift, with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK achieving a "landslide victory," securing 677 seats and two mayoral posts. This delivered a "severe blow" to the governing Labour Party, which lost 198 seats and key local areas. The election also featured a record low turnout of 29.5%, reflecting voter apathy and discontent with Labour's early governance. Reform UK's surge challenges the UK's traditional two-party system and poses significant challenges for Labour's ability to govern effectively over the next four years. Finally, we examine the complex dynamics within the British Royal Family. Prince Harry has publicly expressed a desire for family reconciliation with his brother Prince William and father King Charles. However, sources suggest his wife, Meghan Markle, is portrayed as a "royal soap opera diva" whose actions, such as public tell-alls and defying royal traditions, have stirred up drama and made reconciliation tricky. We'll cover key points like the lasting rift since "Megxit", the impact of Harry's memoir Spare, public interviews, and the views of other royals like King Charles and Princess Catherine on the situation.

05/10/2025

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21 min
06/03/2025

EP Special : June 4th, 2025: The Unbroken Memory of Tiananmen

This Week Unpacked. In this special episode, recorded on June 4th, 2025, we mark the 36th anniversary of the June 4th Incident. As journalists from HKCitizen.net, we delve into this pivotal historical event, which has become a day that is now largely unable to be openly discussed in Hong Kong. Our aim is to contribute to its memory and ensure it is not forgotten by future generations. We will explore the origins of the 1989 student movement, which began with student gatherings protesting corruption and privilege and escalated significantly after the death of former Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang. We examine the Chinese Communist Party's consistent criticism and extreme censorship and suppression of the event over the past 36 years, labeling it "turmoil" or "counter-revolutionary riot". We contrast this with the unwavering commitment to remembrance by civil society, particularly by the people of Hong Kong, who for decades made Hong Kong a vital center for commemorating the Tiananmen democratic movement. We discuss the impact of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, leading to the absence of the long-standing candlelight vigil in Victoria Park and the removal of memorial art and the closure of related museums. We also highlight how the memory is now spreading globally, with Hongkongers and others who cherish this history contributing to commemorations and awareness campaigns overseas, turning cities like Taipei into new centers for remembrance. inally, we reflect on the hope that one day, despite immense pressure, the truth of the June 4th Incident will be fully acknowledged and the victims and their families will receive vindication. Join us as we unpack this sensitive and crucial history.

06/03/2025

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16 min
06/01/2025

EP 5 : London the congestion charge & the Liverpool parade tragedy

Connecting Hongkongers worldwide through independent journalism. We stand for truth, integrity, and the right to be heard. This collection provides comprehensive reporting on critical issues, including the decline of freedom and civil liberties in Hong Kong as highlighted by reports like the Freedom House 2025 report, ongoing political and legal developments affecting activists like those in the '47 Democrats' case, key political events and policy debates in the UK such as government infrastructure projects, local issues, and internal party matters, and other significant international developments.

06/01/2025

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33 min
05/18/2025

EP 3 : From Immigration and Security Laws to Infrastructure and Historical Legacies

This title reflects that the reports are from "Bridging Hongkongers. Reporting Truth.", an independent journalism outlet connecting Hongkongers worldwide and standing for truth, integrity, and the right to be heard. It highlights the variety of significant and often controversial topics covered in these six articles: UK immigration policy changes affecting BNO Hong Kongers. The Labour Government's 2025 White Paper proposes extending the path to permanent residency to 10 years, which has been described by critics as a "betrayal". The rapid enactment of Hong Kong's National Security subsidiary laws within 48 hours, which expand the powers of the National Security Office and raise concerns about transparency and judicial independence. Challenges to press freedom and the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) in Hong Kong, linked to a recent survey highlighting a deteriorating media environment and the lasting impact of the 2018 Andy Chan incident and Victor Mallet visa denial. Recent UK infrastructure failures, including a London Underground blackout caused by a substation fire. These incidents raise alarms about ageing equipment and potential vulnerability to cyberattacks. The worsening drought and water crisis in the UK and Europe, with UK reservoir levels hitting a 69-year low. A reflection on the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the enduring legacy of the Cold War on Britain and the world.

05/18/2025

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1 hr
06/22/2025

EP 7 : Latest Global and UK News Updates

This collection of reports from "Bridging Hongkongers. Reporting Truth." provides independent journalism on a wide array of significant global and UK events. Featured topics include the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in over 260 deaths and marked the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's first fatal incident, sparking global speculation on potential causes like dual engine failure or manufacturing flaws. The collection also covers the Bank of England's decision to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 4.25% amidst persistent inflation concerns, and the declaration by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander that the HS2 high-speed rail project in Britain will not be completed by its 2033 target, labeling it an "appalling mess" due to massive cost overruns and mismanagement. Other key stories include a landmark agreement scrapping border controls between Gibraltar and Spain, which has ignited a sovereignty row and fears of future conflict. In Hong Kong, the government's ban on the mobile game "Anti-Unification: Flames of War" under the National Security Law has sparked widespread fears over eroding freedoms and raised questions about the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. MI6 has issued an urgent warning regarding a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in the UK, driven by escalating Middle East tensions and direct threats from Iran. The financial woes of the iconic British discount retailer Poundland, leading to its sale for £1 and threatening thousands of jobs, are also detailed. Furthermore, the reports cover the launch of an urgent national inquiry into the UK grooming gangs scandal, acknowledging decades of ignored warnings and institutional failures. The UK Labour government's passing of an abortion law reform, decriminalising abortion in England and Wales, has sparked fierce debate, particularly concerning provisions for late-term terminations. Finally, a prolonged heatwave across the UK, with temperatures soaring above 30°C, has raised public health concerns and prompted advice on cooling measures. The source aims to connect Hongkongers worldwide through independent journalism, standing for truth, integrity, and the right to be heard.

06/22/2025

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19 min
05/25/2025

EP 4 : BN(O) Visa Uncertainty, Chagos Sovereignty Row, and UK Policy Debates

Chagossian islanders have launched a legal battle in the High Court to block the handover. On 22 May 2025, two Diego Garcia-born women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, sued to stop the plan. Chagossians fiercely oppose the handover, feeling their voices have been "sidelined" and branding their homeland a "bargaining chip". Many, holding British citizenship but not Mauritian, distrust Mauritius and fear discrimination, haunted by past poverty there. The deal also lacks firm guarantees for their return to the islands, crushing their hopes, particularly with Diego Garcia being off-limits. Viewing their eviction as a "crime against humanity," Chagossians demand reparations and apologies, fearing the handover allows Britain to dodge accountability. Some 10,000 Chagossians, scattered across Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Britain, vow to "fight on" for self-determination and justice. Conservatives have unleashed a barrage of criticism, accusing Labour of "selling out British interests" and "betraying the UK". Key criticisms from Conservatives, including MP Tom Tugendhat, include the "strategic risk" to the Diego Garcia UK-US military base which underpins UK-US dominance and global clout, questioning the security of long-term base control. Some have "baselessly claim[ed]" Mauritius could fall under Chinese influence, "jeopardling fears" of compromised base security. They also question the value to taxpayers of the deal's £1.01 billion annual lease cost (£34 billion over 99 years, inflation-adjusted). The critical UK-US military base on Diego Garcia lies at the heart of the row. The base was established after Britain detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965 to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Britain leased the island to the US in 1966 for 50 years (extended to 2036). The proposed handover deal includes securing a 99-year lease for the base. The article provides historical context, noting the islands' colonial history under French and then British rule. Between 1967 and 1973, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly evicted using "brutal tactics" to make way for the US base, leading to their decades-long fight for return and reparations. The plan is backed by a 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling deeming UK control unlawful and a UN resolution urging return. Labour counters that the deal aligns with international law, secures the base, and advances decolonisation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists the move "rights a historic wrong". Although Starmer signed the handover treaty on 22 May 2025, a High Court injunction triggered by Chagossian lawsuits briefly halted progress. Though lifted, the transfer date remains unset, pending legal and international hurdles. The saga is described as weaving colonial guilt, Chagossian rights, and superpower strategy, leaving the future "shrouded in uncertainty".

05/25/2025

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21 min
07/08/2025

EP 9 : Latest Global and UK News Updates

Hong Kong’s New Legislative Code: Described as a "primary school rulebook with a dark historical twist" aimed at "upholding governance prestige" and ensuring legislators do not "undermine" authority. Hong Kong Debates Same-Sex Partnership Registration: This scheme was tabled to comply with a landmark 2023 Court of Final Appeal ruling but is clarified as "entirely distinct from same-sex marriage". One Country, Two Systems: An analysis of whether this promise is "in tatters" 28 years after Hong Kong's handover from British administration to China.•Global economic and diplomatic developments: UK Export of F-35 Components to Israel: The High Court ruled these exports lawful despite humanitarian concerns, noting that these parts enter a global spare-parts supply pool. UK Trade Minister Visits Taiwan: A three-day official visit aimed at deepening trade, investment, and friendship, deemed a "cornerstone of the UK’s post-Brexit economic and diplomatic strategy".•Challenges facing the UK economy: Consumer Confidence Slumps: A new analysis warns the UK economy risks a vicious cycle as lack of confidence stifles spending despite ample cash reserves. Graduate Job Market Reaches Breaking Point: UK youth, including high achievers, face "unprecedented employment struggles" and fierce competition.•Other popular topics: Marks & Spencer’s New Sandwich Sparks Tax Debate: A limited-edition "Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich" has drawn scrutiny from tax experts over whether it should be subject to VAT as a "sweetened prepared food eaten with the fingers". Wimbledon 2025: The Championship opened under an unprecedented heatwave, with scorching temperatures breaking records.

07/08/2025

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23 min

Launched in 2009, HKCitizen Podcast was one of the pioneers of Cantonese podcasting. At its peak, we proudly ran 17 channels, offering a diverse range of content—from current affairs and social commentary to lifestyle and culture. Now reborn alongside our revamped news platform, HKCitizen Podcast continues its mission to inform, connect, and reflect the voices of Hongkongers—whether in the UK, Hong Kong, or around the world. We’re independent, community-driven, and committed to telling the stories that matter. Subscribe and stay tuned as we unpack the week, explore identity, and build bridges across borders.

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HKCitizen

Top Shows

EP 2 : Exploring London in Summer 2025: Festivals, Theatre, and Exhibitions

EP 8 : Latest Global and UK News Updates

EP 6 : Foreign Consulates Mark Tiananmen Anniversary in Hong Kong Amid Censorship; Residents Offer Subtle Tributes

EP 2 : Truth & Turbulence: Analyzing the Week's News from Hong Kong and Beyond

EP Special : June 4th, 2025: The Unbroken Memory of Tiananmen

EP 5 : London the congestion charge & the Liverpool parade tragedy

EP 3 : From Immigration and Security Laws to Infrastructure and Historical Legacies

EP 7 : Latest Global and UK News Updates

EP 4 : BN(O) Visa Uncertainty, Chagos Sovereignty Row, and UK Policy Debates

EP 9 : Latest Global and UK News Updates

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