關於 china standard time台灣 ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

欲網購黃明志最新實體專輯《亞洲通才》及歷年專輯和周邊商品請到。Purchase Namewee Latest 《Asian Polymath》 , Others Music Albums & Merchandises Please log in to https://namewee4896.com/

《亞洲通才》專輯介紹
常常有人問我們：「黃明志到底還要發多少張“亞洲通”系列專輯啦？」
我們早練下一秒就立刻尷尬而不失禮貌地微笑說：「我們也不知道耶～」
但，人生的改變，總是突如其來。

每次被詢問總是超困擾的唱片行店員、戰戰兢兢怕搞錯上架資訊的音樂串流平台夥伴、訪問還要寫小抄怕口誤講錯的記者、DJ或樂評大大、每年都覺得「怎麼又來了」的金曲獎偉大評審、很喜歡黃明志但永遠搞不清楚要買哪張專輯的聽眾們！

你們的困擾，我們都知道！
而這一次！我們終於有答案了！

繼2013《亞洲通緝》、2015《亞洲通殺》、2016《亞洲通車》、2017《亞洲通吃》、2018《亞洲通牒》到2019《亞洲通話》！（其中還努力入圍了金曲獎三次最佳國語男歌手獎、三次最佳音樂錄影帶獎、一次年度最佳歌曲獎！）

「亞洲通」系列最終章！！！！！！
「亞洲通」系列最終章！！！！！！
「亞洲通」系列最終章！！！！！！

叛逆實力派創作歌手黃明志
勇敢集八年累積的超強音樂成就！
再給你集八點也換不到的超棒感動！

黃明志“亞洲通”系列最終大魔王專輯《亞洲通才》
轟動全球系列專輯最長紀錄，憾動無數聽膩亞洲通三字的音樂愛好者
象徵著一個音樂時代的結束，留給亞洲通音樂無限的惆悵與未來可能性
終於即將問世啦！！！

《亞洲通才》是黃明志有史以來規模最大的一張全創作專輯
從專輯概念開始，黃明志就打破所有時間、空間與人物生死的想像
集結七張亞洲通專輯一路走來的意念與傳承。

要向宇宙許下一個最強大的音樂願望：完成一張「致敬」專輯
從《一萬個開心的理由》、《對你愛完了》、《五百》、《我們的海闊天空》、《不要去Club》這些充滿黃明志風格的曲名，就足夠讓人充滿好奇又忍不住噴笑出聲。但黃明志對「致敬」二字的敬意，絕非玩笑。為了完成這一張他夢想中的「致敬」專輯，黃明志幾乎跑遍亞洲的所有國家和地區，從日本、台灣、香港、馬來西亞、中國到印度寶萊塢，思考調查找出了足以影響一個世代、國家或文化發展與傳承的重要音樂元素，用接近史料考證與科學研究的方式，日以繼夜焚膏繼晷地完成了這張，在現今音樂產業中可說是前無古人、後無來者的「致敬」專輯：《亞洲通才》。

在這張不簡單的「致敬」專輯中，充滿來自亞洲各國家地區、不可思議的厲害人物，共同對某個時代致意的驚人能量！從第一首《中國痛China Reggaeton》以雷鬼搭配中國傳統樂器，找來香港影帝黃秋生合唱合演就讓許多聽眾嚇到下巴脫臼！《我們的海闊天空》用激情搖滾加上饒舌，找來中國歌手富九毫無違和感致敬香港傳奇樂隊Beyond，更是讓許多香港聽眾熱淚盈眶連聽三百次！《你是我的青春》鄭重邀請到當年憑藉彈奏一首《Canon Rock》爆紅國際的音樂家JerryC 跨刀合作並合演音樂錄影帶，致敬黃明志與他共同經歷的Youtube 草創那自由的時代；最驚人的創意是：黃明志連對成人色情片都可以致敬！《不小心》這首遊走在愛情與色情邊緣的歌曲，竟然邀請到無人不知無人不曉的日本當紅女優三上悠亞攜手出演，讓許多宅男在電腦前（因為痛哭）而消耗掉好幾噸的衛生紙；而90 年代的復古電音一直是許多聽眾念念不忘的音樂情懷，黃明志大膽攜手台灣電音教父DJ Jerry 羅百吉，兩人合作新曲《不要去Club》，反諷幽默又好笑，瞬間帶領聽眾回到90 年代的夜店七彩旋轉球下！

光專輯合作陣容一字排開就夠讓人嚇人了，為了完成亞洲通系列最終章《亞洲通才》的致敬概念！搖滾、雷鬼、中國風、寶萊塢、饒舌、流行、抒情、電音、廣high等無數的音樂曲風；取樣、吉他、古樂器、甚至熱巴那手大鼓、沙貝琴、西塔琴等無數的樂器元素，黃明志將上述的音樂風格和音色大膽玩弄掌間、互相揉合，每首歌在詞曲、編曲、製作到音樂錄影帶拍攝，他都有著無限的靈感與點子！黃明志說：「這是我花最長時間、最投入、最激發創意的一張音樂作品了！」

以講求完美個性著稱的黃明志，在製作《亞洲通才》這張「致敬」專輯的過程中，常為了一個當時很經典的音色，花好幾個星期、聽好幾千個不同的音色庫、不斷想辦法詢問當年的音樂製作人或編曲師，才終於完成「致敬」的第一步：找到音色。接著又開始與編曲一同興奮討論，要怎麼將這個音色與其他現代音樂元素和音樂曲式互相結合，保留該時代的感動，同時締造新時代的意義。每一首音樂作品都花了難以想像的心血與時間，才終於創作出這張令人讚嘆不已、既復古又前衛的嶄新「致敬」概念專輯《亞洲通才》！

要「致敬」不難，要「模仿」也很簡單，但如何把對音樂最大的愛，展現在對無數也曾這樣愛著音樂的經典音樂人、他們所創造的音樂時代上，這絕不是件容易的事。從學生時代黃明志帶著一個背包窮遊亞洲各國，在不知多少個窮困潦倒的夜晚，聽著這一首首經典歌曲，想著這些充滿才華的音樂人，拿起吉他彈到破皮，一首一首地寫下去，只希望有一天能成為他們的一份子。而在經過金曲獎多次的肯定後，黃明志終於在音樂上找回熱情、感動與敬意。

2020 是全球因疫情而陷入絕望的一年，但黃明志回到自己對音樂最「粗」的熱情，最「深」的感動，和最「大」的敬意，邀請了無數亞洲重要的音樂人與各領域工作者，挑戰種種極端而不可能的工作模式，耗費幾萬小時的努力，終於完成了“亞洲通”系列的最終也是最重要的一張專輯《亞洲通才》。

「通才」二字，泛指什麼都會的人才，黃明志一直相信每一個人都有獨特的才華跟天份，不論是很會演戲的影帝、讓人們開心的AV 女優、努力練習的辣妹舞者，只要願意努力，都能在各自的領域中發揮驚人的才華！以「想要跟亞洲各個有才華的人們一起合作」為出發，不論國家、地區、思想、語言、政治、種族和文化，只用初衷、熱情、執著、努力、合作和感動去完成，這就是《亞洲通才》這張專輯。

聽完這張專輯，如果你也有那麼一點被觸動，如果你也開始想努力些什麼。那麼，這張集結亞洲各國許多人們的才華而完成的《亞洲通才》專輯，僅獻給你那份也許還不為人所知的---才華。

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《Asian Polymath》 Music Album Introduction
Asian Polymath is the biggest project Namewee has ever put on, the wholly self-written album transcends the concepts of time and dimensions, it reimagines the afterlife and bestows a whole new meaning for life and death. Asian Polymath is a cognition collectives of all the previous albums, it congregates the essence from the last generation’s works. Asian Polymath is a wish from the author to honor the greats.

From 10,000 Reasons To Make Me Happy, Stop Clubbing, Our Love Is Over, Beyond The Edge and Five Hundred. These very Namewee-ish song titles have definitely got people to burst into laughters and their interest piqued. However when it comes to ‘Honoring’, the word has put Namewee into serious thoughts. To hammer the album into perfection, Namewee has had a few excursions to countries and places such as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and India’s Bollywood. Through his research and mid-night grinding, he discovered the musical element which could have an ever-lasting impact on a culture’s growth. By utilizing the historical sampling and referencing techniques, Namewee inducted the element into his most recent works to woo the industry once again.

As the opening title, China Reggaeton fuses the Chinese sound with Reggae to create a unique blend of flavours yet what attracts most is the fact that Anthony Perry, the HKFA laureate being invited to feature in the song. Beyond The Edge is a song which the Hong Kong people love the most, Fu Jiu from China has a voice that strongly resembles the legendary rock band main vocals from Hong Kong – Beyond, hats off to the legends! Canon Rock 2020 is blessed to feature the song’s original creator – JerryC, the song commemorates the first wave YouTube content creators and a backstory of how Namewee rose to prominence. I Shot You shows that Namewee has limitless creativity, he wants to honour the Adult Video actresses and particularly JAV for accompanying him during his loneliest hours. Besides that, the appearance of Yua Mikami has garnered the music video a lot of unwanted attention. Do you still remember the 90s retro disco music? Stop Clubbing is a song that discourages young adults to go to such places. Head figure of Taiwan’s EDM, DJ Jerry collaborates with Namewee to rewind time back to the 90s happiest hours.

To complete the Asian Polymath formula, the finale of the ‘Asia’ albums. Unprecedented guest invitations and collaborations in the album far exceeds the industry’s common standard, in addition to the vast music genres such as Rock,R&B, Rap, Reggae, Ancient Chinese, Hindustani, Modern Pop, EDM and Disco. Nonetheless, sampling techniques, piano, guitars and strings, ancient instruments, Kompang, Sitar, Sape and countless instruments were used. Namewee greatly expanded the instrument capabilities and infused them with his creativity. During each stage of the process, the artiste was always brimming with ideas, the artist even exclaimed: ‘This project has my brain wrenched! My most time-consuming project ever!’

As a perfectionist, Namewee would always need to delve into his massive sound libraries to rummage a voicing that could match the corresponding time period, sometimes it could take weeks to filter a suitable candidate. Namewee would even go to the extreme by attempting to contact the original song producer to locate the most accurate sound but that’s just the first baby footsteps. Then, he would discuss with his arranger for ways to make the sound more modern, to fit the old blood in a new body. Asian Polymath is amazing for its preservation of the retro elements but still modern sounding aspect.

To differ ‘Honouring’ and ‘Imitating’ has its difficulties, the fine line between the 2 is ambivalent and blurry. Hence, Namewee has his own answer to such a question, he believes that by paying homage to the classics, their people and legacies would be the huge difference maker. Long story short, Namewee was already a backpacker in his college years, while he was travelling with a very tight budget in Asia, it was the classics that kept reminding him to be diligent and stoic.

The Corona-pandemic has ravaged 2020 into pieces, many were despair and despondent but Namewee persevered, thus giving birth to Asian Polymath. The word ‘Polymath’ means a person who possesses wide knowledge and talent, Namewee believes that everyone is born with talent yet true success is only granted to the most hardworking genius. Asian Polymath is Namewee’s desire for working with every talented person he came across in Asia, with burning passion comes unparalleled talent, that’s the last calling of Asian Polymath.

#黃明志 #Namewee #亞洲通才 #AsianPolymath

[翻轉視界12] 外籍移工的悲歌

你能想像一周七天每天工作17個小時以上嗎？

音檔： https://www.instagram.com/p/CH85KwdF3GJ/

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Can you imagine working over 17 hours a day, seven days a week? Thousands of foreign domestic workers in Taiwan do it every day, with some being on call 24 hours a day and performing household chores that are not a part of their jobs.

1. foreign domestic worker 外籍家庭傭工
2. on call 24 hours a day 一天24小時待命
3. perform household chores 做家務事

你能想像一周七天每天工作17個小時以上嗎？台灣每天都有成千上萬的外籍家庭傭工如此，其中一些人每天24小時待命，並且要做不屬於他們工作範圍的家務活。

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Foreign domestic workers in Taiwan do not have a weekly mandatory rest day, despite this being a global standard already enforced in Hong Kong and Singapore. According to statistics by the Ministry of Labor (MOL), 34.7 percent of foreign domestic workers did not receive any days off last year.

4. a mandatory rest day 法定休假日
5. day off 休息日
6. the Ministry of Labor 勞動部

台灣的外籍家庭傭工沒有每週的法定休假日，儘管在香港和新加坡已經實施的這項全球標準。根據勞動部（MOL）的統計，去年有34.7％的外籍家庭傭工沒有獲得任何休假日。

★★★★★★★★★★★★

The record is a strike against Taiwan’s achievements in human rights and freedoms for its own citizens, especially stark after the internationally-lauded legalization of same-sex marriage in May, 2019. Compounding the lack of rest days are the long work hours — an average of 17.72 hours a day, according to a separate study commissioned in 2012 by the Executive Yuan’s Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (now part of the National Development Council).

7. a strike against… 對…的打擊、重創
8. human rights and freedoms 人權和自由*
9. internationally-lauded (adj.) 獲國際讚譽的
10. the legalization of same-sex marriage 同性婚姻合法化
11. compound (v.) 使加重，使加劇，使惡化

該記錄是對台灣為自己的公民在人權和自由方面所取得的成就的重擊，特別是在2019年5月國際上稱讚的同性婚姻合法化之後。根據行政院研究，發展和評估委員會（現為國家發展委員會的一部分）在2012年委託進行的另一項研究，外籍移工平均每日工作時數為17.72小時，冗長的工作時數加劇了休息時間的缺乏。

*freedom: https://bit.ly/3nvyjhM

★★★★★★★★★★★★

The lack of rest and even basic privacy can cause mental and emotional strain to workers — effects that have already been reported to the government. A 2013 Control Yuan investigation into human rights issues faced by foreign domestic workers found that the lack of regular days off caused workers to fall into states of anxiety and stress in the long-term, and recommended that employers build “breathing time” for workers into their contracts.

12. basic privacy 基本隱私
13. mental and emotional strain 精神和情感壓力
14. Control Yuan 監察院
15. fall into states of anxiety and stress 陷入焦慮和壓力狀態
監察院

缺乏休息甚至基本隱私都會給工人帶來精神和情感壓力，這種影響已經被通報給政府。 2013年，行政院對外國家庭傭工所面臨的人權問題進行的調查發現，長期缺乏定期休假會導致工人陷入焦慮和壓力狀態，並建議雇主為工人在合同裡建立「透氣時間」。

★★★★★★★★★★★★

On average, foreign domestic workers earn a total monthly salary with overtime amounting to NT$19,927, according to the MOL. In contrast, the average monthly salary for a Taiwanese domestic helper or caretaker in the Taipei area ranges from NT$45,000 to NT$75,000, according to the China Long-term Care Association (中華長照協會).

16. monthly salary 月薪
17. overtime (n.) 加班費*
18. amount (v.) to 達到、總計
19. caretaker 看護人員

根據勞工部的數據，平均來說，外籍家庭傭工的月工資總額為新台幣19,927元。相比之下，根據中華長期照護協會的統計，台北地區的台籍家庭傭工或看護人員的平均月薪在45,000至75,000新台幣之間。

*overtime: https://bit.ly/36MbH60

★★★★★★★★★★★★

About 38 percent of foreign domestic workers in Taiwan have been verbally or physically abused by employers or household members, while less than half seek help, a survey conducted by the Garden of Hope Foundation found.

20. be verbally or physically abused 受到口頭或身體虐待
21. seek help 尋求幫助

希望花園基金會進行的一項調查發現，台灣大約38％的外籍家庭傭工受到雇主或家庭成員的口頭或身體虐待，而不到一半的人尋求幫助。

★★★★★★★★★★★★

About 250,000 migrants work in Taiwanese households, more than 240,000 as caregivers and 1,800 as maids. As shown by 35 percent of respondents, most victims do not seek help after being exploited, physically attacked or even sexually assaulted because they fear losing their job.

22. migrant 移民、移工*
23. caregiver 看護員
24. maid 女傭
25. respondent 受訪者
26. be exploited 被剝削
27. be physically attacked 被人身攻擊
28. be sexually assaulted 被性侵
29. lose one’s job 失去工作

約有25萬移工在台灣家戶裡工作，其中24萬為看護員，1,800為女傭。正如35％的受訪者所表明的，大多數受害者在遭受剝削、人身攻擊甚至性侵後都不會尋求幫助，因為他們擔心失去工作。

*emigration, immigration, migration 的區別: https://bit.ly/36YcP6v

★★★★★★★★★★★★

We need to provide better conditions and treatment for those who come thousands of miles to care for our elderly and the sick. It is the least we can do to thank them for their help.

30. provide better treatment 提供更好的待遇
31. the elderly and the sick 老人和病人
32. the least we can do 我們至少能做到

我們需要為來千里而來照顧我們老人和病人的外籍看護提供更好的條件和待遇。這至少是我們為感謝他們的幫助所該做的。

★★★★★★★★★★★★

資料來源:
https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=2281

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2019/12/25/2003728138

http://taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/11/23/2003726340

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2015/02/17/2003611746

https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/majalah-53039490

延伸閱讀:

Why the case of a maid who battled a millionaire has gripped Singapore: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54174598

Domestic slavery, Maid in Taiwan: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2015/02/17/2003611746

★★★★★★★★★★★★

翻轉視界: https://bit.ly/3fPvKUs

//香港藝術文化工作者就「港版國安法」的聯署聲明 JOINT STATEMENT OF ARTS & CULTURAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG ON THE PROPOSED NATIONAL SECURITY LAW FOR HONG KONG
我們是一群在香港從事藝術及文化的工作者，對全國人大於第十三屆人大會議宣佈繞過香港立法程序，授權人大常委會訂立《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區維護國家安全法》，再按《基本法》第18條納入附件3直接在香港實施的做法，深表震驚、憂慮和憤怒。

此「港版國安法」訂明禁止分裂國家、顛覆國家政權、組織實施恐怖活動和外國及境外勢力干預的行為；中央維護「國家安全」的有關機關根據需要在港設立機構，履行相關職責；規定行政長官應進行「國家安全」推廣教育，並定期向中共政府提交報告。

震驚，是因為新冠肺炎疫情尚未過去，市民還在籌謀抗疫、復考、復工和復課的安排之際，中央出此重手，一錘定音，甚有「快刀斬亂麻」之味；加上過去一個月來自「兩辦內會聲明」、中聯辦自訂不受《基本法》第22條規管、港府三改立場、強行褫奪郭榮鏗內會主席資格、無視議事規則「選出」李慧琼作內會主席、警察肆意以「限聚令」打壓市民和平集會的權利、警隊知法犯法涉及多項嚴重罪行、斬人者被判囚45個月但承認暴動罪的年輕人卻被判4年刑期的司法不公、以政治理由和漠視考生權益的情況下強行取消DSE歷史科試題、至港台《頭條新聞》被封殺等連串事件，教見證著香港極速崩壞的我們咋舌。

憂慮，是因為從事創作和表演的我們，嚴重質疑「港版國安法」通過後還剩多少創作、言論、表達和生存的空間？有關「六四」的的舞台劇會否被視為顛覆國家政權？藝術家參與國際藝術節或邀請外國藝術家到港交流又會否被視為串連外國及境外勢力干預？歌詞中提及「反修例」示威者的行為又會否被打成煽動恐怖活動？在電影中有對白形容女角的衣著風格為「台灣風」又會否被指斥為傷害民族感情、違反一中原則和分裂國家？藝術教育的課程又是否必須加入「國家安全」的元素，否則不獲撥款資助？若然真的墮入法網，將會由誰執法？會否是中央維護「國家安全」而在港設立的機構派員拘捕涉案人士返內地受審和服刑？對於這把「以言入罪」並懸在藝文工作者頭上的刀、繼而產生的寒蟬效應、和日後創作再無「不為政權歌功頌德」的自由，我們感到無比憂慮。

憤怒，是因為一條覆蓋全港700多萬人和影響如斯深遠的法例，竟可以完全繞過立法會、在全不諮詢香港人的情況下，以5個工作天的時間在北京「討論」和表決，實在有違文明的常理！

根據《基本法》第27條，香港居民均享有言論、新聞、出版的自由。可是「港版國安法」通過後，藝文工作者勢必人人自危，處處擔心觸碰「紅線」，事事自我審查，嚴重打擊藝術創作及言論表達的自由，阻礙本地及海外的文化藝術交流，甚至威脅藝文工作者的人身安全，令香港作為國際文化大都會的形象嚴重受損，並帶來無可估計的經濟損失。

故此，我們強烈反對全國人大在本週四 (5月28) 投票通過「港版國安法」。而人大代表中的馬逢國先生，我們雖知你貴為港區人大代表團團長，但同時亦是香港立法會多年的「體育、演藝、文化及出版」界議員、我們無可奈何下的「業界代表」。你應明白要創作優秀的文化、藝術作品，必須要有一個容讓自由表達、自由創作的環境；而藝文創作的使命，便是思考及衝破種種藩籬，帶領人類文明走向更高的層次。可是，你有否感到「港版國安法」與上述價值背道而馳？有否知悉我們上述的震驚、憂慮和憤怒？在本週四表決「港版國安法」時、閣下將如何投票？你有否打算在投票前諮詢並反映香港藝術文化界的意見？我們亦在此促請馬先生盡早回覆上述的問題，並拒絕在本週四投票通過「港版國安法」。

We are a group of arts and cultural workers in Hong Kong. We are writing to express our shock, worry and anger at the announcement by the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) to bypass the legislative process in Hong Kong and authorise the NPC Standing Committee to create a national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for implementation as part of Annex III under Article 18 of the Basic Law.

The proposed national security law prohibits secession, subversion, organised terrorism, and intervention by foreign countries and foreign forces; allows Central Government authorities overseeing national security to set up organisations in Hong Kong if necessary; and requires the HKSAR to promote national security education and report regularly to the Central Government.

Shock, because the Central Government is acting so heavy-handedly in its attempt to arrive at a swift, finalised solution, at a time when the Coronavirus pandemic is not yet over and the people of Hong Kong are still struggling to stay safe, resume work and reopen school. Adding to the shock is our speechless horror at the rapid collapse of our way of life, evident in a series of events in the past month including: remarks made by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) about the operation of the Legislative Council House Committee; the Hong Kong Government’s three flip-flopping statements about the LOCPG’s claim that it is not subject to Article 22 of the Basic Law; the forcible removal of Dennis Kwok and the unprocedural election of Starry Lee as the president of the Legislative Council House Committee; the police’s abuse of the group gathering ban to restrict the right to peaceful assembly; recent reports of police officers knowingly breaking the law and committing serious offences; the injustice of sentencing a protester to four years in prison for rioting as opposed to the lenient 45 months meted out to an anti-protest man for stabbing three citizens; the Government’s decision to scrap a question from the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) history paper on political grounds and in disregard of the rights of candidates; as well as the suspension of Radio Television Hong Kong’s satirical show Headliner under government pressure.

Worry, because we seriously question how much room would remain for free speech and artistic expression. Will a stage drama about June 4 be regarded as a subversion of state power? Will participating in an international arts festival or inviting foreign artists to Hong Kong for artistic exchange be considered as inducing intervention by foreign countries or foreign forces? Will lyrics about anti-extradition protests be labelled as inciting terrorist activities? Will film dialogue referring to a female character’s costume as ‘Taiwanese’ be accused of hurting national feelings, violating the principle of one China and splitting the country? Will arts education programmes be funded only if ‘national security’ elements are included? Who will enforce the law if it is broken? Will offenders be arrested by personnel from organisations set up by the Central Government authorities overseeing national security? Will they be sent to the mainland for trial and sentence? We are extremely worried that speech crimes, like a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, will create chilling effects and remove the freedom not to glorify the existing regime.

Anger, because a far-reaching law affecting more than 7 million citizens is to be ‘deliberated’ and voted on in Beijing in just five working days, bypassing the Legislative Council, without any consultation of the people of Hong Kong, and in utter disregard of the standard of civilisation!

According to Article 27 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, of the press and of publication. However, the proposed national security law will put arts and cultural workers at risk of violating prohibitions and create a climate of fear and self-censorship that harms artistic expression, free speech, cultural exchange and even personal security. The consequent damage to the image of Hong Kong as a cultural metropolis and to the economy will be incalculable.

Thus we strongly object to the NPC voting for the proposed national security law on this coming Thursday (28 May). Attending the NPC as the convenor of Hong Kong Delegation is Mr Ma Fung-kwok, who is a long-time Hong Kong Legislative Councillor for Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication Constituency. Mr Ma, you are supposed to ‘represent’ us (whether we like it or not); you must understand that creativity thrives on a free environment, and that the mission of arts and cultural workers is to push boundaries and explore the realms beyond. Don’t you think the proposed national security law runs counter to the values we cherish? Are you aware of the shock, worry and anger we feel? How will you vote on the proposed national security law next Thursday? Do you intend to consult and reflect the views of the arts and cultural workers in Hong Kong before you vote? We therefore also urge that Mr Ma reply to the above questions as soon as possible and refuse to vote for the proposed national security law on this coming Thursday.//