Freedom has 'vanished', Taiwan says on Hong Kong anniversary

TAIPEI: Freedom in Hong Kong has “vanished” and China has failed to live up to its promises of 50 years without change, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Friday (Jul 2), the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule. Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Hong Kong to swear in its new leader, former security chief John Lee , who is sanctioned by the United States over his role in implementing a national security law there. Most people in Chinese-claimed Taiwan have shown no interest in being run by Beijing, and the government has repeatedly rejected China’s offer…