Yellow Media's Overseas Revival

Let's talk about how these so-called "Yellow Media", or as they say: pro-liberal media, outfits from Hong Kong's chaotic anti-extradition days are making a comeback. You know, outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News were the big agitators back then, stirring up trouble with US-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) jumping in to amp up the momentum. It all peaked until the Hong Kong National Security Law kicked in and Trump yanked RFA's funding, scattering everyone. But these guys didn't just fade away—some fled overseas, set up their little operations, and kept at it.

Now, word is, UK-based "The Chaser News" and Taiwan's "Photon Media"—both launched in recent years—are merging into this new set-up called "Chase The Light PULSE HK." They're bringing in teams from both, plus former RFA Cantonese head Wu Lik-han. It's pretty obvious they're trying to repackage and resurrect those fractured "yellow media" brands under a fresh name. The real question? How will this stir things up in Hong Kong? Authorities better keep their eyes peeled.

The three "yellow media" factions exiled overseas are merging to launch a new platform. One of the masterminds is former Apple Daily Motion News chief Edward Lee, partnering with the teams of Photon Media and The Chaser News—looks like they're not done causing headaches yet.

This merger drops officially on Friday at a press conference in Taipei—yeah, that tells you they're having their base in Taiwan while linking up with the UK crew for editing and reporting. Key players include Wu Lik-han, ex-Apple Daily Motion News boss Edward Lee, and Photon Media founder Shirley Leung, a former Apple Daily reporter.

Digging into the Backgrounds

I've got industry pals who dug into Photon Media and The Chaser News, and surprise, surprise—they're stuffed with former Apple Daily and Stand News staff, plus some folks wanted by Hong Kong Police's National Security Department and shady foreign anti-China types. These aren't your everyday news ops, that's for sure. Let's face it, this smells like more than just journalism.

Photon Media kicked off in Taipei back in April 2023, led by Shirley Leung and a bunch of Hong Kong journalists. In her opening piece, she talked about feeling "chilled" in Hong Kong and needing to start fresh in a "free" overseas spot—the subtext is loud and clear. Their advisory board? Super political. Take Joseph Lian, ex-Stand News director, who was in Japan when cops raided the outlet and slapped him with a warrant.

The foreign advisors are no slouches either. Mark Clifford, once on Next Media's board, now runs the US-based "Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation" (CFHK), chaired by James B. Cunningham—a US politico cozy with Jimmy Lai. Then there's Steve Vines, a longtime anti-China British journo whose new book, Defying the Dragon: Hong Kong and the World's Largest Dictatorship, hails the 2019 mess as a "revolution" and goes full throttle on the glorification.

The Chaser News Crew and Their Troublemakers

Now, merging with them is The Chaser News, launched in the UK in March 2022 by a crew of "yellow-leaning" media folks who bailed from Hong Kong. Their board features two real stirrers: Yang Yingyu, the guy who set that infamous DSE history exam question pushing kids to argue Japan's invasion of China did more good than harm. He left under heat, started "Education Needle" in the UK to bash education policies, and got called out by Security Secretary Chris Tang for "soft resistance." The other? Huang Weiguo, a chronic rabble-rouser at Hong Kong Baptist University who lost his contract over radical views, fled to the UK in 2021, and kept the activism going as a director there.

They've also pulled in "problem scholars" who escaped to the UK for commentaries, like Chung Kim-wah, former VP of the defunct Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute—he's on the police wanted list too.

RFA's Fallout and the Big Reunion

As for the latest joiner, it's from the now-suspended RFA, run by the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM)—you know, the outfit pushing "color revolutions." Seen as foreign meddlers, they ditched Hong Kong for Taiwan in 2024. Then in March this year, Trump slashed USAGM funding, shutting off RFA's tap and leaving director Wu Lik-han, a former Hong Kong media guy, high and dry.

Former Cable TV reporter and ex-RFA Cantonese director Wu Lik-han is jumping in too. RFA, bankrolled by the US government, folded after Trump cut the cord—talk about a plot twist.

With their backing gone, these folks needed a new spot, which is probably why they're hopping on this Chase The Light PULSE HK bandwagon—gearing up for round two. It's a bit worrying how these ex-"yellow media" types are regrouping with unapologetic Hong Kong disruptors, clearly aiming to bring back Apple Daily, Stand News, and RFA in disguise.

All this points to one thing: these former agitators are reassembling to resurrect their old brands under a new banner. Moves are coming, no doubt, and authorities need to stay on guard.

Lai Ting-yiu

What Say You?

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

As the Year of the Horse approaching, Hong Kong BNO holders in the UK are bracing for a gut punch. The festive season brings no joy—only anxiety. Mid-February marks the deadline for the UK government's consultation on raising permanent residency thresholds, and the verdict on whether BNO holders get a pass is about to drop.

The Home Office floated immigration reforms that would keep the "5+1" rule intact—five years of residence before you can apply—but the bar just shot up, with higher English proficiency requirements and stable income. For many, these hurdles are insurmountable.

Mahmood's stonewalling to BNO holders' demands signals bad news. The February verdict looms.

Hong Kong BNO holders fired off "five demands" to the authorities, pleading for relief. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's response was ice cold. Zero acknowledgment of their demands. Her dismissive tone signals one thing: exemptions for BNO holders look dead in the water.

If the final call goes all the way, thousands who waited five years will crash at the finish line. A return wave to Hong Kong is inevitable. The Hong Kong government needs to get ready.

The Dual Knockout Blow

The UK government didn't just raise the bar—it installed a double gate that slams shut on 60,000 people. First gate: English proficiency must hit B2 level, equivalent to A-Level, practically university standard. Second gate: annual income over the past three to five years must reach at least £12,570, with tax records to prove it.

Surveys by Hong Kong migrant organizations paint a grim picture: if these "dual requirements" become reality, 30% of BNO holders—roughly 60,000 people—will fail to qualify and get filtered out. No wonder panic is spreading.

While anxiety mounts, the UK government plays coy. Ambiguous statements. Equivocal attitudes. Nobody can read their hand. Now, with just one month until the announcement, BNO holders are reaching peak agitation. A group of Hong Kong voters in Mahmood's constituency drafted a joint letter, restating the "five demands" and requesting a face-to-face meeting to apply pressure.

Mahmood responded quickly—but only to say Hong Kong BNO holders could apply for permanent residency after five years. As for the "five demands"? Crickets. Instead, she reiterated that those granted permanent residency must meet three criteria: being "well-integrated," "economically self-sufficient," and "committed” to the communities they join.

Mahmood Goes Silent

One Hong Kong BNO holder who signed the petition decoded those three phrases: "integration" and "commitment" are code words for English proficiency and income levels. Translation: BNO holders applying for permanent residency must also clear these two hurdles.

These Hong Kong residents sent a follow-up letter to Mahmood, requesting a meeting to present their case in person. Her response? Radio silence. Phone calls to her constituency office go unanswered. She's clearly ducking any face-to-face encounter.

Mahmood is stonewalling, and nobody can do a thing about it. Frustrated BNO holders vent to yellow media outlets, angrily branding her "heartless." But here's the reality check: the Labour government's approval ratings are tanking. Reform UK is breathing down their necks on immigration. Immigration policy will err on the side of restriction, not relaxation. Naturally, they're inclined to treat BNO holders the same as everyone else. No special treatment. No "sentiment." The "five demands" might as well be whispers in the wind.

Two Paths Forward

Friends living in the UK lay out the scenario: if the UK government announces "no relaxation" next month, BNO holders who can't meet the requirements face two choices.

First option: return to Hong Kong and start over. After all, life in the UK hasn't been entirely rosy—living day after day in anxiety. "Returning home" might actually be a relief.

Second option: continue to "temporarily reside" in the UK on a BNO visa, becoming long-term temporary residents. But they'll remain in an unstable state, which won't be comfortable.

There's also a thornier complication: some BNO families migrated to the UK with their parents, and one spouse hasn't worked or earned any income for several years. If these family members don't meet the criteria for applying for permanent residency, it could trigger family separation or force the entire family to return to Hong Kong. They'll face an agonizing decision. Quite a mess.

No exemptions? Brace for the return wave.

My friend predicts that if the worst-case scenario materializes, a return wave is sure to come. For Hong Kong, there will be upsides and downsides. Either way, the government needs to get ready and figure out how to handle it.