Grenville Cross
Grenville Cross is a senior counsel and law professor, and was previously the director of public prosecutions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Grenville's recent articles
Legislative trends on anti-interference in major Western countries
When Hong Kong's policy makers were formulating the offence of foreign interference endangering national security, they did not operate in a vacuum. International models were examined, and they heavily influenced the final product. They included the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Amendment) Act 2018 of Australia, now incorporated into the country’s Criminal Code Act 1995. Its effect was to proscribe foreign interference in Australia’s affairs, and it did so comprehensively.
Gaza hellscape: Starmer recalibrates UK foreign policy for global justice
After the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, Israel stopped the entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza. When asked by London-based radio station LBC’s Nick Ferrari on Oct 11 if the cutting off of power and water was appropriate, the Labour leader (now prime minister), Sir Keir Starmer, said, “Israel does have that right.” Although he qualified this by adding “everything must be done within international law”, people were aghast.
“What sort of country locks people away for years for planning a peaceful demonstration?”
In recent times, rights of protest have faced crackdowns throughout Europe.
UK's Starmer should develop balanced foreign policy
On June 13, when the UK Labour Party issued its manifesto for the general election on July 4, its focus was domestic issues. This was understandable, as elections are won and lost on bread-and-butter issues. There were, however, some references to foreign policy, albeit nothing too beefy. Signed by the Labour Party leader (now prime minister), Sir Keir Starmer, the manifesto committed the party to working with the US, supporting NATO, enhancing the AUKUS pact, and backing Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, so no surprises there. They mirrored the policies of Rishi Sunak's Conservative government, and Starmer was trying...
Court of final appeal: Overseas judges must prioritise service over politics
The rule of law has always been fundamental to the success story that is modern Hong Kong, and its custodian is the judiciary.
Human rights protections underpin safeguarding national security ordinance
Grenville Cross says new legislation incorporates guarantees lacking in other common-law jurisdictions similar laws.
The Trial of Jimmy Lai: A letter to the UK Prime Minister
There can be no question of the National Security Law being repealed. Likewise, I imagine there is no question of your government repealing its National Security Act (2023).
Asia should forge its own way and no longer be subservient to the US and its outriders like Japan
The old adage Beware of Greeks bearing gifts is a warning not to take things at face value. If caution is abandoned, the consequences may be dire.
Hong Kongs resilient legal system can withstand interference from foreigners
Although the trial of the former media magnate Jimmy Lai Chee-ying on charges involving sedition and collusion with foreign forces, was scheduled to begin on Dec 18, there were last-minute attempts from abroad to disrupt it.
Criminal suspects: HK acts to protect itself from hostile forces
Although Penny Wong is eager to condemn Hong Kong, she has done nothing of any substance to help her fellow countryman, Julian Assange; an Australian citizen currently in a UK jail fighting extradition to the US, which is using the extraterritorial reach of the Espionage Act (1917) for the alleged crime of exposing malfeasance at the heart of the American government.
Threats to judges an affront to rule of law that shames US
On May 12, the former president of the UN Security Council, Kishore Mahbubani, warned Hong Kong that it faced ongoing turbulence amidst global tensions. It should expect to be kicked around like a football over the next decade, although this has already started.
US hypocrisy: serial rules-breaker forfeits global credibility
On May 3, 2021, when the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, was interviewed by60 Minutes, he said, Our purpose is not to contain China, to hold it back, to keep it down. It is to uphold the rules-based order that China is posing a threat to.
Global tensions: Peacemakers must trump warmongers
Chinas calls for calm stand in stark contrast to US provocations.
Ukraine conflict: China promotes peaceful solutions over warmongering
Sir Winston Churchill, Britains wartime leader, said that jaw-jaw is better than war-war, and he should know.
Marcos beware: US militarisation of the Philippines endangers regional peace and stability
When Ferdinand E Marcos was elected the 10th president of the Philippines in 1965, it was with the support of the United States. Laudatory articles about him appeared in the American media, and the US vice president, Hubert Humphrey, attended his inauguration. The US saw him as an amenable politician who was also popular, although it miscalculated in considering him a puppet.
Pattens propaganda: barrack-room lawyers phony Hong Kong analysis debunked
In legal circles, outsiders who hold forth on legal issues without understanding the law or knowing the facts are held in particular contempt. They are known as barrack-room lawyers, a term that originally derived from military slang.
UK chaos: Hong Kong emigrants duped by false prospectus
In 1711, Alexander Pope, the English poet, wrote that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Taiwan reunification: US benefits from cross-straits divisions
Although the United States often expresses concerns over the possibility of Taiwan being reunified with its motherland by force, it claims to support consensual reunification. This, however, could not be further from the truth, and its own national interests dictate otherwise. It benefits enormously from cross-Straits divisions, and the last thing it wants to see is their removal.
One country, two systems: Judiciary upholds Hong Kongs legal system and way of life
Since Hong Kong was reunified with the motherland in 1997, its fortunes have been guided by the Basic Law, its mini-constitution. This guarantees that its capitalist system and way of life will remain unchanged for 50 years, and that it enjoys a high degree of autonomy.
US revives Monroe Doctrine to provoke China, defend hegemonism
After the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan on August 2, 2022, her compatriots continued to stoke regional tensions. They have sought to provoke China at every opportunity, hoping to trigger a response. Whereas their rhetoric has been inflammatory, their hypocrisy has been blatant.
Britains opium era strategy to deal with China
THE DAOGUANG EMPEROR tasked Commissioner Lin Zexu with suppressing the opium trade bedeviling China in 1839. Lin initially tried diplomacy.
An open letter to Boris Johnson about his ignorance of Hong Kong
On the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in the British national interest, there should be a correct understanding of the situation in Hong Kong. It is important for there to be a healthier relationship with China.
The Hong Kong diaries: Patten revives colonialism, trying to attract interest
Although the United Kingdom traditionally regarded Hong Kong as a colony, this changed over time.
Reflections on Criminal Justice in Hong Kong since 1997
The judiciary, the prosecutions division and the police force have all faced great challenges since 1997, and they have all learnt from their experiences and emerged stronger.That is not what the anti-China media have told us.
Hong Kong's assured future beyond 2047 by China is a fillip for everybody
Local people, foreign investors and the commercial world can now put their minds at rest. It will be business as usual after 2047, not least for the common law legal system and the rule of law
Double standards by the International Criminal Court
Are the people of Ukraine more worthy and valuable than the people of Yemen?
Hong Kong's legal system can be judged on its merits
Criticism of the city's independent and highly professional judiciary is malicious, groundless and often politically motivated.
Foreign interference: Protective mechanisms in Hong Kong are legitimate and necessary
'One country, two systems' is key to Hong Kong's success, notwithstanding the best efforts of the US and its partners.
AUKUS is a stab in the back and a big mistake
By becoming little more than a US outpost, Australia is progressively sacrificing its role as an independent actor in the Asia-Pacific region, and diminishing its clout accordingly.
US hostility towards Hong Kong exposed for all to see
In recent years, Chinas achievements have surpassed all expectations, and the United States has become increasingly paranoid.
Foreign judges on Hong Kong's top court give backing to judiciary
One of Hong Kongs greatest assets has always been the rule of law. What better way, therefore, for anybody wishing to harm Hong Kong than to undermine its legal system.
Foreign sanctions: Beijing counters Biden's bullying of Hong Kong
Although Chinas anti-foreign-sanctions law is novel, it is a vivid demonstration that the days when the US could bully others with impunity are gone.
Hong Kong Journalist Association plays to the Washington gallery.
When it comes to grandstanding, the Hong Kong Journalists Association wins hands down. In this, it can take great pride, and to outdo the prima donnas of bodies like the Hong Kong Bar Association is no mean feat.
Biden's Business Advisory: Hong Kong withstands US attempts to harm China
When Joe Biden replaced Donald Trump as the US President on Jan 21, 2021, there were hopes he would abandon his predecessors discredited policy towards Hong Kong, and reestablish good relations with China. However, the pair of them have turned out to be as alike as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, albeit that Biden is less uncouth.
Rule of law in Hong Kong: Judicial safety and foreign hypocrites
In the Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels, adopted in 2012, it is stated that the advancement of the rule of law is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the full realization of all human rights and freedoms.
Grenville Cross-Rule of law in HongKong- Protecting criminal justice operatives from violence.
When the Hong Kong protest movement and its armed wing launched their insurrection in 2019, they realized that to make headway they had to target people involved in upholding criminal justice. From the outset, they systematically attacked the police, with petrol bombs, bricks and improvised weaponry, and then set about terrorizing their families. They doxxed officers, intimidated their spouses and children, and mounted late night attacks on police married quarters.
Hong Kong's stability is being restored.
The National Security Law for Hong Kong has had a profound impact since its enactment on June 30, 2020, ending the era of lawlessness, bringing back peace and stability. A city famed for its decency and tolerance has reasserted its values and triumphed over those who wished it ill.