Lovell library speaker series to host Voice of America journalist July 14

Libo Liu Submitted photo

LOVELL — The Hobbs Library Speaker Series is set to continue at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, with an in-person discussion with Libo Liu at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, 227 Main St.

He will talk about what is happening in Hong Kong and why it matters, according to a news release from the library.

The late Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping had promised the British rulers that the capitalist system and way of life Hong Kong people had enjoyed for decades would not change for at least 50 years after London handed sovereignty over to Beijing. But 23 years later on June 30, 2020, China’s new paramount leader, Xi Jinping, forced the National Security Law upon Hong Kong’s 7 million people. The impact has been so abrupt and brutal that even Beijing has stopped saying the slogan “50 years no change”

How did that happen? What does it mean to the U.S. and to the world? Will it affect ordinary Americans? Liu, a veteran journalist who lived in Hong Kong and covered it for over two decades, will discuss those matters.

Liu has been with the Voice of America Mandarin Service in Washington, D.C., for nearly 25 years. Prior to his current position as a news editor, he served as congressional correspondent, pentagon correspondent and national political correspondent, and traveled to and covered the Asia Pacific region extensively.

Liu served multiple assignments in Hong Kong over the years, including Hong Kong Bureau chief from 2009 to 2012. In 2019, he led a team to cover the Hong Kong Protests that often saw violent clashes between the protesters and the police.

He lives with his wife and son in Washington, D.C., and spends a lot of time every year in the western foothills of Maine.

Check hobbslibrary.org on the day for any changes or updates. For queries, contact the library at 207-925- 3177.

The Hobbs Library Speaker Series is supported in part by a contribution from Norway Savings Bank.