The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released the Global Democracy Index 2020. Among 167 countries and regions, Hong Kong‘s democracy index scored only 5.57 out of 10, ranking 87th, plummeting 12 places from the previous year, and falling from “flawed democracy” to “mixed regime” category, just above authoritarian political systems. Hong Kong’s ranking is lower than that of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, among other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The think tank said that the democratic situation in Hong Kong has deteriorated for two consecutive years, and the discussion of political reform has been suppressed by the Hong Kong government, which also pointed out that the “Hong Kong SAR State Security Law” has weakened Hong Kong’s political freedom and undermined the independence of the judiciary. The report also mentions the arrest of several Hong Kong democrats and the imprisonment of protesters in 2020, criticizing Beijing for not tolerating organizations that advocate for local political autonomy.
Taiwan ranked 11th in the world, reaching a “full democracy” level, the highest in East Asia. China ranks 151st out of 167 countries and territories.
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