The former British colony experienced a year of political repression in 2020 as the consequences of last year’s pro-democracy protests became apparent and Beijing tightened its grip on Hong Kong.
The Communist Party of China’s implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong was undoubtedly the catalyst for the dramatic changes in Hong Kong.
With Hong Kong residents living in fear of speaking out against the law and prominent activists either imprisoned or exiled, Beijing is reshaping the city. Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy” has been transformed, and “one country, two systems” seems more broken than ever before.
A year ago, Hong Kong was a different place. The street demonstrations never stopped. The extradition ordinance that sparked the protests has been revoked. The pro-democracy camp won Hong Kong’s district council elections, and President Trump even signed the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and Democracy into law.
However, a new coronavirus outbreak next broke out in Wuhan, and Hong Kongers feared the worst.
As a result of the trauma left by the 2003 Sars virus, the Hong Kong government imposed restrictions on keeping social distance in the city, and Hong Kong residents acted quickly by wearing masks and going out less.
However, the precautions came at a cost. Street protests declined while the Hong Kong government and Beijing reorganized their flags in response to Hong Kong’s political turmoil.
By mid-May, internal changes began to accelerate.
From Beijing came the news that China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress would impose a National Security Law on Hong Kong. Scenes of protest similar to those in 2019 ensued on the streets of Hong Kong.
Beijing, however, was unmoved and passed the National Security Law on May 28.
The law, which took effect on June 30, prohibits secession, subversion of state power, collusion with foreign countries and acts of terrorism. Penalties include life imprisonment, with closed-door trials and extradition to the mainland also becoming possible.
Media mogul Lai Chi-ying, founder of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily, said at the time that the new law was “the death knell of Hong Kong.
On July 1, thousands of protesters defied a police ban and rallied in the streets. A total of 370 protesters were arrested, at least 10 of whom were arrested for violating the new law.
Soon after, people started to make adjustments for this new law.
Prominent activist Nathan Law fled Hong Kong, while the pro-democracy group Demosisto, led by Joshua Wong, disbanded. Self-censorship increased as protesters deleted their social media records out of fear of the law. Libraries and schools were ordered to remove pro-democracy literature, and July also marked the opening of an official state security office in what was formerly a hotel.
Political arrests
It didn’t take long for the first political arrests to begin.
Tony Chung, a 19-year-old pro-democracy activist, was arrested on suspicion of “secession” and later released on bail. He later tried to seek asylum at the U.S. consulate, but before he could reach the consulate, authorities arrested him and charged him with what now appears to be a possible lengthy prison sentence.
Lai Chi-ying and activist Agnes Chow were arrested on charges of “collusion with a foreign power” and “inciting secession,” respectively. These were the first highly publicized arrests. Both were released on bail at the time.
In late August, a dozen dissidents made a desperate attempt to flee to Taiwan by speedboat. Chinese maritime police intercepted them, and all were prosecuted in mainland China’s jurisdiction.
The new law does not target only activists.
A Hong Kong journalist was arrested for researching a report investigating attacks on pro-democracy supporters.
The remaining 15 pro-democracy lawmakers resigned in a show of solidarity after Hong Kong disqualified four elected pro-democracy lawmakers from the Legislative Council. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is not currently targeting the opposition in the pro-Beijing camp.
Outside attention quickly returned to pro-democracy leaders Wong Chi-fung, Chow Ting and Lam Long-yin, who were all charged and sentenced to prison for illegal assembly in connection with a June 2019 protest. Because the violations occurred before the new national security law took effect, they all avoided possible life sentences.
“The struggle is not over yet,” Wong Chi-fung said as he entered prison.
Lai Chi-ying was then formally charged under the Security Law. On Dec. 23, the court granted bail to Lai, who had been in prison for nearly three weeks, and replaced him with house arrest pending trial, but Hong Kong authorities appealed to keep him in custody. Lai Chi-ying, now 73, eerily predicted his fate in June this year.
“The National Security Law has done great damage to the entire democracy movement. We must take a firm stand and be prepared to go to jail one after another,” he said.
International reaction
Critics across the West have slammed the law, saying it strips away the autonomy and freedom promised to Hong Kong. The United States canceled its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, and Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand made the same move.
The U.S. also revoked preferential trade and financial status granted to Hong Kong and also imposed sanctions on Chinese government officials, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, which further altered Hong Kong’s image.
The United Kingdom announced that it would expand the rights of British national overseas passport holders and that nearly 3 million Hong Kong residents would be eligible for “citizenship.
Hong Kong’s status as a financial center was also called into question after financial giants like HSBC reportedly continued to freeze the accounts of people associated with the pro-democracy movement, including media executives and legislators. HSBC has publicly voiced support for the National Security Law.
At a June meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, 27 countries condemned the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law, but 53 countries, including North Korea, Iran and Venezuela, endorsed it.
Hong Kong’s plight is particularly notable as authorities move swiftly to crack down on dissidents. Despite Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s contention that the new national security law restores law and order, thousands of disgruntled dissidents are still being investigated by police.
More bad news should be expected, according to one veteran activist.
Lee Cheuk-Yan believes the crackdown on Hong Kong next year will be “worse” as Beijing further reshapes the city.
“It’s going to be worse in every way. The retaliation is not over. It will continue in 2021,” he said.
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