New national security law 'slams shut' space for dissent in Hong Kong, critics say
www.nbcnews.com
“We are basically seeing the Hong Kong government trying to slam shut the really last vestiges of room for criticizing it,” said Kevin Yam, one of 13 overseas pro-democracy activists accused of national security offenses by Hong Kong authorities.

“We are basically seeing the Hong Kong government trying to slam shut the really last vestiges of room for criticizing it,” said Kevin Yam, one of 13 overseas pro-democracy activists accused of national security offenses by Hong Kong authorities.

When Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997, Beijing assured the former colonial power that civil liberties in the city would be preserved.

On Saturday, Hong Kong enacted a measure that critics charge will further stifle free expression in a city that until recently was known for its freewheeling style, aggressive media and politically active populace.

The bill, called the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance but also referred to as the Article 23 law, took effect following unanimous approval earlier this week by Hong Kong’s opposition-free legislature, where it was deliberated over and passed in a record 11 days.

Article 23 is designed to supplement an earlier national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, one that critics say supercharged the erosion of civil liberties here.

  • essexludlow@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    8 months ago

    China in the 1980’s: “if you give us back Hong Kong, we’ll take good care of it…”

    UK: “ok sounds good. Here you go!”

    Kinda sounds silly. Don’t ya think?

    • ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      8 months ago

      I don’t think anyone was under any illusions. Britain didn’t have a choice or any leverage. It was a 99 year lease so there was no legal claim to keep HK and the UK wasn’t going to war with modern China. China could have just taken it if Britain set a bunch of terms.

      Before the handover, they just basically offered Hong Kong residents the right to move to England. Canada, Australia, and the U.S. had special rules for immigrants from HK. (Probably other countries too.)

      • nick@campfyre.nickwebster.devEnglish
        6·
        8 months ago

        Technically only some of HK was under the lease, some was indefinitely controlled by the British. However, you’re still right because of the military force difference.

        • cyd@lemmy.worldEnglish
          6·
          8 months ago

          Not just an issue of military forces. The New Territories were where all the water supplies for Hong Kong Island were located. It would have been a completely untenable situation once the 99 year lease ran out.

        • wurzelgummidge@lemmy.worldEnglish
          5·
          8 months ago

          Hong Kong Island and Kowloon were annexed as booty from the Opium Wars. The New Territories were leased at the point of a gun.

          All were inextricably bound to China long before 1997 as they depended on it for both water and electricity.

      • saltesc@lemmy.worldEnglish
        22·
        8 months ago

        Lord hear me now
        Junk boats and English boys
        Crashing out in super marts
        Electric fences and guns

        You swallow me
        I’m a pill on your tongue

        Here on the nineteenth floor
        The neon lights make me come

        And late in a star’s life
        It begins to explode
        And all the people in a dream
        Wait for the machine

        Pick the shit up leave it clean

        Kid, hang over here
        What you learning in school?
        Is the rise of an Eastern sun
        Gonna be good for everyone?

        The radio station disappears
        Music turning to thin air
        The DJ was the last to leave
        She had well conditioned hair,
        Was beautiful, but nothing really was there