February 28 was the anniversary of the attempted uprising in Taiwan that had been violently suppressed by the Kuomintang in 1947. Coincidentally, that was the day Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the founder of
Apple Daily and the media company Next Digital, and several former lawmakers were
arrested on charges of taking part in an unlawful assembly on
August 31 last year. Lai was also charged with criminal intimidation over a separate incident in 2017.
These arrests follow those of various people connected to the Occupy movement, including the
nine democracy activists who organised the protests.
Since the
first major anti-extradition protests in June last year, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has ignored public opinion. More than eight months on, she still refuses to establish an independent commission to investigate allegations of police violence. Instead, she has been busy settling scores and suppressing the opposition.
The current coronavirus crisis could have been a great opportunity to heal divisions in Hong Kong. However, Lam seems to prefer to continue to treat Hongkongers like her enemies. Not only has she failed to contain the spread of the virus and caused more public anger, her enforcement units are also doing her no favours by making extensive arrests in connection with the anti-extradition bill movement.
Lai’s arrest came about a week after
Apple Daily’s disclosure of a report it said Lam had submitted to the central government, criticising pro-establishment allies for not supporting her but saying she would help them win back public support anyway.
Lai’s arrest did not attract much attention in Hong Kong, but the international community noticed. The
United States government called on the Hong Kong government to refrain from using law enforcement selectively for political purposes. US senators urged the administration to enforce the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to exert pressure on the Hong Kong government.
In response, the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong warned the US not to undermine Hong Kong’s judicial independence. Near the start of the anti-extradition movement last year, the office had called Lai
“national scum” after his meetings with US Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss developments in Hong Kong. That was Beijing being polite, although it saw those meetings as evidence of collusion with foreign powers.
Now, with the
phase 1 trade deal agreed between China and the US, Beijing no longer has to play nice. Officials are making it clear that they will not tolerate any opposition to the central government.
Currently, Hong Kong is severely divided. The cash handouts to all permanent residents were supposed to be good news; however, they were also bundled with an increase in
police funding. What with unchecked police conduct and arbitrary arrests, only one conclusion can be drawn from the large budget allocation for police: Hong Kong is becoming a police state.
This might only further rile some Hongkongers, and leave the pro-establishment camp in an even more precarious position ahead of the Legco election in September.
Regardless of whether one agrees with Lai’s stance and actions, Hong Kong’s core values – freedom of speech and freedom of the press – must be defended. Hongkongers must stand tall and stand together. The alternative is to allow Lam’s regime to continue with its chilling strategies which will put an end to the city’s freedoms.
Hong Kong faces a most critical moment. The people have no choice but to unite and fight against the government. Lai’s case should be closely monitored. In future, will others in Hong Kong suffer similar consequences? We must now lean on the fact that we still have an independent judicial system in which all can receive a fair trial.
Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator
