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Mass arrests point to Hong Kong’s quickening transition to a second-tier Chinese city
- Hong Kong officials deny there is any erosion of promised rights and contend their actions are not political. But their fighting words are those of a government intent on breaking from the wider world
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From here on the lower decks, Hong Kong is obviously a sinking ship. The mass arrest – and then release without charge – of democracy-supporting citizens last week is just the latest sign that the city’s days as a great place are numbered.
Government dismissal of foreign criticism of its actions tells me the authorities do not understand what is required of a respected member of the global community. Even as people flee to freer countries, companies downsize or relocate, and international indexes show a decline, the government denies that anything is wrong.
Foreign governments and monitoring groups, like most Hongkongers, know that what is going on in the name of protecting China’s safety is not normal.
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Since Beijing’s national security law was introduced on June 30, the number of arrests on allegations of subversion has mounted to the dozens, having risen dramatically last Wednesday with the detention of 53 political figures and activists for their involvement in a pro-democracy camp primary to choose candidates for an election to the main legislature that was subsequently postponed.
Their alleged crime? According to the authorities, they had intended to “seize the ruling power” of Hong Kong.
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Mass arrests of Hong Kong opposition lawmakers, activists under national security law
Mass arrests of Hong Kong opposition lawmakers, activists under national security law
If winning seats in a freely held election so that the people who voted for successful candidates can get a greater say in the running of their city is subversion, my understanding of the democracy promised to Hong Kong is deeply flawed.
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