Arrests, disbandments and disqualifications: a look back at events that shaped Hong Kong’s political landscape in 2021

Since the imposition of the national security law, the city’s electoral process has been overhauled, while the opposition camp has seen its influence curtailed

A number of civil rights groups have folded, while press freedom is under scrutiny after Apple Daily and Stand News halted operations

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The national security law has loomed large over Hong Kong politics over the past year. Photo: Sun Yeung

Published: 5:00pm, 1 Jan 2022Updated: 5:03pm, 1 Jan 2022

Hong Kong has gone through a number of political changes since Beijing implemented a sweeping national security law in the city more than a year ago.

The legislation has affected many in the opposition camp, resulting in the arrests of a number of activists and prominent civil rights groups disbanding. Press freedom came under the spotlight as well, as Apple Daily folded after 26 years in business.

Beijing also overhauled the city’s electoral system, and has since issued full-throated rejections of Western-style democracy, even as it renewed its commitment to allowing Hong Kong to elect its leader by universal suffrage.

Below, the Post highlights some of the political events that have defined 2021.

The 47

The year began with the arrests of 53 activists and former opposition lawmakers under the Beijing-imposed national security law at the start of January. Two months later, 47 of them were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over an unofficial primary the opposition camp had organised for last year’s Legislative Council election, which authorities later postponed.