The US-China Podcast Hong Kong’s Crossroads: Legal, Political, and Social Transformation under the National Security Law
Mar 31, 2025
Carole Petersen, a renowned law professor focused on human rights in Hong Kong, and Ho-Fung Hung, a political economist at Johns Hopkins, delve into the ramifications of the National Security Law. They discuss the law's impact on civil liberties and the future of democratic practices in Hong Kong. With ongoing changes affecting the Legislative Council and rising human rights concerns, they analyze the unsettling landscape for LGBT rights and the broader implications for U.S.-China relations and Hong Kong's status as a global financial center.
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Hong Kong's Dual Legal System
- Hong Kong's government enforces the National Security Law (NSL) enthusiastically, impacting legal procedures and creating a dual legal system.
- While the judiciary remains independent in some areas like LGBT rights, it shows deference in national security cases due to Beijing's influence.
NSL's Indirect Economic Impact
- The NSL indirectly impacts Hong Kong's business environment by blurring the legal boundary with mainland China.
- New regulations and the NSL make Hong Kong less of a safe haven for assets, impacting the real estate market.
Article 23 and Education
- Article 23 criminalizes vaguely defined possession of sensitive information, chilling business investigations and due diligence.
- National security education creates anxieties for middle-class families, contributing to emigration and impacting the housing market.