The Intelligence from The Economist The longer arm of the law: Hong Kong
Jan 8, 2021
Dom Ziegler, an Asia columnist based in Hong Kong, shares insights on the chilling impact of the national-security law, detailing the crackdown on pro-democracy activists. Ryan Avent discusses the need to rethink economic models in light of recent crises, pushing for a focus on human behavior and fairness. Anne Rowe reflects on the inspiring life of Agitou Gudetta, a beloved refugee who embraced goat farming, highlighting themes of resilience and community support. These conversations weave together the threads of political strife and the human spirit.
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Hong Kong Security Law
- Beijing imposed a national security law to quell Hong Kong's 2019 protests and suppress political opposition.
- The law criminalizes subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign powers, with harsh penalties.
Sparing Use, Then Mass Arrests
- Hong Kong police have used the national security law sparingly, primarily targeting media tycoon Jimmy Lai.
- This changed with the mass arrests of pro-democracy figures involved in unofficial primary elections.
Threat of a Majority
- The primary election aimed to unify the pro-democracy camp for the Legislative Council elections.
- The government viewed this potential majority as subversive, leading to arrests.