Economist Podcasts The big gag: Hong Kong’s crackdown on freedom
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Jun 4, 2024 
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Vigil Suppression
- Hong Kong's annual Tiananmen Square vigil has been replaced by a food fair, symbolizing a broader crackdown on freedom.
- The national security law imposed by Beijing has quashed demonstrations and commemorations.
Hong Kong 47 Trial
- The Hong Kong 47 activists' trial, where 14 were convicted of subversion for holding an unofficial primary, reflects the shrinking space for political dissent.
- The primary aimed to elect pro-democracy candidates and challenge the government's authority.
Judicial Independence?
- Two acquittals in the Hong Kong 47 trial suggest a degree of judicial independence, but the government plans to appeal.
- The new Article 23 law further restricts freedoms, leading to arrests for social media posts about Tiananmen.