The Intelligence from The Economist

Lai of the land: Hong Kong’s democrats quashed

Apr 19, 2021
Su Lin Wong, The Economist's China correspondent in Hong Kong, shares deep insights into the recent sentencing of prominent democracy activists like Jimmy Lai. She discusses the impact of the national security law on civil liberties and the resilience of Hong Kong's pro-democracy spirit. The conversation also dives into the controversial creation of human-monkey chimeras, raising vital ethical questions, and shifts in Egyptian television as state narratives dominate, illustrating the broader implications of censorship and competition in media.
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ANECDOTE

Sentencing of Hong Kong Activists

  • Nine prominent Hong Kong democracy activists were sentenced for their roles in the 2019 protests.
  • This includes media tycoon Jimmy Lai and "father of democracy" Martin Lee.
INSIGHT

Severity of Sentences

  • The activists received sentences ranging from eight to 18 months, some suspended.
  • These are the most severe punishments yet for pro-democracy figures related to the 2019 protests.
INSIGHT

Charges Against Activists

  • The activists were charged with organizing and participating in an unauthorized assembly on August 18, 2019.
  • The defense challenged the police's authority to ban assemblies.
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