Protests Persist vs Oppressive Hong Kong Security Law

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At 11:00 PM on June 30, 2020, the Hong Kong National Security Law went into force. This year marks the fifth anniversary of that infamous day.

The Chinese government under Xi Jinping contends that the national security law has brought "stability" and "prosperity" to Hong Kong. Accordingly, it has ordered the Hong Kong government to further tighten restrictions on Hong Kong people.

China guaranteed the special administrative region a high degree of autonomy after Hong Kong's reversion from the United Kingdom in 1997. Yet, authoritarian China and the Hong Kong officials who do its bidding have turned their backs on the "one country, two systems" promise Chinese leaders made at that time. It is more important than ever that the international community maintain its interest and step up pressure on the Hong Kong government to support its citizens.

China's Blackened Hands

The Chinese government's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office is responsible for policy toward both cities. Xia Baolong is its director. He presented the government's justification for the crackdown on pro-democracy forces at a forum marking the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the national security law. Its implementation, he said, had "dealt a powerful blow to anti-China destabilizing forces." He was referring to those who oppose China and "cause chaos" in Hong Kong.

Xia also strongly defended the law, claiming it has served to maintain "long-term prosperity and stability" in the city.

It is no joke. Citizens of Hong Kong have been deprived of freedom of speech and assembly for the past five years under the "national security governance" of Hong Kong (guoan zhigang). In this system, national security takes priority over all other considerations.

The law is characterized by its vague red lines that Beijing defines and forbids to be crossed. It has forced citizens to self-censor, casting a pall of silence over local society. The "prosperity" and "stability" touted by Xia and local officials are empty words.

*Hong Kong and Chinese flags fly together on a street corner in Hong Kong in October, 2024. (©Kyodo)*

The Memory of Tiananmen

Hong Kong watched as the democracy movement within China was violently suppressed during the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. Following that, a massive candlelight vigil was held in Victoria Park (Causeway Bay district) every year on June 4 to commemorate the victims.

Thereafter, the rallies continued for more than 30 years. They also functioned as an important opportunity for civic education for Hong Kong citizens. However, since the implementation of the local national security law, police have prevented the commemorative gatherings from taking place.

Nonetheless, there have still been many unforgettable scenes. Hong Kongers continued to mourn on this fifth anniversary. They have brought flower bouquets to heavily policed parks, prayed on benches while holding electronic candles, and read the Bible in public. At the same time, individuals who engage in such activities are well aware that they risk arrest for their silent acts of dissent.

The Chinese and Hong Kong authorities would do well to learn that the fire of individual conscience lit by citizens cannot be easily extinguished.

For China, 'Patriotic' Equals Anti-Japan

Over the last five years, the authorities have intensified their efforts to indoctrinate the people of Hong Kong through "patriotic education." Just as elsewhere in Mainland China, anti-Japan events are planned in Hong Kong on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the "war of resistance against Japan." This, too, should not be ignored.

Even if this is meant to be just one part of Chinese-style patriotic education, such anti-Japan education is absolutely unacceptable. The Japanese government should take the situation seriously and protest to the Hong Kong government.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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