By Invitation | Hong Kong’s democratic deficit

Sebastien Lai on the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong

Investors should be just as worried as democracy campaigners, says the son of a jailed newspaper owner

Image: Delphine Lee

HONG KONG’S authorities would have the world believe that the city, after three years of crippling covid restrictions, is open for business. Their ongoing crackdown on the rights and freedoms that made Hong Kong a global centre for trade and finance tells a different story.

Explore more

By Invitation August 12th 2023

From the August 12th 2023 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition
Reuse this content

More from By Invitation

Reihan Salam

Trumpism is becoming more pragmatic, argues Reihan Salam

But not all of the incoming president’s backers buy it

Time is not on Russia’s side, argues Finland’s foreign minister

Elina Valtonen calls for a lower oil-price cap and tougher measures against Russia’s shadow fleet

Oriana Skylar Mastro makes a case for paring America’s nukes

The political scientist explains why beefing up is bad China strategy

A new Iranian approach to regional security and prosperity, by M. Javad Zarif

Iran’s vice-president on how his country can make the region more secure and prosperous

America’s debt cannot keep stacking up, says Jeffrey Gundlach

The “King of Bonds” sees the risk of a debt restructuring with global repercussions

South Korea’s crisis highlights both fragility and resilience, writes Wi Sung-lac

The country is deeply polarised, but its living memory of military rule strengthens its commitment to democracy