Hong Kong’s new security law is being applied sparingly, so far
Pro-democracy campaigners should not feel relieved
REMINDERS OF HONG KONG’s draconian new security law are everywhere. It is advertised on billboards and giant hoardings (“Restore stability,” they enjoin). During scattered protests on October 1st, China’s national day, Hong Kong’s police raised purple banners warning demonstrators that their slogans or flags may incur charges of secession or subversion under the act. Fear of it is everywhere, too. On the same day a year ago, hundreds of thousands of people joined unauthorised demonstrations calling for full democracy. Now only the very brave are prepared to protest without police approval.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Slow strangulation”
From the October 10th 2020 edition
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