To crush democracy, China is changing Hong Kong’s political rules
The national parliament has called for sweeping changes
WHEN BRITAIN handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997, the former colony was far from a proper democracy. Its departing leader was a governor sent from London. Only one-third of its legislators were directly chosen by the public. But at least it had open and free elections. Encouraged by Chinese officials, many hoped that, under Chinese rule, it would become much more democratic. Some even thought it would inspire the rest of the country. There has been little progress on either front. Now China is trying to snuff out its democracy altogether.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Democracy, China’s way”
From the March 13th 2021 edition
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