Hong Kong passes a security law that its masters scarcely need
But the city’s clampdown on dissent will please officials in Beijing
AS A SYMBOL of China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong, the national-security law known as Article 23 takes some beating. The measure, which grants the authorities more powers to clamp down on dissent, was passed unanimously by the city’s legislative council, or Legco (pictured), on March 19th. That is hardly surprising. Since 2021 members of the body have had to swear allegiance to the central government in Beijing. Opposition politicians have been disqualified, thrown in jail or forced to flee abroad. Still, the swift passage of a bill that few Hong Kongers thought was needed, but the central government demanded, reinforces the city’s loss of autonomy.
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This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “So much for autonomy”
From the March 23rd 2024 edition
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