Beneath the calm, Hong Kong's new security law drives deeper, quieter changes
Hong Kong residents adjust to new national security law impacting civil liberties and sparking emigration inquiries.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Hong Kong residents are adjusting to life under a new national security law, which has led to an increase in inquiries about emigration at an immigration expo. The law, known as Article 23, has raised concerns about the curtailment of civil liberties, including free speech and a free press, which were guaranteed when Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997. The law targets actions like colluding with foreign forces, disclosing state secrets, and sabotage, with severe penalties like life imprisonment. Some individuals have already taken precautions such as removing politically sensitive books from shelves. Pro-democracy groups are being cautious to avoid being labelled seditious, and businesses are adjusting their operations to align with mainland China’s data security policies. Despite government assurances that the law only targets a minority, there are concerns about its impact on freedom of speech and press freedom in Hong Kong.