The CIA describes Hong Kong’s origin story this way: “Occupied by the United Kingdom (UK) in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on December 19, 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its one country, two systems formula, China’s socialist economic system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a ‘high degree of autonomy’ in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the subsequent 50 years." This means that Hong Kong has its own laws, as well as freedoms that the Chinese people are not afforded.

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China has violated this agreement – big time – and has launched a full-scale attack on democracy in Hong Kong, putting the freedoms of 8 million people in serious jeopardy. In February 2019, a proposal was put forth in Hong Kong that would allow extraditions to mainland China, meaning people in Hong Kong suspected of criminal activity could be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for their fate to be determined.  

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This aggressive action by China ignited fiery protests throughout Hong Kong. The tens of thousands of protesters believed that this extradition law would be nothing more than a tool to enable political persecution and, since judges in China exclusively serve the Communist Party, it most certainly would be. By the beginning of June, more than half a million people had taken to the streets. On October 23rd, after months of hard-core protests, Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong and an agent of China, apologized and withdrew the bill. However, even that did not quell the protests, which had become increasingly violent.

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On May 21, 2020, China doubled down, installing secret police in Hong Kong and moving to impose a “national security” framework that essentially criminalized all dissent against China. The new “criminal” offenses include “secession, subversion, organization and perpetration of terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security,” plus “provoking by unlawful means hatred among Hong Kong residents” – all defined arbitrarily by China, naturally.

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In March 2024, Hong Kong officials unanimously passed Article 23, yet another sweeping security law meant to address things that were supposedly missed four years earlier. The main thing the law achieved was to further silence any political opposition, making it illegal for pro-democracy candidates to run in elections and disallowing pretty much anyone from publicly opposing China’s control over Hong Kong. The legislation also broadened the definition of political crimes and addressed the crimes of “external interference” and “theft” of state secrets.

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Even though Hong Kong remains a global financial hub – with a solid financial system, relatively low taxes, minimal regulations, and 1,200 American companies doing business there – China’s actions are chipping away at its influence, threatening businesses and professionals, civil servants, diplomats, journalists, and academics.

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One man targeted by the law – newspaper owner and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, who is a British citizen – has made an incredibly brave, inspirational stand against Beijing. Arrested in 2020 on charges of foreign collusion and sedition, he maintains his innocence and insisted on pleading his case in public. < On March 6th, on the 144th day of his trial and his 52nd day on the witness stand, Lai, who is facing life in prison, completed his testimony. The verdict is not expected until October. >

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It’s a shame that President Xi fails to understand that an autonomous Hong Kong only serves to provide an important bridge for him between China and the global market – which makes the relationship potentially very valuable to him. Without question, a vibrant, prosperous, democratic Hong Kong is in China’s best interest in the long run.​ Regardless, the world must demand that China honor the agreement it signed with the UK on December 19, 1984, and the United States must be unequivocal in our support of both the letter and spirit of the agreement.