The Loss of Freedom in Hong Kong

The assault on Hong Kong’s freedoms since Beijing passed a sweeping national security law on June 30, 2020 has been alarming and rapid. Hundreds of critics and activists have been arrested-including dozens of pro-democracy politicians-dissidents have fled, and schools, bookstores and sectors of the media have engaged in self-censorship. Most recently, the government forced the newspaper Apple Daily to shut down by freezing its assets; its publisher, Jimmy Lai, was convicted and imprisoned along with other leading advocates of democracy under the new security law. Prominent democracy activists Alex Chow and Samuel Chu of the Hong Kong Democracy Council join Cato’s Doug Bandow and Ian Vasquez to discuss the deteriorating state of freedom in Hong Kong and pro-freedom strategies in the face of Beijing’s crackdown.

[@rucoyonline41]

We failed these people

[@johnclark1371]

China is seeking to grow its global dominance. The present U.S administration is not up to the challenge of countering that aggression. We need to elect leaders that understand the systemic threat that China represents.

[@Anonymous-jf2gy]

WRONG.
Long but I really suggest you read the whole thing.
www.cato.org/policy-analysis/china-rise-or-demise

[@johnclark1371]

@@Anonymous-jf2gy Thank you I will read it. I like to keep an open mind. I would also refer you to this link: www.cato.org/commentary/china-rise-never-forget-horror-chinese-totalitarianism that details the existential risk that China poses.

[@johnclark1371]

@@Anonymous-jf2gy Sorry I sent the wrong link, though that may interest you too. The article that you sent does present a compelling argument, but in the end I think they underestimate China’s potential as a mercantile powerhouse (and underestimate the U.S economic threats that are looming). www.cfr.org/report/chinas-belt-and-road-implications-for-the-united-states/findings.

[@Anonymous-jf2gy]

@@johnclark1371 Fair enough. For me personally I don't think they present much of a threat because they realise their reliance on global trade and they seem to be more focussed on continued authoritarian rule rather than becoming a superpower. I believe that antagonising them will be harmful, and create a conflict out of nothing (just like the Cold War). At the most we should just be disapproving of their schemes.
And regarding the US economic threats, personally I believe that continued Social Security and Medicare funding at such unsustainable levels is very dangerous. Nonetheless, I do hope the bureaucrats listen to the experts.

[@johnclark1371]

@@Anonymous-jf2gy I find many points of agreement with what you say. Time will tell. In any case, I thank you for engaging on the topic. I so enjoy getting various viewpoints. Be well.

[@Aitrus89]

Hong Kong is a shell of its former self.

[@geraldking4080]

Think about how important your freedom is to the Western corporatists who are fine with this and prison factories.

[@Tacit_Tern]

🇭🇰 香港人, 加油。
光復香港 時代革命。
五大訴求 缺一不可。
香港警察 知法犯法 。
沒有暴徒 只有暴政。

[@liemaren]

今天咬掉几个人的手指啦？