Insightful Reflection: Draw Lessons from Hong Kong's Path
In a stark demonstration of the erosion of democratic freedoms, the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong has faced a significant setback following the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020. This law, which grants Beijing broad authority to punish critics and suppress dissent, has fundamentally altered the political landscape in the city.
Key developments include the mass disbandment of pro-democracy parties, such as the League of Social Democrats, a prominent group that was the last active pro-democracy party still occasionally holding small street protests and booth activities despite the risks. This pattern of shrinking political space for opposition voices is reflective of a broader trend in Hong Kong.
In 2023, Hong Kong’s electoral rules were overhauled to reduce directly elected seats in the district councils from 90% to merely 20%, with the majority of seats appointed or indirectly elected by pro-establishment bodies. This drastic change limits the ability of pro-democracy candidates to gain representation.
The erosion of democratic channels has led to a sharp drop in voter turnout in the 2023 district council elections, with turnout falling from 71% in 2019 down to 27.5%. This drop indicates voter apathy or fear amid tightening controls.
Suppression of youth and radical groups has also been a key tactic, with several youth-led or radical pro-democracy parties, such as Youngspiration and Demosisto, disbanding or becoming inactive following crackdowns. Some members have faced bans on running for office or imprisonment.
The Civic Party closed in 2023, while the Democratic Party, Hong Kong's oldest and biggest pro-democracy party, announced its disbandment in February.
The suppression of dissent in Hong Kong serves as a bloody lesson for Taiwan, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has introduced national security-related legislation to target Taiwanese and threaten Taiwan's autonomy. The CCP's actions in Hong Kong have shown that these tactics are not exclusive to Taiwan, but are part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and maintain control.
According to a Human Rights Watch report, as of April, Hong Kong authorities have arrested 10,279 people and prosecuted 2,976 in relation to the 2019 protests. These numbers underscore the severity of the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.
Facing China's ambition, safeguarding Taiwanese democracy and sovereignty, and not following in Hong Kong's footsteps, is a challenge for all Taiwanese. The disbandment of the League of Social Democrats marks another major casualty of Beijing's years-long crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, and serves as a reminder of the importance of defending democratic values and maintaining independence.
- The policy-and-legislation enacted in Hong Kong, such as the National Security Law and the electoral rule changes, have been key factors in the war-and-conflicts between pro-democracy movements and the government, significantly altering the political landscape.
- The general-news of mass disbandments of pro-democracy parties, including the League of Social Democrats, and the suppression of youth and radical groups through crackdowns, crime-and-justice actions like arrests and bans, have raised concerns about the erosion of democracy and the suppression of dissent in Hong Kong.
