Last year, Hong Kong made the headlines globally because of the ongoing protests the citizens are doing. To say it was pure chaos was an understatement considering the world is currently battling a pandemic. 

What practically stunned the world is what triggered these protests and unrest. What practically stirred up these events, is the fact that Hong Kong has a new National Security Law which was passed in China. 

What’s Causing the Fear?

Some of the major concerns people have about it is how it might shackle down their freedom of expressing their opinions and to freely protest whenever the citizens deemed to find the need to. What’s more is, there is also a concern on how mainland China is taking control of the judicial branch in Hong Kong. This is primarily because one of the provisions states that Beijing will establish its own law enforcement office and the personnel will be China-appointed.

Another point of concern to many is the fact that even foreigners might be subjected to a trial which can take place in China. What’s more is, the national security law can be applied not only to its local residents but also to non-permanent residents. With this, many Hong Kong citizens feared that this might’ve changed the independence they’ve been enjoying. 

How Can It Affect the Democracy of Hong Kong

Politically, Hong Kong exists as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) which still keeps the region under the control of China. Even so, this region enjoys limited autonomy which is defined in Hong Kong’s Basic Law. Since having its autonomy, many Hongkongers are enjoying their own freedom. With this new law, many fear that the region might turn into China which for them means no democracy, no freedom and that they’ll be subjected to live in fear at all times. 

While Hong Kong’s new National Security Law is a sensitive issue in the region, knowing how this could likely affect the citizens living in it might shed some idea as to why Hongkongers are reacting that way. 

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