UCA News
Contribute

Hong Kong silenced as China celebrates party centenary

Public gatherings remain outlawed under coronavirus measures, although the city currently has no active local outbreak
Hong Kong silenced as China celebrates party centenary

Chinese honor guards prepare for celebrations in Beijing on July 1 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. (Photo: Wang Zhao/AFP)

Published: July 01, 2021 05:40 AM GMT
Updated: July 01, 2021 05:48 AM GMT

Police were out in force across Hong Kong on July 1, ready to stamp down on any sign of dissent as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) celebrated its centenary in a vivid illustration of how the once-outspoken finance hub has been successfully muzzled.

The grand celebrations in Beijing coincided with the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China by colonial Britain.

Since 2003, Hong Kongers have regularly filled the streets each handover anniversary with marches and rallies.

But the protest has been all but banned in Hong Kong as China carries out a sweeping crackdown against its opponents after huge and often violent pro-democracy rallies convulsed the city two years ago.

More than 10,000 officers — one third of the city's force — were deployed to prevent any public gatherings, local media reported, as officials warned that any attempt to protest would lead to arrest.

With Hong Kong's Catholic chief executive Carrie Lam attending the festivities in Beijing, her deputy John Lee oversaw a flag-raising ceremony in an exhibition center as police and water cannon trucks patrolled streets nearby.

While safeguarding national security, residents continue to enjoy the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and demonstration and others according to the law

Lee delivered a speech praising China's imposition of a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong which came into effect just an hour before last year's handover anniversary.

"While safeguarding national security, residents continue to enjoy the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and demonstration and others according to the law," Lee said.

Such assurances are repeatedly made by Hong Kong's leaders but reflect little of the city's current reality.

Over the last year, the national security law has criminalized a host of political views and transformed semi-autonomous Hong Kong's political and legal landscape.

Protests have been effectively outlawed, while many of the city's opposition leaders have been arrested, jailed or have fled overseas.

Last month the city's most outspoken pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily, shut down after its accounts were frozen under the national security law and multiple employees were arrested over articles the popular tabloid published.

Public gatherings of more than four people remain outlawed under coronavirus measures, although the city currently has no active local outbreak.

On June 30, prominent human rights barrister Chow Hang-tung was arrested and charged with inciting others to join an illegal protest last month.

"This is persecution as well as privilege," she said in a message released via her lawyers. "Arresting me won't succeed in shutting up everyone else."

It prompts the question of whether Hong Kong has indeed fallen into a police state

The only visible protest on July 1 morning was carried out by four activists from the League of Social Democrats, one of the few opposition parties still operating. They held a banner near the official reception calling for the release of political prisoners.

Some 200 police officers followed their lonely march and stopped the group from getting too close to the exhibition center where dignitaries were gathered.

"Police are acting as if they are facing some enormous enemy," Raphael Wong, one of the activists, told reporters.

"It prompts the question of whether Hong Kong has indeed fallen into a police state. But we will continue to voice out and defend our last space for free speech."

After the ceremony, civil service chief Patrick Nip was asked by a reporter whether he believed Hong Kong could now be described as a police state. "I think that's an overstatement," he replied.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia