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Hong Kong Activists React to China's National Security Law

Iris Tong

   Several civic groups in Hong Kong announced that they would disband on
   Tuesday, hours after China's legal body passed the new [1]national
   security lawfor Hong Kong.

   The law carries severe penalties for vaguelydefined crimes against the
   state, effectively ending many of the special freedomsthatcitizens of
   the territory long enjoyed.

   VOA Cantonese Service reporter Iris Tong talked with three
   pro-democracy activists about their reaction to the law and the future
   of Hong Kong.

   Tony Chung, 19,Student localism

   Chungis the organizer ofStudent localism,a political organizationof
   mostly middle school studentsthatadvocatedHong Kong's
   independence.Hesaidthe organization would no longer be effective
   ifmembers risked breaking the law by handing outleaflets and shouting
   slogans.

   "We want to hand over our operations to those members whoareabroad," he
   said."They can keep promoting our ideas through online articles and
   pages."

   Chungthinks thelaw will foster more political polarization in Hong
   Kong.

   "One group of people will just be more obedient.They understand you
   can't speak your mindorhave tobe extremely careful when expressing your
   opinions. The other group will resort to extreme force. They will
   say,'Talking is useless,' and might resort to force. So,I think some
   armed attack and small conflict can't be ruled out,"he said.

   Ventus Lau, 26,Hong Kong Civil Assembly Team

   Lauis thespokesman for the Hong Kong Civil Assembly Team,which
   supported other civilrightsgroups in last year's anti-extradition
   protests. Hesaid the fact that no one knows the details of the new law
   isabsurd.

   "The ridiculous thing is we don't even know if we have violated the
   law. For example, if you steal something, you know you have committed a
   crime and might face arrest. But with the national security law, we
   don't know if we have committed a crime, or if any past actions would
   be subject to this law. We are all guessing here. This is not
   alaw--this is an excuse for the CCP to suppress dissidents," he said.

   Albert Ho, 68,HK Alliance

   Ho is vice chairman of HK Alliance, a democratic organizationformed in
   1989 to support the Tiananmen Squaredemonstrations in Beijing.

   "I don't need to go into exile, nor do I need to dissolve my
   organization,"he said. "We have never advocated for Hong Kong
   independence, and we have always advocated the use of peaceful methods
   to promote reform. We have never been in favor of using violence to
   change the status quo."

   Hesaidpeoplemustbe more flexible to continue their fight. Hepointed
   tothe annual vigil in Victoria Park commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen
   Square massacre as an example.

   "There's a curfew on June 4th. Can I come out on June 5thwith a candle?
   If we are not allowed to use candles, can we use mobile phones?The vast
   majority ofpeople will find a space to resist. If you want to suffocate
   Hong Kong, then eventually,both sides will gethurt,"hesaid.

References

   1. https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20202444e/es220202444136.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioschina&stream=china

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