116
submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

“We are basically seeing the Hong Kong government trying to slam shut the really last vestiges of room for criticizing it,” said Kevin Yam, one of 13 overseas pro-democracy activists accused of national security offenses by Hong Kong authorities.

When Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997, Beijing assured the former colonial power that civil liberties in the city would be preserved.

On Saturday, Hong Kong enacted a measure that critics charge will further stifle free expression in a city that until recently was known for its freewheeling style, aggressive media and politically active populace.

The bill, called the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance but also referred to as the Article 23 law, took effect following unanimous approval earlier this week by Hong Kong’s opposition-free legislature, where it was deliberated over and passed in a record 11 days.

Article 23 is designed to supplement an earlier national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, one that critics say supercharged the erosion of civil liberties here.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] essexludlow@lemmy.world 14 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

China in the 1980's: "if you give us back Hong Kong, we'll take good care of it...."

UK: "ok sounds good. Here you go!"

Kinda sounds silly. Don't ya think?

[-] pmmeyourtits@ani.social -3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Are you aware that China only leased hong kong to Britain? They didn't have much of a choice in giving it back to China due to the treaty. I linked a summary of the history for you below.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/britain-agrees-to-return-hong-kong-to-china

Edit: looks like some people don't care for inconvenient things like historical fact and upholding treaties between sovereign nations. Lol.

[-] essexludlow@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

To pretend that the Brits "leased" Hong Kong like it's a mutual transaction and not because of colonization and the Opium wars is utterly idiotic.

The Brits had a choice when they funneled Opium into China in exchange of silver. They had a choice when they pointed a gun to the Chinese for taking the New Territories.

The Brits had a choice... is it a moral choice? No... but they had a choice.

The Brits taking Hong Kong from China is a huge stain in history. But to pretend that Brits are going to have any say after giving the territory back - also sounds ridiculously stupid.

[-] pmmeyourtits@ani.social 1 points 3 months ago

Unlike you, someone was kind enough to show what I had gotten right and what I had gotten wrong. I've thanked them for helping correct my knowledge. You, on the other hand, are welcome to shove it.

[-] pmmeyourtits@ani.social 1 points 3 months ago

Thank you for correcting my inaccuracies and not being a dick while doing so, I hope you have a good day kind stranger.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (7 replies)
this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2024
116 points (99.2% liked)

World News

37327 readers
2504 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS