New Economy Forum
China Just Drew a New Red Line for Hong Kong
- Editor who hosted independence speech gets visa rejected
- Pressure on government to pass sweeping national security law
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Hong Kong’s rare rejection of a U.K. journalist’s visa was about far more than the fringe political ideology he was accused of promoting. The move has been viewed as the latest escalation in a methodical campaign to tame dissent in the former British colony.
The push, which took shape after the Occupy Central movement locked down swaths of the city four years ago, has seen the Beijing-backed government expand the zone of national security threats to include pro-independence activists and journalists who give them a platform. The ultimate goal, say China’s supporters and critics, is passage of long-dormant legislation giving Hong Kong expansive powers to limit speech, protest and the activities of foreign groups.