Stability has returned to Hong Kong. This was according to the territory’s chief executive, Carrie Lam.
Speaking at an event yesterday to celebrate the 1949 founding of the People’s Republic of China, Lam was quoted as saying: ‘Over the past three months, the plain truth is, and it is obvious to see, that stability has been restored to society while national security has been safeguarded, and our people can continue to enjoy their basic rights and freedoms in accordance with the law.’
Lam’s announcement was made at the same time that thousands of riot police were deployed throughout the city to deter protestors.
Since protests began in the middle of 2019 about 10 000 people have been arrested. In addition, Hong Kong has managed to keep a lid on protests thanks to a new security law and a ban on gatherings of more than four people, ostensibly to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new security law criminalises advocating for the secession of Hong Kong and subversion against the Chinese government, among other provisions. The law ostensibly applies to people living in Hong Kong as well as in other parts of the world.
Despite this show of strength from the Hong Kong government, Lam and her administration remain unpopular. According to an opinion poll from August, some 58% of respondents in the city wanted Lam to resign while 51% indicated that they were opposed to the new security law.
Image: Carrie Lam, Wikimedia Commons