Michael Chugani

Opinion | Beijing’s defence of national security in Hong Kong should be open and above board

Arrest of four students said to be linked to an overseas-based pro-independence group underlines how far-reaching the national security law can be, and how unclear the red lines are

Questions are raised, too, over the postponement of Legco elections and Beijing’s response to the UK’s offer of a citizenship path to Hongkongers

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Michael Chugani

Published: 6:15am, 6 Aug 2020Updated: 6:15am, 6 Aug 2020

Sometimes you are kept awake by things that don't affect you personally but affect you emotionally. That’s what happened to me last Wednesday after Hong Kong’s new police unit enforcing the national security law arrested four students for alleged secession.

As I lay in bed, trying not to think about what ghastly fate awaits them if convicted, a question kept popping up: how can four youngsters aged 16 to 21 possibly pose a security threat to China, a superpower?

The four belonged to the pro-independence Studentlocalism, which disbanded hours before the security law came into force. But police linked them to the overseas-based Initiative Independence Party – made up of former Studentlocalism members – which wants to establish an independent “Republic of Hong Kong”.

That is mission impossible. But I guess the law is the law. If the police believe you have crossed a red line, you will be arrested regardless of age. Advocating independence, even if you have no means to achieve it, is a red line under the security law.

A girl looks at a flier from a booth set up by Studentlocalism and Hong Kong National Front, both now disbanded, in Yuen Long in November 2017. Photo: Felix Wong

The law troubles me because I think it’s too sweeping, too vague, and too un-Hong Kong, but I am on the record as saying I oppose independence, and laws must be observed. The trouble with this law is that too many Hongkongers feel there are too many unclear red lines. It’s like trying to navigate a minefield. One wrong step and “boom”.