Hong Kong national security law: can opposition camp survive the crackdown, or are they on ‘road with no return’?
- The arrest of more than 50 members of the bloc has left the future of an already strained alliance further in doubt
- While some pro-Beijing figures say more moderate voices will emerge, other observers caution any successors will be too afraid to challenge the official line
The crackdown on the opposition camp in Hong Kong appears to have dealt a fatal blow to the political fortunes of its most prominent members but their successors may find a role in governing if they do not openly challenge Beijing, pro-establishment figures and analysts have said.
But others cautioned that the mass arrests had cast a chilling effect on free speech and anyone considering running for office would temper their views out of fear of violating Beijing’s new red line.
Security chief John Lee Ka-chiu said they were accused of trying to paralyse the government by seizing majority control of the legislature, and cited primary elections the camp held in July. But they insisted the accusations were groundless.
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Hong Kong police arrest 53 opposition lawmakers and activists, warn of more arrests
“Every camp, even for the pro-establishment camp, will hold a primary election to select the best candidates to win the majority votes,” said Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei, who was not among the arrested. “The government was just taking the election as an excuse to get rid of us using the national security law. It has gradually become a catch-all piece of legislation.”
