China Cracks Down On Critics In Hong Kong

File Photo: Hong Kong Police Subduing a Protester. Image Credit: Studio Incendo. Licensed Under CC BY 2.0.

Recently, Pro-Democracy Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been arrested by Chinese authorities. This is a part of a broader crackdown on critics of the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. He is the most high profile arrest so far under the controversial national security law imposed by China in June.

Lai has been a very vocal critic of both the Hong Kong government and of Beijing's increasingly assertive presence in the city that was supposed to be autonomous. China's official news media have often described him as the leader of the "Gang of Four" which incites unrest in the city.

Beijing was also infuriated when he met US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last year. His arrest is a direct violation of the freedom of the press in Hong Kong which has been guaranteed under Article 27 of the Hong Kong Basic Law and Article 16 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.