JIMMY LAI UPDATE: Convict and Deport.

The prosecution of media tycoon Jimmy Lai epitomizes this overreach, reflecting a city under Beijing’s administrative dominance, jeopardizing its role as a global financial hub. Deporting Lai and other activists offers a pragmatic solution to mitigate economic damage while affirming Beijing’s control. Hong Kong’s distinct identity, shaped by its British colonial past blended Eastern and Western influences. The 1997 handover, under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, promised autonomy, including judicial independence and freedoms of speech and assembly, until 2047.

However, Beijing’s influence, challenged by the 2014 Umbrella Movement and 2019 anti-extradition protests, culminated in the NSL. Imposed by Beijing, bypassing Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, it criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreigners, with vague definitions enabling broad enforcement. The 2024 Article 23 expansion, targeting “external interference” and “espionage,” has deepened the climate of fear, where even minor dissent invites scrutiny.

From Mark Simon.