What changed in Hong Kong after National Security Law? | Explained Premium

Since Xi Jinping came to power, Beijing has systematically tightened control over Hong Kong, especially after the 2020 National Security Law, reshaping its political and media landscape. Protests in 2014 and 2019 were suppressed, media freedom curtailed, and the “one country, two systems” framework significantly eroded.

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Hong Kong has undergone significant changes since Xi Jinping came to power in 2013. Under Mr. Xi, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has increasingly focused on exerting its control over the city and integrating it more closely with mainland China. This process of assimilation has been systematic, raising questions about Beijing’s commitment to the “one country, two systems” framework and Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The most decisive shift came with the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020. The law has fundamentally altered Hong Kong’s political, media, and judicial landscape.

The major tussle between the CCP and Hong Kong began in 2014 when the city witnessed major protests known as the Umbrella Movement. They were triggered by Beijing’s proposal that Hong Kong residents could vote for their Chief Executive only from a list of candidates vetted by the CCP, with elections planned for 2017. However, after 79 days of demonstrations across the city, the protests were cleared by police.

Hong Kong was again rocked by violent protests in 2019 against a proposed extradition Bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. As per critics, “people would be subject to arbitrary detention, unfair trial, and torture under China’s judicial system”. Although the bill was eventually withdrawn, protests continued over demands for more democracy. In response to the protests, Beijing described the unrest as “terrorism” and asserted that “restoring order was Hong Kong’s most urgent task.” The demonstrations were ultimately suppressed by law enforcement.

The clampdown on both protests clearly eradicated the political space promised to Hong Kong under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework. In addition, the lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic further helped the CCP to control any form of dissent.

The NSL, passed by China in June 2020, “criminalises anything considered as secession, which is breaking away from China; subversion, which is undermining the power or authority of the central government; terrorism, which is using violence or intimidation against people; and collusion with foreign or external forces”. Data show that around 260 people have been arrested under the NSL, with 76 convicted.