China's Latest Attempt to Stifle Free Speech in Hong Kong

Up to a million people marched in Hong Kong earlier this week against a law critics fear could let China target political opponents in the territory.   The controversial extradition bill would allow suspected criminals to be sent to mainland China for trial.

The protest was the largest demonstration in Hong Kong since the territory was handed to China in 1997.  After it ended, clashes erupted between hundreds of demonstrators and police.  Protesters, some wearing surgical masks, tried to break into the Legislative Council complex, throwing crowd control barriers around, and police in riot gear used batons and pepper spray.

Martin Lee QC, a pro-democracy figure and former legislator who helped organize the protests, told reporters, “If we lose this one, Hong Kong is not Hong Kong any more, it’s just another Chinese city.”  Lee went on to say that the government was “saying no to democracy and suppressing human rights and the rule of law”, and that if it did not listen he expected further, perhaps bigger protests.

The march was seen as a major rebuke of Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who has pushed for the law to be passed before July.  James To, a veteran Democratic party politician, told the crowd: “[Lam] has to withdraw the bill and resign. The whole of Hong Kong is against her.”

Critics to the bill say those in the former British colony would be exposed to China's deeply flawed justice system, and it would lead to further erosion of the city's judicial independence.   Even though Hong Kong was guaranteed some degree of independence for 50 years after it was returned in 1997, critics see this latest measure as yet another way for mainland China to tighten its grip on the territory.

Critics say that the law will be used to silence Christians and political dissenters-- and that people would be subject to arbitrary detention, unfair trial and torture under China's judicial system.   Hong Kong officials have said  suspects accused of political and religious crimes will not be extradited, but that guarantee is not enshrined in the law itself.

"This is the end game for Hong Kong, it is a matter of life or death. That's why I come," said Rocky Chang, a 59-year-old professor.

"The people's voices are not being heard," 18-year-old student Ivan Wong told reporters. "This bill will not just affect Hong Kong's reputation as an international finance centre, but also our judicial system. That has an impact on my future."