The National Security Law: political and social effects on the governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the major political and social effects of the Hong Kong National Security Law on Hong Kong. It is argued that the enactment of this Law allows Hong Kong not only to end its protracted political turmoil since its return to China in 1997, but also will generate the favorable conditions for long-term stability and effective governance in the territory.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the author’s close observation of what had happened in Hong Kong in the year since the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect on 1 July 2020.FindingsThe Hong Kong National Security Law has brought about significant changes in the political psychology of Hongkongers, the balance of power among different political forces, the ability of external forces to interfere in Hong Kong politics, the way Hong Kong is governed, the relationship between the government and the legislature, the activities in the educational and cultural sectors, and the behavior of the judiciary.Originality/valueThis paper would be of interest to scholars and people who are interested in the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) as well as Beijing’s new policy towards Hong Kong in the aftermath of Hong Kong’s unprecedented riots and violence.

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Civic localism, anti-mainland localism, and independence

Asian Education and Development Studies ◽

10.1108/aeds-02-2018-0043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 255-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alvin Y. So ◽

Ping Lam Ip

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Social Movement ◽

Identity Politics ◽

Local Community ◽

Special Administrative Region ◽

Content Type ◽

Administrative Region ◽

General Terms ◽

Movement Dynamics ◽

The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to trace the changing pattern of identity politics in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It shows that in response to the massive urban renewal projects in the 2000s, “civic localism” in the form of cultural preservation movement emerged to protect local community culture against the government-business hegemony. However, due to the deepening of social integration between Hong Kong and the mainland, a new “anti-mainland localism” emerged in the 2010s against the influx of mainlanders. In 2015–2016, as a result of Beijing’s active interference in Hong Kong affairs, localism is further transformed to Hong Kong “independence.” Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a historical methodology to trace the changing pattern of identity politics in Hong Kong after it becomes a special administrative region of China in 1997. Findings It shows how the interaction among the following three factors has shaped the pattern of localism in Hong Kong: macro historical-structural context, social movement dynamics and the response of Hong Kong and mainland government. Practical implications This paper argues that Beijing’s hardline policy toward Hong Kong localism may work in the short run to all push the pro-independence activities underground. However, unless the structural contradiction of the HKSAR is resolved, it seems likely that anti-mainland localism and Hong Kong independence sentiment and movement will come back with a vengeance at a later stage. Originality/value The literature tends to discuss Hong Kong localism in very general terms and fails to reveal its changing nature. This paper contributes by distinguishing three different forms of localism: civic localism in the mid-2000s, anti-mainland in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and independence after 2016. It shows how the macro historical-structural transformation, social movement dynamics and the responses of the Hong Kong SAR government and Beijing government have led to the changes of civic localism to anti-mainland localism, and finally to independence.

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The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

International Legal Materials ◽

10.1017/ilm.2020.64 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Simon N.M. Young

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

National Security ◽

Chief Executive ◽

People’S Republic Of China ◽

Special Administrative Region ◽

People's Republic Of China ◽

Republic Of China ◽

Administrative Region ◽

Basic Law ◽

The Law

The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSL) was passed on June 30, 2020 by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC). It did not have immediate direct effect in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). After consulting the Committee for the Basic Law of the HKSAR (BLC) and the Government of the HKSAR (HKSARG), the NPCSC added the NSL to Annex III of The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Basic Law) before the Chief Executive of the HKSAR (Chief Executive) promulgated the NSL for local application. All this happened on June 30, enabling the NSL to enter into force at 11 p.m., just ahead of the twenty-third anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR on July 1, 2020.

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Political radicalization and fragmentation of the democratic blocs and the legislative council elections in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Asian Education and Development Studies ◽

10.1108/aeds-02-2017-0018 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 372-384

Author(s):

Chung Fun Steven Hung

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Political Parties ◽

Special Administrative Region ◽

Content Type ◽

Legislative Council ◽

Administrative Region ◽

Two Systems ◽

History Of ◽

One Country Two Systems ◽

Historical Comparative

Purpose After direct elections were instituted in Hong Kong and the sovereignty was transferred from Britain to China, politicization inevitably followed democratization. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the pro-democratic political parties’ politics in Hong Kong in recent history. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted through a historical comparative analysis, within the context of Hong Kong after the sovereignty handover and the interim period of crucial democratization. Findings With the implementation of “One country, Two systems,” political democratization was hindered in Hong Kong’s transformation. The democratic forces have no alternative but to seek more radicalized politics, which has caused a decisive and ineluctable fragmentation of the local political parties. Originality/value This paper explores and evaluates the political history of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under “One country, Two systems” and the ways in which the limited democratization hinders the progress of Hong Kong’s transformation.

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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after the National Security Legislation: Prospects and Challenges

East Asian Policy ◽

10.1142/s1793930521000325 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (04) ◽

pp. 107-121

Author(s):

Victor TEO

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

National Security ◽

Global City ◽

Special Administrative Region ◽

Administrative Region ◽

Unique Identity ◽

The Law ◽

Political Right

The National Security Law has unequivocally clarified that Hong Kong’s “autonomy” is a bestowed privilege rather than an absolute political right. While effective in stabilising Hong Kong politics, the Law has also effectively rolled back democratisation and raised a number of serious questions about Hong Kong’s future. Going forward, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region faces a difficult task of maintaining its unique identity, lifestyle and exceptionalism as a truly global city while attempting to align with China’s plans and interests.

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