China’s crackdown on Hong Kong escalates
At least 53 opposition figures arrested for trying to ‘overthrow’ govt
China's crackdown in Hong Kong escalated dramatically yesterday with police arresting more than 50 opposition figures in their largest operation since a draconian security law was imposed on the financial hub.
The sweep is the latest salvo in Beijing's battle to stamp out dissent in the semi-autonomous city after millions hit the streets in 2019 with huge and sometimes violent democracy protests.
Police confirmed 53 people -- including a US citizen -- were arrested for "subversion" in an early morning operation that involved about 1,000 officers. The charges were sparked by an attempt by opposition groups last year to win a majority in the city's partially-elected legislature.
Hong Kong's security chief John Lee described the arrests as "necessary" and aimed at a group of people who tried to "sink Hong Kong into an abyss" and "overthrow the government".
Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said those facing prosecution "strategically organised or implemented a plan to paralyse the government".
But the operation sparked a rebuke from Antony Blinken, US President-elect Joe Biden's pick for secretary of state, who said authorities were launching "an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights".
The EU yesterday called for the release of the opposition figures.
"We are currently analysing the situation to see how we might need to react. There are other possibilities open to us, sanctions for example," European Commission spokesman Peter Stano told journalists.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab too criticised the arrests.
"The mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong is a grievous attack on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms as protected under the Joint Declaration," he said, referring to the UK's 1984 agreement with Beijing that paved the way for the territory's return to Chinese rule.
Those detained represented a broad cross-section of Hong Kong's opposition, from veteran former pro-democracy lawmakers such as James To, Andrew Wan to a host of younger activists.
National security police also searched a law firm known for taking on human rights cases. The police operation also involved the media. Three local news outlets -- Stand News, Apple Daily and Inmediahk -- said national security police visited to request documents.
Some of the remaining members of Hong Kong's rapidly diminishing pro-democracy block gathered for a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, raising fists and shouting "Free all political prisoners!"