Before the coronavirus struck China, the people of Hong Kong had launched a massive push to protect the territory’s partial independence from Beijing. Giant protests had filled Hong Kong’s streets for months last year, as pro-democracy activists inspired millions of residents to join in the demonstrations. But suddenly, everything changed. The outbreak started in Wuhan, then China shut down and the world followed suit. The coronavirus crisis seemed to do for the Chinese regime what months of threats and intimidation had failed to: halt the protests in Hong Kong.
Now, with the rest of the world distracted and China reopening after months of coronavirus lockdowns, Beijing has launched its most brazen effort yet to destroy Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
Last weekend, authorities rounded up 15 prominent Hong Kong activists, all iconic figures in its pro-democracy movement. The detentions shocked the territory more than thousands of earlier arrests had. The activists, most of them now released on bail, were arrested on charges of attending and organizing illegal demonstrations during last year’s protests. If participating in an unauthorized protest is ground for arrest, millions of Hong Kong residents could potentially face similar charges.