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china vs hong kong

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Silas

Hong Kong has undergone a dramatic transformation in its relationship with China since 2020, with authorities in both Beijing and Hong Kong tightening political and legal control over the city. While Beijing continues to claim adherence to the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, experts say that, in practice, a “One Country, One System” model now prevails, with the Chinese Communist Party explicitly asserting supremacy in governance and society across Hong Kong[1].

Recent years have seen a series of legislative and institutional reforms intensifying this central control. In March 2024, Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously passed Article 23, a sweeping security bill that broadened the definition and scope of political crimes, strengthened measures against so-called “external interference,” and banned foreign political organizations from operating in the city. The law followed Beijing’s imposition of the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020, which criminalized dissent and provided authorities with broad powers to prosecute critics and perceived threats[3].

The implementation of these laws has severely impacted civil liberties, freedom of expression, and assembly. On June 12, 2025, authorities in Hong Kong, working with Chinese national security officials, raided the homes of six individuals and the office of an organization suspected of “collusion with a foreign country.” Just days prior, authorities issued warnings against downloading a mobile game deemed seditious. The city’s chief executive, John Lee, announced ramped-up “national security” screenings in public venues[2].

On March 23, 2024, the government enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), adopting a broad definition of “national security” supervised by the central government. Authorities have since used the NSL and SNSO to target pro-democracy activists and international advocates, including arrest warrants and bounties for overseas democracy figures. Notable prosecutions include the “NSL 47” trial of pro-democracy leaders and the jailing of media figures such as Jimmy Lai, leading to the resignation of some foreign judges from Hong Kong courts over political concerns[4]. In May 2024, eight people were arrested for actions tied to Tiananmen commemorations, effectively ending annual public vigils that were formerly a hallmark of Hong Kong’s civil society[4].

Economic and business ties have also been affected. Chinese regulators are increasingly encouraging major companies to prioritize Hong Kong stock market listings over Wall Street, both as a response to political pressure and as a hedge against potential US delistings of Chinese firms. Major IPOs, such as the $4.6 billion listing of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) in May 2025, underscore this shift and highlight a decoupling trend between US and Chinese financial markets[6].

These developments have sparked alarm among international human rights organizations and foreign governments, which note an ongoing erosion of democratic institutions, civil liberties, and judicial independence in Hong Kong. Reports cite heightened repression of dissent, growing prisoner populations, and the broader use of “national security” as a justification for silencing opposition. The Hong Kong government has also amended labor and social work regulations to permanently bar individuals convicted under national security laws from holding union roles or professional licenses[1].

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