06/16/2025

With a Distracted U.S., Hong Kong Intensifies Its Democratic Crackdown

China's government is increasing its control amid worldwide upheaval

There’s so much going on in the world—a new war between Israel and Iran, ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, tariffs upending the global economy, riots in Los Angeles, planes falling out of the sky, political violence and terrorist attacks—it can be hard to know where to look.

Experts say that’s what authorities in Hong Kong may be counting on, as they intensify a democratic crackdown in the semi-autonomous Chinese region, quietly building off of moves that began years ago to align the once-democratic stronghold with the more authoritarian government of Beijing.

On June 12, Hong Kong authorities conducted a joint operation with China’s national security officials in the city, raiding the homes of six people and the office of an organization suspected of “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.” Just days before, Hong Kong police warned against downloading a “seditious” mobile video game deemed to be “endangering national security.” And on June 10, the city’s leader, John Lee, said Kong will ramp up “national security” screenings of food and entertainment establishments.

Please select this link to read the complete article from TIME.