Why Beijing, in Act of Desperation, Wants to Completely Take Away Hong Kong’s Freedom

A protest against Beijing’s proposed National Security Law on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong on May 24, 2020. The marchers hold up five fingers symbolizing their demands and hold signs saying "Heaven Is Eliminating the CCP." Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

On May 24, more than 10,000 people took to the streets in Hong Kong after Beijing proposed at the annual meeting of its rubber-stamp legislature a new national security law custom made for the special administrative region. This is a move at once both carefully calculated and taken in a desperate spirit reminiscent of Russian roulette.