Thank you.
Good evening, everyone. Thank you for inviting me. My name is Joey Siu, a Hong Kong activist now based in Washington, D.C., with Hong Kong Watch.
Over the past few months, Hong Kong's situation continued to worsen rapidly. The national security legislation passed in July 2020 has become the most actively used tactic to silence voices of opposition in Hong Kong. In February, 47 pro-democracy activists were arrested on suspicion of subversion of state under the sweeping legislation, simply for their participation in the democratic primaries.
Among the 47 who were arrested, 36 were denied bail and have been in custody for more than two months now. Another nine prominent leaders, including Martin Lee, Margaret Ng and Albert Ho, were also sentenced for participating in an absolutely peaceful assembly back in 2019, while more protestors in Hong Kong are being charged with protest-related offences under the heavily criticized public order ordinance.
Aside from the continuous political persecutions, the Chinese Communist Party's rubber stamp parliament also passed a resolution a few weeks ago to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system, with a unanimous vote. More than 380 district councillors of Hong Kong are now expecting to face potential disqualifications in the upcoming months. It is now almost impossible for pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong to run for local elections, not to mention the promised universal suffrage for Hong Kongers.
While national security related cases are handled by judges hand-picked by Beijing, other judges who rightfully dismiss the most ridiculous charges against protestors are also being placed under heavy pressure and criticisms from Beijing officials and also pro-CCP groups.
Following the conviction of investigative journalists for documenting the history, more were being stripped of their contracts or forced to resign under pressure. Documentaries and news programs of Hong Kong were also being deleted.
Cancellation of truth and values happens not only in newsrooms but also in classrooms. Books were being pulled from library shelves and school curriculums were shaped to include the brainwashing national security education elements. More teachers were disqualified over complaints of providing one-sided and biased materials related to values of freedom and democracy.
University student unions of Hong Kong have been a cradle of social movements in the past. During my time in Hong Kong as a student union member, I was still able to organize different campaigns, yet it recently became impossible as well. Slamming the student groups for “becoming increasingly politicized” and “repeatedly making inflammatory and potentially unlawful public statements,” more universities in Hong Kong decided to cut ties with their students, ceasing financial assistance and taking back all possible resources.
Censorship fears have also shadowed the cultural industry in Hong Kong. Tiananmen massacre-themed artwork by the famous dissident and artist Ai Weiwei was taken down. Screening of a documentary about the siege of the Polytechnic University was cancelled. Nomination of the protest-related documentary Do Not Split also seemed to become the reason behind broadcasters' decision of not airing the Oscars ceremony for the first time in over 50 years.
Under the haze of Beijing's escalating crackdowns of Hong Kong, many were left with no choice but to leave the city. However, as the new immigration bill amendment passes in Hong Kong, relocation might soon no longer be an option as well. The amendment passed on April 28 gives immigration officials of Hong Kong almost unlimited power to stop any individual from leaving or entering Hong Kong. Given the CCP's similar tactics used against Uighurs, there is concern that the law will be weaponized as a tool to restrict freedom of movement and prevent Hong Kongers from seeking asylum or applying for lifeboat policies elsewhere.
Current lifeboat policies should be improved to allow applications in a third country, and requirements should also be loosened to expand the coverage. As Canada welcomes more Hong Kongers, resources should also be allocated to assist new arrivals' integration and help preserve the culture of Hong Kongers. Internationally, we should also continue to work closely with allies with shared values to impose coordinated sanctions and to construct more comprehensive China policies.
I became a student activist right before our movement broke out two years ago, and within two years' time, almost all my friends are now either facing charges or going through trials, in exile or imprisoned.
The continuous violations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration are a clear reflection of the Chinese Communist Party's trustworthiness. Turning a blind eye to Beijing's ongoing human rights violations and disregard of international rules-based order is no different from encouraging their escalating repressions at home and aggressions abroad.
Thank you. I look forward to answering your questions.