Mass arrest in Hong Kong: A further erosion of freedoms? | Conflict Zone

On DW’s Conflict Zone, a pro-Beijing lawmaker says freedoms have been tightened in Hong Kong under the national security law, but the world is “overreacting” to the recent mass arrest of pro-democracy activists.

Worries over creeping authoritarianism have only grown since Beijing imposed its vague national security law in June 2020 after months of mass protest. Prominent young activists like Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow have since been jailed and others have fled to avoid being targeted under the new law.

But when asked by DW’s Sarah Kelly if Hong Kong was witnessing a dismantling of its freedoms and its opposition, Michael Tien disagreed and said everyone had to “cool down” over the arrests, suggesting investigations had to run their course.

Watch and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Conflict Zone is Deutsche Welle's top political interview. Every week, our hosts Tim Sebastian and Sarah Kelly are face to face with global decision-makers, seeking straight answers to straight questions, putting the spotlight on controversial issues and calling the powerful to account.