The purpose of this paper is to analyze the background, major issues, and political and social changes in Hong Kong following the first anniversary of the implementation the Hong Kong National Security law in this year.
The protests against the amendment of the 2019 Extradition Bill for Criminals ended with the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law in June 2020, further strengthening China's control over Hong Kong. As a result, China has established a legal basis for internalizing Hong Kong to protect national security.
The key issue surrounding the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law is that the subject of enactment is not the “Hong Kong Legislative Assembly” but the “China National People's Congress.” China has urged the Hong Kong government to enact laws related to national security, but despite prolonged protests in Hong Kong, when the Hong Kong government did not implement them, the Chinese NPC directly enacted the Hong Kong National Security Law.
Since the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, China has institutionalized Hong Kong's policy of Sinicization, such as reforming the Hong Kong election system, strengthening patriotic education, taking control of the Hong Kong media, and arresting democrats. In response, Hong Kong citizens criticized China's judicial system for violating the judge of independence and undermining political freedom and one country two systems in Hong Kong. It drew support from the international community for democracy and one country two systems of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's policy by China's one country two systems principle focuses attention on democracy and human rights in the international community, including the United States and mutual diplomatic and economic sanctions. This is intensifying the strategic competition between the US and China. China is confronting the international community. Inside China, it is an atmosphere that further strengthens Hong Kong's internalization. It is noteworthy whether Hong Kong's democracy and one country two systems will be possible. In the future, there is a need for continuous observation and research on how China manages and establishes policies in the face of a national security crisis related to international issues including Hong Kong.