The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “fake democracy” has become notorious around the globe, especially in the governance of Hong Kong, although the CCP remains in denial.
From a 50-year governance model of “one country, two systems” implemented in 1997 to the new Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the CCP has been slowly eroding Hong Kong’s democracy and competitiveness. We might learn more lessons and reflections from the example of Mount Zero Books (見山書店).
Mount Zero Books is a small art bookshop in Sheung Wan (上環), Hong Kong. However, with long-term anonymous complaints and the government’s inexplicable warnings, the bookstore has announced that it is to close by the end of this month.
It is not big news, but anyone with a discerning eye can easily see that the situation of the bookstore is a microcosm of Hong Kong, showing that the CCP’s authoritarianism has infiltrated every nook and cranny.
The implementation of Article 23, including the “national security law,” not only covers treason, sedition and state secrets, but also allows trials to be held behind closed doors.
The police can detain a suspect for 16 days before prosecution, and people found guilty of treason and sedition might be sentenced to life in prison.
Only time will tell how much impact the law will have in Hong Kong. The closing of Mount Zero Books is just one case, and Hong Kongers are concerned about the possibility of losing their competitiveness after already losing their democracy.
Mount Zero Books is a microcosm of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong is a harbinger of what could happen in Taiwan.
Li Kuan-long is a lecturer at Cheng Shiu University’s Center for General Education.
Translated by Chien Yan-ru
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