China National Security Act

The one state two systems solution was supposed to guarantee certain freedoms for the territory - including freedom of assembly and speech, an independent judiciary and some democratic rights - which mainland China does not have. These freedoms are enshrined in Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, which was meant to last until 2047. But in June 2020, Beijing passed the national security law - which lawyers and legal experts said would fundamentally change the territory’s legal system. Under the law for example, trials can be held in secret (Article 41) and without a jury (Article 46). Judges can be handpicked (Article 44) by Hong Kong’s chief executive, who is answerable directly to Beijing. Since it was enacted more than 100 people - including protesters, pro-democracy politicians and journalists - have been arrested under its provisions