Thread by @joannachiu

FEATURE: I couldn't fly to Hong Kong so I spent days talking with people on the ground there. This is why so many feel like they've been through a time warp where they're now in the year 2047. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar #HK #HKProtests

“I expected to be older when 2047 came."

Teenagers in Hong Kong have grown up knowing that in their middle age, the treaty safeguarding their city’s high degree of autonomy would expire in the year 2047.

Suddenly, this could happen at any time. thestar.com/news/canada/20… #HK

I spoke with protesters on the ground in Hong Kong who said the mood there was desperate and defiant after Beijing's surprise passing of a national security law.

Others (in business) said they were relieved China was taking steps to “stabilize” the city.thestar.com/news/canada/20…

.@nathanlawkc says Beijing's national security law for Hong Kong will target prominent political figures like him first.

@HongKongFP journalist @creery_j worries press freedom will suffer as more journalists may avoid topics that might land them in jail. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Yesterday, Trudeau urged Beijing to “engage constructively” in dialogue with Hong Kong.

He said Canada is “very concerned” because there are 300,000 Canadian citizens in HK “and millions of others who are fighting for justice and peace.” thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar

Beijing has consistently labelled pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong as dangerous and destabilizing. Officials call protesters a “political virus” and say the city will never be calm until “poisonous” and “violent” demonstrators are eliminated.

thestar.com/news/canada/20…

I spoke with a protester who "felt numb" about the security law.

“It’s sinking in that for those of us who are still quite young, we won’t even have the next few decades to live our lives without fear. Now, we’re facing the reality that 2047 is here." thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Last year, when I visited Hong Kong at the height of protests, people were already desperate. A group of youth had just broken into the city’s legislature, destroying furniture and leaving graffiti on the walls declaring, “Hong Kong is not China, not yet." thestar.com/news/canada/20…

I also found out why Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement has become so internationalized. Protesters were asking for support the world. Hong Kong diaspora felt welcome to get involved and engage with their own governments on how the world could support HK. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

This is a thread with videos and photos from a march I covered last July where HK protesters went to a shopping district popular with mainland Chinese tourists to try to spread their message to China.

This likely really angered Beijing authorities.

https://twitter.com/joannachiu/status/1147766776609951750

Beijing has focused on the idea of "foreign influence" in the protests, where it’s not clear whether “foreigners” include the Hong Kong diaspora.

The new security law now criminalizes actions by activities by “foreign forces” to interfere with Hong Kong. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

What's next for Hong Kong? The law has been passed. I spoke with pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo, who used to always have some kind of avenue she was working.

She told me: "There is no way we can challenge it — as Beijing itself is the constitution." thestar.com/news/canada/20…

The law applies to the territory of Hong Kong so the many international citizens who live in or travel to the cosmopolitan business hub could be affected.

Story in an independent English-language media outlet in the city @HongKongFP: hongkongfp.com/2020/06/04/hon… @creery_j

Some protesters hope U.S. threats to remove special status for the city might act as an economic deterrent on China from moving forward.

But an economist thinks mostly Hong Kongers and the businesses there will bear the brunt of consequences. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Comment from @rorygreen5: thestar.com/news/canada/20…

While an overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents oppose the new legislation, among the business community, 61% believe the national security law will actually have a positive impact on businesses in the long-run, according to a separate survey. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

I was born in Hong Kong and know families have fought bitterly over the political situation in the city. Some parents are desperately worried about their kids going out to protests. Here’s why some business owners tell me they support the security law. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Thanks so much for reading. There are references in the story of sources you can follow in Hong Kong to learn more. thestar.com/news/canada/20… #HK

I do wonder if this kind of journalism from a distance on sensitive issues in Hong Kong may become more common, if the national security law is strictly implemented. Would the basic work of a foreign journalist be seen as “foreign forces” interfering? thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Currently, the national security law is enacted but the Chinese government is expected to give more details. The law’s language is quite vague, which isn’t unusual in Chinese legislation since it allows for wide interpretations. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Why are there 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong? Explainer by @wanyeelii. Unclear how many will return to Canada in the midst of #COVIDー19 thestar.com/vancouver/2019…

Beijing's surprise move to pass the draconian national security law was spurred by ongoing pro-democracy protests, experts say.

The protests only let up when #COVIDー19 hit the city, which responded quickly and only 4 people have died from the virus. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

I spoke with a young protester who felt uneasy through months of the #COVID19 lockdowns in Hong Kong and as cases spiked in Western countries.

"Well this is a perfect time for the Chinese Communist Party to do something drastic!” she thought thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar

Facing Beijing’s new security law, will more Hong Kongers seek asylum in Canada? thestar.com/news/gta/2020/… @nkeung