In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced the Umbrella Movement, the disqualification of pro-democracy legislators and candidates running for Legislative Council and District Council, the Anti-Extradition Bill Movement, and the Hong Kong National Security Law. The democratic movement has encountered its most challenging time ever. Although grassroots democratic development has blossomed in all districts after the Umbrella Movement and although pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory in the District Council election, Hong Kong’s rule of law and judicial independence have become a matter of extreme concern. Freedom of expression has been quickly eroded after the Chinese and Hong Kong governments forcibly enacted and enforced the National Security Law. The future for Hong Kong’s democratic development is very dim. Hong Kong is like a lonely boat struggling in a wild sea looking for a distant lighthouse.

 

Keywords: Hong Kong, democratic development, Umbrella Movement, Anti-Extradition Bill Movement, National Security Law