HONG KONG -- One of Hong Kong鈥檚 most established pro-democracy civic organizations said it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee after Beijing stepped up its crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China is best known for organizing an annual rally and candlelight vigil remembering those killed in the bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing鈥檚 Tiananmen Square.
The group said in a statement Saturday that seven of its 14 remaining steering committee members had decided to step down in the face of 鈥済rowing political and legal risks.鈥� Of the seven members remaining, three are currently in jail for protest-related activities 鈥� chairman Lee Cheuk-yan as well as vice chairmen Albert Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung.
Letting go of staff was to 鈥渆nsure their safety鈥� and would take effect at the end of the month, the statement said. While the 32-year-old group said the changes would affect its operations, it vowed that 鈥渞egardless of whatever difficulties or challenges we face, the alliance will continue to grit our teeth and move onwards one step at a time.鈥�
Following months of anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong last year. The criteria for elected officials has been narrowed to those who meet a loosely defined standard of patriotism. The Legislative Council has been reorganized to ensure an overwhelming majority for pro-Beijing delegates, while most of the city鈥檚 leading opposition voices have been jailed, intimidated into silence or have moved abroad to seek asylum.
The city鈥檚 last remaining pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily, was forced to close after authorities arrested staff and froze assets. While the city is still a major business and financial hub, many Hong Kongers are leaving and some multinational companies have begun relocating their operations and staff due to legal concerns.
The annual June 4 commemoration of the 1989 crackdown had been attended by tens of thousands, along with a July 1 pro-democracy march and rally marking Hong Kong鈥檚 handover from British to Chinese rule.
Both have been banned for the past two years because of COVID-19 restrictions, and there is no indication whether authorities will allow them to be held in future.
While China says the new restrictions are targeted measures aiming to restore order and ensure Hong Kong鈥檚 future prosperity, critics at home and abroad say they are a betrayal of Beijing鈥檚 commitment to maintain Hong Kong鈥檚 civil liberties for 50 years after the handover.
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This story corrects the charges faced by Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho and Chow Hang-tung. They have been jailed for protest-related activities, not national security charges.
