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A bitter row has erupted within Hong Kong biggest opposition party after its vice-chairman and its former lawmaker Lee Wing-tat left the city for the UK last
Hong Kong pro-democracy group downsizes amid crackdown
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July 10, 2021
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FILE - In this June 4, 2021, file photo, people hold LED candles to mark the anniversary of the military crackdown on a pro-democracy student movement in Beijing, outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, one of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organizations said Saturday, July 10, it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee amid Beijing’s crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.Kin Cheung/AP
HONG KONG (AP) One of Hong Kong’s 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.
Letting go of staff was to âensure their safetyâ and would take effect at the end of the month. While the 32-year-old group said the changes would affect its operations, it vowed that âregardless of whatever difficulties or challenges we face, the alliance will continue to grit our teeth and move onwards one step at a timeâ.
Following months of anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in 2020. Criteria for elected officials have been narrowed to only those who meet a loosely defined standard of patriotism. The legislative council has been reorganised to ensure an overwhelming majority for pro-Beijing delegates, while most of the cityâs leading opposition voices have been jailed, intimidated into silence or have fled abroad.
• Associated Press • July 11, 2021
This story has been corrected.
People hold LED candles to mark the anniversary of the military crackdown on a pro-democracy student movement in Beijing, outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong on June 4, 2021. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, one of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organizations said Saturday, July 10, it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee amid Beijing’s crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. (Kin Cheung/AP)
HONG KONG One of Hong Kong s 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.