Hong Kong – Next Digital group was raided this week under the new National Security Law when reasons for arrest came for newspaper tycoon Jimmy Lai on the charges of “collusion with foreign powers” and “conspiracy to defraud” after Mr. Lai was a proponent in inciting the pro-democracy calls to action through his newspaper, the Apple Daily.
The United States started its protest of China’s political move via sanctions imposed on the Chinese and Hong Kong products and services that was met with little to no enthusiasm by the Chinese Communist Party- owned countries. After working against the tide of rallying pro-democracy protests, the law had helped them curb the unrest and impose Chinese law on the once two-government country.
The taking down of Jimmy Lai marks a first step in their plan to enforce the law as cartloads of evidence was wheeled out of the Next Digital office, with police getting in micro-aggressive scuffles with the staff before being able to take out all the evidence. Many see this as the CCP’s move to control the media as they do in mainland China to decrease any pro-democratic sentiments and aggression towards the communist party.
The tabloid was one of the outspoken news outlets that was anti-CCP and mostly criticized China’s authoritarian rule over its people. The act landed several in the Apple Daily into being suspected for inciting civil unrest and brought about the decision to arrest the people responsible in Next Digital for the pro-democracy push.
Taiwan did not show favor to China’s rule by welcoming U.S Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar who became the highest U.S official to visit the country since 1979, going against the Chinese imposed sanctions on 11 Americans including 6 U.S members of congress, further driving a wedge between Taiwan and China.
“I have always thought I might one day be sent to jail for my publications or for my calls for democracy in Hong Kong, but for a few tweets, and because they are said to threaten the national security of mighty China? That’s a new one, even for me.” Jimmy Lai said when asked about the arrest.
“We are completely shocked by what’s happening now, with the arrest and followed by the ongoing raid inside the headquarters of Next Digital with the passage of the national security law and the really tough powers given to the police in their operations, we have seen now what we call ‘white terror’ become a reality, which will affect media organizations and journalists’ reporting.” said Chris Yeung, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.
