The Weaponization of 'National Security' and the Echoes of Empire
THE CLAIM: Foreign Collusion Threatens National Security The official narrative, as reported by Al Jazeera, centers on Jimmy Lai's conviction for 'foreign collusion' and sedition under the 2020 National Security Law, with a potential life sentence. The charges stem from Apple Daily's critical reporting and Lai's alleged interactions with international figures, framed as undermining China's
authority over Hong Kong. THE EVIDENCE: A Law Designed for Control, Not Protection The 2020 National Security Law bypasses Hong Kong's legislature, drafted and imposed directly by Beijing. Critics, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2020), warned it drastically curtails fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration (1984). The law
defines 'collusion with foreign forces' broadly, allowing for the criminalization of activities traditionally associated with advocacy and diplomatic engagement, such as meeting foreign officials or requesting sanctions. For instance, evidence against Lai reportedly included op-eds published in his newspaper and calls for international support for Hong Kong's autonomy. The law's reach is
extraterritorial, applying to actions by anyone, anywhere in the world. THE CONTRADICTIONS: Selective Enforcement and Historical Amnesia The narrative of 'foreign collusion' conveniently ignores a long history of international engagement that was not only tolerated but encouraged in Hong Kong during the British colonial era and even under 'One Country, Two Systems' principles. The very existence