Debate on Freedoms Splits Hong Kong

Hong Kong should be celebrating – SARS has been contained, and the island just signed a free trade agreement with mainland China. But Hong Kong's independence and freedom are under threat, worry some critics. Democracy advocates and businesspeople fear that a proposed new law, called 'Article 23', will undermine the openness that has long attracted investors and enabled Hong Kong to reign supreme as East Asia’s financial hub. Supporters of the proposed law say it only aims to prevent state subversion and treason and point out that such laws are common in most countries around the world. But they do concede that the legislation would outlaw groups banned in mainland China and criminalize the handling of state secrets. It is these sorts of restrictions that have locals expecting 100,000 protestors to hit the streets during an upcoming visit by mainland Chinese officials. –YaleGlobal