By Sau Fong O’Fallon
After 36 years of influence in Hong Kong, the harbor-city which was one of the few remaining bastions of freedom in the world, The Hong Kong Christian Institute ceases to operate on July 31, 2024. Founded in 1988, this Institute had supported the city’s pro-democracy movements and was born out of a “need” to engage in social and political action where churches “did not seem to be able to offer much.” Now being “constrained by the current social environment,” because of Beijing’s draconian National Security Law (NSL), The Hong Kong Christian Institute now joins the dozens that have disbanded in the wake of the NSL, which was imposed onto Hong Kong in June 2020.
Per The Hong Kong Christian Institute Facebook post:
“The Hong Kong Christian Institute has always been committed to nurturing believers and encouraging churches to establish a faith practice with social consciousness and social responsibility.”
“But it is constrained by the current social environment. The institution is unable to operate in a way where it can freely carry out its mission.”
Hong Kong was to enjoy much independence from China after the July 1, 1997, Handover from Britain, due to the Sino-British Joint Declaration treaty signed by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom and Premier Zhao Ziyang of the People’s Republic of China on December 19, 1984. This treaty had ensured Hong Kong would retain a high degree of autonomy, with its own system of government, laws, and institutions, except in matters of foreign affairs and defense for 50 years. The China government ignored the Sino-British treaty, stating it was just a “historical document” and made many attempts to undermine Hong Kong liberties over the years.
The Hong Kong Christian Institute had supported critical movements such as:
- The 2014 Umbrella Movement – In 2014, the people of Hong Kong responded in protest to a decision made by China that would allow elections in Hong Kong in 2017, but “only from a list of candidates pre-approved” by the Chinese government. The nickname of Umbrella Movement was due to the protestors using umbrellas to protect themselves from the tear gas used by police. Since then, the umbrella became an international symbol of peaceful resistance, to fight for Hong Kong’s sovereignty and freedom.
- 2019 Anti-Extradition protest – In March 2019 the government of Hong Kong proposed a bill that would have allowed “extraditions to mainland China.” The people of Hong Kong responded, taking to the streets in record-breaking numbers in protest, and on June 16, 2019, had up to 2 million people marching peacefully. The Extradition Bill was dropped, but it was only one of five demands that propelled the movement.
With the draconian National Security Law that China forced upon Hong Kong, conveniently imposed during the 2020 “lockdowns,” protestors, vigil holders, media outlets, and pro-democracy unions have been severely cracked-downed upon. This law criminalized what China deems as secession, subversion, foreign collusion, and terrorism, with authorities saying it restored stability in the city. Keep in mind that China did not have the right to impose this law, due to the 1984 Sino-Britain treaty — but China has not been stopped from violating this agreement. This “unlawful” law has been criticized by international rights organizations and foreign governments, with a US-government agency who noting its “devastating effect” on civil society.
Hong Kong was an envy of the world — and was a “safe haven” for mainland Chinese who sought to escape Communism and enjoy freedom. Now their free speech is under scrutiny, as many Beijing-favoring local leaders have been installed to run the Hong Kong government. It is disheartening to see a Christian group for liberty disband, as Christianity has been deemed as a strong threat against Communism. According to Dr. James Lindsay of New Discourses: Communism is a religion that intends to subvert all other religions.
What happened to Hong Kong must be a lesson learned by Western societies — especially by America who must absolutely defend its Constitutional Republic. Citizens must be involved and must pay attention to “local” politics as well as national. Local school board seats should not be overlooked, as they are crucial to the impact of our future generation, who must be taught proper history so to avoid freedom-ending indoctrination.
Tyranny is relentless and is always looking for an opportunity, so “fighters for freedom” must cover every angle. America, as Hong Kong used to be, is among the last bastion of freedom in the world!
Source: Hong Kong Free Press July 24, 2024.
