ADVERTISEMENT

Photos show democracy protests reigniting in Hong Kong after China passed a sweeping measure to crush the city's autonomy

On Thursday, China passed a new national security measure for Hong Kong that effectively crushes the city's autonomy.

Hong Kong protests pepper spra
  • The legislation is meant to severely limit dissent, and could allow China to set up a police force within the city, ban activist groups, and put an end to the semiautonomous powers that Hong Kong has had since 1997.
  • Critics of the new legislation have called it the "end of Hong Kong" and see it as retaliation for over six months of protests that occurred last year in opposition to a Chinese extradition bill.
  • Over the past few days, thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong to reignite a pro-democracy fight and protest the new draconian law. At least 360 people have been arrested.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT

In a landslide vote on Thursday, China passed new national security legislation for Hong Kong that will effectively crush the city's autonomy .

The legislation is meant to crack down on dissent, subversion, terrorism, and treason against the Chinese government, and will work to limit the freedoms of the semiautonomous arrangement that Hong Kong has had since 1997.

The new measure gives China the authority to draft and propose national security laws , such as establishing a formal police presence within Hong Kong, suppressing political speech and activism, and imposing long jail sentences for violations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Critics of the new legislation have called it the "end of Hong Kong" and see it as a major blow to the city's freedoms. Others view it as a measure of retaliation to suppress Hong Kong voices after several months of protests against a Chinese extradition law occurred last year.

Over the last few days, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to fight against the new draconian measure. At least 360 have been arrested.

Tang Yan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

Tyrone Siu/REUTERS

ADVERTISEMENT

Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Source: Insider

ADVERTISEMENT

Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images

Source: Insider

ADVERTISEMENT

Ivan Abreu/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Kyodo News via Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

Willie Siau/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Ben Blanchard

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Ivan Abreu/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

ADVERTISEMENT

Tommy Walker/NurPhoto via Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

Tommy Walker/NurPhoto via Getty Images

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

ADVERTISEMENT

ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP via Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

ADVERTISEMENT

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

See Also:

ADVERTISEMENT

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Exploring the popularity of progressive jackpot slots in Indonesia

Exploring the popularity of progressive jackpot slots in Indonesia

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

ADVERTISEMENT