Issue Briefing No. 51

Fragmented Voices: The Strugglefor Democracy in Hong Kong andAbroad
Alric Lee
（Executive Director, Japan Hong Kong Democracy Alliance）
February 7, 2024

Abstract
The situation in Hong Kong has worsened with increasing repressive actions
by the local authority against activists, extending beyond local borders totarget Hong Kongers abroad. This crackdown represents a significant erosionof freedoms and democratic values, as evidenced by arrests of activists andsupporters, and the extended enforcement of laws overseas. The dire stateof affairs is reflected in Hong Kong’s declining rankings in global indices forpress freedom and democracy, alongside a notable rise in emigration.
However, as time progresses, the Hong Kong diaspora is experiencing atransformation in its identity shaped by each individual’s personal journeyin the new surroundings, with a shifting sense of community as well as
divergence in responses to the situation back home. This challenge
highlights broader themes of political repression, migration, identity, and theenduring quest for freedom and democracy.

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Issue Briefing No. 51
The situation in Hong Kong has taken a worrying turn with theintensification of efforts by the Hong Kong Police's National Security
Department against activists, a move that has raised significant concerns
about the erosion of freedoms and democratic values in the region. This
crackdown is not limited to local activists but extends to Hong Kongers living
abroad, reflecting a broader strategy of the Hong Kong government tosuppress dissent across geographical boundaries. The implications of theseactions are profound, affecting not only those directly targeted but also
shaping the identity and response of the Hong Kong diaspora worldwide.

Extended Enforcement Overseas
The Hong Kong Police's National Security Department has escalated
its efforts against activists, extending its actions to Hong Kongers overseas.
In early July, arrest warrants with a bounty of 1 million Hong Kong dollars
each were issued for eight prominent democracy activists abroad, including
former lawmakers Nathan Law, Dennis Kwok, and Ted Hui, on charges ranging
from collusion with foreign forces to subversion of state power.
Shortly after the warrants were issued, the police arrested fiveformer members of the now disbanded Demosistō, a notable pro-democracygroup. These individuals were accused of using a mobile app to raise funds,
allegedly to support these overseas activists.
A central element of the authority's strategy seems to be aimed atsevering ties between overseas Hong Kong activists and their supporters
within Hong Kong. This approach is not just about quelling dissent but also
about isolating the Hong Kong diaspora groups, which have become
increasingly scattered. By targeting financial support mechanisms and key
individuals, the Hong Kong government is effectively attempting to dismantle
the networks that sustain and connect the pro-democracy movement acrossborders.
In early November, a 23-year-old Hong Kong student, Yuen Chingting, was sentenced to two months in prison for "seditious" social media
posts made while in Japan, serving as another stark example of transnational
repression. Yuen was prosecuted for acts deemed seditious under Hong
Kong law, despite the fact that the majority of these posts were made while
she was studying at a university in Japan. This case illuminated the extended
reach of Hong Kong's laws and the willingness of its authorities to enforce
these laws beyond their territorial boundaries, targeting members of theHong Kong diaspora and suppressing dissent even in foreign countries.

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The case of Yuen, along with the high-profile arrests and warrants,
underscores a broader strategy of the Hong Kong government to exercise
control over its citizens and suppress dissent, irrespective of geographicalboundaries. The use of legal instruments like the National Security Law andsedition charges to target individuals overseas demonstrates a methodical
approach to curb the activities of the pro-democracy movement globally. This
form of transnational repression is indicative of an increasing trend for theChinese authority to extend its domestic policies and control mechanisms
internationally, particularly against dissidents and activists.

Decline in Freedom and Democracy
The alarming decline in freedom in Hong Kong is starkly reflected inits falling positions in various global indices. Hong Kong, once celebrated asa haven for press freedom in Asia, has seen a dramatic fall to 148th place in
the Reporters Without Borders annual index on press freedom. This sharp
descent, a decline of nearly 70 places in a single year, is largely attributed
to the implementation of new national security legislation in 2020 and therevival of colonial-era anti-sedition laws. Since the enactment of thislegislation, at least three media outlets have either been forced to shut down
due to national security investigations or have voluntarily closed, citing legalrisks. This crackdown on the media significantly undermines the freedom ofexpression in Hong Kong.
Further illustrating this downturn, Hong Kong's ranking in global
democracy and freedom charts has also slipped. It now stands at 88th in a
democracy ranking, trailing behind countries like Libya and Ukraine, and isplaced 34th in a freedom index. The Economist's democracy index hasreported a noticeable loss of manpower in Hong Kong's civil service,
attributing this to worsened political conditions and shrinking freedoms.

Emigration Problem
This trend of diminishing freedoms and deteriorating democraticvalues in Hong Kong is accentuated by a marked increase in emigration.
Notably, during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, which imposed severe
restrictions on international travel, Hong Kong still recorded a significant net
outward movement of its population. The statistics are stark: there was a net
outward movement of 85,000 individuals in 2020 and 75,000 in 2021, a
dramatic shift from the previous decade where such figures were rarely

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negative. This growing exodus is not just a numerical curiosity but reflects adeeper sentiment within the Hong Kong populace. A 2021 survey by the Hong
Kong Institute of Asia–Pacific Studies reveals this sentiment, indicating thatthe proportion of Hong Kong residents considering emigration rose from 33%
in 2017 to 42% in 2021.
The recent surge in emigration from Hong Kong has led to asignificant evolution in the identity of the Hong Kong diaspora. At the heartof this transformation is the stirring of a collective consciousness, brought
into sharp focus by the events in Hong Kong. These events have not only
reawakened a deep-seated sense of belonging among the diaspora but also
created a sense of "community" that, while difficult to articulate, transcends
physical and linguistic boundaries. This community is less about geographic
proximity and more about a shared understanding and mutual empathy bornout of common experiences and struggles.

Identity at a Crossroads
However, as time progresses and individuals in the diaspora adapt totheir new environments, the once unified response to Hong Kong's situation
begins to diverge. This divergence is not just a reflection of the physicaldistance from their homeland but also a result of new cultural, political, andsocial influences. The community thus finds itself at a crossroads, withdebates over methods of action and visions for Hong Kong's future
highlighting a broader question: Is the diaspora's sense of community
disintegrating, or is it merely evolving into different forms across various
regions and times?
Central to this evolving narrative is the realization that the so-called“Hong Konger community” is not a monolithic entity but a tapestry ofindividual identities and stories. Each member of this community brings aunique perspective shaped by their personal journey, making the diaspora amosaic of different “I’s” rather than a singular, uniform group. This
realization challenges conventional notions of community and prompts areevaluation of what it means to be part of the Hong Kong diaspora.
The self-identification of individuals within the diaspora reflects thisdiversity. From those who view themselves as exiles or immigrants to those
who embrace a broader, global identity, these self-descriptions are morethan mere labels; they are reflections of each individual’s political stance,
culturalassimilation,andpersonalexperiences.

Whetheridentifying

primarily with Hong Kong or their country of residence, these identities

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significantly influence their political engagement and choice of action.

The Three Approaches
The varied range of identities within the diaspora, in turn, shapes its
political landscape. Some may opt for integration into their host country’s
political system, seeking to influence from within, while others might focus
on preserving Hong Kong's cultural heritage or advocating for change in theinternational political arena. These differing approaches are encapsulated in
the three main strategies adopted by the diaspora.
The first strategy revolves around proactive engagement with thelocal systems in the countries where the diaspora has settled. It involves
integrating into the social fabric and political structures of these countries
to gain political leverage and resources. A critical aspect of this strategy isencouraging Hong Kong people to run for local council positions, thereby
entering and influencing the local power systems. This approach is designed
to build a base of political support and gather resources that can aid Hong
Kong's cause from afar.
Building on this notion of engagement, the second strategy focuseson the goal of returning to Hong Kong and prioritizing the city's local context
in all efforts. It encompasses establishing underground networks to initiate
actions within Hong Kong and transmitting local culture, thereby keeping theconnection with the homeland alive and active. This approach, rooted in astrong attachment to Hong Kong, emphasizes direct involvement in the city'saffairs, regardless of physical distance.
Complementing the first two, the third strategy seeks to challenge
and reshape the international political frameworks that influence Hong
Kong's destiny. This ambitious approach involves advocating for selfdetermination and collaborating with other groups globally that have been
similarly unable to secure protection within existing international systems.
The aim is to forge a new collective framework that better addresses theneeds and rights of such communities.
In the broader context, the situation in Hong Kong and the responseof its diaspora are emblematic of the challenges faced by many communities
grappling with political repression and the quest for democracy. The Hong
Kong diaspora's evolving identity, diverse strategies, and the challenges they
face in balancing integration and advocacy present a compelling study of
how global communities respond to political change and oppression. Theirstory is not just about the struggle for democracy in Hong Kong but also

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about broader themes of migration, identity, and the enduring human spirit
in the face of adversity. As the world watches the unfolding events in Hong
Kong, the lessons learned from the experiences of its diaspora willundoubtedly contribute to our understanding of global politics and thepersistent quest for freedom and democracy.

Alric Lee Profile
Alric Lee, originally from Hong Kong, has an educational background thatspans continents. He completed his undergraduate studies in the United
Kingdom and earned a master’s degree in engineering from the University ofTokyo in 2017. In 2019, Alric founded the Lady Liberty Hong Kong groupamidst the height of pro-democracy protests. The group, recognized for
creating the iconic Lady Liberty Hong Kong statue, played a notable role inshaping the identity of the Hongkongers who supported the movement.
Under his direction, the group raised over 6 million HKD, contributing tovarious humanitarian initiatives. Further extending his efforts, Alric took on
the role of Executive Director for the Japan Hong Kong Democracy Alliancein 2023. This organization focuses on amplifying Hongkonger voices in Japanand strengthening ties among pro-democracy groups in East Asia.

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