Australian Strategic Policy Institute invites you to their event
About this event
ASPI is delighted to invite you to the webinar discussion: 'Hong Kong and Beijing – why now and what does it mean?'
This ASPI webinar, chaired by Senior Analyst Kelsey Munro, will discuss and debate the deep political division in Hong Kong, and the geopolitical implications of Hong Kong’s shrinking freedom and autonomy. Former Hong Kong democratic politicians Alan Leong and Martin Lee will tackle these topics with human rights researcher Maya Wang and ASPI’s Director of Defence, Strategy and National Security Michael Shoebridge, and take questions from the audience.
Beijing's move at May's National People's Congress to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong is 'the end of Hong Kong as we know it', according to some commentators. It follows more than a year of mass anti-government protests and police brutality, with millions of citizens repeatedly taking to the streets to voice their discontent with Beijing’s increasing heavy hand in the city.
Beijing's move comes at a time when countries around the world are depleted and distracted by the coronavirus pandemic. But it also comes at a time of enormous economic and political challenges for Beijing, with Hong Kong as a potential part of plans to restarting growth and engagement with the global economy. What does Beijing’s prioritisation of control in Hong Kong over economic vibrancy there mean for Hong Kong's people, and for its future as a vibrant world city and key financial hub? Is this the end of the One Country Two Systems formula, supposed to last until 2047, or is there room for Hong Kong to maintain key elements despite Beijing’s shrinking of space for these?
Hosted by
Martin Lee Chu-Ming SC, JP is a distinguished barrister and politician who has devoted a long lifetime to promoting democracy in Hong Kong.
Michael Shoebridge is the Director of ASPI’s Defence, Strategy and National Security program. He was a senior executive in the Defence organisation and has worked for 25 years in different parts of Australia’s national security community.
Kelsey is a Senior Analyst with ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre. She has worked in journalism, writing and research since 2005, with a research focus on China, digital authoritarianism and foreign interference.
Maya Wang is the Senior China researcher for the independent NGO Human Rights Watch. Her research and investigations focus on mass surveillance, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
Alan Leong Kah-kit is a former Legislative Council member and current Chairman of the Civic Party.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces expert and timely advice for Australia’s strategic and defence leaders. ASPI generates new ideas for government, allowing them to make better-info...
