Cardinal Zen’s arrest in May sparked a wave of international outrage, in contrast to the Vatican’s relative discretion on the matter. This ‘prudence,’ which could be viewed as excessive, provides the morally murky atmosphere necessary for the Vatican to renew the agreement with communist China.
While I agree with the aims and even admire the methods of the protesters of 2019 to 2020, it is likely that when China does assume full control of the Hong Kong territory, they will have made things worse.
The arrests were made under the security law enacted by the Chinese government in June 2020. A wave of international protests followed the announcement.
The near-total elimination of independent media has emboldened the pro-Beijing press to be even more aggressive in hounding the regime’s critics. Next week, on May 3rd, we will mark World Press Freedom Day. Let’s ensure it means something.
“By threatening a UK-based NGO with financial penalties and jail for merely reporting on the human rights situation in Hong Kong, this letter exemplifies why Hong Kong’s National Security Law is so dangerous.”—Benedict Rogers
The state-affiliated newspaper Ta Kung Pao accused Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen of inciting student riots in 2019. A crackdown on religious liberties by the CCP might be on the horizon.
Christian leaders asked authorities to drop the charges against Jimmy Lai. “We plead with you to have compassion on his life and well-being and to correct this injustice. We will continue to hope and pray for his eventual release as well as for the well-being and prosperity of Hong Kong and all the peoples of the whole Chinese nation,” the letter said.
