EDITORIAL: Risk of becoming ‘rats on the street’On the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, and three years since the implementation of the National Security Law, the Hong Kong Police Force this month announced life-long arrest warrants for eight exiled democracy advocates. China-appointed Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (李家超) even said that wanted activists should be treated like “rats in the street,” further indicating the end of freedom, human rights and democracy in the territory. Official census statistics show that the territory’s population has declined since 2020, the same year the security law took effect. In the face of China’s ambition to “unite” with Taiwan, Taiwanese have rejected Beijing’s “one country, two systems” proposal, which proved a failure in Hong Kong. They have a choice between protecting the dignity and autonomy of Taiwan, or risking the nation’s sovereignty and becoming “rats in the street.”
