Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow was released from jail Saturday after serving more than six months for taking part in unauthorized assemblies during massive 2019 anti-government protests that triggered a crackdown on dissent in the former British colony. Critics say China is now routinely violating commitments it made to preserve freedoms promised to Hong Kong for 50 years following the handover to Chinese rule in 1997. China fought back with the national security law, which has snuffed out dissent in the semi-autonomous territory. Hong Kong democracy activist Agnes Chow speaks with the media outside a police station in Hong Kong in September last year. The national security law has also given authorities broad powers to monitor speech online, making it difficult to organize opposition gatherings or even express views critical of the government or Beijing.

Source: CBC News June 12, 2021 03:11 UTC