It was an ominous beginning to an ominous conversation about how western democracies should face the growing authoritarian reflexes of China on the world stage. "We are sort of disappearing before the world's eyes," Lau said via video conference from Hong Kong. She and democratic activist Figo Chan represented the people of Hong Kong in accepting the award after months of street protests and violence that drew global attention. "The way China treats Hong Kong will be very indicative to the whole world of how China will behave," she said. "If China cannot keep the promise, then how can China act as a responsible, respectable member of the international community?"

Source: CBC News November 21, 2020 09:00 UTC