Martin Lee sees end of the Hong Kong he knows

The man nicknamed Hong Kong's “Father of Democracy” said Friday that Beijing is trying to take control of the semi-autonomous city with an impending national security law, but added that violent protest is not the answer.Lee urged Hong Kongers to protest peacefully against the national security law, even after it is enacted.

The man nicknamed Hong Kong's "Father of Democracy" said Friday that Beijing is trying to take control of the semi-autonomous city with an impending national security law, but added that violent protest is not the answer. "This is clearly a pretext for Beijing to assert comprehensive control over Hong Kong, as they said they would six years ago," longtime activist and former lawmaker Martin Lee said in an interview. The national security law, which could be approved in Beijing this weekend, is aimed at curbing secessionist, subversive, terrorist, and foreign interference that Beijing says fueled the monthslong anti-government protests in Hong Kong. The law would be enacted by the central government, bypassing the city's legislature. "The end of Hong Kong as we know it, as an international city, as a free port and with all our freedoms protected by our independent court - this could well disappear," Lee said. He said he hoped that Beijing will keep to its promise and abide by the so-called "one country, two systems" framework, where "Hong Kong people will rule Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy." A former British colony, Hong Kong was assured that it would be allowed to maintain its freedoms, many not found on the mainland, when it was handed over to China in 1997. Last year's protests were sparked by opposition to a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent for trial on the mainland, something many saw as a violation of that commitment. The 82-year-old Lee was arrested for the first time in April together with 14 other pro-democracy figures. They were charged with participating in and organizing several of last year's protests. "It's selective prosecution," he said, calling the charges politically motivated. "But if they want to charge 15 of us over this series of demonstrations, then so be it." He said they had a strong defense and expressed confidence they would be acquitted. Lee urged Hong Kongers to protest peacefully against the national security law, even after it is enacted.