the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

“ Hong Kong appears to have wide latitude in setting policies on climate and green finance. It has its own carbon neutrality goal of 2050 and aims to eliminate the use of coal for daily electricity generation by 2035, both significantly more ambitious than mainland China’s climate goals, and Hong Kong authorities have released a detailed plan for achieving these goals. In green finance, Hong Kong has set stricter climate disclosure requirements, aligned with international best practices, than mainland China. ”

“ Impact on Freedom of Association PRC and Hong Kong authorities disregarded freedom of association as enshrined in the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. PRC and Hong Kong authorities repeatedly used threats, investigations, arrests, asset freezes, and other actions to force the closure of groups they deemed a "national security" concern for their involvement in the pro-democracy movement. According to media reports more than 40 civil society organizations, labor unions, and political parties disbanded during the covered period. ”

“ For example, in April 2021, a Hong Kong court convicted veteran pro-democracy activists including Martin Lee, Margaret Ng, Jimmy Lai, and Lee Cheuk-yan of unauthorized assembly for their participation in a nonviolent August 2019 protest. Authorities arrested 33 people and filed charges against 30 during the covered period in connection with commemorations of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 2020 or 2021. In September 2021, seven pro-democracy activists were sentenced to up to 16 months in jail for their role in an "unauthorized assembly" at the height of the anti-government protests in 2019. ”