Beijing’s Grip Tightens on Hong Kong
Daily Monitor
September 22, 2026
Beijing’s Grip Tightens on Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s governance has been radically reshaped by Beijing, erasing freedoms and deepening authoritarian control.
Six years after the imposition of the National Security Law, Beijing has fundamentally restructured Hong Kong’s governance, shifting its accountability from the people to the Chinese Communist Party. This transformation, marked by the erosion of long-protected rights, has cast a troubling shadow over the city’s future. Human Rights Watch’s Asia Director, Elaine Pearson, warns of the tragic consequences of a society unable to hold the powerful accountable, as illustrated by the deadly Tai Po housing complex fire.
The National Security Law, introduced in June 2020, has dismantled Hong Kong’s democracy movement, imprisoning pro-democracy leaders and activists or forcing them into exile. The city’s legislature, once quasi-democratic, now operates as a rubber stamp for Beijing’s directives. Independent media and civil society have been systematically dismantled, while a pervasive national security architecture has been entrenched across government institutions.
Recent developments have further tightened Beijing’s grip. In March, police were granted new powers under the National Security Law, including the authority to demand device passwords from suspects. By June, the government bypassed legislative processes to allow the city’s leader to designate any criminal act as a national security case, stripping suspects of fundamental legal protections such as bail and impartial trials. Additionally, the government allocated HK$5 billion (US$638 million) to the national security budget, with no transparency regarding its use.
Beijing’s direct rule over Hong Kong is increasingly evident. Mainland institutions, such as the Party’s Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, now dictate policies. These decisions bypass public transparency and are formulated at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party. Key figures like Xia Baolong and Zhou Ji oversee Hong Kong’s affairs, ensuring alignment with Xi Jinping’s “Comprehensive National Security Concept.”
The Legislative Council has seen a surge in members with ties to the Chinese party-state, with a record 27 lawmakers holding positions in China’s National People’s Congress or Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Additionally, 45 legislators now hold roles in Chinese state-owned enterprises, marking a 60% increase from the previous term. Leadership within Hong Kong’s government increasingly draws from law enforcement backgrounds, further consolidating Beijing’s control.
As Beijing continues to reshape Hong Kong’s governance, the city faces an uncertain future, with freedoms curtailed and accountability diminished. The transformation underscores the profound impact of authoritarianism on a society once celebrated for its vibrant democracy and autonomy.
The National Security Law, introduced in June 2020, has dismantled Hong Kong’s democracy movement, imprisoning pro-democracy leaders and activists or forcing them into exile. The city’s legislature, once quasi-democratic, now operates as a rubber stamp for Beijing’s directives. Independent media and civil society have been systematically dismantled, while a pervasive national security architecture has been entrenched across government institutions.
Recent developments have further tightened Beijing’s grip. In March, police were granted new powers under the National Security Law, including the authority to demand device passwords from suspects. By June, the government bypassed legislative processes to allow the city’s leader to designate any criminal act as a national security case, stripping suspects of fundamental legal protections such as bail and impartial trials. Additionally, the government allocated HK$5 billion (US$638 million) to the national security budget, with no transparency regarding its use.
Beijing’s direct rule over Hong Kong is increasingly evident. Mainland institutions, such as the Party’s Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, now dictate policies. These decisions bypass public transparency and are formulated at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party. Key figures like Xia Baolong and Zhou Ji oversee Hong Kong’s affairs, ensuring alignment with Xi Jinping’s “Comprehensive National Security Concept.”
The Legislative Council has seen a surge in members with ties to the Chinese party-state, with a record 27 lawmakers holding positions in China’s National People’s Congress or Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Additionally, 45 legislators now hold roles in Chinese state-owned enterprises, marking a 60% increase from the previous term. Leadership within Hong Kong’s government increasingly draws from law enforcement backgrounds, further consolidating Beijing’s control.
As Beijing continues to reshape Hong Kong’s governance, the city faces an uncertain future, with freedoms curtailed and accountability diminished. The transformation underscores the profound impact of authoritarianism on a society once celebrated for its vibrant democracy and autonomy.
Drafted & Edited by Investigative Desk | AboMatrix