As we approach the end of August, my mind is filled with thoughts of Hong Kong. This city has experienced significant changes due to the strict National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing. In early September, my team will host the “Global Prayer Movement for Hong Kong’s Political Prisoners” as part of the three day “World Hong Kong Forum” in Toronto, Canada, which I'll elaborate in this month’s written piece.
I want to take you on an imaginative journey into the future in this August commentary. I'll try to predict what might happen to the political prisoners in Hong Kong, focusing on my dear friends Jimmy Lai, Benny Tai, and Joshua Wong, who are now unjustly imprisoned due to the NSL.
As a Christian, I find comfort in prayer. I pray fervently for the release of Jimmy Lai, Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, and the more than 200 other political prisoners. I firmly believe that their suffering will not be in vain. I also dare to make a prediction: There might be a “prisoner swap” involving Jimmy Lai, Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, and others with some of the most wanted individuals from the Chinese Communist Party.
Now, let’s look ahead to 2025. The situation in Hong Kong appears grim. The city’s status as a major international financial center has declined due to the NSL. Many international investment banks have relocated their key personnel to other Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan.
The NSL, implemented by Beijing in 2020, has become a tool of mass suppression. It criminalizes various activities related to secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, casting a dark shadow over Hong Kong’s democratic aspirations. In this context, activists from Hong Kong who are now in other countries continue to lobby the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for further sanctions against Beijing and Hong Kong officials due to human rights violations.
In this future scenario, my friends remain detained or serving prison terms under the NSL. Jimmy Lai, the founder of Next Digital and a vocal critic of Beijing’s policies, was arrested in August 2020 and has faced numerous charges since. Benny Tai, a prominent legal scholar involved in the 2014 Umbrella Movement, was arrested in April 2020 and has sought solace in reading the Bible and autobiographies like Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom.” Joshua Wong, known for his youthful activism, faces charges related to unauthorized assemblies and protest coordination.
Looking to 2025, the path for political prisoners in Hong Kong appears uncertain. The city’s democratic values seem to be fading away, and more foreign firms have left. The Hong Kong dollar’s peg to the U.S. dollar is under significant pressure, with hedge fund speculators betting on its devaluation.
By 2025, Hong Kong’s political situation has deteriorated further. Beijing’s control over the city has tightened dramatically, leading to a climate of fear. The National Security Police now have more authority and are making arbitrary arrests, resembling the oppressive world depicted in George Orwell’s “1984.”
People are afraid to express their opinions, fearing arrest by the authorities. Hong Kong, once known for its freedoms, has seen those freedoms erode. The legal system, once impartial, is now influenced by politics, making it difficult to find justice for those unfairly treated. The future for Hong Kong appears uncertain and troubling in 2025, with people living in fear. Despite these challenges, they hold onto hope that things will improve.
The global response to China’s actions in Hong Kong remains crucial. By 2025, international pressure to secure the release of political prisoners may have grown stronger. Nations may use diplomatic tools, more forceful sanctions, and collective calls for action to persuade China to respect human rights. The strength of this global outcry could determine the fate of the prisoners.
The political prisoners in Hong Kong are unlikely to give up. In 2025, they may continue challenging their detention under the National Security Law, invoking international human rights standards and Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The NSL has given extensive powers to National Security Judges who might continue conducting unfair trials. This means that seeking justice will be tough. However, these political prisoners won’t be alone in this fight. The global community, human rights organizations, and supporters worldwide will continue to stand by them. The international outcry against the loss of freedoms in Hong Kong will grow louder.
As a Christian, I find solace in prayer, believing that faith can overcome even the darkest times. I pray daily for the freedom and well-being of my friends – Jimmy Lai, Benny Tai, and Joshua Wong. Amid the shadows, I hold onto the belief that their suffering will not be in vain. I trust that justice will prevail, paving the way for a better Hong Kong.
As we look into the future of political prisoners in Hong Kong in 2025, our hearts are filled with empathy and a strong desire for justice. The contrast between Hong Kong’s past as a bastion of democracy and its current reality under Chief Executive John Lee and Security Chief Chris Tang is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom.
My close friends, Jimmy Lai, Benny Tai, and Joshua Wong, once symbols of hope, have evolved into something even greater. Their Christian faith and their positive approach to suffering have elevated them to a more spiritual level. Now, they embody the unyielding spirit of those who won’t give in to tyranny. Their sacrifices are a powerful reminder that the human spirit can radiate brightly even in the bleakest times. Let the world witness their unwavering strength, and let the voices of the oppressed keep resounding, undaunted by the pressures of oppression. We also pray that a free Hong Kong will come someday.
