The Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. A British judge has followed his recent resignation from the court with sharp criticism of what he sees as the erosion of judicial independence, sparking a war of words with the government. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong fires back after U.K. judge warns of 'totalitarian' turn

Chief Executive John Lee accuses Britain of 'weaponizing' judicial influence

11 June 2024
Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal. Two more judges have tendered their resignations amid concerns over political freedom in the city. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong 'political situation' further shrinks top court's bench

Two U.K. judges quit, bringing resignations under national security law to five

7 June 2024
Noted economist Stephen Roach has caused a stir in Hong Kong with his bleak assessment of the city's present and future. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images) 
Hong Kong security law

Stephen Roach vs. Hong Kong government: Is the city 'over'?

Debate rekindled as economist pays first visit since declaring end of glory days

6 June 2024
The Goddess of Democracy statue goes up in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on May 29, 1989. A replica of the statue would later stand in Hong Kong. Another replica appeared in Tokyo on June 3. 
China up close

Analysis: A new generation of Chinese democracy seekers gathers in Tokyo

'Goddess of Democracy' comes to Japan to mark 35th Tiananmen anniversary

6 June 2024
A candlelight vigil in Taipei on June 4 marks the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. Such vigils used to be a tradition in Hong Kong. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Hong Kong security law

Tiananmen, 35 years on: Hong Kong muzzled as world marks June 4 crackdown

From Taipei to Tokyo, others carry torch after security laws snuff out Victoria Park vigil

4 June 2024
Police officers guard the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court ahead of a landmark verdict in the city's largest national security case on May 30. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara) 
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong court convicts 14 democracy activists in 'HK47' security case

Two ex-district councilors acquitted; others could face life in prison for unofficial primaries

30 May 2024
Chow Hang-tung, a lawyer and human rights activist, answers questions in September 2021, before being imprisoned for “inciting subversion.” She has now been arrested under Hong Kong's Article 23 law. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong makes first known arrests under Article 23 security law

Facebook posts on Tiananmen deemed to incite 'hatred' against Beijing

28 May 2024
Protesters hold up banners outside the London HKETO at a demonstration on Tuesday. Ricker Choi, right, is an artist from Toronto whose collage is about the 2019 protests in Hong Kong. (Photo by Rhyannon Bartlett-Imadegawa)
International relations

U.K. spy case fuels calls for closure of Hong Kong trade offices

Campaigners warn of transnational repression as U.S. weighs ban

16 May 2024
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London is one of 14 such sites in major cities around the world.
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong chief defends foreign offices after manager's arrest in U.K.

As spy allegations swirl, London summons Chinese envoy over 'pattern of behavior'

14 May 2024
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the Human Rights Press Awards ceremony in Taipei on May 10. (Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club)
International relations

Outgoing president praises Taiwan as press freedom hub

Tsai speaks at awards ceremony as rival Hong Kong cracks down on news media

11 May 2024
Zhang Lei has taken citizenship in Singapore, where his fund group Hillhouse Investment now says it is based. 
Opinion

Suspicious minds are complicating Asia's financial markets

U.S. pensioners may come to regret lost investment exposure to China

9 May 2024
 Local residents sing "Glory to Hong Kong" at a shopping mall in Hong Kong in September 2019. An appeals court on May 8 granted the Hong Kong government's request to ban the protest song.
Politics

Protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong' banned in city

High court ruling puts pressure on Google and other internet players

9 May 2024
A protest in London in March against new national security legislation in Hong Kong: The city's U.K. diaspora community has felt pressure from arrest warrants. 
Opinion

U.K. can protect its interests while engaging with China

Deterioration of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong a key concern

4 May 2024
Nikkei Asia reported on April 30 that Mayer Brown was splitting from its China and Hong Kong operations. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
US-China tensions

U.S. law firm Mayer Brown confirms split from China operations

Hong Kong entity JSM to oversee Beijing and Shanghai offices

2 May 2024
A soldier adjusts a Russian flag in Beijing ahead of a welcome ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018. The U.S. is seeking to squeeze alleged Chinese support for Russia's defense industrial base.
Ukraine war

U.S. sanctions China, Hong Kong entities for Russia links: What we know

Penalties on mostly small companies follow in-person warnings from Blinken, Yellen

2 May 2024
Unable to source key technological components from the West due to sanctions, Russia is acquiring civilian tech from Chinese online sellers and repurposing it for the battlefield in Ukraine. (Illustration by Yoshiko Kawano)
The Big Story

How China's ad-hoc tech pipeline fuels Russia's Ukraine war efforts

Civilian electronics, sourced from Chinese e-commerce sellers, find their way to the battlefield

1 May 2024
U.S. law firm Mayer Brown is set to carve out its Hong Kong operations.
US-China tensions

U.S. law firm Mayer Brown prepares split from Chinese operations

More such moves expected as China business deals slow amid geopolitical tensions

30 April 2024
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks during a National Security Education Day opening ceremony on April 15.
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong embraces Xi's 'holistic' security dogma on education day

City celebrates strict, thorough approach, despite efforts to assure investors

15 April 2024
Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance after less than two weeks of deliberation.
The Nikkei View

Hong Kong's future darkens as new security law takes effect

Beijing's coercive governance is now complete, further driving away foreign talent

27 March 2024
Foreign governments and civic groups have expressed concern that recently enacted national security legislation could limit free speech in Hong Kong. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong's new national security law enforced for first time

City leader Lee aims to 'send a clear message' with strict handling of protester

26 March 2024
Hong Kong lawmakers and government officials, including Chief Executive John Lee, pose for a group photo on the floor of Legislative Council after the unanimous passage of the new national security law on March 19.
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong's Article 23 security law takes effect: 5 things to know

How the hastily passed 'historic' law differs from that imposed by Beijing

23 March 2024
The international community has voiced worries that the vague language in the national security law gives authorities sweeping power to clamp down on freedoms. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong's new security law raises international concerns

Japan, West voice worries about waning freedoms, but Beijing celebrates

20 March 2024
Hong Kong's legislature has passed more comprehensive security legislation with strict penalties, on top of that imposed by Beijing in mid-2020.
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong passes Article 23 security law with sweeping powers

Bill rushed through legislature despite concerns raised by foreign envoys, others

19 March 2024
Joey Siu is among the five overseas activists for whom Hong Kong issued arrest warrants in December.
Interview

Hong Kong activist Joey Siu describes 'transnational repression' by China

U.S.-based democracy advocate faces threats, doxxing and accusations of spying

15 March 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping is pictured at the closing session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11.
The Nikkei View

China must rethink emphasis on 'national security'

Heightened focus on this area hurts economic and cultural exchanges

13 March 2024