Hong Kong

Hong Kong is caught in the middle of the trade disputes between the U.S. and China despite being a free port. The former British colony has trade and customs policies different from mainland China's.

A Hong Kong court has sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to up to a decade behind bars after it ruled in a landmark legal case that they had broken a national security law implemented by Beijing.

Reporter Selina Cheng says she lost her Wall Street Journal job after refusing her supervisor's request to withdraw from the election to lead the journalism group, which advocates for press freedom.

The convictions of the activists was the city’s biggest national security case to date under a law imposed by Beijing that has all but wiped out public dissent.

Pro-Beijing lawmakers fast-tracked the legislation, with tough punishment for acts considered "external interference," insurrection and other offenses.

Hundreds of protesters swarmed into the legislature the night of July 1, 2019 at the height of the anti-government protests.

Lai, 76, was arrested in August 2020 during a crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement under the sweeping national security law enacted following huge protests four years ago.

Three Hong Kong activists have been convicted after they refused to provide information to authorities required by national security policy.

The city's chief executive said the mask requirement will end outdoors and indoors, but some high-risk premises including hospitals and elderly homes can still require people to wear masks.

Hong Kong's COVID lockdown measures have devastated the city's tourism industry and disrupted business travel in a city known for being an international financial center and a business hub.