Hongkongers ponder their future in China’s tight embrace

MORE than 13 months after the introduction of the National Security Law, which brought an end to street protests, Hongkongers have more than “soul-searching” to do as they ponder their future under the stern watch of China amid tightening rules.

Hong Kong youth who were at the epicentre of the pro-democracy protests that erupted across the island for over a year, starting in 2019, have suddenly withdrawn from political discussions in the aftermath of the security law imposed by Beijing. They have escaped the intricacies of politics for the comfort of music, gaming, movies and trivial chats.