The Basic Law, or mini-constitution that codified the joint declaration between China and Britain in 1984, on transferring Hong Kong to China in 1997, contains the “one country, two systems” principle. It promises Hong Kong 50 years of autonomy, free speech, and other rights in any other democracy. [https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3017318/explainer-what-sino-british-joint-declaration-and-what-does] But China could be on track to ending them in the 25th year of transfer.

From cutting the number of directly elected seats in Hong Kong parliament to scrutinizing prospective members of parliament, China has been going to great lengths to ensure that only “patriotic” legislators rule Hong Kong. A law is also in place stating just that. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56356046]

The elections to choose a new chief executive to Hong Kong will be held next year, but China has already started work to “guide” the elections in the direction it wants. Even though, it will be Beijing's hand-picked members who will choose the leader of Hong Kong, elections will still be held to select a handful of directly elected members.

But dissent has no place. Take the case of Cheng Chung-tai, a legislator who opposed unilateral decisions imposed by China on Hong Kong. Cheng was stripped of his seat by a committee and he faced so much harassment that he announced he was dissolving his political outfit.

According to reports, over 300 elected legislators and district councillors who were considered supporters of democracy have either resigned or dismissed, making their election impossible. Some civil society groups have simply disbanded. [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/15/chrf-hong-kong-group-behind-huge-democracy-rallies-disbands]

After a 2019 embarrassment in which candidates supported by China suffered massive defeats in the local body elections, China is not taking any chances. The latest set of victims are four leaders of an alliance responsible for organizing the annual Tiananmen Square vigil in Hong Kong. According to observers, their arrest could be yet another step towards “managing” elections next year.

Read more:

How China is cracking down on ‘democrats’ in Hong Kong:
https://www.bloombergquint.com/quicktakes/how-china-has-stacked-the-deck-in-hong-kong-elections-quicktake

The ‘patriot’ law or Hong Kong:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/china-adopts-new-laws-to-ensure-only-patriots-can-govern-hong-kong

How candidates are scared of taking on the might of China:
https://www.wionews.com/world/candidate-pulls-out-of-hong-kong-lawyers-group-election-over-safety-fears-407421