Introduction

This chapter provides a basic overview of the National Security Law, its enactment, and its consequences. The discussion shows how far reaching the law is and reveals the breadth of the possible consequences for a society that used to be free but is increasingly falling under the control of the illiberal regime to the north. The distinction that had been created under the One Country, Two Systems framework is being eroded, especially in political terms, as the special administrative region is forced to surrender more of its autonomy. In the second part, this chapter provides an overview of the chapters to try to tie them together.