For many who were critical of the Chinese government, Hong Kong was a convenient place to be.<br />But according to CNN, that bolthole is quickly closing, as China says that they can now be arrested there, even if only transferring through the airport.<br />First under British colonial rule and then after its handover to China, Hong Kong has offered legal protection from the mainland Communist Party for decades.<br />Chinese dissidents, Western academics and global NGOs used Hong Kong as a safe space to meet, organize and criticize Beijing, mostly without consequence.<br />But whether it can continue to serve that function is now entirely up in the air.
