Although the gulf is narrowing.

By Amy Hawkins for The Guardian

For the original article this summary is based on, see the publisher’s website here.

In Brief by Probe International

As Hong Kong grapples with the aftermath of its deadliest fire in decades, the city’s response contrasts with that of mainland China, a comparison that highlights both enduring differences and the erosion of autonomy, explored here by The Guardian’s senior China correspondent, Amy Hawkins.

Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, announced the formation of an “independent committee” to investigate last week’s Wang Fuk Court tragedy—a move unimaginable in mainland China, writes Hawkins, where the judiciary is tightly controlled by the Communist Party. However, the brutal crackdown on dissent following Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests has compromised the independence of Hong Kong’s judiciary, she says, which raises concerns about accountability as authorities arrest individuals linked to the construction company involved in the fire, among other arrests as a result of the five-alarm blaze.

With upcoming legislative elections dominated by government-approved candidates, the public’s ability to voice dissent has been severely restricted, forcing many to consider boycotting the vote as a form of protest. Hawkins contrasts this situation with mainland China, where citizens lack any electoral recourse.

The recent fire and its handling echo past tragedies, such as the Urumqi apartment fire, which ignited widespread protests against government policies. While Hong Kong’s media landscape remains “vastly more open … than in mainland China,” Hawkins notes this is “in part because Hong Kong does not block western social media platforms and Google.”

The government’s efforts to suppress dissent and control the narrative are nevertheless intensifying, she continues, suggesting a narrowing gulf between the two regions as the authorities seek to stifle public outrage and accountability. A bid Hawkins describes as “unlikely to be as successful” in Hong Kong as the mainland.