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Lai, Yan-ho (2023) 'Securitisation or Autocratisation? Hong Kong’s Rule of Law under the Shadow of China’ Authoritarian Governance.' Journal of Asian and African Studies, 58 (1). pp. 8-25.

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Abstract

This article examines the nature of the legal system in Hong Kong and its process of autocratisation under the Chinese sovereign. This article suggests that, in colonial and post-colonial times, Hong Kong’s legal system follows the global trend of autocratic legalism that empowers the executive branch to use laws and courts to achieve the government’s political goals. With the recent imposition of the national security law, the political and legal systems of Hong Kong are further autocratised beneath the veil of securitisation, facilitating China’s authoritarian governance in Hong Kong.

Item Type: Journal Article
Keywords: Authoritarianism, Hong Kong, human rights, China, national security, rule of law
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > School of Law
Departments and Subunits > Department of Development Studies
Subjects: J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
J Political Science > JQ Political institutions (Asia, Africa, Australia)
K Law > KL Asia and Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Area, and Antarctica
K Law
ISSN: 17452538
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096221124978
Date Deposited: 12 Oct 2022 14:31
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/38129

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