What does Jimmy Lai’s arrest mean for Hong Kong pro-democracy activists?

China is ramping up its crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. Police in the territory say they’ve carried out a national security operation that has seen several people detained. Among those arrested are activist Agnes Chow and media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Mr. Lai is Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy campaigner and an outspoken critic of Beijing’s policies in the territory. Lai’s own newspaper, Apple Daily, reported he was being held for suspected collusion with foreign forces under the national security law introduced in June.
Nathan Law has already left Hong Kong, and many others are planning to do the same. The number of residents leaving is at its highest in seven years, according to official figures. Fears that the territory’s freedoms are being eroded have forced people to consider their options.
Nathan Law, the chairman of Hong Kong’s Demosisto party, lives in London. He faces similar charges and is threatened with arrest if he returns to Hong Kong.
Joshua Wong, a pro-democracy activist and former secretary-general of Demosisto, told DW that he wasn’t sure when he would be arrested and extradited to mainland China. But he said he would stay and “continue the plan to fight for freedom.”