Although the rapid escalation of violence in Hong Kong seems terrifying enough, things may be about to get much worse.
China will support the strengthening of Hong Kong's law-enforcement capabilities and ensure that the city government enacts legislation to enhance national security.
Though the details of the plan have yet to be worked out, it seems evident that China's leaders intend to gut the Basic Law, exercise more direct control over the appointment of key officials, weaken or eliminate Hong Kong's judicial independence, curtail civil liberties and suppress political dissent, including through ideological indoctrination.
In fact, China has tried to get Hong Kong's legislative council to pass national security legislation before, in 2003, but more than a half-million residents took to the street to protest, forcing the government to withdraw the bill.
As China's central government tramples on Hong Kong's rights, more Western democracies -- including those that have hesitated to support U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to contain China -- are likely to support comprehensive economic sanctions.
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