ITV News
Date: 16 July 2020
By: Debi Edward, Asia Correspondent

What used to be an annual rehearsal has become a show of readiness. For 36 years Taiwan has staged its military drills, with a day dedicated to a mock invasion from China. Never has that day felt more important, the threat more real.

The recent crackdown in Hong Kong has shown how aggressive and impatient China has become with its autonomous territories. It’s imposition of the National Security Law at the beginning of this month has already prompted thousands of Hong Kongers to consider leaving and prompted the arrest or intimidation of anyone who dares to speak out in support of democracy or worse, independence.

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The Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee fled to Taipei last year. He and five colleagues were taken into Chinese custody in 2015 and interrogated for months about the books and magazines they were selling, some of which contained details of the secrets and scandals of Communist Party officials.

He has found sanctuary in Taiwan and reopened his bookshop, Causeway Books. Following the introduction of the new National Security Law in Hong Kong he has begun working to help Hong Kongers follow in his footsteps.    [FULL  STORY]