Six years after Beijing imposed its National Security Law on Hong Kong (the semi-autonomous Chinese city once known for its vibrant pro-democracy movement), much of the city's political opposition has been effectively silenced. The sweeping legislation, introduced in 2020 following mass protests, led to the prosecution of activists, the closure of independent media outlets, and the departure of many dissidents abroad. The transformation underscores how dramatically the city's political landscape has shifted, with critics arguing that the freedoms once guaranteed under the "one country, two systems" framework have been severely curtailed.