Apple Closes Down Hong Kong Outlets Prematurely as Anti-Government Demonstrations and Authoritarian Measures Intensify
In the midst of escalating turmoil and a chaotic night, multiple retailers including Apple chose to shut stores or close early across Hong Kong, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The city has been witnessing continuous demonstrations for the past seven weeks, sparked by the (temporarily halted) push for a bill that would permit extradition to the mainland. Culprits in the authoritarian Chinese government's justice system would inevitably face severe penalties under this measure, signaling a potential crackdown on dissent in the unique administrative region, which enjoys more civil and economic liberties than mainland China.
Protests in Hong Kong, on July 21, 2019, had generally remained peaceful before spiraling out of control on Sunday night. Baton-wielding thugs (speculated to be triad gangsters targeting demonstrators) instigated chaos at a metro station and police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. The situation raises concerns that Beijing may capitalize on these occurrences to intensify the suppression of protests or potentially orchestrated them in the first place.
Apple closed five of its six stores prematurely on Monday at 4:00 p.m. local time and shuttered the sixth entirely, according to the Journal. Numerous retailers are concerned about potential violence as the situation unfolds, and other businesses have also taken measures to safeguard their employees. Abercrombie & Fitch, with a Hollister store in the Causeway Bay shopping district, allowed some staff to leave early to return home to Yuen Long, where the metro station attack occurred. Esteé Lauder Co. requested that its employees in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun leave their offices immediately.
Apple has encountered allegations of conforming to the wishes of Chinese censors in the past, including the removal of VPN applications from its App Store, censoring music referencing the Tiananmen Square massacre, and collaborating with a local partner to store encrypted iCloud data on the mainland, thereby allowing authorities to search premises and records without legal hindrances. Yet, at this moment, the fate of Hong Kong's retail stores likely has little bearing on local concerns.
Arguments insist that China sees Hong Kong’s autonomy guaranteed till 2047, but the White House under Trump appears to be utilizing the protests as a bargaining chip in the ongoing U.S.-China trade war. Trump publically expressed his approval of Xi Jinping's handling of the protests, allowing them to continue for an extended period.
Enrichment Data:
- The instability in Hong Kong can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the recent implementation of a national security law, additional security legislation, media censorship, and a sustained crackdown on dissidents. The legislation criminalizes acts like terrorism, subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign powers, providing China with significant control over the city’s political system.
- Human rights activists and pro-democracy leaders have been arrested and imprisoned, newspapers have closed, and foreign journalists have been denied entry or work visas. The repression continued with the passage of Article 23, an additional security legislation, which tightens China’s grip over Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms.
- The protests, sparked by the proposed extradition bill, drew millions to the streets. The authorities' response was brutal, leading to widespread international condemnation.
- China’s increasing control over Hong Kong has raised concerns about the city’s future as a thriving global financial hub and its autonomy. The unrest and violence have resulted in retail store closures and have negatively impacted the city's economy by decreasing mainland visitor numbers and business confidence.
- The international community has expressed concerns about human rights and democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. Various countries, including the United States, have imposed sanctions on Chinese government and pro-establishment figures associated with the repression.
The future of Hong Kong's tech industry, heavily reliant on foreign investment and innovation, remains uncertain due to the ongoing political turmoil. Tech companies, like Apple, grasp the responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and may have to adjust their operations. The extradition bill, although temporarily halted, has opened a door for deeper technological surveillance and control. The demonstrators, fighting for their rights, also recognize the potential impact of technology on their cause, utilizing social media platforms for organization and communication. Abercrombie, with a presence in the city, has shown concern for its staff safety and well-being.
