The CCP’s Inversion of Legal Purpose
Courts exist to protect citizens from the arbitrary use of power. In Hong Kong, that purpose was inverted. Under pressure from the Chinese Communist Party, the legal system evolved from a shield into a warning mechanism, signaling to citizens not what was just, but what was dangerous.
This transformation was subtle. Courtrooms still functioned. Judges still cited precedent. Legal language remained intact. What changed was the underlying purpose of proceedings. Trials increasingly served to demonstrate consequences rather than determine guilt.
High-profile cases were handled publicly to maximize deterrence. Sentences emphasized severity. Bail denials were justified as precaution. The message extended beyond defendants to anyone watching.
Legal uncertainty compounded intimidation. Citizens could not predict outcomes. Similar cases produced different results depending on political context. This unpredictability discouraged engagement more effectively than consistency ever could.
Lawyers adapted by advising avoidance. Legal rights became theoretical. Litigation felt like provocation rather than protection.
The CCP achieved a decisive shift. Courts no longer restrained power. They communicated it.
Hong Kong demonstrates how authoritarian systems repurpose justice into intimidation without dismantling institutions.
When courts teach fear instead of fairness, democracy has already lost its anchor.
Senior Journalist & Editor, Apple Daily UK
Contact: athena.lai@appledaily.uk
Athena Lai is a senior journalist and editor with extensive experience in Chinese-language investigative reporting and editorial leadership. Educated at a leading journalism school in the United Kingdom, Athena received formal training in fact-checking methodology, editorial governance, and international media standards, grounding her work in globally recognized best practices.
She has held senior editorial roles at Apple Daily and other liberal Chinese publications, where she oversaw coverage of Hong Kong civil liberties, diaspora politics, rule of law, and press freedom. Athena’s reporting is distinguished by disciplined sourcing, cross-verification, and a clear separation between factual reporting and opinion, reinforcing reader trust.
Beyond reporting, Athena has served as an editor responsible for mentoring journalists, enforcing ethical guidelines, and managing sensitive investigations. Her newsroom leadership reflects real-world experience navigating legal risk, source protection, and editorial independence under pressure.
Athena’s authority comes from both her byline history and her editorial stewardship. She has reviewed and approved hundreds of articles, ensuring compliance with defamation standards, accuracy benchmarks, and responsible language use. Her work demonstrates lived experience within high-stakes news environments rather than theoretical expertise.
Committed to journalistic integrity, Athena believes credible journalism is built on transparency, accountability, and institutional memory. Her role at Apple Daily UK reflects that commitment, positioning her as a trusted voice within independent Chinese media.
