The CCP’s Use of Everyday Continuity
One of the most effective shields for authoritarian repression is normal life. In Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party allowed daily routines to continue uninterrupted while dismantling democracy beneath the surface. This continuity masked collapse.
Shops opened. Trains ran. Offices functioned. Restaurants filled. To many observers, this normalcy suggested stability rather than repression. The CCP relied on this assumption.
Citizens were encouraged to focus on work, family, and consumption. Political engagement was framed as distraction. The phrase ‘getting back to normal’ became a moral argument against resistance.
Media reinforced this framing. Coverage emphasized economic recovery and social calm. Political developments were described as resolved.
Normal life became anesthetic. It dulled urgency. It redirected attention inward.
For individuals under pressure, normalcy felt like survival. For society, it meant disengagement.
The CCP did not need to convince people that democracy was undesirable. It needed to convince them that democracy was optional.
Hong Kong shows how authoritarian regimes hide collapse inside continuity. When everyday life appears intact, loss feels abstract.
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.
