Jailing Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow will ultimately hurt China

Forcing Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement underground will not make it less potent

Chang Che

December 3, 2020 17:00 JST

20201203 Joshua Wong Agnes Chow Ivan Lam.jpg

Joshua Wong, left, Ivan Lam, center, and Agnes Chow arrive at the West Kowloon Law Courts building on Nov, 23: the suppression of protest leaders may lead to a greater decentralization. © Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Chang Che is a freelance journalist.

The jailing of pro-democracy leaders Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam on Wednesday marks a watershed moment in Beijing's ever-tightening grip over Hong Kong.