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Nikkei Asia spoke to Hong Kong attorneys, diplomats and legal scholars who warn of a gradual erosion of judicial independence, which could have implications for the city's appeal as a business destination.   © Illustration by Hiroko Oshima
Asia Insight

Hong Kong judicial independence fears threaten city's business case

Under security law, doubts grow over finance hub's key selling point

PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writer | Hong Kong

HONG KONG -- After 19 years in business, prominent human rights lawyer Michael Vidler closed his Hong Kong firm this month because he "just didn't see any future."

"There is no mechanism to hold government to account anymore," said Vidler, who had represented the likes of democracy activist Joshua Wong. "Rather than die a death by a thousand cuts, I thought I had to just call it quits and closed my firm down."

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