Museum Exhibit Promotes Loyalty to China in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Museum of History has launched a new exhibit aimed at illustrating the city’s evolution from a fishing village to a bustling metropolis. Opened on August 7, the exhibit is managed by Hong Kong’s national security body and features displays that include themes of surveillance and footage from recent antigovernment protests, which the government claims were instigated by foreign influences. This exhibit marks a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the 2019 protests, which posed a substantial challenge to Beijing's authority. The displays highlight the government's response to these protests, emphasizing the implementation of national security laws as a means to restore order. The exhibit opens with a video that recounts historical grievances, including the unequal treaties of the 19th century that ceded Hong Kong to British control and the Japanese occupation during World War II. The narrative presented in the exhibit suggests that the chaos of the protests necessitated a strong governmental response, framing the national security laws as a pivotal measure in re-establishing law and order in the city. Critics, however, may view this portrayal as an attempt to justify the crackdown on dissent and limit freedoms in Hong Kong. As the exhibit continues to draw attention, it reflects the ongoing tensions between the Hong Kong government and its citizens, as well as the broader implications for civil liberties in the region.