'For Hong Kongers, [new law'] confirms their worst fears'

In just over a month the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has asserted authoritarian control over Hong Kong.

The CCP's national security law which essentially ended Hong Kong's autonomy and makes it much easier to punish pro-democracy activists is in full force, an analyst noted.

"The scope of Beijing’s plans are now clear. This is a constitutional coup. The safeguards which have historically defended human rights in Hong Kong have been shattered. Rule of law has been replaced with rule by law — and the Communist Party’s word is law," Johnny Patterson wrote in a July 31 analysis for the Spectator.

In the early morning hours of July 30, four young people aged between 16 and 21 years old reportedly were arrested. They were accused of posting on social media, or "organizing and inciting secession" which under the new law carries up to 10 years in jail.