Hong Kongers have voiced their opposition to the Chinese government, despite new security laws that could result in a prison sentence for those who criticise the party.
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The laws extend even outside the country, meaning that Wagga residents who return to Hong Kong or the mainland could be prosecuted for "subverting" the Chinese government while in Australia.
That was not enough to silence Wagga resident Max Lee, who said he was "shocked" to see the crackdown on media and protesters in his birthplace of Hong Kong.
"It's not even communism any more - it's a dictatorship," Mr Lee said.
"They don't want Hong Kong to talk about them. It's all very hush hush."
Across Hong Kong, pro-democracy books, posters, and Twitter accounts have been taken down over the past week in response to China's new powers.
The new security laws also include a ban on "separatism", however Mr Lee said virtually all Hong Kongers his age wanted to see Hong Kong remain separate from China.
Mr Lee said locals had grown accustomed to liberal democracy over a century and a half, and that they had developed a strong identity as westernised "Hongkies" instead of as Chinese people.
"Hong Kong people are more fair, they're more liberal. You can't just expect the way we've lived for over a hundred years to change just like that," he said.
"Hong Kong is very westernised. It was a bridge to the western world for China, and I think China didn't like that."
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Mr Lee's misgivings were echoed by former Kunming resident Lucy Zhao, who said she was "very concerned" about the potential reach of these new security laws.
Ms Zhao said the new laws were not in the spirit of the "one country two systems" agreement, and that her biggest fear was of Beijing's influence spreading to other westernised countries and places like Wagga.
"The human rights abuses happening in China are not just affecting Hong Kong people, it's potentially threatening everyone's safety around the world," she said.
"If people around the world don't speak out for Hong Kong today, then the Hong Kong of today will be the world of tomorrow."
The Australian government has indicated it is working on a scheme to take in more Hong Kong residents, following the example of the UK which has promised to take in more Hong Kong immigrants.
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
