Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the introduction of the National Security Law has been “remarkably effective in restoring stability”. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said last month that more reforms will be needed in several areas including the SAR’s mini constitution, the judicial system, national education, something called “oath optimisation” and “qualification screening” for civil servants. Article 137 of the Basic Law guarantees that education institutions will retain their autonomy and enjoy academic freedom. Article 4 of the National Security Law says it will respect and guarantee HK people’s human rights and freedoms under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In light of all this we talked to some academics about where we are now – after the introduction of the National Security Law.

After more than a month of abortive legal actions and recounting of votes in last month’s US presidential election Donald Trump is still refusing to concede. Yet the Electoral College affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s win on Monday. Biden received 306 electoral college votes, 36 more than the 270 he needed to win. Donald Trump received 232. In terms of the popular vote, Biden defeated Trump by more than seven million votes. But what are the long-term effects of Trump’s refusal to accept the outcome? And where does this leave the growing political divide in America. In the second episode of our “Long Time No Chat” mini-series, we look at some of the effects of politics on human relationships in the United States and here in Hong Kong.