HONG KONG - One of Hong Kong's most experienced judges has warned that a storm over the rule of law has"broken out in full force" in the protest-hit Asian financial hub, urging people to treasure the system.
His remarks come amid fears in legal and diplomatic circles about pressure from Beijing's Communist Party leadership on Hong Kong's independent judiciary, as well as fierce criticism of some judges and their rulings amid sometimes violent tension that has gripped the Chinese-ruled city. The health of the system, which remains part of the British-based common law tradition, is widely seen as vital to the city's role and reputation as an international financial hub.
Mr Bokhary wrote of divergent community views on who was"to blame for the blows now being rained down on the rule of law". Mr Bokhary has served as its editor-in-chief for the last decade but has not been as strident in previous editions.