The 47

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Hong Kong’s largest national security trial began Monday with dozens of prominent pro-democracy advocates facing life imprisonment, proceedings that some believe mark the end of the city’s once vibrant political opposition against mainland China, the Financial Times reported.

The trial focuses on 47 defendants who were arrested two years ago in the single largest police raid to date against activists. The defendants include high-profile politicians and campaigners, including activist Joshua Wong and journalist-turned-lawmaker Claudia Mo.

The defendants have been charged under the controversial national security law, which mainland China passed in 2020 following the mass anti-Beijing protests that swept the city the year before. The legislation criminalized broadly defined crimes such as terrorism, secession, subversion and collusion with foreign powers, and used it to apply to the activities of opponents of mainland China.

For example, authorities have charged the 47 individuals with conspiring to overthrow state power by organizing or participating in an unofficial primary election among the opposition camp in July 2020. Only 16 defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Critics called the arrests and trial a politically-motivated move by Beijing to remove pro-democracy parties and eliminate dissent in the semi-autonomous city.

The case has damaged relations between China and the West, with the latter denouncing the charges against the detained activists.

The trial comes as Hong Kong’s government is redoubling efforts to restore its faltering economy and entice international companies back to the territory following three years of economic restrictions and demonstrations that have harmed the city’s worldwide reputation.

Meanwhile, city authorities are preparing to try another high-profile national security case later this year, against media mogul and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai.

Lai faces charges of foreign collusion for his role as founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. He is currently in prison on fraud charges related to his media company.