On Tuesday morning, the news started to break from Beijing: China had passed a new security law in Hong Kong.
The law criminalises any act of secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces.
And within minutes, the effect was obvious. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong began to quit, fearful of the new law, and the punishment it allows.
Here is some of the reaction from them, other governments, and campaign groups.
Joshua Wong
Secretary-general and founding member of pro-democracy group Demosisto, and key figure in 2014 Umbrella movement
“It [the law] marks the end of Hong Kong that the world knew before,” said Mr Wong, after announcing he was quitting Demosisto.
“From now on, Hong Kong enters a new era of reign of terror, just like Taiwan's White Terror, with arbitrary prosecutions, black jails, secret trials, forced confessions, media clampdowns and political censorship.
“With sweeping powers and ill-defined law, the city will turn into a secret police state. Hong Kong protesters now face high possibilities of being extradited to China's courts for trials and life sentences.”
Nathan Law
Founding chairman of Demosisto, former student leader
On Facebook, Mr Law said the law marked the start of a “bloody cultural revolution”.
But, despite quitting Demosisto, he said he would continue to fight for democracy “in a personal capacity”.
He added on Twitter: “Stay strong, my friends. Hong Kong people will not give up.”
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