Event Summary
In July 2025, Beijing-backed newspaper Wen Wei Po accused Hong Kong environmental think tank Liber Research Community of “soft resistance” through its ecotourism policy research, marking a significant escalation in the targeting of civil society organizations under the vaguely defined concept. The newspaper ran a full-page report claiming Liber used “pseudo-science” to challenge national security, specifically criticizing the NGO’s research questioning government ecotourism initiatives and their potential environmental impacts. Greenpeace Hong Kong was also named for co-hosting a seminar with Liber after a local university cancelled their venue booking. Liber researcher Brian Wong defended the organization’s work as “solid, with methodologies, data, and case studies” conducted “for the benefit of Hong Kong’s people and environment.” The accusation demonstrates how the term “soft resistance,” first introduced by Beijing officials in 2021 without clear definition, is being weaponized against legitimate policy research and environmental advocacy. Justice Minister Paul Lam recently acknowledged that “soft resistance” is a political rather than legal term, but officials continue using it to target activities deemed threatening to national security, including academic research, cultural expression, and policy advocacy.