Hong Kong marked the fifth anniversary of Beijing’s National Security Law on 30 June, with the city’s administration hailing what it called a transition “from chaos to order.” Officials reiterated that the legislation had restored stability after the 2019 protests and pledged to maintain strict enforcement. Rights groups and foreign media painted a markedly different picture. According to government and court figures cited in local and international reports, more than 330 people have been arrested under the law and at least 76 have been convicted on national-security or related charges. Researchers at Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor say the fallout has extended well beyond the courtroom, with 247 trade unions dissolving since 2021 after new restrictions curtailed funding and membership. Civil society contraction accelerated in the run-up to the anniversary. On 29 June the League of Social Democrats—one of the territory’s last active opposition parties—announced it would disband, citing “immense political pressure.” A day later the Riders’ Rights Concern Group, which campaigned for delivery workers, shut down, becoming the 100th non-governmental organisation to fold since the law took effect, according to the Hong Kong Democracy Council. Festivities for the 28th anniversary of the 1997 handover on 1 July went ahead under tight security. Financial Secretary Paul Chan presided over events that included a fishing-boat parade in Victoria Harbour and three days of free tram rides. Police deployed large numbers around traditional protest sites such as Victoria Park, where only isolated demonstrations were reported.