China’s legislature has approved a controversial national security law for Hong Kong, dealing what critics have said is a “killer blow” to the city’s autonomy and freedoms.
On Thursday, delegates of China’s National People’s Congress broke out into applause in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People after voting through a draft decision that paves the way for sweeping anti-sedition laws to be directly enacted in Hong Kong.
The legislation, aimed at stamping out protests that have racked the city for the past year, would ban “any acts or activities” that endanger China’s national security, including separatism, subversion and terrorism, charges are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents.
The legislation, which has been described as a “death knell” for Hong Kong, would also allow “national security agencies”, potentially Chinese security forces, to operate in the city.
The decision was widely expected to be passed by China’s parliament, which meets once a year to pass already approved measures. A detailed law will be drafted and could be enacted within the next few months.
The move has prompted condemnation and anxiety inside and outside Hong Kong over Beijing’s plans for the city, where residents have chafed under China’s tightening hold for years.
“It is definitely the start of a new but sad chapter for Hong Kong,” said pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo. “Hong Kong as we knew it is finally dead.”
Observers say the legislation is likely to worsen unrest in the city, where pro-democracy protests have restarted after a pause during the coronavirus outbreak. On Thursday, riot police were deployed across Hong Kong after at least 360 people were arrested in Hong Kong the day before in demonstrations across the city against Beijing’s plans.
“It confirms the worst. Xi Jinping is determined to push through mechanisms for total control of Hong Kong,” said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong, referring to China’s leader who has been credited with Beijing’s hardening approach to the territory.
“There will be ferocious demonstrations in the weeks and months ahead, but it won’t change Beijing’s mind,” he said.
On LIHKG, a forum popular with protesters, users were calling for a “hundred-day war” to take advantage of their last opportunity to protest before the laws take place. “Say no to China,” one posted.
“As a Hong Konger there is not much we can do except to show the world we are still fighting for our rights and freedom,” said Serene Chow, 22, who has been part of the demonstrations since last year.
Chinese and Hong Kong officials have promised the unpopular law will only target a “narrow set of acts”. Similar national security legislation, attempted by the Hong Kong government in 2003, caused mass protests and has not been reintroduced since. The vast majority of Hong Kong residents would not be affected by the new measures, authorities have said.
But critics say the national security laws will be used not only to target protesters, but to permanently undermine the city’s autonomy under the “one country two systems” framework and the city’s de facto constitution, known as the basic law.
The laws will be enacted through a provision bypasses Hong Kong’s legislature and therefore public debate and consultation on the law. Legal experts say this is unconstitutional but there is little that can be done.
“The Chinese communist party is painting a picture to make it seem like it is abiding by the basic law, but it is not. They’re imposing a draconian law which can be used to silence dissent in Hong Kong and infringe on freedoms guaranteed to Hong Kongers,” said Frances Eve, deputy director of research at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, a coalition of human rights NGOs.
The decision passed on Thursday appeared to expand the scope of the legislation. In contrast to the document released last week, the draft legislation proscribes “acts and activities” that endanger national security, which experts say could target broader behaviour like attending an unauthorised rally.
The legislation, which bans all “activities of foreign forces” interfering in Hong Kong affairs, is causing further diplomatic confrontations for Beijing as other countries condemn the plan.
On Wednesday, the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said his government would no longer consider Hong Kong as separate from mainland China and would revoke its special trade status.
“While the United States once hoped that free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China, it is now clear that China is modelling Hong Kong after itself,” he said.
China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong called Pompeo’s remarks “smears and distortion” that “prove the great urgency for the National People’s Congress to decide on enacting national security legislation for Hong Kong”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, previously said his government would adopt “necessary countermeasures” to deal with “mistaken” attempts at foreign interference by other countries.
On Thursday Hu Xijin, the editor of nationalistic state-run tabloid the Global Times said it was not up to the US to decide if Hong Kong was autonomous and attributed the city’s success as a financial centre to China.
“If Washington wants to play this card, let them play it … Hong Kong is a major international finance hub because of its special relationship to the mainland’s massive economy. This is more important than the attitude of the US.”
After the vote, the Beijing-backed Hong Kong government repeated its support for the legislation, which would require Hong Kong authorities to promote “national security education” and report regularly to the central government.
“It also shows the care of the country toward Hong Kong”, chief executive Carrie Lam said, adding that her administration would fully cooperate to “complete the relevant work … as soon as possible.”
Hong Kong residents, shocked by Beijing’s announcement last week of the national security law, predicted an increase in emigration as the laws move ahead. Wealthy residents have reportedly begun moving their funds elsewhere, afraid the new legislation will allow Chinese authorities seize their wealth.
Others said the latest measure was part of Beijing’s tightening grip over the city, despite the basic law proscribing Chinese interference in Hong Kong.
“Beijing has been eroding that in recent years,” said Wilson Leung, 37, a barrister in the city. “But now this appears to be the killer blow. It is going to be very dark days ahead for the citizens of this once-great city.”
source: theguardian
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