China’s parliament on Thursday approved plans to impose a security law on Hong Kong which critics say will eradicate the freedoms promised by the city.
The approved National People’s Congress vote came hours after the United States revoked Hong Kong’s special status, paving the way for the removal of trade and economic privileges from the territory.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the status was withdrawn because China was no longer honoring its signing deal with Britain to allow Hong Kong a high level of autonomy.
“No reasonable person can claim today that Hong Kong retains a high degree of autonomy from China, given the facts on the ground,” said Pompeo.
China made security law a top priority at annual National People’s Congress (APN) session after huge pro-democracy protests rocked financial center for seven months last year .
The law would punish secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and acts that endanger national security, and allow continental security agencies to operate openly in Hong Kong.
On Thursday, the last day of the congress, the delegates approved the draft laws, a higher body now being responsible for formulating specific legislation.
“This is the end of Hong Kong. We know they cut our souls, take away from us the values that we have always embraced, values like human rights, democracy, the rule of law” , pro-democracy MP Claudia Mo told AFP.
“Hong Kong is now another Chinese city. It is demoralizing.”
AFN Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee Wang Chen said last week that Hong Kong’s delays in implementing its own security law have forced Chinese leaders to take action.
“More than 20 years after returning from Hong Kong (to China), the relevant laws have yet to materialize due to the sabotage and obstruction of those who are trying to stir up trouble in Hong Kong and China in general, as well than external hostile forces, “said Wang.
American action
Under a law passed last year by Congress to support the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, the US administration must certify that Hong Kong still enjoys the freedoms promised by Beijing when it negotiated with the Great -Brittany to take over the colony.
Washington’s decision on Wednesday that Hong Kong does not enjoy these freedoms means it could lose trade privileges – including fares lower than the continent’s – with the world‘s largest economy.
President Donald Trump will ultimately decide what action to take, said David Stilwell, the State Department’s top official for East Asia.
“The steps will be considered and they will be as targeted as possible to change behavior,” Stilwell told reporters, while acknowledging that Beijing was unlikely to change course.
He said the United States did not want to hurt the people of Hong Kong, adding, “This decision was made by the Beijing government, not the United States.”
Anthem Law
Washington’s move came after new protests broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday – this time over yet another controversial bill that criminalizes insulting the national anthem with up to three years in prison.
Police surrounded the city’s legislature where the bill was being debated, shot peppers at demonstrators and arrested more than 300 people, mainly for illegal gathering.
“It’s like a de facto curfew,” prominent democracy activist Nathan Law told AFP. “I think the government needs to understand why people are so angry.”
According to the “one country, two systems” model agreed before the city’s return from Britain to China, Hong Kong should be guaranteed certain freedoms until 2047 which are denied to those on the mainland.
The mini-constitution that has governed Hong Kong’s affairs since the transfer obliges local authorities to enact national security laws.
But an effort to do so in 2003 was abandoned after huge protests from Hong Kongers.
China is motivated by the fear of a young Hong Kong generation who “do not agree with the political system of the Communist Party,” said Hua Po, an independent political commentator based in Beijing.
“If they lose control of Hong Kong, the impact on the Chinese mainland will be huge,” said Hua.
Beijing has been exasperated by Hong Kongers – especially football fans – booing the national anthem to signal their dissatisfaction with China.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
