China imposes controversial security law on Hong Kong
Britain and some two dozen Western countries urge Beijing to reconsider the law, saying it must preserve the right to assembly and free press
China imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong Tuesday, dramatically tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city in a historic move decried by Western nations as a threat to the financial hub’s freedoms.
Described by Beijing as a “sword” hanging over the heads of those endangering national security, the law took effect hours ater it was signed by President Xi Jinping and just six weeks since it was first unveiled.
Britain and some two dozen Western countries urged China to reconsider the law, saying Beijing must preserve the right to assembly and free press.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply concerned” and that London would scrutinise the law “to understand whether it is in conflict” with the handover agreement.
“I urge the international community to respect our country’s right to safeguard national security and Hong Kong people’s aspirations for stability and harmony,” city leader Carrie Lam told the UN Human Rights Council in a video message on Tuesday.
“We deplore this decision,” said European Council head Charles Michel.
The United States condemned the legislation as a violation of Beijing’s international commitments and vowed to go on acting “against those who smothered Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy.”
The US on Monday ended sensitive defence exports to Hong Kong over the law, prompting China to threaten unspecified “countermeasures.” China said it would retaliate.
In Tokyo, top government officials called the legislation “regretable,” saying it undermined credibility in the “one country, two systems” formula.
“We will continue to work with the countries involved to deal with this issue appropriately,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.
Japan will also communicate closely with the United States and China, as stable ties between the two global powers were vital for regional and global security, he added.
In Taipei, Taiwan’s cabinet said in a statement the new law would “severely impact” freedom, democracy and human rights in the Asian financial hub and Taiwan would continue to offer help to its people.
“The government strongly condemns it and reiterates its support for the people of Hong Kong as they strive for democracy and freedom,” said cabinet spokesman Evian Ting.
“The move severely impacts Hong Kong society’s freedom, human rights and stability.”
As the law was passed in Beijing, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong held a drill which included exercises to stop suspicious vessels and arrest fugitives, according to the Weibo social media account of state-run CCTV’S military channel.
Dozens of supporters of Beijing popped champagne corks and waved Chinese flags in celebration in front of government headquarters.
“I’m very happy,” said one elderly man, surnamed Lee.
“This will leave anti-china spies and people who brought chaos to Hong Kong with nowhere to go.”
“It marks the end of Hong Kong that the world knew before,” prominent democracy campaigner Joshua Wong tweeted as his political party Demosisto announced it was disbanding.
“With sweeping powers and ill-defined law, the city will turn into a #secretpolicestate.”
Some Hong Kongers responded by deleting Twiter accounts and scrubbing other social media plaforms.
In contrast, former city leader Leung Chunying took to Facebook to offer bounties of up to HK$1 million ($130,000) for anyone who could help secure the first prosecutions under the new legislation or track down people who have recently fled the city.
“The fact that Hong Kong people will only come to know what’s really in this new law ater the fact is more than preposterous,” Claudia Mo, an opposition lawmaker, said.
The law outlaws four types of national security crimes: subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.