BEIJING SEEKS INDIA’S SUPPORT
For its new draconian law to crackdown on Hong Kong protestors
China has sought the support and understanding of India and other countries for its controversial decision to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong, saying the new legislation is aimed at containing the "secessionist" forces in the former British colony who have posed a "grave threat" to the countr y's national security and sovereignty. In an apparent move to blunt any international backlash, China has sent demarches to India and several other countries explaining the reason for the new draf t legislation with a reminder that "upholding national security" in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is "purely China's internal affair and foreign countr y may inter fere in this matter." China on Friday introduced the draf t of a controversial national security law in Hong Kong in its parliament to tighten Beijing's control over the former British colony, in what could be the biggest blow to the territor y's autonomy and personal freedoms since 1997 when it came under Chinese rule.
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It has observed a "one countr y, two systems" policy since Britain returned sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997, which has allowed it certain freedoms the rest of China does not have.
"Your countr y maintains close economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges with Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's prosperity and longterm stability is in line with the common interests of the whole international community, including your countr y, as well as protection of your countr y's legitimate interests in Hong Kong. We hope that your government will understand and support China's relevant practices," it said.
The demarche said since the return of Hong Kong to China 23 years ago, "the Hong Kong SAR has not acted out its constitutional duty for national security in line with China's Constitution and the Basic Law" . "There is a clear loophole in Hong Kong's legal system and an absence of a mechanism of enforcement. The opposition in Hong Kong have long colluded with external forces to carr y out acts of secession, subversion, infiltration and destruction against the Chinese mainland," it said. "The turbulence over the amendment bill in Hong Kong last June has greatly undermined the SAR's rule of law and stability and battered its economy and people's livelihoods," it said, referring to the agitation by millions of local residents since last year, demanding more autonomy and less inter ference from China.