Hong Kong braced for biggest day of protests over new Chinese laws
HONG KONG is bracing itself for what could be its biggest day of protests in months, with pro-democracy groups calling for a general strike against China’s latest moves to increase control of the city.
Protests were planned for today near the Legislative Council building in central Hong Kong, where lawmakers plan to hold a hearing on a bill that would criminalise disrespect toward China’s national anthem.
They are also fighting against China’s plans to impose a national security law which opponents fear will curtail essential freedoms and criticism of the Communist Party.
The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, which represents 145,000 members, has called for a general strike. More than a dozen high school student groups have also issued a joint statement urging peers – newly returned to campuses following months of closures because of the coronavirus – to strike.
The Communist Party “is blatantly targeting Hong Kong people’s revolution in the past year, spelling an end to the people’s democratic autonomy and freedom of expression,” they said in the statement.
“Hong Kong students will not be able to speak freely in the future and instead be scrutinised for every word and be at risk of incarceration.”
Hong Kong’s police force has readied 3,500 riot officers in anticipation of the protests, according to reports. Television footage showed new metal and water-filled barricades near the city’s legislature, Central Government offices and People’s Liberation Army garrison building.
Chen Daoxiang, commander of the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, said it “firmly” upheld the National People’s Congress’s plan.
The decision “shows our firm determination in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “The garrison will firmly implement China’s decisions and plans, comprehensively implement the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and discharge defence duties in accordance to the law.”
The fresh round of protests comes days after Beijing announced it would bypass Hong Kong’s legislature to implement national security legislation banning subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign interference in the former British colony. Key details about the bill remain unclear.
Reports say the legislation is set to block foreign judges in Hong Kong from handling national security trials. Central and city government security agencies would also set up in Hong Kong as part of the legislation, which is subject to change and expected before Hong Kong legislative elections in September.
Despite criticism from foreign governments, Hong
Kong chief executive Carrie Lam defended the security law, asserting local residents supported it. She said it was untrue that the new measure would ban street protests or calls for her dismissal, and pledged Hong Kong’s freedoms would be preserved. She said earlier this month the anthem bill would get priority in the city’s legislature.
“We are a very free society, so for the time being, people have the freedom to say whatever they want to say,” she said.
“Hong Kong’s vibrancy and core values in terms of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, the various rights and freedoms enjoyed by people will continue.”
‘Hong Kong students will not be able to speak freely in the future’