China needs to respect the autonomy of Hong Kong, says No 10
DOWNING Street warned China to respect the autonomy of Hong Kong after the Chinese Communist Party submitted plans for a controversial new law that could crush dissent in the former British colony.
The intervention from No10 came as Hong Kong braced for its first mass pro-democracy protests for months after Beijing said it would bypass the city’s legislature to bring in sweeping new powers limiting freedom.
At the opening of its National People’s Congress (NPC) this week, Li Keqiang, the Chinese premier, said China would establish a “sound” legal system and enforcement mechanisms to ensure national security in Hong Kong and Macau.
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, as well as much of the international community, said the plan was an assault on Hong Kong’s freedoms, with Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, yesterday calling it a “death knell” for the city’s high degree of autonomy.
Under the agreement signed when Hong Kong became a Chinese region, rather than a British colony, in 1997, China pledged to respect the “one country, two systems” principle, guaranteeing Hong Kong freedoms not seen on the mainland. A Downing
Street spokesman said: “We expect China to respect Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms and high degree of autonomy. As a party to the joint declaration the UK is committed to upholding Hong Kong’s autonomy and respecting the one country, two systems model.” Asked if the proposals breach that model, he said: “We are monitoring this closely and our immediate priority is to clarify the details of what is being suggested.”
Mr Pompeo, already at odds with China on a number of fronts including a blame game over the coronavirus pandemic and robust opposition to countries working with Huawei, the Chinese company, to develop 5G networks, condemned the move.
“Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of liberty. The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations, and respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions, and civil liberties... We stand with the people of Hong
Kong.” In Hong Kong itself, activists have called on the public to take to the streets, re-galvanising an anti-government movement that kicked off last year before fading against increasingly violent crackdowns and amid public health concerns.
“Because of the coronavirus, many people may have rested and attended less protests, but now it’s time for us to stand up,” Agnes Chow, member of Demosistō, a pro-democracy political party, told The Daily Telegraph. “People need to be ready to go on the street and fight against [the proposed law].”
Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s leader, who is attending the NPC, vowed to “fully co-operate” with Beijing over the national security proposal.