Beijing on notice over Hong Kong
China’s actions put island’s special status at risk, Canada warns
OTTAWA— As China moves to tighten its control over Hong Kong, Canada’s foreign affairs minister says Beijing must “change course” or risk “special arrangements” that are based on the very freedoms in that city that China is now threatening.
Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne told the Star that Canada is “actively reviewing” a wide range of special trade and commercial considerations, along with “visa facilitations” that are tied to Hong Kong residents retaining the freedoms and liberties that were guaranteed when Britain returned control of the territory to China. The Communist Party-led government says it will extend China’s national security laws over Hong Kong territory, although it has yet to publish details of the legislation. Critics of the plan, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, say Beijing is violating the “one country, two systems” handover pact between Britain and China.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the U.K. Parliament this week China is undermining its agreement and international obligation to guarantee the erstwhile British territory “a high degree of autonomy with executive, legislative and independent judicial powers.” Raab urged China to “step back from the brink.”
“What we’re sending as a very strong signal to Beijing is hopefully to have them change course because … this is going to undermine greatly … the very foundation that has made Hong Kong what it is today,” Champagne said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week expressed concern for pro-democracy activists and the 300,000 Canadian citizens living in Hong Kong, but he stopped short of committing to accept asylum-seekers looking to leave. On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said any Canadian wishing to return would be welcomed.
According to the federal immigration minister’s office, Canada treats Hong Kong like a visa-exempt country, which means all that is required for one of its citizens to travel to Canada by air is an electronic travel authorization that is linked to the traveller’s passport and is valid for up to five years.
Trudeau said Canada’s refugee system welcomes people from around the globe who flee “persecution and violence” and hinted Ottawa is looking at more. “We have a strong immigration system that looks at individual cases, looks at systemic challenges in response to them, and I know our system is doing just that.”
The United States and the United Kingdom have gone further and warned Beijing they are looking to create pathways to citizenship for Hong Kong émigrés.
Asked why Canada hasn’t followed suit, Champagne said each country has a different historic relationship with China, but that Canada’s eyes are “wide open” when it comes to dealing with the regime there.
China has angrily rejected international criticism of its actions.
On Wednesday, Zhao Lijian, a
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said China “deplored” the U.K’s “unwarranted accusations and blatant interference in Hong Kong-related affairs and China’s internal affairs.”
Zhao said Britain’s link to Hong Kong “arises from the period of invasion, colonialism and unequal treaties,” and issued a threat of his own. He said China urges the U.K. to “step back” from a “Cold-War mindset and the colonial mentality … Otherwise, there will be consequences.”
This week, Beijing outlawed a Hong Kong vigil marking the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4, 1989, citing health concerns due to the coronavirus. Although Beijing has long banned commemorations in mainland China, it’s the first time in 30 years no vigil will be held in Hong Kong.
Trudeau urged Beijing to deescalate tensions and to “engage constructively” with the people of Hong Kong. He said his government is “very concerned about the situation” because of the 300,000 Canadians there “and millions of others who are fighting for justice and peace.”
Guy Saint-Jaques says Trudeau first raised concerns about the erosion of rights in Hong Kong with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on a visit to China in late August 2016. Saint-Jacques, who was Canada’s ambassador to China at the time, said China’s rulers warned him against interference in its internal affairs.
But Saint-Jacques says the time has come for Trudeau to drop “mild” criticisms and take a more forceful stand by promising publicly to offer an immigration path to Hong Kong citizens. That would create a “brain drain” for China, he said.
Saint-Jacques says that since the 2018 arrests of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in retaliation for Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant, China “achieved its objective in forcing Canada to self-censor” out of concern for their welfare. But there’s now more to be gained by speaking out strongly with allies every time Beijing oversteps.
Canada’s relations with China seemed certain Tuesday to chill further after a two Canadian telecoms giants, BCE and Telus, opted not to work with China’s Huawei to build 5G wireless network.
Bell Canada announced it would use Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson. Telus, which had earlier been prepared to use Huawei, announced it would use Ericsson and Nokia to support building its 5G network. Rogers Canada had earlier opted not to use Huawei as well.
All Canada’s security allies have now limited Huawei’s role in their next-generation wireless networks, including the U.K., which recently reversed course and said it would completely eliminate Huawei by 2023. The United States has pressured Canada to ban Huawei outright as well.
“This is going to undermine greatly … the very foundation that has made Hong Kong what it is today.” FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER