CHINESE PARL APPROVES HK SECURITY LAW
BEIJING: China on Thursday passed a new security legislation for Hong Kong that makes any show of dissidence against the mainland a crime, and for the first time, paves the way for Beijing to install its own security agencies in the protest-hit city.
Later, US, UK, Australia and Canada issued a joint statement condemning China’s move, saying Hong Kong has “flourished as a bastion of freedom”.
The four governments said in the statement the international community has a “significant and long-standing stake” in Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
The writing in of the security law into Hong Kong’s special charter, or Basic Law, will see the mainland’s control over the SAR tighten substantially.
The city has seen violent protests since last June on the issue of Beijing’s apparent tightening of control over the city.
“The move came after prolonged social unrest and escalating street violence had plunged Hong Kong into the gravest situation since its return to the motherland in 1997,” news agency Xinhua reported.
The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s parliament, passed the bill with 2,878 votes in favour on Thursday.
Premier Li Keqiang said the approval of “Hong Kong national security legislation aims for HK’S prosperity”. Li said the law would be good for Hong Kong’s long-term stability and the “one country, two systems” formula would remain a national policy. “It will uphold and improve the ‘one country, two systems’ policy,” NPC chairperson Li Zhanshu told delegates. “It is in line with the constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law and is in the interest of all Chinese people including Hong Kong people.”