Hong Kong ‘no longer autonomous’
Move could spell end to special US trade provisions
The US yesterday declared that Hong Kong was no longer autonomous from mainland China, escalating a stand-off with Beijing over its new national security legislation.
The move could lead to the US could ending some of its special trade provisions with the territory if Beijing pushes through its controversial proposed law, which is seen by critics as undercutting Hong Kong’s liberty.
Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, said he had notified Congress on the new view of Hong Kong. His department is required to provide updates on the territory’s autonomy from China. “I certified to Congress today that Hong Kong does not continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as US laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997,” a statement from Pompeo read. “No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground.”
Citing national security, Chinese officials, announced the new legislation which would criminalise antigovernment groups in Hong Kong.
Riot police yesterday fired pepper balls in Hong Kong’s main business district to disperse protests against the legislation. More than 300 people were arrested by late afternoon after thousands took to the streets, creating roadblocks, disrupting public transport and swarming malls. Some chanted: “Hong Kong people, build a nation,” a direct appeal for independence from Beijing.
Unrest has reignited in Hong Kong ahead of China’s expected imposition of the sweeping national security law which will criminalise subversion, separatism, terrorism and foreign interference — the latest effort by Beijing to stamp out dissent after last year’s often violent mass rallies.
Many worry the new law will end Hong Kong’s system of governance — “one country, two systems” — allowing it rights and freedoms not granted in mainland China.
One protester, Ching, 18, a student, said: “Beijing wants us to feel the fear, but we aren’t, and we won’t. I want to show the world that we’re not giving up the fight for what we want.”
Willy Lam, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said that the law also aimed “to stop foreign organisations operating in Hong Kong, to stop Hong Kong political parties maintaining a good relationship with politicians in the UK and US”. There are fears legal and judicial independence is also threatened, with foreign judges reportedly being barred from hearing cases brought under the new law.
Protesters were further infuriated as city lawmakers debated a separate bill that would criminalise insults to China’s national anthem, punishable by up to three years in prison, and fines of 50,000 yuan ($11,200).
MPs and activists are urging the UK to hold Beijing to account for potentially breaching the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The treaty, which came into effect when the former colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, is meant to guarantee Hong Kong’s way of life.