Advertisement

China's parliament approves Hong Kong security law as riot police deployed

Police stand guard on a road to deter pro-democracy protesters from blocking roads  - AFP
Police stand guard on a road to deter pro-democracy protesters from blocking roads - AFP

China’s parliament approved to directly impose a national security law in Hong Kong that makes it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in the territory.

The law criminalises separatism, subversion, terrorism, foreign interference and “acts” that threaten national security. Hong Kong activists and Western nations fear it will end the city’s special autonomy and freedoms, paving the way for officials to suppress dissent under the guise of national security.

Chinese security and intelligence agencies will be able to set up bases in Hong Kong, and foreign judges may be barred from hearing cases under the new legislation, further casting doubt on Hong Kong’s continued legal and judicial independence.

Approval has sparked a new wave of anti-mainland protests against Beijing’s decree. Police have fired pepper ball rounds and used water cannon, arresting hundreds of demonstrators this week. More than 8,000 people have been arrested since mass unrest broke out last June.

“It is quite clear that Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedom is dead and gone,” said Ted Hui Chi-fung, a pro-democracy politician in Hong Kong. “I personally expect more arbitrary arrest of dissidents, longer detention of protesters before trial, criminalisation of any foreign contact from Hong Kong democrats and activists.”

“I also expect arbitrary freezing and forfeiture of bank accounts of any organisation the government deems against national security,” said Mr Hui, one of the lawmakers removed from the city’s legislative chamber Thursday after he threw rotten plants in protest as debate grew heated over another contentious proposed bill that would criminalise insults to the Chinese national anthem.

China has defended the national security legislation, saying it was necessary to restore order to the city after months of mass unrest. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam welcomed the legislation, saying that “safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests” remains part of the city’s “constitutional duty.”

Ms Lam is expected to promulgate the law for Hong Kong as soon as possible – potentially within weeks and almost certainly before September elections for the city’s legislature when China risks losing its pro-Beijing majority. Pro-democracy candidates swept lower level elections last year, widely seen as a referendum opposing Ms Lam and China’s influence.

Beijing officials stationed in Hong Kong lashed out Thursday at the US, saying Washignton’s threats to sanction China in response are “the most barbaric, most unreasonable and most shameless” acts.

On Wednesday, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that Hong Kong would no longer be treated as autonomous from mainland China under US law, a special provision that has afforded a special trade relationship allowing the city to flourish into a global financial centre.

Joshua Wong, secretary-general of pro-democracy political party Demosisto said: “With such evil law imposed by Beijing in Hong Kong, we really encourage and advance more global community to keep an eye on Hong Kong to oppose the national security law.”

Beijing’s move over Hong Kong is leading to growing calls in the UK for the government to take a tougher approach on China.

“The West needs to wake up and realise Hong Kong is just a stepping stone in a much more aggressive foreign policy for China, whether it’s through China’s alliances or its high tech infrastructure investment around the world,” said Tobias Ellwood MP, a former undersecretary of state until 2017 and defence minister until last year.

“This is just a prelude to more to come, with a dominant China flouting international law,” he said. “Together with the international community, we have to be much tougher in our reactions to what they are doing in Hong Kong and elsewhere.”

Riot policeman pushes a woman as she is taking a photograph of detained protesters - AP
Riot policeman pushes a woman as she is taking a photograph of detained protesters - AP

European officials are also urging a rethink on engagement with China. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell this week said a “more robust strategy” was needed to deal with an increasingly assertive China.

But “the time to do all of this, and the time to say something, was at latest about six years ago,” said Alvin Cheung, a legal scholar at New York University’s US-Asia Law Institute.

Chinese officials conveyed for the first time in 2014 that Beijing considered “void” the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a treaty aimed at preserving Hong Kong’s unique way of life when former colony was returned to mainland rule in 1997.

Leaders in Beijing have since reiterated those sentiments, saying the treaty was a historical document with no current significance.

“If anybody can just sign a contract, an agreement housed at the UN with Britain, and 20 years later turn around and say, ‘we are not doing that,’ how can Britain stand with two legs firm in the world anymore?,” said Jessica Yeung, a university professor who has participated in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Many Hong Kong residents are now implementing contingency plans to leave the city.

“I won’t move out of Hong Kong because of my old age,” said Mrs Lee, 60, who runs a shipping business, has encouraged her two adult sons to emigrate, especially after one took a job in Singapore.

“I told him not to come back – Hong Kong is not safe,” she said. “Out there is a better future for them.”