China raises its voice in the face of the anti-Beijing current in Hong Kong: the parliament has before it a "national security" law intended for the semi-autonomous territory, shaken last year by a colossal protest movement. Washington immediately warned Beijing against a "very destabilizing" law.
This legislation will be studied during the annual session of the National People's Congress (PNA) which opens Friday in Beijing, his spokesman Zhang Yesui announced to the press on Thursday. The Chinese parliament is essentially the legislative registration chamber of the Communist Party (CCP), and the future adoption of this text is little doubt. It is likely to spark opposition in Hong Kong.
"The end of Hong Kong"
"I just want to say to the international community that this is the end of Hong Kong," reacted Thursday evening from the semi-autonomous territory the pro-democracy deputy Dennis Kwok, accusing Beijing of having "broken its promise".
The bill intends to strengthen the "enforcement mechanisms" for "protecting national security" in the former British colony that returned to China in 1997. "Any attempt to impose a national security law that does not reflect the will of the citizens of Hong Kong would be very destabilizing and would be firmly condemned by the United States and the international community, "reacted the spokesperson for the American diplomacy Morgan Ortagus. As for President Donald Trump, when asked about this, he promised to react if necessary "very strongly".
The text comes almost a year after the start of huge protests in Hong Kong. At first directed against the growing hold of Beijing on the territory, they had turned into a request for additional autonomy. The movement resulted in violent clashes between police and radicals, as well as numerous acts of vandalism. It also stimulated a militant current for the self-determination and even the independence of the region.
'One country, one system'
A red line for Beijing, long frustrated with the inability of the Hong Kong government to pass an anti-subversion law at the local level. "Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the People's Republic of China," Zhang Yesui said again on Thursday.
Asked about the contents of the law, which has not been released, he said more details would be announced on Friday at the opening of the parliamentary session. Hong Kong enjoys a very large autonomy from the rest of the country ruled by the CCP, under the concept "One country, two systems".
Its inhabitants thus benefit from freedom of expression, freedom of the press and independent justice. Rights unknown in mainland China. This new bill "gives me the feeling that it is the concept 'One country, one system' which is now officially implemented in Hong Kong," joked Hong Kong pro-democracy MP Tanya Chan.
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