Hong Kong: controversial national security law passed by Beijing

Text by: RFI Follow

The Chinese parliament adopted the controversial national security law in Hong Kong on Tuesday, June 30, media reported in the semi-autonomous territory, raising fears of repression of any political opposition in the former British colony.

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The silence speaks for itself. “  I don't think it is right now for me to comment on matters relating to the national security law . With these words, Carrie Lam, the head of the Hong Kong executive, declined to say whether the text had actually been adopted.

However, Carrie Lam is very alone. "  The national security law for Hong Kong has been officially adopted by the standing committee of the National People's Congress,  " confirmed the largest pro-Beijing party in the former British colony, the Democratic Alliance for Improvement. and progress in Hong Kong (DAB). Same confirmation from the favorable media of the Chinese central power, the daily newspapers Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao, as well as multiple local media, Now TV, RTHK and the South China Morning Post.

This law, which aims to suppress "  separatism  ", "  terrorism  ", "  subversion  " and "  collusion with external and foreign forces  ", aims to restore stability in the former British colony shaken last year by monster demonstrations against the central power.

"  The end of Hong Kong  "

The content of this text, drawn up in just six weeks, is unknown to some 7.5 million Hong Kongers, who ignore the exact nature of the crimes punishable by this new law. Its adoption completely bypasses the local legislative council, a new fact in Hong Kong.

For the pro-democracy opposition of Hong Kong and for several western countries including the United States, the G7 or the European Union (EU), this law is on the contrary an attack on the political system of the territory. Opponents fear it will serve to muzzle dissent and bury the semi-autonomy and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.

"  This marks the end of Hong Kong as the world has known it, " tweeted Joshua Wong, one of the young figures in the pro-democracy movement. With vast powers and an ill-defined law, the city will turn into a police state.  "

[End of Hong Kong, Beginning of Reign of Terror]

1. #Beijing has just passed the sweeping #nationalsecuritylaw. It marks the end of Hong Kong that the world knew before. pic.twitter.com/QouY6Itr1O

3. With sweeping powers and ill-defined law, the city will turn into a #secretpolicestate. #HongKongProtesters now face high possibilities of being extradited to China's courts for trials and life sentences.

► Read also: The Chinese government wants to impose itself on Hong Kong by establishing a "national security organ"

Washington begins to deprive Hong Kong of trade privileges

This Monday, the fate of Hong Kong was again the subject of reprisals between the United States and China. Washington has announced the end of arms exports to the former British colony after Beijing imposed visa restrictions.

Citing "  national security of the United States  ", US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo has decided to end sales of sensitive defense equipment to Hong Kong to avoid "  falling into the hands  " of the Chinese military , "  Whose primary objective is to preserve the dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party by all necessary means  " according to him.

The US government will also "  take steps to impose, with respect to Hong Kong, the same restrictions on US defense and dual-use civil or military technologies it imposes on China . When Beijing considers Hong Kong "One country, one system", we must do the same,  "said Mike Pompeo.

(With AFP)

► To listen: Hong Kong: a militant pro-democracy testifies, "we will not resign ourselves, despite everything"

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• China
• Hong Kong
• Human rights

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