- The new national security law imposed by China on Hong Kong gives the communist regime unprecedented judicial powers in the former British colony.
- Kept secret until the end, the law was not known until Tuesday evening.
- Its content, accused by its detractors of wanting to muzzle the opposition in Hong Kong, worries defenders of liberties and foreign powers.
The authorities did not even wait 24 hours. In Hong Kong, seven people have already been arrested by police on Wednesday, under the new security law imposed by Beijing. A text adopted in China by the Chinese parliament, which still nibbles on the autonomy and freedoms of Hong Kong. Is the city, a powerful and international financial center, threatened with disappearance? 20 Minutes interviewed Jean-Philippe Béja, emeritus research director at CNRS, specialist in political life in China and Hong Kong and Valérie Niquet, head of the Asia pole at the Foundation for Strategic Research, and author of The Chinese Power in 100 questions (Ed. Taillandier).
How will this new law transform the daily life of the people of Hong Kong?
For more than twenty years, Hong Kong has belonged to China but has enjoyed broad autonomy, by virtue of the "one country, two systems" principle. Its inhabitants enjoy freedom of expression, free elections, freedom of the press and independent justice.
But this new law, which came into force on Tuesday evening without going through the Parliament of Hong Kong, makes it possible to punish four types of crimes against state security: subversion, separatism, terrorism and collusion with foreigners. It reserves life imprisonment for the most serious crimes against national security.
The law provides that Chinese justice will be able to try certain offenses, while Hong Kong had the right to have its own judicial system to date. Hong Kong residents are also no longer allowed to show support for the independence of Taiwan, Tibet and the Xinjiang region. Even the defense of Hong Kong's independence has become against the law.
"This marks the end of Hong Kong as the world knew it," said Joshua Wong, one of the figures in the democracy movement, on Twitter. “You can be arrested for simply saying a slogan. It is the end of freedom in Hong Kong, ”says Jean-Philippe Béja. "There is great concern that Hong Kong will become" just another Chinese city "," he said.
Why has Hong Kong so far enjoyed a special status?
To understand it, you have to go back twenty-three years. In 1997, the United Kingdom returned Hong Kong to China in the form of a "Special Administrative Region". Provided that this former colony retains certain freedoms, as well as judicial and legislative autonomy for fifty years. A promise being broken by Beijing, according to Valérie Niquet. "Now Chinese power feels strong enough to impose complete control over Hong Kong without respecting this 50-year limit. "
What is China's strategy in passing this law?
"It's a revenge on the movement of last year that affected the whole territory," analyzes Jean-Philippe Béja, with reference to the pro-democracy demonstrations, which started in June 2019 in Hong Kong. “Last year, with the protests, everyone feared that the tanks of the People's Liberation Army would enter Hong Kong. In fact, they are legal chars, but it is at least as serious. China feels threatened by the very existence of a free Chinese society, ”deplores Jean-Philippe Béja.
The two specialists agree on one point: this “authoritarian” turn in China dates from the coming to power of Xi Jinping. “We are facing a power that no longer wants to let anything go, including over Hong Kong. They don't care about the image they can project outside, ”says Valérie Niquet. She sees this Hong Kong episode as a global strategy: “With the Covid-19 epidemic and the difficult economic situation, the Chinese authorities are trying to assert themselves by strengthening their nationalist side. There is also an assertion of power on its border with India or with its maneuvers in the China Sea, ”she explains.
Can the disapproval of the international community do anything about it?
"Today is a sad day for Hong Kong, and for all freedom lovers in China," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning that "the United States will not sit idly by while the China is swallowing Hong Kong in its authoritarian mouth ”.
The United Kingdom, a former colonial power, says it is "very concerned" and its Prime Minister Boris Johnson promises to see if the law "conflicts with the joint declaration" of 1997. Any words without consequence? "By adopting this law, Beijing knew very well that there would be criticism but it is not enough," said Jean-Philippe Béja. "The only way to have a reaction that affects China would be to recognize Taiwan, to raise its diplomatic status, by inviting it to the G20 for example. It would cause a real crisis in Beijing. "
What future for the people of Hong Kong?
For some residents of the city, worried about the future, it is time to think about leaving. Taiwan has also opened an office to welcome residents wishing to settle on the island. The United Kingdom has announced the extension of immigration rights, ultimately making it easier for Hong Kong residents to hold British citizenship to hold a special passport, Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday. Three million residents of the former British colony are eligible.
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