Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong defended Tuesday, July 7, the new Chinese law on security, which she promised to "vigorously apply", saying that the legislative text "was not as bleak as it sounds for Hong Kong. "

Speaking at a press conference a week after Beijing imposed this law on semi-autonomous territory, Carrie Lam was both reassuring and threatening.

"The consequences of a violation of this law are very serious," said the chief executive, warning in particular the "radical" activists against any "crossing of the red line".

" Sophisms "

Carrie Lam, however, denied allegations that the law would threaten the freedoms enjoyed by some 7.5 million Hong Kongers, describing comments about her as "fallacies".

"I am sure that in time ... confidence will be greater" both in "the principle" One country, two systems "", supposed to guarantee unknown freedoms and autonomy in mainland China, as well as for " the future of Hong Kong, "she added.

Carrie Lam: "The Hong Kong government will vigorously enforce this law"

The national security law, imposed on June 30 by the Chinese regime, is the most radical turning point for Hong Kong since its handover by the United Kingdom to China in 1997.

Until the last moment, Beijing kept secret the content of this law aimed at suppressing subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. It is intended to be a response to the protest movement unprecedented since 1997 which appeared a year ago.

Climate of fear

Last week, in a few hours, a climate of fear fell down on the city, the law criminalizing in particular the fact of calling for independence or greater autonomy of Hong Kong. Many residents have erased computer traces of their pro-democracy engagement, as the government on Monday ordered schools to remove books that may infringe the text.

Books written by figures from the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement have also started to disappear from city libraries. Carrie Lam brushed aside these concerns, saying that this law was designed to protect the freedoms of the majority of the population.

"I did not see widespread fear among Hong Kong residents last week," she said.

The press conference was held hours after the government released a document that significantly expands the security powers of the Hong Kong police under the new law.

In particular, law enforcement officials may conduct searches without a warrant if they believe national security is under "imminent" threat.

The police chief has also been given the power to monitor and suppress any information online if there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that it violates national security law.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR