Hong Kong: China's aggressive policy in the shadow of Corona

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A crackdown is underway in Hong Kong that is smashing everything that made the city up and made it flourish in the first place.

The repressive national security law was enacted five months ago and it is being implemented gradually.

This month the government expelled four pro-democracy MPs from the Provisional Legislative Council after Beijing previously granted them powers to remove all unpatriotic members.

With this, China has de facto abolished the "one country, two systems" principle guaranteed by international law in 1997 and no longer seems to be trying to maintain even the appearance of democracy.

Since the elimination of the parliamentarians, there has been a significant increase in Chinese influence.

Teachers are fired for statements Beijing displeases;

Journalists are arrested for investigative reports.

Judges have been attacked by pro-Beijing newspapers for “too indulgent” with participants in last year's protests.

And activists like Joshua Wong find themselves embroiled in trials that could end up with months or even years in prison.

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A Hong Kong court ordered Monday, according to a spokesman for Wong, that the activists would not be allowed to walk until the end of the ongoing trial next Wednesday (December 2nd).

At the start of the hearing on Monday, Wong pleaded guilty to organizing an unauthorized protest.

For this he and his colleagues could face up to five years in prison.

"I can hardly imagine how far Beijing will go"

Source: WORLD

This week, the Beijing-related camp alleged that the "Hong Kong Alliance to Support Patriotic Democratic Movements in China" - organizers of the annual vigil to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen massacre - had broken the law.

The group is accused of inciting hatred against the socialist and national political systems, undermining state power and advocating a re-evaluation of the massacre, the end of the one-party dictatorship and the building of a democratic China.

Although the group is known for its peaceful demeanor during protests, it has been charged with rioting in the city and endangering national security and public order;

as a result, calls for a ban on their activities have been raised.

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All of these incidents occurred while many countries are still grappling with another corona wave.

China is using the diversion to reorganize the multilateral system.

It is therefore of vital importance for democracies to hold Beijing accountable for the fact that the agreements to uphold freedom and human rights in Hong Kong have been trampled upon since the 1997 handover.

Several states have rightly created rescue programs for Hong Kong residents.

The EU has a moral responsibility to go one step further.

The UK and Canada have paved the way for citizens of Hong Kong, offering humanitarian aid and refuge if they have to leave the city for security reasons.

In addition, a Magnitsky law or similar individual sanction regulations are desirable at both EU and German levels.

The EU must prevent those who commit crimes against freedom and democracy from abusing or benefiting from the system of the EU and its Member States.

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Last year Joshua Wong said during his visit to Berlin: “Hong Kong is the new Berlin in a new Cold War.” At the time, he was accused of exaggeration, but the past few months have proven him right.

The city resembled democratic West Berlin, but China has meanwhile made it something that is more like East Berlin.

However, it is not too late to side with Hong Kong.

Glacier Kwong writes this column in alternation with Joshua Wong.

The two young activists from Hong Kong are fighting against the growing influence of China in their homeland.

This text is from

Source: WELT AM SONNTAG