30 days marks one week since the National Security Ordinance, which cracks down on acts that threaten national security such as espionage, came into effect in Hong Kong. An American government radio station has announced that it has closed its Hong Kong office because new regulations raise serious questions about whether it can operate safely.
In Hong Kong, the National Security Ordinance went into effect on the 23rd of this month, criminalizing such acts as theft of state secrets, espionage, and interference by foreign forces, and can be implemented arbitrarily by Western countries and other countries. Concerns are being voiced.
Under these circumstances, Radio Free Asia, an American government-affiliated radio station headquartered in Washington, issued a statement on the 29th saying, ``The enactment of the ordinance has raised serious doubts about whether we can operate safely.'' announced that it was closed.
``Radio Free Asia'' has so far reported on politics and social issues in Hong Kong and mainland China based on its own research, but the Hong Kong authorities criticized it as ``a gross slander''.
``Radio Free Asia'' will continue to provide information to Hong Kong and mainland China, saying it is ``shifting to a different reporting format in response to the closed media environment.''
Local media have reported that Hong Kong staff will be relocated to Taiwan or Washington, and this is widely seen as a symbol of increasing control over speech in Hong Kong.