China approves national security law for Hong Kong
Provision to allow crackdown on subversion, secessionist acts
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Hong Kong, June 30
EU, Britain, Taiwan voice concern
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Brussels: The European Union expressed anger while Britain and Taiwan voiced concern over the new law in Hong Kong. “We deplore the decision,” EU council president Charles Michel said at a news conference. “This law risks seriously undermining the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong and having a detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law,” he said. Reuters
China approved a contentious national security law that will allow authorities to crack down on subversive and secessionist activity in Hong Kong, a move many see as Beijing’s boldest yet to erase the legal firewall between the semi-autonomous territory and mainland China’s authoritarian Communist Party system led by Xi Jinping.
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Tam Yiu-Chung, Hong Kong’s sole representative on the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that the law had been passed. He said punishments would not include death penalty, but did not elaborate on further details.
“We hope the law will serve as a deterrent to prevent people from stirring up trouble,” Tam said. “Don’t let Hong Kong be used as a tool to split the country.” Passage of the law came amid warnings and criticism both in Hong Kong and the international community that it will be used to curb opposition voices in the Asian financial hub.
The government has said the legislation is aimed at curbing subversive, secessionist and terrorist activities, as well as foreign intervention in the city’s affairs. It follows months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year that at times descended into violence.
Speaking in a video message to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the law would “only target an extremely small minority” of lawbreakers, would not be retroactive, and that mainland legal bodies would only have jurisdiction in “rare, specified situations.” — AP
‘Move regrettable’
Tokyo: Japan’s top government officials said on Tuesday that China’s move was “regrettable” and undermined credibility in the ‘one country, two systems’ formula of governance. AP
‘Will retaliate against US actions’
Beijing: China has said it will take retaliatory measures in response to the US’ decision to start eliminating Hong Kong’s special status under US law. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian did not specify which measures Beijing would take. Reuters
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