China passes draft of controversial national security law for Hong Kong

Image courtesy: Reuters

Beijing: China's legislature on Thursday passed a draft of a national security bill for Hong Kong that has been strongly criticized as undermining the semi-autonomous territory's legal and political institutions.

The National People's Congress' Standing Committee reviewed the bill that covers four categories of crimes: succession, subversion of state power, local terrorist activities, and collaborating with foreign or external foreign forces to endanger national security.

No details on the definitions of those crimes or the applicable punishments were given. It also wasn't clear when the law would be passed in its final version, although Beijing has repeatedly said it is determined to press ahead despite the criticism.

The Congress moved to enact the legislation at the national level after Hong Kong's own Legislative Council was unable to do so because of strong local opposition. Critics say it could severely limit free speech and opposition political activity. Legal experts say Beijing's justifications for the law are highly debatable.

China acted following widespread and sometimes violent anti-government protests in the territory last year that Beijing saw as a dangerous campaign to split Hong Kong from the rest of the country.

The US Has said that the law if passed will revoke some of the special privileges it grants to Hong Kong after the former British colony was handed over to China in 1997. Britain has said it will offer passports and a path to citizenship to as many as 3 million Hong Kong residents. Beijing has denounced the moves as interference in its affairs.

On Wednesday, the Group of Seven leading economies called on China to reconsider its plans in a joint statement voicing "grave concern regarding China's decision to impose a national security law on Hong Kong," adding that it would breach Beijing's international commitments as well as the territory's constitution.

"It would jeopardize the system which has allowed Hong Kong to flourish and made it a success over many years," they said. "Open debate, consultation with stakeholders, and respect for protected rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are essential." China's Foreign Ministry condemned the G-7 statement, accusing the group of speaking and pointing fingers freely at Hong Kong affairs."

"We strongly deplore and firmly oppose the joint statement issued by the G-7 foreign ministers," the ministry spokesperson said at a daily briefing. ?China's determination in promoting the national security law in Hong Kong is unwavering." 

In Berlin on Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for an "open dialogue" between Europe and China on an investment agreement, climate change and Africa "but also on questions of the rule of law and human rights, and not least the future of Hong Kong, where we are concerned that the important principle of 'one country, two systems' is being hollowed out more and more."

The Asian financial hub's highly respected legal system already covers security issues from money laundering to terrorism and cybercrime. That leaves the proposed legislation to deal with vaguely defined crimes of a highly political nature along the lines found in mainland China's Communist Party-dominated system.

Earlier this month, Hong Kong's legislature approved a contentious bill making it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem after pro-democracy lawmakers boycotted the vote out of protest. Senior opposition figures have also been arrested for taking part in demonstrations and questions have arisen over whether the national security legislation will be used to disqualify pro-democracy candidates in September's elections for the Beijing-controlled Legislative Council.

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong said he expected the law would bring negative repercussions for people like him who hold contrarian views.

Opposing the law "could be my last testimony (while) I am still free," Wong said Thursday during an online event to promote democracy and the market economy held in Copenhagen, Denmark. ?Our long march to democracy will be forced into a prolonged period of crackdown," said Wong, who rose to prominence as a student leader during pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014.

Taiwan, meanwhile, announced Thursday that it will set up a specialized office to support Hong Kongers seeking to leave the territory now that China is moving forward with the national security law.

The office opening July 1 will offer assistance to Hong Kong professionals seeking to move to Taiwan, including for school, employment, investment, entrepreneurship and immigration, according to a statement by the Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan, which handles the island's relations with Beijing.