The head of the Chinese State Office for Hong Kong and Macao, Zhang Xiaoning, told reporters at a press conference that the newly established Chinese National Security Office in Hong Kong would be able to prosecute the city’s citizens under mainland Chinese jurisdiction under certain 55 serious criminal offenses. acts ’.
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Hundreds of thousands of people protested last year against a bill that allowed suspected Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China. Police inaugurated the Chinese flag today in the port of Hong Kong on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the transfer of this former British colony to the Chinese administration. The ceremony took place under strict security measures, the area was guarded by a number of police officers.
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The annual protest march was banned by the authorities, arguing that it would violate coronavirus restrictions banning the gathering of more than 50 people. Demonstrators in recent years have expressed dissatisfaction with a wide range of topics, from astronomical housing prices to Beijing’s restrictions on civil liberties.
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However, protest groups called on Hong Kong residents to take part in the demonstration, regardless of the ban. Thousands of people eventually gathered in the city center, and some of them chanted the slogan “Hong Kong Independence.” Police intervened with pepper spray and water cannons. “I’m afraid I’ll go to jail, but I had to come and support justice,” said one protester.
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The controversial legislation was approved on Tuesday by the standing committee, which is the supreme body of the Chinese parliament, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping. The standard specifies the definitions of four crimes, which are separatist, subversive and terrorist activities and cooperation with foreign forces in order to endanger national security. It also provides for penalties for these acts.
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Hong Kong police today warned that activists arrested for distributing materials calling for independence from mainland China would be tried under the new law. Hong Kong police warned on Wednesday that activists arrested for distributing materials calling for independence from mainland China would be tried under the new law. According to a post on Twitter by the Hong Kong security forces, the first person arrested under the new law was a man with the Hong Kong independence flag. Police have detained 30 people in recent hours due to the illegal collection, possession of weapons or violations of the new security law.
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Beijing’s decision has been sharply criticized by a number of states and institutions, including the European Union, the United States and the North Atlantic Alliance, according to which the law will limit the autonomy of the city under Chinese administration. Taiwan today opened an office to help Hong Kong residents relocate to the island as a result of the new security law.
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Hong Kong administrator Carrie Lam, criticized by her opponents for her subordination to Beijing, called the law a “historic step” in today’s ceremony to “restore the stability of society.” In response, it has responded to mass anti-government demonstrations in defense of the city’s civil liberties and autonomy, which have been taking place in Hong Kong for more than a year. They were partially stopped by a coronavirus pandemic.
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#LIVE: It is Hong Kong’s historic moment. As police raise this flag indicating protesters could be arrested for secession/subversion under the new national security law, the city is experiencing a new era where speech can be criminalised/even sentenced for life. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/kFjt6mi2lx
— Ezra Cheung (@ezracheungtoto) July 1, 2020
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The National Security Act is Hong Kong’s turning point to normal, said Chang Xiaoming, adding that the “one country, two systems” principle would be further improved by the law. He called Norma a “birthday present” for Hong Kong.
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Britain returned its colony to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997. According to the handover treaty, Hong Kong should enjoy autonomy and its civil liberties, which are otherwise unthinkable in mainland China, until 2047.
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