When Hong Kong woke up to the first day of life under new Beijing-imposed national security laws, activists have asked residents to challenge the protest ban and take to the streets.
The calls came when city leader Carrie Lam said at a ceremony marking the 23rd anniversary of his handover to China on Wednesday that the laws were “the most important development in relations between the plant – HKSAR [Hong Kong Special Administrative Region] from delivery. “
On Tuesday, China passed a radical security law for the city, a landmark move denounced by many Western governments as an unprecedented assault on the freedoms and autonomy of the financial center.
On Wednesday morning, Hong Kong politicians and dignitaries gathered in far greater numbers than legally permitted by the city’s anti-pandemic measures for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the anniversary.
Lam delivered his speech, saying that last year, which saw the city paralyzed by protests, was “the most severe challenge” in his four decades of civil service, but said he believed such difficulties would pass with Beijing’s support.
He then led the crowd in a toast, clinking glasses of champagne with representatives from Hong Kong and Beijing lined up on stage. “For the success and wealth of our homeland for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong – cheers!”
The atmosphere was different outside, with protesters holding up banners and lighted signs referring to the new laws.
From the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement condemning the law. “The CCP [China Communist party] He promised Hong Kong 50 years of freedom for the people of Hong Kong and only gave him 23, “said Pompeo.
Echoing the rhetoric from Beijing expressed earlier this year, Pompeo said the United States “will not stand idly by as China swallows Hong Kong in its authoritarian jaws.”
The United States has imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials linked to the security law and has vowed to end defense and technology exports, and will end Hong Kong’s special status treatment.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne again expressed “deep concern”. “The people of Hong Kong will make their own evaluations of how this decision will affect the future of their city,” said Payne. “The eyes of the world will remain in Hong Kong.”
Japan’s Defense Minister Taro Kono warned that China’s “unilateral attempt to change the status quo” could jeopardize a state visit planned by Xi Jinping. The time for Xi’s state visit, delayed by the coronavirus, was not yet over.
It is unclear whether Hongkongers will heed the call to protest given the risks posed by the new security law, which went into effect overnight, and increasingly aggressive police tactics even in peaceful gatherings in recent months.
The anniversary of July 1 has long been a polarizing day in the semi-autonomous city.
Beijing loyalists celebrate Hong Kong’s return to the Chinese homeland after a century and a half of what many considered Britain’s humiliating colonial rule.
Proponents of democracy have used the date to hold large protests as popular anger at the Beijing government increases. During last year’s large pro-democracy protests, the city’s legislature was besieged and smashed by protesters.
For the first time since July 1, the flag-raising ceremony began 17 years ago, authorities have banned the annual march for democracy, citing fears of unrest and the coronavirus, although local broadcasts have ceased.
Prior to Britain’s 1997 surrender, China guaranteed Hong Kong’s civil liberties, as well as judicial and legislative autonomy, for 50 years in an agreement known as “one country, two systems.”
The formula helped consolidate the city’s state as a world-class shopping center, reinforced by an independent judiciary and political freedoms not seen on the continent.
Critics have long accused Beijing of shrinking that status, but they describe the security law as the most brazen measure thus far.
Passage of the legislation was swift and opaque even by Beijing standards.
The law was passed in just six weeks, bypassing Hong Kong’s fragile legislature, and the precise wording was kept secret from the city’s 7.5 million residents even when it went into effect.
The law was finally published Tuesday night. It prohibits subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces to undermine national security with life sentences.
The new set of powers radically restructures the relationship between Beijing and Hong Kong, tearing down the legal firewall that has existed between the city’s judiciary and the party-controlled courts of the mainland.
China will have jurisdiction over “serious” cases, and its security agencies will also be able to operate publicly in the city for the first time, without restrictions by local law while carrying out their duties.
The United States, Britain, the European Union and the United Nations rights watcher have expressed fear that the law will be used to stifle criticism of Beijing, which is handling similar legislation to crush dissent on the continent.
Beijing says the law will restore stability after a year of protests for democracy and will not end Hong Kong’s freedoms.
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