The end of Hong Kong’s freedoms? Top questions and answers about security law

Chinese lawmakers on Friday at the annual session of the Chinese parliament, the National People’s Congress, presented a proposal to pass a national security law in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, close to Beijing, has promised to “fully cooperate” with the central government on the law.

The document states that the security law “will protect and punish any separatism, destructive activities against the state system, activities of terrorist groups, as well as activities that seriously undermine national security.”

Democracy activists called for massive protests after news of plans to pass the law came to light on Thursday.

Because right now?

Konstantinas Andrijauskas, professor, political scientist, Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University (VU TSPMI) 15 minutes He argued that efforts to push the law should be linked to the 2019 events, a protest in which a large part of the Hong Kong population tried and continues to try to maintain the autonomous state.

He was promised to Hong Kongers and consecrated for a period of 50 years in 1997, when Hong Kong was returned to China.

According to the political scientist, the protests are currently starting with a new force and “they will certainly not calm down soon.”

“It is important to note the fact that the protests were only calmed down by the pandemic. All concerned are trying to exploit the pandemic to their advantage, and the central government in Beijing and its puppet government in Hong Kong have many more possibilities to do it.

This is a great preparation for the Legislative Council elections to be held in the fall, which, incidentally, are not completely free and democratic anyway, ”said K. Andrijauskas.

15 minutes recalls that in Hong Kong’s municipal elections last fall, the majority of the candidates for China’s weakened control won.

According to Andrijauskas, Beijing is trying to tighten the legal framework to avoid similar protests in the future, as well as to bring Hong Kong’s legal framework closer to that which exists in mainland China.

What does this mean for Hong Kong?

Rick Gladstone, editor of The New York Times, writes that the law will provoke anger among pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. And it could lead to even bigger and more violent protests.

The bill is said to send a message that political disobedience and freedom of expression in Hong Kong are more threatened than ever. The media, which operated largely without political restrictions, are also under threat.

ALSO READ: “The Chinese are not talking about the increase, but about the return of China.” Interview with Ivan Krastev

“Even if the new security law does not necessarily lead to the closure of newspapers or broadcasters that insult Beijing, there could be negative consequences such as self-censorship or a reluctance to speak openly,” Gladstone writes in The New York Times, adding that freedom expression is important. Hong Kong economy.

Democracy activists fear that if China weakens the law, it will mean the end of Hong Kong city autonomy and its freedoms, the BBC writes.

Would the passed law mean the end of Hong Kong’s freedoms? K. Andrijauskas noted that freedoms in the city are increasingly restricted, which is an ongoing process. However, the political scientist considers that the national security law is “very serious status quo change. ‘

“Of course, we have to wait for a specific wording of the bill, but it will basically allow the People’s Republic of China to deal much more effectively with the people of Hong Kong, who want to express their dissatisfaction with the Chinese government in practice and especially in street politics. “

The narrative and concepts likely to be included in the bill suggest that any questioning of China’s actions, especially in a practical and open way, could lead to criminal liability, “said the political scientist.

According to K. Andrijauskas, this law will affect the independent media, but it will not be the first objective: it will begin with the protesters, their leaders and those who sympathize with them.

The political scientist noted that other bills aimed at reducing the possibility of expressing a critical opinion about the central government and its puppet in Hong Kong are being pushed by the central government and Hong Kong’s self-governing institutions.

Joshua Wong, one of the leaders of the pro-democracy movement, said China had sent a clear message to protesters seeking to preserve their freedoms.

“Beijing is seeking strength and fear to silence the critical voices of the Hong Kong people,” he wrote on Twitter.

What are the consequences for China?

Gladstone writes in The New York Times that the move could worsen China’s deteriorating relations with the United States. The states criticize Beijing for destroying Hong Kong’s autonomy.

“China’s crackdown in Hong Kong could exacerbate the credibility problem for Beijing officials, who are already defending themselves against accusations of neglect and coronavirus cover-ups in the early stages of the pandemic,” Gladstone wrote.

Neighboring Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand are suspected of analyzing China’s efforts to expand its influence in the region.

Never declared independence but de facto Independent Taiwan is likely to see the Hong Kong deal as yet another confirmation of China’s view that the “one country, two systems” model is failing, Gladstone writes.

The “one country, two systems” model has been in place since 1997, when the United Kingdom returned Hong Kong to China. It should guarantee the semi-autonomous territory by 2047 freedoms that do not exist in mainland China.

“Serious security risks”

Lam said Friday that he firmly believed that such a law would be “effective in preventing and limiting actions that pose a serious threat to national security.”

The city leader added that under security law, “Hong Kong independence” could be [šalininkus] and violent political elements. “

The proposal will be discussed by China’s top leaders, although in reality, decisions that are automatically approved by the country’s parliament are agreed in advance.

Lam said the proposed law would not affect the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people or the independence of the territorial courts.

He also stated that Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, which requires the local government to enact a separate national security law, will not be amended.

Although envisioned, Article 23 has never been implemented due to public fear that it would restrict Hong Kong’s precious rights.

Attempts to pass such legislation were abandoned in 2003 when half a million protesters took to the streets. However, this initiative has been revived in recent years as the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong grows.