Hong Kong condemns ‘wanton interference’ after US politicians criticise ‘authoritarian oppression’ in city
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong has condemned “baseless allegations” and “smearing” of its two security laws after US politicians introduced a resolution on Thursday criticising perceived rights abuses in the city.
Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and senator for Idaho Jim Risch, and New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen – a committee member – introduced the resolution to “condemn the Chinese government for its destruction of Hong Kong’s autonomy through the 2020 ‘national security law’ and the 2024 ‘Article 23 Ordinance’,” according to a statement.
In response, a Hong Kong government statement late Thursday slammed the “despicable political manoeuvring and reckless clamouring.”
A government spokesperson added: “The US politicians have repeated their tactics and breached the international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and wantonly interfering with Hong Kong matters by passing the so-called resolution, which is a despicable political manipulation.”
However, the resolution has yet to be been passed – it remains at the introduction stage to be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
‘Seat of authoritarian oppression’
In their statement, Risch pointed to the jailing of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai as demonstrative of Beijing” effectively ending” the city’s autonomy: “Once a thriving hub for international business, Hong Kong is now a seat of authoritarian oppression: the rule of law is disregarded, free speech is silenced, and dissent is met with persecution.”
“The collapse of Hong Kong’s legal and political freedoms has also created a risk-filled environment for businesses,” he said, whilst urging US businesses to pull out of the city.
Lai has been accused of violating the Beijing-imposed national security law and faces life in prison if convicted. The 76-year-old is on trial for two counts of taking part in a “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” under the security legislation, and also for conspiring to publish “seditious” materials under a colonial-era law.
Shaheen added that “[m]ore than a thousand political prisoners have been wrongfully detained or imprisoned, all victims of an unjust crackdown on freedom and democracy.”
The resolution urged the US and others to stop granting Hong Kong separate voting rights to China.
Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
‘Prosperity and stability’
The Hong Kong government statement said that the security law put a stop of violence seen during the 2019 protests and unrest: “National security is the foundation for prosperity and stability in society, as well as the well-being of the people. Only with security could there be development. While the ‘black-clad violence’ and the Hong Kong version of ‘colour revolution’ back in 2019 have severely damaged the social stability of Hong Kong.”
Accusing the US politicians of hypocrisy, the statement said that Hong Kong respects rights as defined by the UN charter is is frequently ranked amongst the world’s freest economies.
Activists from the pro-Beijing Defend Hong Kong Campaign will stage a protest over the resolution outside the US consulate at 2:50pm.
Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of up to 16 days, and suspects’ access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.
The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the 2019 protests and unrest.
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