China’s “one country, two systems” policy towards Hong Kong is considered to have ended with the new security law approved in Beijing, which came into force on Wednesday. Although Hong Kong is legally part of China and has been politically influenced by Beijing to date, until the new law came into force, Hong Kong enjoyed freedom of assembly and speech under its Basic Law, or “mini-constitution,” and had its own independent judiciary and local government.
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Security law, which came into force on Wednesday, effectively completes China’s once-accepted autonomy in Hong Kong, critics say, although treaties between the former colonial power, the UK and China, provided for special status 50 years after its takeover in 1997 or until 1947. . The law comes into force on the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s influence under Beijing.
China rejects and denounces the criticism of the law, ignoring the agreement as interfering in its internal affairs, over which it has sovereign decision-making power.
What the new security law provides for
The law is broad and covers several aspects of security. Most importantly, its restriction on people’s support for the secession of Hong Kong (and other parts of China), sabotage, terrorism and cooperation with foreign forces is emphasized. Such actions, including calls for Hong Kong independence, will henceforth be punishable by three years to life imprisonment.
The law also provides for the establishment of a new Beijing-controlled security office in Hong Kong.
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Since the law came into force, it has also been forbidden to increase hatred against the central government and damage public transport infrastructure. Both of these points refer to last year’s protests.
However, a significant change that obviously ends in autonomy is the loss of the independence of the judiciary. In the future, the trial may take place in secret, people wait for the trial – an unlimited period of time, judges can be freely chosen, the security deposit guarantee canceled. In addition, the vague language of the law allows for its free interpretation, including determining which cases remain pending in Hong Kong and which are “complicated”, “serious” or “complex” and will continue to be pending in China outside its autonomous jurisdiction, writes the BBC.
Last year, the protests sparked after the proposal to determine the cases when the trial of a person should be transferred to Beijing, but the new law circumvents such a need. In addition, in cases where Hong Kong law conflicts with the new security law, it is the new law that should be taken into account.
The law also states that it also applies to foreigners outside China. If someone is considered an offender, they can be arrested when they arrive in Hong Kong.
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Reaction and first convicts
For a long time, fearing the Chinese authorities’ desire to crack down on Hong Kongers who have enjoyed freedom of expression so far, many delete posts on social networks, unsubscribe from WhatsApp groups and even close profiles, Vice writes.
“You never know if the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government will break through your [digitālo] history and will not stop you from endangering national security, “explained to the media a 31 – year – old Facebook personal profile deleted businessman who has so far had no problems with compliance with the law.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Wednesday, just as they had seen in the previous days, despite the expected sentences. At least 300 have been detained and at least nine have been detained by the afternoon on charges of violating the new security law, the BBC reports.
A man is arrested for hoisting a flag on the street with the words “Hong Kong Independence”. The new law even provides for life imprisonment for such crimes.
#BREAKING: A man was arrested for holding a #HKIndependence flag in #CausewayBay, Hong Kong, violating the #NationalSecurityLaw. This is the first arrest made since the law has come into force. pic.twitter.com/C0ezm3SGDm
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) July 1, 2020
However, the Chinese authorities explain the sharp response to the protesters by the current restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which more than 50 people were not allowed to gather together.
Given that China had once agreed with Britain on the terms under which Hong Kong would be handed over to Chinese rule, Britain responded by offering Hong Kong citizens holding a British Overseas Passport a reduced rate of British citizenship.
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