A serious twist on the freedoms of Hong Kongers: lhe Chinese parliament passed a controversial national security provision in Hong Kong almost unanimously on Thursday, taken in response to last year’s massive protests and violence in the former British colony. Unsurprisingly, the nearly 3,000 deputies of the National People’s Congress adopted the measure, which has already provoked renewed unrest in the autonomous region of southern China and initiated a process of sanctions from the United States. .
In total, the provision recorded 2,878 votes in favor, 1 against and 6 abstentions, found an AFP journalist. The announcement of its adoption caused thunderous applause.
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Targeting “subversion”
This is Beijing’s reaction to last year’s monster protests in Hong Kong. The provisions adopted today are very harsh. They will for example allow “repress all actions of separatism, subversion, terrorist activities, as well as all foreign interference“in Hong Kong.
The plan also plans to authorize central government agencies to open national security offices in Hong Kong. This gives the central power in Beijing the ability to directly manage security in the autonomous territory.
For many, it is the end of the special status of Hong Kong, under the treaty which provided for a return to China but the maintenance for at least 50 years of a separate system, with a free economy, independent justice, freedom of expression and a Parliament partially elected by universal suffrage.
The vote mandates the ANP Standing Committee to draft a bill to be incorporated into the Hong Kong mini-constitution, thereby bypassing the vote of the local Legislative Council.
DAre the reactions very lively, American retaliation?
On Sunday, after the announcement of this takeover that surprised everyone, Hong Kong people took to the streets. Protests that took a violent turn yesterday.
In Hong Kong, Democratic opponents of central government influence in the territory say the measure paves the way for an unprecedented regression of freedoms in the financial metropolis of 7 million people.
Pro-Beijing MPs say a national security law will reassure foreign investors about the stability after the 2019 massive protests that have taken their toll on the economy.
And then in the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatens to withdraw the special status enjoyed by Hong Kong. This would mean at worst sanctions, new customs duties, restrictions on trade and the end of the visa waiver, all of which could severely hit the territory of 7 million inhabitants, and make it lose its fourth status global financial center.
►►► Read also : Protests in Hong Kong: how did we get there?
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