當年今日
關於我們

Beijing ‘forced’ to enact national security laws, senior official says

蘋果日報 2020/06/09 13:02


A senior official of China’s State Council has accused Hong Kong opposition politicians of forcing Beijing to enact its version of national security law by pushing the city towards independence.
The deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Zhang Xiaoming, also said whether or not the city will continue to enjoy “One Country, Two Systems” depends on the decision of the National People’s Congress, the Chinese rubber stamp parliament.
Zhang was speaking at a webinar attended by pro-Beijing officials from Beijing and Hong Kong to mark the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
He said Beijing had had no choice but to take action against external forces that have been trying to “turn the city into an independent or semi-independent political entity and a bastion of external anti-China and anti-Communist Party forces.”
He warned any power is vested within Beijing when it comes to the future governance model of Hong Kong when “One Country, Two Systems” expires in 2047 — 50 years after the handover. He asked: “To win a new mandate … what sort of track record Hong Kong is going to put forward to the National People’s Congress and the people of China it represents?”
Hong Kong was handed over from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 under the “One Country, Two Systems” arrangement that guaranteed the former British colony liberties unseen on the mainland for 50 years. However, Beijing has accused Hong Kong democratic politicians of colluding with foreign forces in meddling in Chinese affairs.
Zhang added the planned national security law was essential in bringing stability back to Hong Kong and improving the business environment that has been marred by months of protests and the coronavirus outbreak. “Will there be any reason to worry about Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre,” he asked, adding that the looming legislation will clear out “political virus” that is hindering Hong Kong long term growth.
In the same webinar, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the planned law will only punish a small group of people who threaten national security.
-----------------------------
Apple Daily’s all-new English Edition is now available on mobile app. To know more : https://bit.ly/2yMMfQE
Apple Daily mobile app latest version DOWNLOAD NOW