by Lo Fung

The sleeping giant was finally awakened after the CCP went against all trusts and reasons and decided to enact the National Security Law in Hong Kong. The U.K., Canada, Australia and the U.S. issued joint-statement to express concerns regarding China’s decision to impose the law. Both the U.K. and the U.S. raised this matter at the United Nations Security Council to have it being discussed informally in order to show public concerns and discontent. The U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, condemned China’s decision to establish the new National Security Law, claiming that it undermines Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms. He suggested that the U.S. should reconsider Hong Kong’s special status.

Dent on the system as Beijing violates treaty

Last Saturday, U.S. President, Donald Trump, announced in a press conference that the special status Hong Kong received has now been officially revoked, and different departments of the U.S. government will launch various measures to impose sanctions to China and Hong Kong officials in objection of the National Security Law. The U.S. will not be the only one who will take actions in opposition to China’s oppression. Hong Kong's future is uncertain. The CCP and Hong Kong government should be held accountable for any catastrophic results caused by international sanctions.

The sense of morality, the political and economic interests of world leaders caused the strong objections. Speaking of morality, when Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, Beijing promised to follow the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, that Hong Kong will have autonomy on internal affairs, while Beijing will only meddle foreign affairs and Hong Kong’s defence; and that Hongkongers will enjoy human rights, freedom and rule of law as given by international law. However, by establishing the National Security Law, CCP is imposing China's jurisdiction system and concepts into Hong Kong's, as means to silence anyone who opposes or criticises the government. This is an open violation of the rights and freedom of Hongkongers. It is only natural for countries that value democracy and freedom to publicly condemn China's behaviour, and to assert their devotion in defending universal values and to show the world that “might is not right”.

Political and economic interests are also part of the reasons for the western countries to voice their opinions. China is considered to be influential internationally and has signed bilateral or multilateral agreements with different countries. If the international community allows China to violate the Sino-British Joint Declaration by establishing the National Security Law, it is not only unjust for Hongkongers which is protected by the declaration, but it will also destroy the trust and operation of the international system. Furthermore, Beijing's behaviour might set a bad example to other irresponsible nations, which might do harm to multinational organisations or systems found and established through agreements.

On the other hand, countless amounts of western corporations and citizens have found their ways in Hong Kong's free market. Some corporations have been operating in Hong Kong for more than a century. Thousands of U.S. corporations have set up offices and headquarters in Hong Kong. Ten of thousands of U.S., Canada, U.K. citizens live and do business in Hong Kong. If the introduction of the National Security Law turns Hong Kong into yet another generic China city where freedom and rights are violated and the police run amok, that will pose threats to the interests of western corporations operating in Hong Kong and also the security of foreign citizens staying in Hong Kong. How could those foreign governments not voice out their objection to the National Security Law?

The absurdity of HK politicians

Both Beijing and Hong Kong politicians emphasised that the enactment of the National Security Law is an internal affair, and that foreign countries should not tamper with it. Some politicians were even absurd enough to claim that the special status Hong Kong currently enjoys are granted by the Basic Law and therefore it will not be affected by international sanctions.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration is a sacred pact signed by the U.K. and the P.R.C., the British government certainly has the right to monitor this issue. Also, Beijing requested international support for the handover of Hong Kong, and everything went smoothly under international approval. To claim that the international community has no say on Hong Kong's affair is a blatant lie in hope of passing the law discreetly and dishonourably.

And to claim that the special status Hong Kong currently enjoys are granted by the Basic Law is ignorant. Without international support, Hong Kong's special status would never come to fruition, and Hong Kong would be indifferentiable from other Chinese cities. I hope Beijing and Carrie Lam will seriously consider international objections and withdraw the National Security Law.

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