China’s legislature rubber-stamped a new, aggressive proposal to criminalize rebellious behavior in Hong Kong.
On Thursday, Chinese lawmakers approved a plan for a broad national security law criminalizing sedition, treason, and secession after overriding Hong Kong’s legislative body to introduce the proposal.
“If this move takes place, ‘one country, two systems’ will be officially erased. This is the end of Hong Kong,” Dennis Kwok, a Hong Kong lawmaker, warned when the measure was first proposed.
In reaction to the law’s proposal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday that he certified to Congress that Hong Kong would no longer enjoy a high degree of autonomy from China, a decision that would threaten the area’s ability to operate as an international financial hub.
“After careful study of developments over the reporting period, I certified to Congress today that Hong Kong does not continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as U.S. laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997,” Pompeo said in a statement. “No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground.”
“Hong Kong and its dynamic, enterprising and free people have flourished for decades as a bastion of liberty, and this decision gives me no pleasure. But sound policy making requires a recognition of reality. While the United States once hoped that a free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China, it is now clear that China is modeling Hong Kong after itself,” Pompeo said.
In November 2019, President Trump signed into law the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to support Hong Kong protesters advocating for civil liberties and freedoms, who at times even held up the American flag during their demonstrations. The law requires the U.S. to certify Hong Kong’s autonomy from China on an annual basis, or it would face a loss of special economic treatment.
China indicated it would take “countermeasures” should the U.S. react in a way that compromises its financial interests.
“If anyone insists on harming China’s interests, China is determined to take all necessary countermeasures,” said Zhao Lijian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a Wednesday news conference in Beijing. “The national security law for Hong Kong is purely China’s internal affair that allows no foreign interference.”
Trump is reportedly expected to take executive action in regard to Hong Kong’s special status, as recognized by the U.S., as soon as Friday. While sanctions on China have been floated, discussions are still being had as to how far the president’s actions will go.
