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The bill has drawn global criticism, with China in particular accusing Britain of having “deep-rooted colonialist mindsets”.
China has slammed international critics of the Hong Kong national security law, accusing many countries of “slander and slander”.
The law, known as Article 23, was passed by Hong Kong’s legislature on Tuesday and has drawn widespread criticism for its expected impact on fundamental freedoms in the Chinese-ruled city.
China hit back on Wednesday, accusing the UK and the European Union in particular of “hypocrisy”.
Article 23 follows the National Security Law that China passed in 2020, which punishes a wide range of crimes including treason, sabotage, sedition, theft of state secrets, external interference, and espionage. . Sentences range from several years to life in prison.
The new measures, which Hong Kong leader John Lee said were aimed at closing “gaps” in Beijing’s laws, immediately drew condemnation from around the world and prompted Chinese retaliation.
“China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to certain countries and institutions that slander and defame Hong Kong’s national security regulations,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“hypocritical”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed concern on Tuesday about the “rushed” legislative process for the law, which “further undermines rights and freedoms” in the city, which was a British colony before 1997. Extradition to China.
Hong Kong’s reputation as an international city was built on respect for the rule of law.
The new national security law will have far-reaching implications and further undermine the rights and freedoms enjoyed in cities.
read @David_CameronStatement regarding Article 23 ⤵️
— Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) March 19, 2024
Prime Minister Cameron said the hastily enacted legislation was part of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an internationally binding agreement signed in 1984 in which China agreed to run Hong Kong on the basis of the “one country, two systems” principle. He said it would damage the. He added that the new law will affect Hong Kong’s reputation as an international city.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong singled out Britain and urged it to “abandon the illusion of continuing colonial influence in Hong Kong.”
“Britain has made inflammatory and irresponsible comments regarding the situation in Hong Kong…all due to its deep-rooted mentality as a colonialist and preacher,” the Chinese government’s foreign affairs commissioner said in a statement.
The statement, an apparent reference to London’s own national security law, accused Britain of “hypocritical and exercising double standards”.
His statement also took aim at the European Union, which had criticized the measure on Tuesday over concerns about “the potential impact on the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people.”
The EU said the bill could “have a significant impact on the work of the European Union Secretariat” and called into question “Hong Kong’s long-term attractiveness as an international business centre”.
He expressed “strong dissatisfaction and opposition” to the EU’s comments, “envisioning a strong appeal for legislation in Hong Kong” and calling on the EU to “abandon hypocritical double standards and prejudice.”
chorus of criticism
Australia, Japan, the United States and the United Nations have also publicly criticized the law.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday that the new law would “further erode rights and freedoms” and violate international commitments.
“The Foreign Minister has expressed concerns about human rights in Hong Kong,” an Australian Foreign Ministry official told AFP, adding that his comments were unlikely to be received well in Beijing. “Australia believes these laws have far-reaching implications, including for individuals within Australia.”
Japan said on Wednesday it “places great importance on maintaining a free and open system and ensuring Hong Kong’s democratic and stable development.”
Japan “reiterates its grave concerns about the UN Security Council’s approval” [Hong Kong’s national security law]”This will further undermine confidence in the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.”
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Tuesday that the U.S. government is “alarmed by what we interpret as broad and vaguely defined provisions” in the law.
The passage of Hong Kong’s new security law could accelerate the closure of Hong Kong’s once open society. We are concerned about the broad and vaguely defined provisions of the Act in Article 23. pic.twitter.com/dhyvSIFCwZ
— Vedant Patel (@StateDeputySpox) March 19, 2024
UN human rights chief Volker Turk called the law and its “hasty” adoption “a regressive step for the protection of human rights,” adding: “A wide range of acts protected by international human rights law, including human rights… This could lead to the criminalization of The right to expression, peaceful assembly, and to receive and communicate information. ”
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