Publisher : Lianhe Zaobao
Ref : https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zopinions/editorial/story20200525-1055959
Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Image courtesy : Controlling the protesters at Causeway Bay. AFP.
On the grounds of maintaining national security, China announced that it would bypass the Hong Kong Legislative Council and directly formulate the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law", which has far-reaching impact and has aroused great concern among the international communities. International public opinion is concerned about the "one country, two systems" that will guarantee Hong Kong's autonomous status for 50 years. As a model of land-port political relations agreed upon by various parties when Hong Kong returned to China, the changes in "one country, two systems" will further affect international geopolitical changes and even change the regional economic and financial landscape.
According to the Basic Law, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong has the obligation to formulate Article 23 laws that are relevant to national security. However, the people of Hong Kong have repeatedly expressed their opposition on the street, and even led to the resignation of the first Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, making it difficult for successive Chief Executives to promote legislative success. With the escalation of the Sino-US trade war into a comprehensive strategic confrontation between major powers, as well as the outbreak and global spread of SARS-CoV-2, the Chinese economy has encountered severe challenges, so that this year's government work report, rarely given annual economic growth targets. The economic challenges and livelihood issues brought about by the trade war and the epidemic have also made Beijing increasingly concern about social stability.
This background, coupled with the growing hostility of the Hong Kong people against mainland China in recent years, the rare and prolonged street violence that broke out last year has deepened Beijing’s vigilance, believing that this is the “Hong Kong independence power” that has not been contained. At the same time, there is worry that Hong Kong would become an international hostile force and spurred a "colour revolution" to try to subvert the CCP's beachhead. It also strengthened Beijing's determination to implement the National Security Law in Hong Kong. In addition, the pro-Beijing Hong Kong establishment faction's experience of the collapse of last year's district council elections is very likely to be repeated in the legislative elections in September this year, making Article 23 legislation even more hopeless.
All this has prompted Beijing to forcefully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law at all costs. However, safeguarding Hong Kong ’s current system of “one country, two systems” unchanged for 50 years was an open commitment made by Beijing when it negotiated the return of Hong Kong with Britain. Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s three largest financial centres means that “one country, two systems” guarantees its autonomy and is one of the components of the existing international order. Therefore, Hong Kong's National Security Law, which is regarded as contrary to the spirit of "One Country, Two Systems", is bound to become an international concern. Hong Kong people took to the streets again last weekend to fight against the National Security Law. Hong Kong stocks fell more than 1,000 points when the National Security Law news came out, reflecting the attitude of capital.
So far, Britain’s last governor Patten has mobilized more than 200 members of parliament from many countries to jointly oppose Beijing’s violation of the Sino-British Joint Statement signed in 1984; the White House and the State Department of the United States have also publicly warned that Hong Kong ’s national security laws may threaten the special situation, the status of the customs zone. The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada also issued a joint statement that China's review and formulation of the Hong Kong National Security Law without the direct participation of the people, judicial and legislative bodies of Hong Kong may undermine the principle of "one country, two systems".
This shows that the international community is highly concerned about Hong Kong's National Security Law. However, the response of the international community has basically remained at the verbal level. This is because the specific content of the bill has not yet been introduced; on the other hand, the concept of "one country, two systems" has always been inherently tense, both "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy", and also the two systems under "one country". The response towards the "Hong Kong National Security Law" is currently "caution" and a "wait-and-see" attitude. Besides, the current major power in the United States, under President Trump's "America First" foreign policy, has no intention or appeal to lead the international community to take concerted action on Hong Kong issues.
In any case, no matter what response the international community takes, it will not change the established facts of Beijing ’s implementation of Hong Kong’s National Security Law. While reviewing the "Hong Kong National Security Law", in this year's "Government Work Report" of China, the "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and "Macau people ruling Macau" are still mentioned. The relevant legislative documents were announced on the same day, emphasizing that the new law will not affect the rights of Hong Kong people to assembly and march. This is gratifying information, showing that Beijing is also very clear that the Hong Kong National Security Law will cause strong shocks and strives to minimize it.
For other countries and regional organizations, especially weak and weak countries, the existing order is changed for whatever reason, it is closely related to their survival, and they must be alert and prepared. The covid epidemic has already impacted the global economic industry chain. If other original normal conditions are also broken down, then the international community in the post-epidemic era will be more uncertain and unsettling.
Ref : https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zopinions/editorial/story20200525-1055959
Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Image courtesy : Controlling the protesters at Causeway Bay. AFP.
On the grounds of maintaining national security, China announced that it would bypass the Hong Kong Legislative Council and directly formulate the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law", which has far-reaching impact and has aroused great concern among the international communities. International public opinion is concerned about the "one country, two systems" that will guarantee Hong Kong's autonomous status for 50 years. As a model of land-port political relations agreed upon by various parties when Hong Kong returned to China, the changes in "one country, two systems" will further affect international geopolitical changes and even change the regional economic and financial landscape.
According to the Basic Law, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong has the obligation to formulate Article 23 laws that are relevant to national security. However, the people of Hong Kong have repeatedly expressed their opposition on the street, and even led to the resignation of the first Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, making it difficult for successive Chief Executives to promote legislative success. With the escalation of the Sino-US trade war into a comprehensive strategic confrontation between major powers, as well as the outbreak and global spread of SARS-CoV-2, the Chinese economy has encountered severe challenges, so that this year's government work report, rarely given annual economic growth targets. The economic challenges and livelihood issues brought about by the trade war and the epidemic have also made Beijing increasingly concern about social stability.
This background, coupled with the growing hostility of the Hong Kong people against mainland China in recent years, the rare and prolonged street violence that broke out last year has deepened Beijing’s vigilance, believing that this is the “Hong Kong independence power” that has not been contained. At the same time, there is worry that Hong Kong would become an international hostile force and spurred a "colour revolution" to try to subvert the CCP's beachhead. It also strengthened Beijing's determination to implement the National Security Law in Hong Kong. In addition, the pro-Beijing Hong Kong establishment faction's experience of the collapse of last year's district council elections is very likely to be repeated in the legislative elections in September this year, making Article 23 legislation even more hopeless.
All this has prompted Beijing to forcefully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law at all costs. However, safeguarding Hong Kong ’s current system of “one country, two systems” unchanged for 50 years was an open commitment made by Beijing when it negotiated the return of Hong Kong with Britain. Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s three largest financial centres means that “one country, two systems” guarantees its autonomy and is one of the components of the existing international order. Therefore, Hong Kong's National Security Law, which is regarded as contrary to the spirit of "One Country, Two Systems", is bound to become an international concern. Hong Kong people took to the streets again last weekend to fight against the National Security Law. Hong Kong stocks fell more than 1,000 points when the National Security Law news came out, reflecting the attitude of capital.
So far, Britain’s last governor Patten has mobilized more than 200 members of parliament from many countries to jointly oppose Beijing’s violation of the Sino-British Joint Statement signed in 1984; the White House and the State Department of the United States have also publicly warned that Hong Kong ’s national security laws may threaten the special situation, the status of the customs zone. The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada also issued a joint statement that China's review and formulation of the Hong Kong National Security Law without the direct participation of the people, judicial and legislative bodies of Hong Kong may undermine the principle of "one country, two systems".
This shows that the international community is highly concerned about Hong Kong's National Security Law. However, the response of the international community has basically remained at the verbal level. This is because the specific content of the bill has not yet been introduced; on the other hand, the concept of "one country, two systems" has always been inherently tense, both "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy", and also the two systems under "one country". The response towards the "Hong Kong National Security Law" is currently "caution" and a "wait-and-see" attitude. Besides, the current major power in the United States, under President Trump's "America First" foreign policy, has no intention or appeal to lead the international community to take concerted action on Hong Kong issues.
In any case, no matter what response the international community takes, it will not change the established facts of Beijing ’s implementation of Hong Kong’s National Security Law. While reviewing the "Hong Kong National Security Law", in this year's "Government Work Report" of China, the "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and "Macau people ruling Macau" are still mentioned. The relevant legislative documents were announced on the same day, emphasizing that the new law will not affect the rights of Hong Kong people to assembly and march. This is gratifying information, showing that Beijing is also very clear that the Hong Kong National Security Law will cause strong shocks and strives to minimize it.
For other countries and regional organizations, especially weak and weak countries, the existing order is changed for whatever reason, it is closely related to their survival, and they must be alert and prepared. The covid epidemic has already impacted the global economic industry chain. If other original normal conditions are also broken down, then the international community in the post-epidemic era will be more uncertain and unsettling.
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