US may withdraw Hong Kong's special status after CCP imposes national security legislation in Hong Kong

Reporter : Zhong Gusheng
Editor : Ming Xuan
Publisher : New Tang Dynasty Television
Ref : https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2020/05/22/a102853602.html
Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan
                                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Image : The official website of the US State Department issued a statement against the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law." (Web Screenshot)

The CCP announced on 21 May 2020 that it will introduce the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law", triggering a chain reaction between Hong Kong and the international community. On 22 May 2020 evening Singapore time, the US State Department issued a formal statement urging Beijing to withdraw the decision, and said that the move will prompt the United States to re-evaluate Hong Kong's special status.

Statement by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo:

P.R.C. Proposal to impose national security legislation in Hong Kong

May 22, 2020

The United States condemns the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National People’s Congress proposal to unilaterally and arbitrarily impose national security legislation on Hong Kong.  The decision to bypass Hong Kong’s well-established legislative processes and ignore the will of the people of Hong Kong would be a death knell for the high degree of autonomy Beijing promised for Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a UN-filed agreement.

Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of liberty.  The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations, and respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions, and civil liberties, which are key to preserving its special status under U.S. law.  Any decision impinging on Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms as guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law would inevitably impact our assessment of One Country, Two Systems and the status of the territory.

We stand with the people of Hong Kong.

(End of full text) 

Ref : https://www.state.gov/prc-proposal-to-impose-national-security-legislation-on-hong-kong/

The announcement of the review of the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law" by the National People's Congress of the Communist Party of China has caused great repercussions in the United States. The White House and the House of Representatives spoke intensively, condemning Beijing for continuing to suppress Hong Kong's democracy and human rights. President Donald J. Trump responded bluntly that the United States will react strongly.

Last year, Trump had signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The bill requires sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong people who suppress human rights in Hong Kong, and requires regular assessment of Hong Kong’s autonomy status to decide whether to continue to grant preferential economic policies to Hong Kong. Now the US statement bluntly mentions Hong Kong's special status, and the warning is obvious.

However, under the totalitarian system of the Chinese Communist Party, there is little precedent for the so-called "proposal" submitted by the highest level to the National People's Congress for deliberation and voting. In the evening of 21 May, while announcing the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China also sent letters to the embassies of various countries in China, threatening them not to interfere with the so-called "internal affairs" of the CCP's handling of Hong Kong issues.

The Hong Kong media "Apple Daily" quoted the news as saying that under the situation of internal and external difficulties, Beijing's top authorities are eager to solve the Hong Kong issue and are ready to confront the United States and sacrifice Hong Kong.

But on the other hand, Hong Kong, as the CCP's financial centre, its special economic status is of great significance to the Chinese economy. There are also democrats who hope that if the United States shows determination to cancel Hong Kong’s preferential economic policies, it may force the CCP to converge.

After the news of the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law" was released, Hong Kong society was in a panic. The Hong Kong exchange rate and the stock market plummeted. It is expected that a new wave of divestment and immigration will come. At the same time, the democrats staying in Hong Kong are also calling on Hong Kong people to start a new round of resistance, and the situation in Hong Kong is facing another era of turmoil.