In Hong Kong, Democratic opponents say the move paves the way for an unprecedented decline in freedoms.
The Chinese parliament on Thursday passed the controversial national security law in Hong Kong almost unanimously, which, according to its detractors, will tear apart the autonomy of this former British colony, where there were major pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.
As expected, the almost 3,000 deputies of the Chinese National People’s Congress (ANP) adopted this measure that has reactivated the protests in Hong Kong and has prompted the start of a sanctions process by the United States.
Chinese parliament passed the controversial Hong Kong security law
The announcement of the result of the vote was celebrated with long and strong applause from the legislators.
The initiative was approved with 2,878 votes in favour, one against and six abstentions.
The vote mandates the ANP standing committee to draft a bill that will be incorporated into the small Hong Kong Constitution, thereby avoiding the opinion of the local legislative council.
This law must “prevent, stop and repress all actions that seriously threaten national security, such as separatism, subversion, the preparation or execution of terrorist activities, as well as the activities of foreign forces that constitute interference in affairs. ”From Hong Kong, according to a project he had submitted to the ANP.
It also plans to authorize central government agencies to open offices with authority in national security in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, Democratic opponents of central government influence say the move opens the way to an unprecedented decline in freedoms in this financial metropolis of 7 million people.
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that Hong Kong no longer enjoys the autonomy promised by Beijing, stripping the financial centre of its special status under US law.
“Today I certified before Congress that Hong Kong does not continue to guarantee treatment under the laws of the United States in the same way that US laws applied to Hong Kong prior to July 1997,” Pompeo said in a statement.
“No reasonable person today can claim that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given the facts on the ground,” he added.
