Laws govern our lives. They limit where we can go, what we can do and what we can say. Beijing’s law for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is no different. We should be aware of its intent, but not fret or fear its existence. We have to put it to the back of our minds and get on with our lives.
Much has been said and written about this law with its six chapters and 66 articles, all without anyone having set eyes on it. Officials in Beijing and Hong Kong contend it will not affect existing freedoms and that it is intended to “uphold and improve” the “one country, two systems” model that makes the city different from mainland China.
Major companies and pro-government groups have supported it without knowing specifics. Pro-democracy advocates claim its introduction spells the end of one country, two systems, the city’s promised high degree of autonomy and judicial independence.
Advertisement
The law covers four categories of crimes – secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. Who specifically they are aimed at has never been clarified, but it is easy enough to guess given that there is a similar law on the mainland.
The target is anyone who opposes, or even suggests opposition to, the Chinese Communist Party and its authority. As Beijing has the ultimate say in all matters pertaining to Hong Kong through its right to interpret all provisions of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, the Hong Kong government acts as its local arm and is therefore also covered.
03:03
Activist Joshua Wong expects to be ‘prime target’ of national security law in Hong Kong
Activist Joshua Wong expects to be ‘prime target’ of national security law in Hong Kong
Where this leaves me and most other Hongkongers who want democratic governance for the city is therefore troubling. This law is, in effect, a mainland one and those across the border who advocate such rights are hounded, harassed, intimidated and, when they persist, charged with crimes like those outlined in the national security law for Hong Kong.
People who don’t get the hint end up in prison; Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, who was one such advocate, died there. That the Basic Law speaks of universal suffrage is immaterial; China’s constitution also mentions democracy.
