Hong Kong commerce minister says standoff over copyright bill is ‘like a nuclear bomb explosion’

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung hit out at the pan-democrats for paralysing Legislative Council meetings over the controversial Copyright Ordinance amendment bill.

In an article published in several pro-government newspapers on Monday, So said the action by the pan-democrats – forcing the council meeting to be adjourned by repeated calls for quorum – led other proposals to be stuck in the queue.

“No one can see the end of the dark tunnel,” he said in the article.

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“The situation is like a nuclear bomb explosion and is unprecedented in the Legco. Many members of the public ask why the minority legislators are targeting [the amendment bill].”

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 is supported by copyright owners as they believe it will protect them against infringements, but it is opposed by internet users and pan-democrats, who have demanded further amendments for broader exemptions on fears it could be used to suppress creative freedom online.

In response to the pan-democrats’ calls for broader exemptions in the amendment, So said their concerns over the current version of the law eroding freedom of expression were unsubstantial.

He also said the bill and the Basic Law gave protection to free speech.