SYDNEY: Hong Kongs future is gloomy, but it should not be written off yet.
It plays a vital role in the interface between the China and the rest of the world. Its future is not and never could be autonomy and most Hong Kongers understand that.
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It may be that outside forces have prompted some to make such demands and exacerbated tensions. Local protests continue, including observance of the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident.
International action does not help but rather risks dragging Hong Kong into the mess of US-China relations. Hong Kongers might achieve better results if left to themselves and using legitimate means.
READ: Commentary: Protests in Hong Kong may soon be a thing of the past
READ: Commentary: The intractable tug of war between China and Hong Kong
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ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS
The terms of Hong Kongs return to Chinese sovereignty were determined by the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984, set out in the Basic Law enacted by Chinas National Peoples Congress (NPC) in 1990 and accomplished in the handover of 1997.
The Declaration is encapsulated in the phrase "One Country, Two Systems". This legislated arrangement covers 50 years from 1997 to 2047. The Chinese government emphasises one country, while Hong Kongers are concerned with the preservation of two systems.
Geographically, economically and legally, Hong Kong must remain part of China. Western propaganda and foreign funding have led a minority to demand autonomy but most locals simply want to preserve their culture.
READ: Commentary: Surely separatism is not Hong Kongs endgame?
They resist the use of Putonghua as the national language and reject the national school curriculum. Hong Kongers successfully defied a proposal to introduce a local extradition law that could put people before mainland courts.
NATIONAL SECURITY LAW
New protests are centred on a national security law that compromises the “One Country, Two Systems” model.
A screen shows the result of the vote on a proposal to draft a security law on Hong Kong during the closing session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing AFP/NICOLAS ASFOURI
Wang Chen, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, told deputies last month that legislation was necessary because Hong Kong had never enacted a local security law as required by Article 23 of the Basic Law.
This Article has always been controversial and has provoked violent local protests. It aims “to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition [and] subversion against the Central Peoples Government, or theft of state secrets”.
Hong Kongers observe that these aims may be arbitrarily defined by Beijing without the right of challenge. Although freedom of speech is guaranteed under the Basic Law, in the future, criticism of China may be illegal.
Those who share concerns with foreigners may be arrested, and if mainland court standards are applied, cases involving “national security” may be heard behind closed doors without the right to review.
READ: Commentary: Embattled China knows its national priority is the economy
READ: Commentary: Chinese legislation actually often involves public consultation
The Hong Kong government is trying to convince people that they have nothing to fear.
Justice Minister Teresa Cheng said her department would monitor rulings and inform the NPC if they contravened the Basic Law. Former chief executive of Hong Kong Leung Chun-ying said that the law might establish a new agency like the former British anti-Communist Special Branch.
Such statements do not offer much comfort and discontent is simmering. Hong Kongs commemoration of the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen incident on Jun 4 last year attracted 180,000 people.
This year, several thousand defied a ban enacted on COVID-19 grounds, while others placed lighted candles in their windows.
READ: Commentary: Macau, Chinas other One Country, Two Systems model, seems to be working just fine
US THREATS OF TRADE SANCTIONS
The 4,000 members of Hong Kongs General Chamber of Commerce generally support the proposed law but worry about US threats of trade sanctions.
US President Donald Trump makes an announcement about US trade relations with China and Hong Kong in the Rose Garden of the White House. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
US President Donald Trump said, “We will take action to revoke Hong Kongs preferential treatment as a separate customs and travel territory from the rest of China.”
Trump announced the State Department travel advisory will be updated “to reflect the increased danger of surveillance and punishment by the Read More – Source
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