Hong Kong: China approves controversial security law - US and UK strongly condemn the operation

A new security law for Hong Kong passed by China causes serious clashes between demonstrators and police. The autonomy status is changing in the USA.

• The People's Congress in China passed  a new security law for Hong Kong last weekend .
• The plans resulted in the most serious confrontation between demonstrators and security forces in months.
  
• Both economic plans and possible new measures in Hong Kong are causing concern in the rest of the world.
• Foreign Minister Maas and several countries , including the United States, condemned the planned security law on Thursday  (update May 28, 4:45 p.m.)

Update of May 28, 4.45 p.m .:  The security law for Hong Kong approved by China's People's Congress is causing international criticism. "We in the EU agree: The high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong must not be undermined," said Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday. The USA, Great Britain, Canada and Australia also strongly condemned the new law .

Hong Kong citizens had freedoms and rights that were granted to them by the law of the Special Administrative Region and the principle " one country, two systems ", Maas emphasized. "We expect these principles of the rule of law to be adhered to." These are "the basis for the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong". Freedom of expression and assembly, as well as the democratic debate in Hong Kong must continue to be respected, he said.

The United States , Britain , Canada and Australia have accused Beijing of violating its international obligations by law. "The proposed law would undermine the 'one country, two systems' principle," said a joint statement by the four countries on Thursday.

Hong Kong police officers on the verge of a demonstration against the proposed security law. 

© dpa / Vincent Yu

Hong Kong: China approves controversial security law - with drastic effects

Update of May 28, 9.26 a.m .:  The National People's Congress of China has approved the new security law for the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. The said law, which has already led to major protests in Hong Kong last week, is to officially prohibit "riot" and "separatism". Critics see the security law as a measure by the Chinese government to drastically curtail civil rights in the special administrative zone. 

The project would be the most extensive encroachment on the autonomy of the former British crown colony, where there were strong demonstrations critical of China for months . Hong Kong has been governed as an independent territory since it was returned to China in 1997, following the "one country, two systems" principle. Criticism of the Chinese government also came on Wednesday from the United States , where Secretary of State Mike Pompeo questioned the autonomy status of Hong Kong (see May 27 update, 19:53).

China conflict in Hong Kong: USA change status - drastic consequences are the result

Update of May 27, 7:53 pm: According to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Hong Kong no longer enjoys the autonomy status  promised by China in 1997. In a message to the US Congress on Wednesday, Pompeo said China would not meet its commitments to take over the former British crown colony. Given the situation in the Chinese Special Administrative Region, "no sensible person" today can still claim that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy vis-à-vis China.

According to a law passed by Congress last year, the Hong Kong government has to certify annually that the special administrative region remains autonomous of China. This is the prerequisite for the financial metropolis to enjoy a special status in trade matters under US law .

Pompeo had initially postponed the presentation of the certificate to await the annual meeting of the National People's Congress in Beijing. This is expected to vote on a new security law for Hong Kong on Thursday. This prohibits "turmoil" and "separatism" in the special administrative area and is viewed by critics as another attack on civil rights.

"While the United States once hoped that a free and prosperous Hong Kong could set an example for authoritarian China, it is now becoming clear that China is shaping Hong Kong to its own example," said Pompeo.

Hong Kong: Beijing's new law leads to protests again - Trump plans countermeasures

Update of May 27, 1:59 pm: In Hong Kong , the anger over two planned and highly controversial laws has sparked new protests . The police secured roads around the Hong Kong Legislative Council on Wednesday with a large contingent. There the second reading was scheduled for a law to punish the abuse of the Chinese national anthem .

At least 240 demonstrators , some of whom are said to have carried incendiary devices , were arrested, the police said. Demonstrations with hundreds of participants took place in several places in the city. The security forces fired pepper ammunition to drive out demonstrators. 

Police detain two young protesters during Hong Kong protests. 

© dpa / Kin Cheung

Update of May 27, 6:53 am: At a press conference on Tuesday in the White House, Trump announced that he would take action against China because of the controversial law . “We are currently doing something. I think you will find it very interesting. It is very powerful. But I'm not going to talk about it today, "Trump said. He wants to present his plan at the end of the week. Trump also warns that if Beijing enforced the law, Hong Kong could lose its position as an international financial center. 

By the way: Trump is currently working on a fact check by the media service Twitter in addition to the controversial laws for Hong Kong. The company examined two postings by the presidents - and drew a conclusion that Trump obviously did not like.

Hong Kong: New Law to Help Fight Independence Movement

Update of May 25, 2:31 pm: Hong Kong's security chief has welcomed the security law  planned by Beijing  for the Chinese Special Administrative Region. This is necessary in order to prevent "terrorism" and demands for independence, said Security Secretary John Lee. "Terrorism is increasing in the city and activities that damage national security, such as Hong Kong's independence, are rampant," said Lee.

Police chief Chris Tang also spoke out for the controversial legislative proposal . The new law will help "fight against the independence movement" and "restore social order".

Hong Kong conflict: Video shows demonstration beating orgy

The security officials' comments were made approximately at the same time that a video was released showing demonstrators beating up a lawyer. The video of the recent protests against the proposed security law was released on Monday by Chinese state media on the Internet. The video shows a bleeding man being kicked by demonstrators and beaten with umbrellas. According to media reports, the man had discussed with demonstrators who were building a roadblock.

In #Hongkong, the conflicts between demonstrators and the police escalate. The reason is the planned security law of the Chinese government.https: //t.co/SdxLtmxC6M

The victim is a member of the Hong Kong Bar Association and had to be treated in hospital after the attack, the bar club said. The editor-in-chief of the Chinese state newspaper Global Times , Hu Xijin, spread the video of the incident on the social media service Twitter , which is banned in mainland China, and wrote: "Let's see what Washington-supported democracy really looks like in Hong Kong." China portrays the Hong Kong protests as a conspiracy backed by foreigners to destabilize China.

Plans for the new law had led to the most serious confrontation between demonstrators and security forces in months. Hong Kong police used tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons to attack thousands of demonstrators who took part in an unauthorized protest . At least 180 people were arrested.

The new law was launched on Friday by the National People's Congress in Beijing . It is said to ban "separatism" and "turmoil" in Hong Kong and is a reaction to the protests that have been going on for some time. Many Hong Kong citizens fear that the law will severely restrict civil rights in the Chinese Special Administrative Region. With the protest march on Sunday, the demonstrators also defied current requirements to combat the corona virus * .

Corona-Zoff: China warns Trump of "cold war" - "political virus spreads"

Update of May 24, 2020, 1:31 pm: In view of increasing tensions, the Chinese government has even warned the United States of a " new Cold War ". "We have noticed that some political forces in the United States have taken US-China relations hostage and are putting our two countries on the brink of a new Cold War," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at an online press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing - obviously a swipe at US President Donald Trump . "In addition to the devastation caused by the new corona virus, there is also a political virus that is spreading in the United States," Wang said. This means that China is "attacked and slandered at every opportunity". "I call on the United States to stop, waste time and waste valuable life."

In permanent clink for years: China and USA - here the presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

© AFP / DAN KITWOOD, NICHOLAS COMB

In addition to the dispute over responsibility for the corona pandemic , the relationship between the United States and China is being burdened by a new security law for Hong Kong planned by Beijing. Greens faction leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt calls on the German government to take action regarding the Chinese legal plans for Hong Kong. “The federal government must no longer be rabbit-footed when dealing with China. Foreign Minister Maas should appoint the Chinese ambassador and make it absolutely clear to him that passing the law will not be without consequences, ”she said on Sunday.

After Corona: China shocks Hong Kong - Merkel suddenly in focus, USA see "death blow"

Update of May 22, 3:55 p.m .: China apparently is planning an even tougher course in its Hong Kong policy - democracy activist Joshua Wong has therefore asked Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) for help. He appealed to Merkel and the federal government to "stand with Hong Kong and take a stand," Wong said on Friday of the picture . The planned new security law for Hong Kong, which Beijing can use to classify and ban "all protests and calls for democracy" as "attempted coups", means the end of all freedom, Wong said.

The Greens also tried to make the chancellor responsible. In the future, any criticism of the limitation of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedom of expression could be punished, warned parliamentary group leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt . "I urge the German government to emphatically convey to Xi Jinping that passing the law will not be without consequences."

Any criticism of the limitation of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedom of expression can be punished in the future. I urge the German government to emphatically convey to Xi Jinping that passing the law will not be without consequences. 2/3

Meanwhile , President Donald Trump's US government has described China's proposed restrictive security laws for Hong Kong as a " death blow " for the vast autonomy of the metropolis. The planned "unilateral and arbitrary" enactment of such laws is condemned, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday. The United States urged China to rethink the "devastating proposals" and instead stick to international agreements on Hong Kong's special status, which guarantees autonomy, civil rights and democratic institutions. 

After Corona: China's People's Congress starts and shocks Hong Kong and stock exchanges - Trump threatens

First announcement: Beijing - The Chinese People's Congress started in Beijing two months late . The annual meeting of the 3,000 delegates is all about the Corona crisis - for the first time in years, the Chinese government has not announced a growth target. This is causing concern on the stock exchanges. Many observers are also concerned about Beijing's new plans for Hong Kong.

Corona virus hits China: bad news for the economy - Xi Jinping without a mask despite pandemic 

Because of the corona pandemic, the annual meeting of the 3,000 delegates to the People's Congress had been postponed by two months and was also reduced from the usual two weeks to one week. Most delegates in the Great Hall of the People wore face masks on Friday. However, head of state Xi Jinping and prime minister Li Keqiang did not. The fight against the virus is the focus of the conference. This began with a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the pandemic .

People's Congress in China: Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang at the People's Congress on Friday - without a mask.

© dpa / -

As a result of the pandemic, the country is facing "enormous" economic challenges, Prime Minister Li Keqiang said at the start of the conference. In view of this "great uncertainty", Beijing will concentrate on stabilizing the labor market. Li announced new debt and additional billions in spending to fight the economic consequences of the pandemic. According to him, new corona government bonds amounting to one trillion yuan (128 billion euros) are planned. Like China, the entire world economy is currently grappling with the pandemic consequences.

People's Congress launched in China: Hong Kong plans worry - "This is the end"

Li also announced in his government report a new security law for Hong Kong , which should cause new unrest there. China's leadership wants to set up and use its own national security organs in Hong Kong "if necessary" in the future. 

A draft decision states that the Chinese special administrative region must improve the institutions and implementation mechanisms to maintain national security. However, if necessary, the competent security authorities of the Beijing central government should set up branch offices in Hong Kong "to meet the relevant national security obligations under the law".

People's Congress in China.

© dpa / Ng Han Guan

Leaders of Hong Kong's pro-democratic forces condemned the move as an attack on civil rights in the Special Administrative Region. "This is the end of Hong Kong," said opposition MP Dennis Kwok. Washington also received massive criticism of the proposed law. US President Donald Trump threatened a "strong" response from his government. The Hong Kong stock exchange declined by more than five percent.

In the past year, there were mass demonstrations in Hong Kong for seven months against Beijing's growing influence on the Special Administrative Region.

China: New Intervention in Hong Kong? Exchange investors "really scared"

According to observers, the planned security law should target activities that Beijing perceives as subversive or that could aim for independence. Critics see a massive attack on the "one country, two systems" principle that the former British crown colony has been managed largely autonomously since it was returned to China in 1997. The pro-democratic forces in Hong Kong fear that they will become the target of the new security law.

News from China pushed the Dax below the 11,000 point mark on Friday. "The announcements of the People's Congress really scared the investors," said market expert Thomas Altmann from the asset manager QC Partners.

Donald Trump has been in a trade dispute with China for months. In one point, however, he acts similarly to the heads of state in Beijing - Trump also likes to do without masks in the pandemic.

AFP / dpa / fn

Rubric list picture: © dpa / Kin Cheung