China: the last days for Hong Kong's autonomy status? - Activist: "The situation is escalating"

The new security law in China represents a turning point for Hong Kong's autonomy status. Numerous international politicians have criticized it massively.

• The new security law was launched by China .
• Hong Kong's autonomy status can thus be undermined.
• Protests in Hong Kong continue - activist: "Situation escalates".

Hong Kong - China's recent move is a shock to Hong Kong and has triggered the most serious clashes between protesters and police for months. EU parliamentarians and politicians from 36 countries oppose the Beijing law on "protection of national security" in Hong Kong. 

China: Security Law Brings Massive Interventions to Hong Kong's Autonomy Rights

Among them are currently 28 German MEPs and members of the Bundestag, for example Claudia Roth, Margarete Bause and Jürgen Trittin. Internationally and in Hong Kong, resistance to Beijing's most massive encroachment on Hong Kong's autonomy rights has grown since the handover. 

The decision on the #security law in #Hongkong marks the end of the "one country, two systems" principle. The events in #China require a common European response. My comment on the situation in the video pic.twitter.com/TcqCosNyk6

The former British crown colony of Hong Kong was granted autonomy in returning to China in accordance with the Sino-British declaration from 1997 to 2047, a 50-year transition period based on the "one country, two systems" principle.

China: Controversial Security Act Could Limit Freedom of Protest and Assembly in Hong Kong

Last Friday brought China's Premier Li Keqiang in the People's Congress , a safety law on the way, the activities of "separatism" and "riot" banning in Hong Kong and foreign influence. At the end of the Chinese annual conference, this was decided despite massive international criticism. So far, however, it has been a decision - not yet a finished law. 

However, this enables the Parliament's Standing Committee to draw up a "Security Act" and insert it in the annex to the Hong Kong Basic Law. Critics fear that freedom of protest and assembly will be restricted and the autonomy status of Hong Kong will be endangered. 

China is reacting to the mass protests in Hong Kong in summer 2019 with a security law

This is China's response to the mass protests in Hong Kong since last summer. The trigger at the time was a planned extradition law to China, which was prevented. But now the Communist Party is tightening the reins. China could lay the groundwork for Hong Kong security agencies to implement the law - so far, China does not have its own police and intelligence agencies in Hong Kong . For many Hong Kong and international politicians, a devastating blow to the civil rights of the Hong Kong population and the already fragile autonomy of the special administrative zone.

China: Numerous parliamentarians sign appeal by Hong Kong Watch NGO

At the moment, 728 politicians from 36 countries have signed an appeal by the London non-governmental organization (NGO) "Hong Kong Watch". The NGO was founded to monitor the conditions for human rights, freedoms and the rule of law in Hong Kong. China would afford a blatant violation of the Hong Kong SAR's autonomy rights, the letter said. The "one country, two systems" system is in danger. “We are writing to express our great concern about the new Hong Kong security law, which has been brought in by Beijing without consultation . This law is a comprehensive attack on the independence of the city, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, "it says.

Situation in Hong Kong: Belgian European politician Guy Verhofstadt condemns China's actions 

Belgian politician Guy Verhofstadt, Member of the European Parliament, from Brussels said in clear words: “China will use the introduction of the security law to shake off the last remains of democracy in Hong Kong. It is the last nail for the coffin of 'one country, two systems' status. China looks at individual freedoms with contempt and takes action against them. ”

China: Hong Kong refugee Ray Wong speaks up from Göttingen 

Hong Kong independence activist Ray Wong *, who fled to Germany, is in contact with the demonstrators who have been back on the streets since last weekend. The despair there was great, but they would continue to fight for their freedom. "The introduction of the security law would mark the end of the democratic movement in Hong Kong, " said Wong. After that, there is no longer any difference between a Chinese city and Hong Kong. According to him, the Chinese government uses regulations against "subversion - overturning the existing state order" and "anti-terrorism" to suppress unwanted opinions. #

He refers to the prominent activist Joshua Wong . "He never called for Hong Kong's independence from China, but democracy and freedom under the motto 'one country, two systems'". Nevertheless, the Chinese government media and politicians would claim that Joshua Wong was a separatist. "If the law is through, someone like Joshua Wong could be arrested and sent to prison," says Wong. Joshua Wong himself commented on the developments in the daily newspaper Die Welt and via Twitter and described them as "the last coffin nail for Hong Kong's independence".

China: Hessian politicians are among the signatories to the Hong Kong Watch appeal

Engin Eroglu, Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Free Voters of Hesse, is a signatory to the Hong Kong Watch call: “This abuse of power within the framework of advanced national security efforts is still not an isolated case, but already routine. For years we have had to observe similar repression measures that are being enforced on the mainland against Uyghurs and other minorities and undermining the rule of law. ”He emphasizes that Europe and the German government must stand up for Hong Kong's autonomy rights. "It must not be the case that people in Hong Kong are deprived of their fundamental rights and freedoms while we do nothing," says Eroglu.

The EPP Group's foreign policy spokesman, Hesse CDU MEP Michael Gahler, is also outraged by China's plans. He is also a supporter of the call. “We have to remind China that it is an international treaty that they have had to stick to for 50 years. "We should use every contact with the Chinese government to request that," says Gahler.

China: Why the law is underway right now, according to Ray Wong 

From an independence activist to a political refugee in Germany: shortly after his arrival in Berlin.

© private

But why is China now adopting the "security law" for Hong Kong? One reason Ray Wong sees is that numerous countries are concerned with the effects of the corona pandemic. "The Chinese government expects that international attention is currently not directed towards Hong Kong." 

In addition, the Hong Kong elections would take place in September, in which the pro-democratic movement could win more than half of the seats in the Legislative Council. "If this happens, they would have the possibility of directly influencing the government." And China does not want that. According to Ray Wong, the "security law" is a demonstration of power by China.

Still, Ray Wong still has hope. “The decision of the new 'Security Law' made the international community aware and called for action. As long as that happens, I still have hope for us Hong Kongers. "

Interview with an activist from Hong Kong 

Through Ray Wong we came into contact with a demonstrator from Hong Kong who reports on the current events on site. For his protection, his name remains anonymous. The 23-year-old student is an activist who fights for Hong Kong's independence from China.

How is the situation on site? 

Hong Kong is in a state of fear, anger and despair. For many, the “security law” means the end of the “one country, two systems” principle, and thus the freedom that was promised to us. The law allows the government to arrest political dissidents if they want to.

What is your current state of mind? 

As a Hong Kong citizen, I'm obviously scared. We do not trust the Chinese government, which we see as a totalitarian and imperialist system. With the new security law, the communist party wants to shut down all its critics, including me. But I don't think it is possible for them to mute Hong Kong, but that it would only lead to the next revolution.

Tell us about the demonstrations that are back on the streets now. 

Hong Kongers have protested every week since last June and paused during the Corona virus outbreak. However, even during the virus era, China did not stop suppressing Hong Kong. The new law has shaken most Hong Kongers back, who think we need to get back on the streets with even greater anger and fear than last year. With Beijing completely ignoring our interests and now cracking down even more, more and more people are realizing that separating from China is the only way for us.

Is the local situation escalating? 

As the relationship between Hong Kong and Beijing is undoubtedly worsening, many Hong Kong people are trying to find a way out of the full autonomy of Hong Kong to escape the influence of the Communist Party. I would describe the current situation as a war between Hong Kong and the Chinese Communist Party. However, due to the police presence and surveillance, it is hardly possible to organize a comprehensive protest. Still, I would say that the situation is undoubtedly escalating.

Is there still hope? 

Yes, I believe in Hong Kong. A few years ago, I was disappointed with the Hong Kong people because many ignored the colonization of the Communist Party. However, when I saw the millions of people on the streets last year demanding democracy, I saw hope. The 2019 revolution has shown many of us that we are a community and interdependent. And so we prevented the extradition law to China - at a high price. As long as we don't give up, I still have hope.

What do you expect from the European Union? 

I would like the EU to understand that what is happening in Hong Kong today is not just our problem. The Communist Party not only suppresses minorities such as Hong Kong, Tibet and the Uighurs, but also extends its influence internationally. So: fight for freedom and stand by Hong Kong.

By Anna-Katharina Ahnefeld

* hna.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

Rubric list image: © Kin Cheung / AP / dpa