Political situation
Written by Peng Zhuowei
2020-06-12 09:30
Date of last update: 2020-06-12 09:30The British Foreign Ministry submitted the latest "Hong Kong Semi-Annual Report" to Parliament yesterday (11th). Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said that any solution to the social unrest in Hong Kong must come from Hong Kong, not China, and he asked Beijing Rethink the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law." He also reiterated in the report that if China implements the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law, the British side will revise the arrangements for British National (Overseas) passports (BNO).
The government issued a manuscript today (12th) that it strongly opposes the untrue and biased comments on the national security legislation and the high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong, and expresses deep regret that it will resolutely implement "One Country, Two Systems" in accordance with the Basic Law Guidelines and emphasizes that foreign governments, parliaments and politicians should not interfere in any way in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The British Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted the latest "Hong Kong Semi-Annual Report" to Parliament on June 11. Foreign Minister Dominic Raab stated that any solution to the social unrest in Hong Kong must come from Hong Kong, not China, and he asked Beijing to reconsider "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law".
A government spokesman said that since the reunification, the Hong Kong SAR has maintained prosperity and stability under one country, two systems, and strictly implements the Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law. It also refers to Article 1 of the Basic Law that the Hong Kong SAR is the Chinese people The inseparable part of the Republic. Article 12 of the Basic Law stipulates that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a local administrative region with a high degree of autonomy in the People’s Republic of China and is directly under the Central People’s Government. How to implement the one country, two systems policy in Hong Kong is entirely the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and no other country has the right to intervene directly or indirectly in such internal affairs.
National security belongs to the central authority and is not within the scope of the Hong Kong SAR’s autonomy. The
spokesperson responded that the report stated that the central government directly enacted laws to maintain national security for the Hong Kong SAR. . According to Article 23 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is authorized to enact the National Security Law. However, this does not affect the power of the central government to maintain national security legislation at the national level. The spokesman emphasized that national security belongs to the central authority and is not within the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. "In view of the current situation in Hong Kong and the difficulties faced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the foreseeable future, the Central Government has the power to complete national legislation to safeguard national security. It is responsible for formulating national laws and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security from the national level."
On May 28, 2020, the National People's Congress of China passed the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law" by 2,878 votes in favor, 1 against and 6 abstentions. (AP)
National security laws jeopardize Hong Kong people's freedom
Regarding the decision of the National People’s Congress to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security, the spokesperson emphasized that this is completely within the scope of the NPC’s power and aims to prevent, stop and punish any division of the country, subversion of state power, and organization and implementation. Terrorism and other acts and activities that seriously endanger national security, as well as activities of foreign and foreign forces interfering in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, only target a very small number of illegal elements, and national security laws are conducive to protecting the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people. Hong Kong restores stability, maintains Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity, and maintains long-term stability. The spokesman emphasized, "Any claim that this law will harm the freedom of Hong Kong people and weaken one country, two systems is alarmist and out of nothing."
A government spokesman said that the National Security Law absolutely does not harm one country, two systems, will not change the administrative power, legislative power, independent judicial power and final adjudication power enjoyed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, nor will it affect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law.
Police trapped in violence since June last year have the responsibility to protect public safety
In addition, for the report that the Chinese and SAR governments tried to blame the socio-economic rather than political factors and blamed external forces for causing unrest, the government spokesman pointed out that, in fact, the fugitive offenders regulations were introduced at the Legislative Council meeting on October 23 last year. It was officially withdrawn. However, Hong Kong has been trapped by escalating violence since June last year. Incidents involving explosives and firearms occur frequently, posing a risk of terrorism and seriously endangering public safety. In addition, organizations advocating "Hong Kong independence" and "self-determination" claim to be supported by foreign or external forces to incite demonstrators, especially young people, to challenge the authority of the central and special government. The spokesman emphasized that the police have a legal responsibility to take appropriate actions to maintain law and order and protect public safety, so as to protect the lives and property of the general public, bring offenders to the law, and restore order to society as soon as possible.
The spokesman also said that the IPCC has submitted a special review report to the Chief Executive on May 15. It macroscopically reviewed a large amount of information obtained from the media, social media and the public, including 22,533 video clips and 23,550 sheets. Photos, etc., and made a fair and equitable statement of facts about social events in the report. The report is comprehensive, objective, and based on facts, 52 recommendations are made to the SAR Government. The spokesman pointed out that the Chief Executive accepted all the report’s recommendations, and the Secretary for Security has set up a task force to personally supervise the team to carefully study and effectively follow up each recommendation. The task force will regularly submit work progress reports to the Chief Executive, and the police must also Through the mechanism under the Independent Monitoring Police Complaints Committee Ordinance, report to the IPCC to discuss follow-up actions.
The Department of Justice strictly adheres to the "Prosecution Code" for prosecution and rule of law has been internationally recognized
The spokesman emphasized that Hong Kong has a sound and fair criminal justice system. Article 63 of the Basic Law provides: "The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for criminal prosecution work without any interference." The decision of the Department of Justice's prosecutors is based on admissibility and reliability The evidence and applicable laws are objectively analyzed and made strictly in accordance with the public "Prosecution Code". Cases will not be handled differently due to the political concepts, appeals or background of the persons involved.
The spokesman also pointed out that, under the constitutional protection of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR has a sound legal system and rule of law tradition, an independent judiciary, and the common law system familiar to the international business community. The SAR Government has always been committed to safeguarding the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. Over the years, it has been affirmed by relevant reports from different international ranking agencies. For example, in the "Rule of Law Index 2020" recently released by the "World Justice Project", Hong Kong continues to rank fifth in East Asia and the Pacific, and ranks 16 in the world, clearly affirming Hong Kong's insistence on maintaining the rule of law.
UK publishes half-year report of Hong Kong Foreign Minister: Social unrest must be resolved by Hong Kong instead of China
BNO British National (Overseas) Passport