Hong Kong version of the National Security Law｜American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong: More than 75% of companies are worried about considering leaving nearly half of each company

Political situation

Written by: Zhou Lixi

2020-07-13 12:16

The Hong Kong version of the National Security Law has been implemented for nearly two weeks. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong released a survey today (13th). It interviewed 183 member companies' opinions on the National Security Law and found that more than 75% of the companies interviewed had concerns about the National Security Law. Extremely concerned, 36.61% have somewhat concerned, more than half of the companies interviewed think that the National Security Act makes them more unsafe, but the number of companies considering staying in Hong Kong or leaving Hong Kong is similar, saying that 52% of those considering leaving , 48.09% continue to stay in Hong Kong.

The survey pointed out that although member companies understand that there may be less violence in society after the introduction of the National Security Law, they are still concerned about the scope of the National Security Law and the unclear law enforcement, the impact on Hong Kong’s independent judicial system, and the potential weakening of freedom of expression and expression. It will eventually affect the unique status of Hong Kong's international financial center.

65.03% of the interviewed companies expressed concern that the scope of impact of national security laws and unclear enforcement. (Profile picture)

From 6 to 9 this month, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong visited 183 affiliated companies' opinions on the National Security Law, which was about 15% of the total membership. Among them, member companies that expressed little or no worries about the National Security Law were contracted. twenty two%.

When asked whether there was an increase or decrease in worries compared to last month, 68.31% of the companies surveyed expressed more worries, 13.11% said they were similar to the previous worries, and 18.58% said that worries were reduced.

As for the content of the worries, among the 10 options, 65.03% of the respondents expressed concern about the scope of the National Security Law and the unclear enforcement of the law. They worried that 60.66% of them would affect the independent judicial system of Hong Kong, and 51.37% said that they would affect the international financial center The unique status of those who do not worry at all accounts for 11.48%.

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More than 65% of the companies said they continue to pay attention to the situation

Some companies interviewed said that they believed that the National Security Law accelerated the transformation of Hong Kong from an international financial center to a business center focused on the mainland. Other companies expressed their belief that the National Security Law would benefit Hong Kong in the long run, and that it would end Hong Kong’s national security problem.

When asked how to respond to the National Security Law, 67.76% of the interviewed companies indicated that they would continue to pay attention (wait and see), 18.58% would reduce their business trips between Hong Kong and the United States, and 14.75% would reduce their trade and investment in Hong Kong. There were 2.73% of companies that chose to increase their business and investment in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong version of the National Security Act The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) Judiciary