The European Union will limit exports of equipment usable for surveillance and repression in Hong Kong to denounce the application of the security law imposed by Beijing, we learned Tuesday July 28 from diplomatic sources in Brussels . The measure and a number of provisions to support the population of Hong Kong were formally adopted Tuesday evening by member states, the same source said.
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They were discussed by EU foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels on July 13. The application on June 30 of the security law imposed by Beijing in Hong Kong raises " serious concerns, " the 27 warned in the conclusions adopted Tuesday. " The EU is particularly concerned by the strong erosion of rights and freedoms which were supposed to be protected at least until 2047 ", specifies the text. Europeans are also concerned about the “ extraterritorial provisions ” of the security law.
This legislation will have “ an impact ” on the EU's relations with China, announced the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell. The Europeans coordinated their action and the package of measures was drawn up by the ambassadors of the member states in Brussels and submitted for approval to the capitals, a diplomatic source explained. " The objective of the various measures is to express political support for the autonomy of Hong Kong under the principle " one country, two systems " , and solidarity for the inhabitants of Hong Kong ", affirms the text.
Make it easy for Hong Kong people to travel to Europe
The EU intends to follow the preparation of the elections scheduled for September 6 in Hong Kong and considers " essential " that the ballot take place " in an environment which remains favorable to the exercise of the democratic rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law ". " We consider it logical to treat Hong Kong in the same way as mainland China ", which is already struck by such measures, insisted the head of German diplomacy Heiko Maas during the meeting with his counterparts.
Part of the measures approved by the EU on Tuesday aim to support the population of the former British colony and make it easy for them to travel to Europe through the granting of visas, scholarships and academic exchanges, a -we specified. China on Tuesday announced the suspension of extradition agreements between Hong Kong and three Western countries (Canada, Australia, United Kingdom) critical of Beijing's actions in Hong Kong.
The National Security Law imposed by the Communist regime in Beijing has been in effect since June 30. It punishes “ subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces ” to suppress protest in the autonomous territory. It makes the local democratic opposition fear a serious decline in the freedoms in force in this territory of 7.5 million inhabitants, returned to China in 1997.