The European Parliament and the European Union have criticized the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law and imposed sanctions

Instant International

Written by: Yang Chinese

2021-01-22 19:42

Last update date: 2021-01-22 19:43

The European Parliament (European Parliament) passed a resolution on January 21 condemning China's suppression of Hong Kong democrats and calling on all countries to sanction officials including Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

This is the latest action taken by the European Union on the Hong Kong issue.

Since the suspension of the Fugitive Offenders Regulations in 2019 triggered mass demonstrations, the EU has continued to comment and impose sanctions.

Issue a diplomatic note

The Hong Kong government announced on February 13, 2019 to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance.

On May 24 of the same year, the European Union issued a diplomatic note to Hong Kong, formally protesting "the amendment may send people in Hong Kong to mainland China for unfair interrogation."

The picture shows Hong Kong people marching on the streets on June 9, 2019, opposing the government's amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance.

(Getty)

As the anti-revision demonstration continues, the Chinese government believes that Hong Kong's legal system has obvious loopholes in safeguarding national security.

On June 30, 2020, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress formally passed the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Maintaining National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China", and the law took effect at 11 pm that day.

Oppose the implementation of the new law

The EU had protested before the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law came into effect.

It passed a non-binding motion on June 19 stating that if China implements the law, the EU should file a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague and use economic means to discourage Beijing.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on the 23rd of the same month that if China implements a national security law in Hong Kong, it may cause "very negative" consequences.

The picture shows the President of the European Commission von der Lein attending a joint press conference at the headquarters of the European Council in Belgium after the conclusion of the EU Video Summit on January 21.

(AP)

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expressed his strong opposition to the decision after the National Security Act came into effect on June 30.

Von der Lein also said that the European Union is discussing with international partners which response options are available.

She said on July 2 that if EU member states unanimously believe that they have opinions on the National Security Law, it will have a long-term impact on China.

Sanctions on Hong Kong

The European Union imposed sanctions on the issue of national security law on July 28, restricting the export of equipment used for suppression and surveillance to Hong Kong. Member states will also review the visa measures for Hong Kong people.

The actions of the European Union are considered to be at a temperature difference with those of the United States and the United Kingdom. In the eyes of analysts, this stems from the failure to form a unified consensus within the EU member states.

The countries of Western Europe and Northern Europe are different from the Eastern European and Southern European countries that oppose sanctions against China. They support sanctions.

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde stated on July 13 that Sweden supports Germany and France in taking strong responses to the National Security Act and will work with countries including Denmark to promote the EU to formulate countermeasures against China.

Finland expressed support for the idea of ​​suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

The picture shows German Foreign Minister Mas (left), Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi (middle) and Swedish Foreign Minister Linde (right) attending a press conference in Amman, Jordan on January 6.

(Reuters)

The EU emphasizes the need for "collective action" on many issues and requires the consent of all member states.

Under such a big premise, the EU can only seek the "greatest common divisor" and will not mention specific measures such as sanctions on China for the time being.

From the refusal to choose sides during the Sino-US trade war, to the refusal to sanction China during the COVID-19 epidemic, to the Hong Kong issue, the European Union is carefully deciding how to get along with China and the United States.

Follow developments

The EU continues to pay attention to developments. It confirmed on January 19, 2021 that it had already sent personnel to observe the cases of the Democrats accused of violating the National Security Law and the Public Security Regulations.

When more than 50 pan-democrats in Hong Kong were arrested on suspicion of violating the National Security Law on January 6, the European Union also called for the release of the arrested on the same day, saying that the incident reflected that Hong Kong no longer allows political diversity.

At the time, EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano pointed out that the EU was considering the best response measures and did not rule out imposing sanctions on China.

The picture shows the initiator of the Hong Kong 2020 Democratic Party primary election Dai Yaoting met with the media after he was released on bail on January 7.

(AP)

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