WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW?
The National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong came into effect on June 30th 11pm, an hour before the 23rd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from UK to China. China says the law will return stability to the city which has been embroiled in protests for the past year over democracy, freedom of expression, political freedom and human rights issues.
THE SCOPE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW?
Under the law, the following acts are criminal offences
- separatism, separating Hong Kong from China
- subversion, undermine the authority or power of the China central government
- terrorism, includes damage to public transport, interference to public utilities
- collusion with foreign countries or forces
WHO DOES THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW APPLY TO?
The law is applicable to anyone who is not a Hong Kong permanent resident and commits one of the offences either in or outside of Hong Kong, or on a Hong Kong registered ship or plane. Therefore, it doesn't matter if you are a British in Vietnam, or an American flying Cathay Pacific from Italy to South Africa. If you commit any one of the above offences, you could be convicted under the law when you step foot in Hong Kong or China. This includes if you are in transit.
The law applies to every nationality every location in this universe.
WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE?
ARRESTS
On 1st July, 370 people were arrested when the public took part in their annual march which has been happening every year since the handover in 1997. They defied the public gathering ban and stood up against water cannons and tear gas fired by the Hong Kong Police.
A man rode his motorcycle around the city with a flag which says Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times. This slogan has been the bedrock of the Hong Kong protest since last year. He's the first person to be arrested under the NSL and according to the police "charged with one count of inciting others for secession and one count of terrorist activity." To date, 10 people have been arrested under the NSL.
Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times is now banned by the Hong Kong government under the NSL. People hold up blank pieces of paper instead. Eight people were arrested today for holding up a blank piece of paper in silent protest.
This is just the tip of the iceberg and the beginning.
Taiwan, June 2019
INCREASE POLICE POWERS
As if it wasn't abused enough already, today the authorities have been granted more power in the name of national security. Certain conditions need to be satisfied first, but the fact they do not need a court order is worrying. These extra powers include
- enter private property without a search warrant
- freeze assets
- confiscate assets
- control the dissemination of online information
- demand publishers or services providers to remove information
- restrict users from accessing such platforms
- demand foreign political organisation to hand over details of their activities
- intercept communications and carrying out covet surveillance
SOCIAL MEDIA
The first thing I did on 1 July was to move some of my Whatsapp groups over to Signal. This is an open-source end to end encrypted messaging service. I'm not plotting to overthrow the CCP and I really fxcking love Hong Kong.
Social media has become an integral part of the movement, from the frontline protesters, to us keyboard warriors working behind the scenes. It is even used extensively by China, through their wumao (meaning fifty cents, the rate paid to their army of keyboard warriors) to spread propaganda and fake news.
To date, Google, Signal, Telegram, Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter have all publicly stated that they will refuse request for information required under the National Security law until there is international assessment of the impact of the NSL. YouTube is the only major social media platform that has not directly indicated its stance on this matter yet, though its parent Google has.
UK REACTION
The biggest breakthrough for Hong Kongers since the NSL came into effect is UK announcing a right to settle for Hong Kongers who hold a British National (Overseas) passport. This is the passport held by Hong Kongers before the handover and there are currently around 350 thousand Hong Kong people who hold a valid one. Many have renewed their's since the protest started last year. I have personally countersigned applications for quite a few friends. It is estimated that up to 3 million people may qualify for the latest offer from UK.
This is definitely the biggest lifeline given to the people of Hong Kong, and many are already considering this option. I know many Brits will be very concerned about an influx of 3 million immigrants, however, emigrating is not a decision to be taken lightly and there are just too many issues for people to consider. I won't be too worried yet.
China responded by saying that the UK is interfering with Hong Kong affairs, and that all residents in Hong Kong are China nationals regardless of what passports they hold. They said they will reserve the right to take corresponding measures for which UK will have to bear the consequences. I'm really scared now.
RESPONSES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
USA - their stance towards the Hong Kong protest have always been a thorn in the flesh for China, so much that China claims they bankroll the protesters. On 2nd July, the US Senate approved the Hong Kong Autonomy Act. The act sanctions Chinese officials who are involved in the crackdown of pro democracy movements in Hong Kong, or financial institutions that do business with these people. The USA has also restricted the export of high tech products to Hong Kong.
Canada - they have suspended their extradition treaty with Hong Kong as under the NSL, offenders can be extradited from Hong Kong to China and tried behind closed doors. Canada does not have an extradition treaty with China.
Australia - in response to UK's decision to offer residency to Hong Kong BNO holders, Australia are preparing a scheme to offer safe haven to Hong Kongers. The details have yet to be finalised.
Cuba - 53 states, led by Cuba supported China's National Security Law in the UN Human Rights Council. These 53 states include North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, many African countries who are trying to negotiate debt repayment with China, others who are part of China's Belt and Road project, and 3 small states with less than 700k population combined (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Suriname.) UK led the opposing side with 27 countries.
Note : USA withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council in 2018
Source : www.axios.com
WHAT'S NEXT?
It's been less than a week since the NSL has come into effect in Hong Kong. To say it's caused a bit of stir globally might be an understatement given that it applies to everyone on this universe.
Inciting hatred of the CCP and Hong Kong's regional government are offences under the National Security Law, regardless of your nationality and location.
Never has such a piece of law has so much impact to wreck 7m people's lives, potentially destroy a country's reputation that they don't care about, and tear up the fundamentals of basic human rights and freedom.
Is this the Death of Hong Kong or did someone just commit suicide?
During the 1st July annual march, protesters carried this banner with them to demonstrate their love for Hong Kong. It says
Source Stand News Hong Kong
I really fxcking love Hong Kong
and I want to add
I really fxcking love China
and I want to add
I really fxcking love China
i used to hear that Hong Kong was somewhat of the New York of Asia... Now i really don't know what's going to happen but the sad part is that the "people" are losing their power. So many marches and stuff and yet here we are...
The people of HK just wanted what was promised to them...
Australia's response is lackadaisical and pathetic as usual I see. Waiting to see what others do. Yet we have so many HK students. Many of which I teach and adore. Still haven't been but love HK people and feel so sad this is happening.
Australia is one of the five eyes country, let's hope they come up with something workable
Its very sad. Hong Kong has evolved into a truly unique place with its own unique culture and for it to be put under the kosh like this and have that uniqueness erased will be a sad day for the planet and more importantly for the prople of Hong Kong
Hong Kong's uniqueness is what China cannot tolerate as it doesn't comform to their mould and is difficult to control. That's what scares the CCP most and the only way to deal with it is to kill it.
so sad. me no like
Sourh Korea:
He clarified that 'well-noted' is neither an acceptance or denial of the PRC leader's statement and just acknowledgement of China's position.
Korea is still sitting on the fence regarding its official position.
Many countries are the same including EU, paying diplomatic lip service is the easiest
Tik tok is withdrawing from HK
Ha ha, that is so funny , are they trying to make themselves look good as USA might ban them
Don’t usually read news..
But I read it today because it’s on hive
Thank @agent14. Not a secret agent from CCP I hope 😎
Hi @livinguktaiwan,
Thank you for participating in the #teamuk curated tag. We have upvoted your quality content.
For more information visit our discord https://discord.gg/8CVx2Am
Posh link
Wow @livinguktaiwan …
… how sad, for everyone who has any sense at all. 😳 As your “Arrests” subsection indicates, the consequences for failure to comply were instantaneous. And your “Increase Police Powers” subsection must be a terrifying and growing reality for those who have yet to be arrested.
I hate to be skeptical, but I wonder …
… what is going on “behind the curtain,” as I have zero confidence in these entities. I suppose, for now, it is at least something they have indicated some defiance to the CCP “decree." How long will that hold up?
You must find some encouragement in the reaction of many nations, including America. Counter balanced by the remarkable list you provide of “supporters” of this “decree,” based upon those ”trying to negotiate debt repayment” … 😞
I wish I had a better informed understanding of what the Hong Kong people have been anticipating, prior to the beginning of all of what has unfolded over the last few years. Specifically, what the expectation was, once Britain "signed them over" a long time ago. Just that what was inevitably going to happen anyway has been accelerated time-wise?
We live in bewildering times, my friend. So much is happening. And so quickly, at least from my perspective. And how much of it for the better?
Thank you for investing your time in writing this. I always look to you for the best information on what is happening there. If the emigration details you cite begin to "come to life," I will be looking forward to your posts in the future, as to how that is going.
Thank you for your observation and comment @roleerob.
Things are constantly evolving in this world and the pace of change even faster and more unpredictable during these turbulent times. Who knows who will rise and fall in the coming year or even months?
USA has always had a big role to play in Asia, and like it or not, their involvement has no doubt helped to maintain a balance in the region. Otherwise, Asia might have ended up as one big country instead of many independent countries long ago.
Only time will tell what the future holds for us, and hopefully we will all be around to see a better one.
Yes @livinguktaiwan, I guess we have this ...
... to wrestle with, in the midst of everything else. There are those (I being one of them) who would also "credit" the USA for helping China's rise to become what it is today. Contributing how much to the "domino effect" which has followed up through what you present to us in your post?
Dr. Henry Kissinger (that last I knew) is still alive. If he were available for comment and would speak candidly, what would he have to say (if still of sound enough mind to comment) about how it has "all played out," since his secret trip in 1971, to arrange for Nixon's (in)famous trip to China in 1972? "Conventional wisdom" is a key aspect of this "brilliant strategy" was to create a counterbalance to the power of the U.S.S.R.
Nicely done ... 😕 🤷♂
P.S. I wonder what percentage of the goods you have for purchase their in Britain has a "Made in China?" label on it somewhere? I can't give you a number for here in America, but it is ridiculously high. Plus, we have also reportedly "borrowed" large piles of money from China ... 😔
No one knew how China would turn out back in the 70s, and Deng was more milder, if that's the right word to use. No one wanted a third world war so it made sense for the world to work together back then. Sadly things didn't pan out as expected...
The trend is to buy NMIC now but I think the % of MIC particularly the low end bargain goods are still pretty high, likewise don't have a figure either.
Hong-kong language is MANDARIN. But thats not mean they are part of 🇨🇳! We all know that chinese are conqueror! Even rhe Philippines 🇵🇭 they declare in their news are from them!
Tell me now? Who will believe in CCP "Chineese Communist Party". Hong-Kong before is peaceful, now is really worst because of people from China main land! They pretend as hongkong citizen and they make a trouble!!!
Many people are still not aware of what the CCP is doing because they are blinded by money which is the only ammunition they can use. They need to wake up.
Btw, Hong Kong speaks Cantonese, it's a different dialect from Mandarin which is spoken in China and what most people learn when they learn Chinese. Cantonese is another thing that CCP is trying to eradicate. Get rid of a language, get rid of a culture 😔
Cantonese... Yeah I know that... May be I am wrong? Maybe the TAIWAN 🇹🇼 is the MANDARIN language and HONGKONG is the CANTONESE... (I'm half Chinese I did speak MANDARIN).
But I hate this Chinese Government! Theyvare known as the CCP! They don't believe in God!
Do you know that in the WUHAN UNIVERSITY, the teacher is teaching the student that there is no God! They track all the people who believe in God and people has Bible and the possible happen is they will arrest or kill them.
My family is there...
Yes, Taiwan and China both speak Madarin. Cantonese is spoken in Hong Kong and some of the southern cities in China.
Hope your family, and yoursefl take care of themselves.
As far as I know for a long time, CANTONESE is for CHINA 🇨🇳 ? And mandarin is for HONG 🇭🇰 . Theres a lot of chinese here in my place from china main land saying that they can read MANDARIN but they can't understand the meaning! They compare the MANDARIN to English. In Beijing's they speak MANDARIN. You confuse me...
In TAIWAN, the official and primarily language was MANDARIN and they did not speak cantonese only Hokkien additional to MANDARIN like me. In HongKong and Macau, Traditional Chinese is used as the writing system in Taiwan.
In singapore, their primarily language was MANDARIN, MALAY, TAMIL, and ENGLISH. In MACAU, mostly 75% CANTONESE language. Now is it clear to you? (^_^)
I'm pretty clear about the Chinese language, I'm ethnic Chinese in case you're not aware 😂
Writing
China writes simplified Chinese
Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau all write traditional Chinese
Speaking
China speaks Mandarin, that is a dialect, not a language. There are a few hundred other dialects spoken in different regions in China including Hokkien, Hakka, Shanghainese, Cantonese to name a few.
You speak mandarin, you don't read it, you can't read a dialect. You read Chinese, either traditional or simplified.
Taiwan speaks Mandarin. They also speak Taiwanese and Hakka which are Chinese dialects.
Hong Kong and Macau speaks Cantonese. Though of course more and more people speak mandarin now, part of the dilution program to get rid of Cantonese
Clear? 😎
Oh I see... Done! Im only half not pure...
Comunistas y socialistas en alianza con terroristas islámicos y toda minoría descontenta en occidente, arremete con brutalidad y violencia contra la civilización occidental sin que hagamos nada por defender nuestra libertad.
Sad and complicated situation. =/
I hate to say all hope is lost there, but the future doesn't look good. I am really curious to see what the offer of UK citizenship will bring for many Hong Kong residents.
I read your publication and I think I'm reading a news item about my country Venezuela. There are so many similarities! That's why China and the illegitimate and authoritarian government of Venezuela get along so well.
I wish and hope from my heart that things will get better. I know what it is like to live in an environment where human rights are violated and freedoms are restricted by criminalizing protest.
A hug, @livinguktaiwan