The State Department on Thursday condemned proposed national security legislation that pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong say would smother their remaining political freedoms.
Lam's government met the protests with force, deploying riot police—allegedly reinforced by mainland officers—to try and. For months, weekends in Hong Kong saw mass demonstrations and running battles with police.
Protests continued into 2020, but their momentum was degraded by the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in Hong Kong. With the world preoccupied with the virus, Beijing is now set to pass legislation that would ban"treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in Hong Kong. The new measures are expected to be agreed at the NPC this week, bypassing the regional Legislative Council which in recent days has become a chaotic battleground between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing officials.from the U.S., where lawmakers passed the"Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act," which allowed the U.S. to sanction those abusing human rights in the territory.
It also requires the State Department to confirm annually that the territory retains enough independence to justify favorable trading terms with the U.S. Beijing hasOn Thursday, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said:"Any effort to impose national security legislation that does not reflect the will of the people of Hong Kong would be highly destabilizing, and would be met with strong condemnation from the United States and the international community.
Pro-democracy lawmakers protest against pro-Beijing lawmakers at the Legislative Council on May 22, 2020 in Hong Kong, China.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China proposes law giving Beijing more power to crack down on opposition in Hong KongChina’s ceremonial parliament will consider legislation that would give Beijing greater powers to crack down on opposition in Hong Kong.
Read more »
Hong Kong Protesters Fear End of the Road After Beijing Plans New Security LawBeijing’s plan to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong with a new security law sent a chill through opposition groups, dealing a blow to a protest movement that nearly a year ago rallied a million people to the streets to halt China’s growing influence over the former British colony.
Read more »
Hong Kong leads Asian shares lower as Beijing readies new security lawHong Kong shares tumbled on Friday after Beijing moved to impose a new security law on the city after last year's pro-democracy unrest, risking fresh protests and further straining fast-deteriorating U.S.-China ties.
Read more »
Beijing may base security agencies in Hong Kong as part of new lawsA proposal to impose national security laws in Hong Kong could see mainland intelligence agencies set up bases in the global financial hub, raising fears of direct enforcement by Chinese authorities in the city and the prospect of fresh protests.
Read more »
China set to impose new Hong Kong security law, Trump warns of strong U.S. reactionChina is set to impose new national security legislation on Hong Kong after last year's pro-democracy unrest, a Chinese official said on Thursday, drawing a warning from President Donald Trump that the United States would react 'very strongly' against the attempt to gain more control over the former British colony.China's action could spark fresh protests in Hong Kong, which enjoys many freedoms not allowed on the mainland, after often violent demonstrations of 2019 plunged the city into its deepest turmoil since it returned to Beijing's rule in 1997.
Read more »
U.S. State Department warns China over new Hong Kong security lawThe United States on Thursday warned China against imposing a new national security legislation on Hong Kong, saying a high-degree of autonomy and respect for human rights were key to preserving the territory's special status, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.
Read more »