Letters | Hong Kong national security law: Western outcry purely based on double standards

A citizen was killed in the street by police and reporters covering the ensuing protests were arrested. The authorities even threatened to mobilise troops and shoot protesters: “When the looting starts, the shooting starts”.

If this had happened in Hong Kong, I believe most Western leaders would have exclaimed, “What tyranny!” However, this happened in the United States. It is as clear as day that Western leaders, with US President Donald Trump a prime example, are hypocritical regarding their accusations over the newly approved national law security law for Hong Kong.

He had called the Hong Kong protests “peaceful”, so by his standards, the protest in Minneapolis was “peaceful” as well. The protesters burned only one police station when several police stations in Hong Kong were vandalised during the months-long protests. Some shops in Minneapolis were looted while far more “blue ribbon” establishments were attacked in Hong Kong.

While Trump complains about the anti-riot law for Hong Kong, he is threatening to shoot the rioters in his own country. Isn’t it ironic?

Still, some may argue that the national security law reduces personal freedom and rights in Hong Kong. However, if we examine the purpose of the law, as Vice-Premier of the State Council Han Zheng said, it will only focus on the “small group of people who harm national security” while the personal rights of the rest of the citizens will be preserved.

This is because the law still has to be consistent with the Basic Law, which promises the freedom of speech and assembly. Not only will the law clarify the power distribution between the central and Hong Kong governments, it will also serve as a statement that Beijing will not intervene in the rights of locals.