Hong Kong national security law: US gets little backing with hard line on China, as other countries steer clear of threats
- As the US prepares to unveil policy action against China over the new Hong Kong national security law, other nations prefer not to rock the boat
- Some governments fear ‘touching a raw nerve in Beijing’, while others prefer to protect business interests with world’s second largest economy
While a series of major governments have expressed serious concerns about the new Hong Kong national security law approved by China’s legislature on Thursday, few are prepared to follow the United States in suggesting punitive action against Beijing, fearing they do not have the “leverage” to stand up to the world’s second largest economy.
Diplomats and analysts close to governments in Asia and Europe said that while there was “sympathy” with the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, leaders did not want to be seen to “interfere in China’s domestic affairs”.
US assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs, David Stilwell, told a briefing on Wednesday evening that “our job at the State Department is to do things that coordinate with ‘like-mindeds’ and get them to – those who share our ideas to stand up, be counted”.
I have deep sympathy for the people in Hong Kong, but there is nothing we can do about it
Britain, the US, Australia and Canada scolded China on Thursday for imposing a new security law that they said would threaten freedom and breach a 1984 Sino-British agreement on the autonomy of the former colony.