US says Beijing’s new proposal undermines Hong Kong’s semi-autonomy, with Donald Trump vowing to respond ‘very strongly’ if it’s enacted
- The national security proposal, to be introduced on Friday, would effectively bypass Hong Kong’s own legislative process
- Trump says US will react if China enacts legislation; British and EU officials also voice concerns
The US State Department accused China on Thursday of turning its back on commitments to keep Hong Kong semi-autonomous, after Beijing announced it was proposing national security legislation that would effectively limit opposition activity there.
“We urge Beijing to honour its commitments and obligations in the Sino-British Joint Declaration,” said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus in a statement, referring to the bilateral treaty signed in 1984 that guarantees a “high degree of autonomy” for Hong Kong until at least 2047.
Those commitments, said Ortagus, “are key to preserving Hong Kong’s special status in international affairs, and, consistent with US law, the United States’ current treatment of Hong Kong”.
The legislation, which would effectively bypass Hong Kong’s own legislative process, is expected to ban all seditious activities in the semi-autonomous city, the South China Morning Post earlier reported. The proposal on the legislation will be formally introduced in the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Friday, the first day of the legislature’s annual session.
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Hong Kong faces China imposed national security law
NPC spokesman Zhang Yesui confirmed at a Beijing news conference earlier on Thursday that the legislature would be considering a resolution regarding a decision on “establishing a sound legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”.