EU foreign ministers debate responses to Hong Kong national security law

Package of measures to come within days, EU’s foreign policy chief says; study and asylum schemes could be expanded for Hongkongers

Extradition treaties could also be suspended, according to an EU diplomat

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EU foreign ministers discussed a package of measures on Monday to respond to China’s imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:13pm, 13 Jul 2020Updated: 3:16am, 14 Jul 2020

In a sign of escalating tensions with Beijing, the European Union on Monday vowed to “stand by the people of Hong Kong” and discussed ways to provide them with tailor-made visa schemes, warning of a “revision” of diplomatic course with China following the national security law.

Calling the new law “draconian”, the EU said it would propose a package of measures within days – some against the Hong Kong authorities, others in support of Hongkongers who plan to leave the city.

Since imposing the law on Hong Kong, China has faced rebukes from all major Western countries, including the EU, the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Britain has already promised to allow 3 million eligible holders of British National (Overseas) passports and their dependents to move to the UK with a path to full British citizenship. Australia has also agreed to let those with a Hong Kong passport and currently in the country to stay on.

Josep Borrell, chairing a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday. Photo: European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

Speaking after a meeting on Monday with the foreign ministers from the 27 member states, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that they had been “looking at visa possibilities for Hongkongers”.