Hong Kong accuses top US diplomat in city of ‘scaremongering’, says criticism of proposed security law contradicts his remarks on improving ties
- US in ‘no position to point its finger’ at other countries and regions for enacting national security laws, government says
- US Consul General Gregory May earlier said crackdown on dissidents could impact city’s attractiveness as an international finance centre
The Hong Kong government has accused the United States’ top diplomat in the city of “scaremongering”, saying his criticism of the coming domestic national security legislation contradicts his stated intention of improving bilateral ties.
It said it “strongly disapproved of and condemned” US Consul General Gregory May’s allegations that expanding internet censorship and a crackdown on dissidents could affect Hong Kong’s attractiveness as an international finance centre.
In an interview with Bloomberg, May had also called on authorities to release jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and other political activists, saying it could boost Hong Kong’s reputation more than the combined effect of all finance summits and tourism advertising initiatives.
In response, a government spokesman said: “The suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts, including those involving collusion with foreign or external forces, is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.”
He added: “It is extremely inappropriate for the US consul general to make unwarranted comments on criminal trials which are ongoing in [Hong Kong] courts, and even attempt to compare [Lai’s] case with the efforts of the government in promoting the city.”
Lai, the 76-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid newspaper, is on trial for sedition and two national security charges. He is accused of drawing international sanctions against authorities and inciting public hatred during anti-government protests in 2019.
In his interview, May also said some American companies had to use burner phones and laptops when visiting the city because of connectivity issues and data security concerns, adding it was “a slippery slope” for Hong Kong to begin removing certain internet content and blocking access to websites.
Local authorities previously removed “Glory to Hong Kong”, a song from the 2019 protests, from leading music streaming services and blocked access to the websites of some opposition groups.
May said the US government hoped to have a better relationship with Hong Kong and wished the city would “stop the slide” in terms of restrictions on freedoms.
He called on city authorities to assure businesses that they were dedicated to a free and open internet and business-friendly data controls.
Referring to the coming domestic security legislation, May said “the last thing Hong Kong needs after the [Beijing-imposed] national security law are more, very broad, new crimes”.
The US State Department earlier said the “broad and vague” definitions of state secrets and external interference in the proposed legislation – required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution – could be used to silence dissidents.
May said US-Hong Kong relations would improve if the promise that the city would maintain a high degree of autonomy from Beijing for 50 years was kept.
The Hong Kong government’s spokesman said the US was in “no position to point its finger” at other countries and regions for enacting national security laws, urging the country to stop making “irresponsible remarks” and interfering in its affairs.
“The US consul general also deliberately ignored [Hong Kong’s] constitutional duty and practical needs for the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, and blatantly smeared the Basic Law Article 23 legislation and the law enforcement actions conducted in accordance with the law,” he said.
“This is in total contradiction with his professed intention for the US to foster a better relationship with Hong Kong.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade published a paper on the proposed Article 23 legislation, calling for a “genuine consultation” and “due consideration” of its effects on the city’s future as an international financial centre.
“Australia is concerned the proposed Article 23 legislation will further the erosion of rights and freedoms as guaranteed under the Basic Law and Sino-British Joint Declaration which has occurred since the imposition of the national security law,” the department spokesman said, referring to the Beijing-imposed legislation which took effect in 2020.
“We are also concerned by potential efforts to curtail the rights and freedoms of people outside Hong Kong, including those living in Australia. We have made our concerns known to Hong Kong authorities and we will continue to do so.”
It added that Hong Kong should ensure the legislation adhered to China’s international human rights commitments, respect freedom of speech and secure the full independence of the judiciary through the city’s common law system.
Authorities on Wednesday ended a month-long public consultation for the legislation designed to target five new types of offences – treason, insurrection and sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage and external interference.
The government said 98.6 per cent of the 13,147 submissions “made positive comments”, with 93 opinions opposing the proposed law, which it considered as showing public consensus for the legislation to be completed as soon as possible.
