Posted on 05/21/2020 7:24:38 AM PDT by SJackson
China’s Communist Party will impose a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong by fiat during the annual meeting of its top political body, officials said Thursday, criminalizing “foreign interference” along with secessionist activities and subversion of state power.
The move is the boldest yet from Beijing to undercut Hong Kong’s autonomy and bring the global financial hub under its full control, as it works to rewrite the rules that have allowed the territory to enjoy a level of autonomy for the past 23 years.
After steadily eroding Hong Kong’s political freedoms and independent legal system, Beijing signaled that the national security law will be a new tool that allows it to directly tackle the political dissent that erupted on Hong Kong’s streets last year. The months-long and sometimes violent protests began last June and fizzled out only over public health concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.
Comments from top Communist Party officials also indicated that they are prepared to change the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, which sets out rights unavailable in mainland China such as freedom of assembly and the press.
The new tactic marks an escalation in Beijing’s crackdown in the former British colony and the clearest indication that it views Hong Kong as a restive region to be brought to heel after last year’s protests.
The city’s future has become a point of contention in the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States; on Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington was “closely watching what’s going on” in Hong Kong. Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong have directly appealed to Washington for intervention, frequently waving American flags on the streets, and see themselves as the last bastion of resistance against an increasingly assertive Beijing under President Xi Jinping.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Essentialla an internal Chinese issue, though we can obviously express displeasure.
NBA applauds this.
I wish that every person in Hong Kong was armed to the teeth.
To Hell with China, to Hell with Communists.
JSMDH
How many external issues have the left in DC called “internal” over the decades?
Due to geography, the West can do nothing about Hong Kong. Taiwan is a different matter. Trump should make an unannounced state visit to Taipei.
Goodbye Hong Kong, looks like the stupid thugs are moving in
This happens and Taiwan is obviously next. These are acts of war, and against the USA.
Obama willingly shut us out of the South China Sea.
“Trump should make an unannounced state visit to Taipei.”
When he’s there he should announce the resumption of full diplomatic ties.
L
Internal Chinese issue if you’re willing to ignore the treaty they signed to return it from England.
Nice rationalization - Xi Jinping thanks you, and looks forward to your continued apathy.
May your chains rest lightly upon you.
Essentially we can ban HSBC and the
Bank of China as well
DNC applauds this.
This new so called crackdown will certainly test the mettle of the freedom loving patriots of Hong Kong. God give them the strength, to continue despite the now life threatening crackdown that will predict the future of Hong Kong from now till Hell freezes over.
[Essentially we can ban HSBC]
It was only a matter of time.
It’s what commies do.
Good idea.
If the CCP wants to dig a hole, let them keep digging. Make them a rogue nation like North Korea and Iran and sanction any trade among civilized nations. They can rule their massive ant hill.
A fella at American Thinker thinks we should import half the hard working people of Hong Kong. I don’t think so. Just look at SF since 1997. George Will once suggested a planeload of passports be sent there.
Hong Kong is part of China, if their status changes now it’s just happening 15 years or so early. Taiwan, I’d see it as an act of war though given the fact that the US does not recognize Taiwan and China claims it, that might be a hard case to make. Another part of the world where President Trump should recognize reality on the ground, and recognize Taiwan.
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