Protests were not enough: China adopts security law for Hong Kong, numerous reactions

(Patria) – China's parliament on Tuesday unanimously adopted the draft of a new security law for Hong Kong, thus preparing the ground for the most radical changes in the former British colony since it was returned to China 23 years ago.

Chinese state media are expected to release details of the law on Tuesday, which comes in response to last year's pro-democracy protests that occasionally turned into a torrent of violence.

It has already been indicated that the law's aim is to suppress terrorism, subversion, separatism, and collusion with foreign factors; for the latter, Beijing believes it 'undermines the high degree of autonomy' that Hong Kong gained on July 1, 1997.

The US began revoking Hong Kong's special status on Monday, halting defense exports and reducing access to high-tech products for the autonomous Chinese province.

At a regular weekly press conference, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam declined to comment on the new law as the meeting in Beijing was still ongoing, but she briefly commented on the US move: 'There is no sanction that could scare us'.

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have stated on several occasions that the new law is intended for a few 'troublemakers' and will not jeopardize citizens' rights and freedoms, nor the interests of investors.

Democratic Party leader Wu Chi-wai claims that 'we will never accept the law', and Reuters writes that a protest has been announced for July 1, although it has not been approved, which could renew clashes with the police.

According to the results of a survey conducted by Reuters in June, most Hong Kong citizens oppose the new law, but at the same time, support for protests is also waning.

Beijing will, for the first time, open a national security office in Hong Kong and conduct trials for certain security-related cases. However, it is still not defined what illegal activities are and what penalties are prescribed for such acts.

Great Britain believes that the new security law constitutes a breach of China's international obligations, as well as the agreement on the return of Hong Kong to China.

Japan also disagrees with the law, while the leader of democratic Taiwan – to which China also lays claim – 'strongly condemns' China's move and says she is very disappointed.

The European Union warns that China could end up at the International Court of Justice in The Hague due to this move.