Hong kong is situated on the southeast coast of China.
Backdrop of Events:
- 1898 : To further extend British colony, British signed an agreement in which China leased ‘New Territories’ (one of the three main region of Hong Kong) to Britain for 99 years.
- 1997 : As the signed lease expired ,Britain agreed to return Hong Kong to China on the condition that China would give Hong Kong a “high degree of autonomy” for 50 years (until 2047).
- In the deal, it was decided that :
1. Hong Kong would remain a semi-autonomous region under the ‘Basic Law’ (Mini Constitution) for 50 years.
2. “One Country, Two Systems” Rule : A constitutional principle formulated by Deng Xiaoping wherein there will be one country(China) and different administrative systems. Thus, China wouldn’t impose its governmental system, legal, economic, financial affairs including trade relation with foreign countries on Hong Kong .
· Hong Kong same as China? It is a SAR (Special Administration Region of China) i.e it operates using different Governance system and issues its own Currency(HK Dollar) , passports, ID cards and a largely independent legal system from those of Mainland .It also maintains a separate immigration agency
Salient Features of Hong Kong :
- · Location : It is situated on the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea that has made it one of the world’s most thriving and cosmopolitan cities. Trade and economic activities have scaled up to serve as international financial center and a gateway for global capital flowing into the world’s second-largest economy.
- Open Capital Market : Owing to its position as a free and open economy, the territory attract money from different parts of the world more efficiently than other mainland Chinese cities which are subject to capital controls. It serves as biggest markets for equity and debt financing.
- There is a relatively freedom of expression(press), assembly,an unregulated Internet and a less-controlled judiciary in Hong Kong.
Strategic Importance to CHINA:
- · Leading global financial and business center that has benefited China from having the territory as a gateway to connect with the world.
- · Chinese companies at advantage of Hong Kong’s access to global investors to raise funds, while mainland exports routed through the city to the U.S. could be subject to lower tariffs.
- · Global Use of Yuan, It facilitates China to promote greater global use of its currency.
- · Overseas Investments : As Chinese companies expand their investments overseas, much of that money flow is routed through Hong Kong to take advantage of the territory’s favourable regulatory environment and available professional services.
Ongoing Status:
Scene I.
THE EXTRADITION BILL : According to this the Honk Kong government proposed extradition-bill, which allows criminal suspects of Honk Kong to be extradited to mainland China under certain circumstances. The Communist Party begins to move slowly toward absorbing Hong Kong in 2047 by taking incremental steps that evade or infringe on Hong Kong law. Under,Annex III – Beijing could make the law applicable to Hong Kong by inserting the legislation in Annex III of the Basic Law.
Article 23 – Under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong has to enact a national security law, which should seek to ban “treason, secession, sedition and subversion” that can be passed without consulting the Hong Kong legislature.
- secession – breaking away from the country
- subversion – undermining the power or authority of the central government
- terrorism – using violence or intimidation against people
- collusion with foreign or external forces
Criminal provisions are worded in such a broad manner implying that anyone who conspires with foreigners to provoke “hatred” of the Chinese government, or the authorities in Hong Kong, could have committed is a criminal offence and will be treated with serious implications.
· New crimes with severe penalties up to life in prison allows mainland security personnel to legally operate in Hong Kong with impunity.Under Article 18, national laws can be applied in Hong Kong if they are placed in Annex III.These laws must be confined to those relating to defence and foreign affairs, and other matters outside the limits of the Region’s autonomy. Extensive powers to Beijing to shape life in the territory far beyond the legal system.
Scene II .
PRO DEMOCRACY PROTEST :
In 2014, over one lakh city residents took part in the ‘Umbrella Revolution’ to protest against China’s denial of democratic reforms when Hong Kong’s legislature tried to pass an extradition bill. The bill was withdrawn , but the demonstrations continued as the fight
In the lieu of events, China devised a new model in 2019 to impose a new national security law , intended to curtail activities and foreign interference that undermine the state.
Umbrella Revolution 2019: The Hong Kong protests, started in June 2019 demanding the withdrawal of extradition bill which would have allowed the extradition of fugitives in mainland China, exploded into city’s biggest political crisis in modern times.
Beijing’s creeping domination of Hong Kong led mass protests of staggering dimensions ensue, displaying rising fear and anger over the erosion of civil liberties ostensibly over a proposed extradition law that would allow Chinese courts jurisdiction over violators of People’s Republic of China (PRC) law.
Concerns Raised :
Unfair trials and violent treatment to Hong kongers.
- Suppression of freedom of press, would give China greater influence over Hong Kong and could be used to target activists and journalists.
- Fundamentally change the territory’s legal system.
- Encroach on the rare freedoms like freedom of privacy, speech etc
Scene III : GLOBAL IMPACT :
- Hong Kong being global financial hub,would affect economy business worldwide.
- Mass exodus could follow.
- Potential migration of people to other countries as many Hong Kong citizens hold foreign passport.
ANTICIPATORY ACTIONS : After Beijing imposed a security law that has been widely condemned across the world, various course of actions were taken by different governments around the world .
USA vs China: A measure was taken by US, which penalises banks which do business with Chinese officials and was passed unanimously by both the House and the Senate.
UK vs China : U.K. has offered to upgrade the status of British National (Overseas) passport holders.It is offering them(people of HingKong) a path to citizenship. According to it,some residents holding BNO passports and 2.5 million of the city’s 7.5 million people are eligible for them. The British government lacked at taking immediate steps (powerless) to stop China blocking Hong Kong residents from leaving.
Australia vs China : Australian PM too was in view of actively considering and offering citizens safe heaven in his country. Zhao , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged Australia to “stop moving further down the wrong path.”
Taiwan vs China : Taiwanese said the new security law was “the most outrageous in history” and asked their citizens should now avoid unnecessary transits through or visits to Hong Kong.Others countries like Japan, Canada too called it regrettable and detrimental for the effect on independence of judiciary.
FUTURE PROSPECTS of Hongkongers :
China’s long wait of having more direct control over Hong Kong was realised. Hong Kongers were denied of their basic freedom which they enjoyed before leading to chaos and detrimental situations.
There is no doubt that not only it will severe impact on freedom of expression but also personal security, on the people of Hong Kong. There will be severe impact on image of its attractiveness as a leading global business hub and economic powerhouse. This is worry some and has been a failure at global order to take action against China to stop or punish it for its detrimental domination in Hong Kong encouraging it to become even more aggressive in upcoming time.
That leaves us with one question , Time may come for others as well. If today its Hong Kong, tomorrow it will be The World.
Link Credits:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53263181
-Anubhi
