Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, President Xi Jinping and the National People’s Congress (NPC) have unanimously approved a proposal to impose their controversial national security law on Hong Kong. This law allows mainland China’s Ministry of State Security to operate in Hong Kong, prohibiting and punishing foreign intervention and whatever they deem to be subversive activities in the city. Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have once again taken to the streets to protest against this legislation that will strip the city of its autonomy. 

Protestors fighting for Hong Kong’s autonomy in response to Beijing imposing the new National Security Law

The United States responded immediately. As China and Hong Kong are under the “one country, two systems” constitutional policy, the US had guaranteed Hong Kong a different status from the mainland in investment, trade, visa issuance, and customs benefits through the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. With this status, however, China had been benefiting the most from the US’s special treatment of Hong Kong as it mainly served as an entrepot for the Chinese market. Considering Trump’s relationship with Xi Jinping, and now that Hong Kong is at risk of losing its autonomy to the mainland, the US is no longer in a position to continue providing Hong Kong with such economic benefits. Despite the threat, why then is China pushing the Hong Kong security law? 

The Chinese authorities are enforcing the National Security Law because the situation is not so green in China. China’s GDP growth in 2019 was at its lowest in 30 years and unemployment continues to rise. With such an economic crisis, discontent inside China is rising as well. Certainly, Hong Kong may be the only governing body under the “one country, two systems” policy; however, there are many more regions such as Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang, that are still fighting for independence. China fears the possibility of creating a domino effect of protests and chaos in these regions, similar to those happening in Hong Kong. Even now, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has pledged assistance after a resurgence in protests against the new legislation, and Taiwanese demonstrations supporting Hong Kong are making headlines. With these economic problems, along with China’s poor initial response against COVID-19, Hong Konger’s discontent and desire to fight for independence puts China in a corner. As a result, the Chinese authorities are in a crisis that may intensify the separatist movement and lead to more corners of foreign interference. 

Although it may seem reckless for China to challenge the economic sanctions it faces, the nation appears to have already prepared countermeasures. As of 2019, 73% of companies listed on the Hong Kong stock market were Chinese companies. Even if the US attempts to directly impose sanctions on Chinese companies, they already have a large portion of Hong Kong stocks. A Chinese government spokesperson  commented that “in response to erroneous practices of external intervention”, the nation will take necessary counteractions. With the lack of information on Trump’s economic threats and the infuriated Chinese government, the issue between China and Hong Kong is building tension between the two superpowers. 

Along with the tension, the most alarming question remains — regarding the effects such a legal regime may bring onto the freedoms of speech and the press in Hong Kong. Will citizens and journalists dare speak against the oppressive Chinese government? Will other countries stay quiet while protesters are being imprisoned for speaking up against these oppressive measures? Hong Kong needs global attention; this issue is one not just of politics, but of fundamental human rights.

Copyright © The KAIST Herald Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution prohibited