Hong Kong's Future Uncertain, People Under Mounting Distress Over China-Imposed National Security Law

According to the law, everything that Chinese Communist Party considers to be a threat to “national-security", can either be punished by a summon to the mainland China or by lifelong imprisonment. 

Image: AFP

According to reports, up to 60% of Hong Kong residents are concerned about their futures as a result of China's harsh national security law, which was imposed on the territory in June of last year. The impact of the legislation enacted by China's Xi Jinping-led communist government has had a "chilling effect" on Hong Kong residents, quoted mainland affairs council officials acquainted with the situation according to a story in the Taipei Times. 

Activists, students, and journalists have all been arrested in Hong Kong in recent months as a result of security laws. According to the council's assessment, the wide range of people arrested for making a speech previous to the law's passing — from politicians to academics and journalists — has had a dangerous impact. 

What does the law state? 

It criminalises any act of: 

• 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 

What does it mean for the people of Hong Kong? 

According to the law, everything that the Chinese Communist Party considers to be a threat to the “national-security" of the country, can either be punished by a summon to the mainland China or by lifelong imprisonment. 

What stands out in this law is the fact that the definition of “national security" is decided by China itself. So to say that anyone protesting even non-violently in the region to demand democracy could be declared “anti-national” and put behind bars.  

Following are other activities a person can be punished for conducting in Hong Kong:- 

• Terrorism can be defined as the destruction of public transportation facilities. 
• Those who are found guilty will be barred from running for public office. 
• If a company is found guilty under the law, it may be penalised. 
• Beijing will open a new security office in Hong Kong, complete with its own law enforcement staff, that will be independent of the local government. 

Prior to the law, the judiciary in Hong Kong used to be independent, under which even if the Chinese government said that an activity is against the Communist Party and declares them “anti-national”, the issue would be taken to the court where this independent judiciary would take further decisions.  

But the new law even bypasses this judiciary. It states that the judges who would decide whether this law is applicable in a particular case or not would be elected by the people belonging to the Communist Party.  

This further means that:-

• To enforce the legislation, Hong Kong will have to form its own national security committee, with a Beijing-appointed adviser. 
• Beijing, not any Hong Kong court or policy authority, would have the last say on how the law is applied. If a law in Beijing disagrees with a law in Hong Kong, the Beijing law takes priority. 
• Some of the trials will be held in private. 
• Wiretapping and surveillance of those accused of breaching the law is possible. 

Uncertainty amongst people 

Despite Beijing's statement that Hong Kong should respect and protect rights and liberties while maintaining national security, many people in Hong Kong fear that this law will limit their freedoms. It not only outlaws anti-government acts, but it also has a significant and direct impact on freedom of expression. 

Many people fear that Hong Kong's judicial independence will be lost, and that the court system would become more like that of mainland China. People are also concerned that a threat to Hong Kong's rights will hurt the city's appeal as a worldwide corporate hub and economic powerhouse.