Do Chinese Lives Matter?
by David Robertson, theweeflea:
“Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times“. Just a word of advice: don’t wear that on a T-shirt or even say it if you are visiting Hong Kong. It’s not just that it’s unwise; it is now illegal. Indeed it is illegal for any Hong Kong citizen to say that anywhere in the world – according to the Chinese government. It’s little wonder that Nathan Law, the young founder of one of the Hong Kong democracy groups, is leaving.
In 1997, the UK handed Hong Kong back to the Chinese government with a legal treaty guaranteeing a ‘one country two systems’ approach. This week China has just ripped up that treaty and declared that it is now against the law to speak out or campaign for democracy in Hong Kong.
The new national security law makes it against the law to criticise the Communist government, allows for closed door trials, wiretapping and for suspects to be taken to mainland China. The People’s Daily tweeted: “All of us are also happy to see a peaceful society coming back again in recent days. Hong Kong residents warmly welcome National Security Law.” This is an Orwellian interpretation of ‘peace’ and ‘all of us’.
Why does all of this matter?
Hong Kong is a significant global city with many connections to the UK. It has a population of over 7.5 million people and a GDP of $362 billion – more than the nation of Denmark. Three million Hong Kong citizens either have or are eligible for a British National Overseas passport. After the imposition of the new national security law, the UK government announced that all three million would be eligible to come to the UK. Australia is also expected to announce that Hong Kong refugees will be welcome.
The Chinese government is furious and has stated that all Hong Kongers are Chinese nationals and will not be permitted to leave. In effect the Chinese government is going to turn Hong Kong into a giant prison camp. Some in the West hoped that the law would be passed but not acted upon. Some hope. Within hours of the law being passed, over 300 were arrested.
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