Friday, March 29

Chinese Regime Nullifies Hong Kong’s Freedoms in 25 Years


Asia Correspondent

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Twenty-five years ago, when the UK returned Hong Kong to China after a century and a half of colonial occupation, the Communist Party regime pledged to respect its capitalism and greater freedoms for at least 50 years, until 2047. In the middle of that weather, Many of those freedoms have disappeared. Since Beijing imposed a draconian National Security Law in 2020 that criminalizes practically all opposition, dozens of politicians from the Democratic side are in jail or exile, civil organizations have been dismantled and media such as the newspaper ‘Apple’ have been forced to close. Hong Kong, once the most open, liberal and cosmopolitan city in Asia, is looking more and more like mainland China.

During this anniversary, this was made clear yesterday by the Short visit by President Xi Jinping to celebrate the transfer of sovereignty and attend the inauguration of its new chief executive, John Lee. Although Xi has been in Hong Kong for two days, she actually only spent ten hours because on Thursday night she crossed the border again to sleep in the neighboring city of Shenzhen. Together with the strong security, it is the clearest sign of how little Hong Kong is trusted and of the fear of suffering an attack or protests after the 2019 democracy uprising. Extremely cautious with Covid, the Chinese president has been moved in a bubble that has forced the participants in its acts to quarantine, among them the 1,300 guests at the inauguration of John Lee at the Congress and Exhibition Center.

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“The Government must be in the hands of patriots. There is no country or region in the world where its citizens allow those who are not patriots, or even traitors, to take political power,” said President Xi Jinping in his 22-minute speech, reported by the newspaper ‘South China Morning Post. His orders to John Lee are to improve the Government efficiency and sense of national identityintegrate into development plans such as the Greater Bay Area and the New Silk Roads, solve social problems with effective measures, and maintain harmony and stability.

“After the wind and rain, the city cannot afford to fall into chaos,” Xi warned, referring to the massive demonstrations of 2019 demanding democracy which ended up leading to a violent revolt. To prevent incidents during his visit, the Police closed the areas where the official delegation has passed, prohibited the flight of drones and searched the houses of democratic activists.

A promise

Despite his increased control over Hong Kong, the Chinese president insisted on the principles of “one country, two systems”Y “high level of autonomy” promised during his return on July 1, 1997. But he also made it clear that, while Hong Kong and Macao function on the basis of the capitalist system, people must respect the socialist model that prevails in mainland China. “Everything the central government does is for the good of the nation, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as for its compatriots,” Xi settled, who called for “pragmatism” from the new city officials.

Showing Western discomfort with China for its alliance with Russia in the face of the war in Ukraine, manifested at the NATO summit held in Madrid, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson assured that “we do not turn our backs on Hong Kong.” “25 years ago we made a promise to the territory and its people and we intend to keep it, making everything we can so that China respects its commitments and Hong Kong is once again run by and for its people,” Johnson warned, according to the BBC.

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Front of wave of Hongkongers considering emigrating Due to the growing authoritarianism of Beijing, among which stand out more than half a million who have requested to renew the passports of British nationals abroad (BNO) granted before the return, Xi Jinping promised young people that they will have “a future”. “No matter what career or ideas a resident has, as long as they sincerely support the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, love Hong Kong, abide by the Basic Law, and be a positive force in its development,” Xi advocated. But, before leaving back to China, he visited the People’s Liberation Army garrison near the government and parliament in case things go wrong again like in 2019.

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