| Submit your comments on this article |
| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Hong Kong 25 Years After Handover |
| 2022-07-02 |
| [WhiteHouse] July 1st marks the 25th anniversary of the of the handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This date was originally envisioned as the halfway point of 50 years of promised autonomy under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Instead of looking forward to another 25 years of autonomy for Hong Kong, we have witnessed the dismantling of Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and the unprecedented pressures on the judiciary, the stifling of academic, cultural, and press freedoms, and the coerced disbandment of dozens of civil society groups and news outlets. These actions undermine fundamental freedoms and the rules-based order which serves to preserve global stability. Today is the second anniversary of National Security Law, the aggressive implementation of which has eliminated any meaningful political opposition in Hong Kong and stifled dissent. As a result, today almost all of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy politicians are either in prison pending trial or in exile overseas. NGOs, trade unions and human rights organizations opposing the Government’s agenda have been forced to disband or leave, for fear of government reprisals. The PRC’s policies toward Hong Kong also have shaken the institutions, rules, and systems that had been the basis of international confidence in Hong Kong – which was the bedrock of its role as an economic hub. We call on the PRC to act in accordance with the international obligations it willingly undertook. Ahead of the Chief Executive’s inauguration, we reiterate the importance that Hong Kong’s leadership respects the protected rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong, as provided for in the Basic Law. Related: Hong Kong: 2022-06-20 Fauci Refuses To 'Stop Funding Chinese' Research With US Tax Dollars Hong Kong: 2022-06-18 Fauci Just Can't Quit FUnding Chinese Reaserch Hong Kong: 2022-06-12 Drones that swarmed US warships off the coast of California in 2019 were from a mysterious Hong Kong-registered spy ship, say US Navy |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #1 I had a front row seat to this from 2017 to 2020. Whatever you thought Hong Kong was - it is no longer. IC2S is no longer in place. The ChiComms - in my opinion - always saw Hong Kong as an open wound and vector for infection. The wound has been cauterized. Hong Kong is now a JACC - Just Another Chinese City. Some would say a tier 2 city at that compared to Beijing or Shanghai (among others). Hong Kong will be slowly absorbed into the mega-city of the Guangzhou-Shenzen-Greater Bay megalopolios. A cautionary tale for those who think they can "work" with the PRC on anything (looking at you Big Tech...). |
| Posted by: Bangkok Billy 2022-07-02 19:32 |