'It’s the perfect moment for China to make moves it couldn’t be sure of getting away with under normal circumstances'
Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung is removed by security during a scuffle with pro Beijing lawmakers at the House Committee’s election of vice chairpersons, presided by pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-King at the Legislative Council on May 22, 2020 in Hong Kong, China. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday during the National People’s Congress that Beijing would establish a sound legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong.
Wang Chen, vice-chairman of the NPC’s Standing Committee, claimed that the law would help China implement the “one country, two systems” principle that has governed Hong Kong’s relationship with mainland China since its handover from the U.K. in 1997. Most Hong Kong watchers, however, say it could effectively spell the end of that system, which Chinese President Xi Jinping has already done much to erode since taking power in 2012.
That’s the fear. The opportunity, of course, is that the virus has also hobbled China’s main adversaries and competitors, particularly the U.S., leaving them poorly positioned to respond effectively to anything China does.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, passed by Congress last fall, requires the Secretary of State to certify annually whether Hong Kong remains sufficiently autonomous from China to merit the special status it currently enjoys in terms of trade and visas. Mike Pompeo was supposed to report to Congress on that certification a few weeks ago, but held off until after the National People’s Congress summit, perhaps anticipating a move like this.
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