Hong Kong's National Security Law – Simon Cheng, previously kidnapped by Chinese government for forced confession: What they've done to me is now replicated on Hongkongers under the National Security Law

(22 May) "It is always darkest before dawn." Beijing's excuse for national security to cover up the reality of white terror via the forceful implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has thoroughly undermined Hong Kong Basic Law and the promised "one country, two systems", to the shock of many. To help readers understand Hongkonger's apprehension and the law's impact on Hong Kong, CMMedia Taiwan made connections to interview experts and scholars in Hong Kong, London and Mainland China.

Chinese government forces Hong Kong National Security Law implementation to deal with dissidents

On 21 May, the National People's Congress (NPC) announced that they would bypass Hong Kong's Legislative Council by voting on the 28 May to pass the Hong Kong National Security Law or, in its full name, the "Decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to safeguard national security". It is widely believed that this marks the end to 22 years of Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy" since the Handover in 1997. "One country, two systems" has now become "one country, one system".

It is said that the Hong Kong National Security Law would mirror the National Security Law currently used in Mainland China. This means comprehensive political, economic, cultural, social, technological and information control. Because the National Security Law in China is used specifically against dissidents, there is widespread worry that Hong Kong's version would be used to suppress the Anti-ELAB movement and "silence" people.

HKPORI Director Emeritus Chung Kim-wah: I'm afraid I won't be able to talk to you later on...

Despite getting wind of the new legislation a few days prior and being mentally prepared for it, Chung Kim-wah - Director Emeritus of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI) - ruefully said in our interview, "If it gets passed, I'm afraid I won't be able to talk to you later on..."

Chung believed that once the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) passes the Hong Kong National Security Law, it is not only the US that may make changes to Hong Kong's special status, other countries like the UK and Australia may also follow suit. After Hong Kong loses its autonomy, these countries are no longer responsible for giving it special treatment.

Chung added that the US eliminating Hong Kong's special treatment (like having separate tariff policies, etc.) because the latter lost its autonomy would be equivalent to imposing sanctions on Hong Kong. Instead, he hopes the US would directly sanction the CCP.

Simon Cheng, previously kidnapped by the CCP for forced confession, implores the US to put the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into motion and sanction the CCP

"My fears of being kidnapped again from not long ago is now a reality written into modern law," said Simon Cheng, the former UK ambassador to Hong Kong who was kidnapped by the CCP for "forced confession" during the Anti-ELAB movement last year. He believes that CCP's original transgressions against him are now being replicated on Hongkongers via the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Based on personal experience, Cheng said, "To this day, the video where I admitted to 'treason and plead guilty' remains in the hands of the CCP’s Security Protection Department of the Ministry of Public Safety. If the National Security Law comes into effect through Beijing’s promulgation,all who advocate for democracy will be at risk. The destruction of Hong Kong's 'two systems' will become an undisputed reality."

Presently working for The Umbrella Union, a British human rights organization, and residing in London, Cheng urged the British government and the international community to confront the CCP's authoritarian disposition and attempts at expansion. Those forced to flee should be accepted to ensure the safety of Hongkongers.

He finally told CMMedia Taiwan that he hoped the US would immediately carry out the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act* to sanction the CCP for its human rights violations and breach of "one country, two systems". He willingly continues as an international advocate, mobilising Hongkongers overseas, participating in civil society and establishing a provisional legislative assembly. For Hong Kong's democracy and freedom, he would walk with everyone until the very end.

"One country, one system" replaces "one country, two systems". Scholars: CCP has stopped pretending!

A researcher of the Taiwan Association for Strategic Simulation who helped draft the Foreign Influence Transparency Act**, He Cheng-hui, said the CCP was using Hong Kong as a prototype for "one country, two systems". Because Taiwan and the whole world were watching, it was extremely cautious when pushing for "unification" measures (of Hong Kong and China) like Basic Law Article 23. Any opposition caused it to step back.

Once Xi Jinping came to power, however, China had already imagined itself as a "rising superpower" and could "stop pretending!"It not only stopped promoting "one country, two systems", but it kept mentioning "one country, one system". Consequently, He said of the CCP forcing the National Security Law on Hong Kong, "This isn't a surprise. But to Hong Kong or even Taiwan, it is a drastic change."

CCP's meddling with "white terror in Hong Kong" inevitably provoke Hongkongers' resistance

Lin Baohua - a senior political-economic commentator, CCP historian and former Hong Kong resident - made the analogy that Xi Jinping's rule was like a bow and arrow: it would not relax, only tighten. Eventually, it would snap.

Yang Yueqing previously participated in the United Democrats of Hong Kong and the Democratic Party. She is the director-general of the Taiwan Youth Anti-Communist Corps and serves as the vice-chairperson of its Hong Kong Island East chapter. She also deliberated, "When I participated in Hong Kong's democracy movement back then, it was like being reborn there. It has been 40 years. This time, the ol' CCP is clearly giving its all to repossess Hong Kong but this will inevitably provoke Hongkongers' resistance."

Lin pointed out that many whole families "were disappeared" in Hong Kong recently. Many fell off buildings or became floating corpses. Yet, the police said there were "no suspicious circumstances". It reached a horrifying stage this Mother's Day when more than 230 people were arrested. He exclaimed that it was "white terror"!

Regarding the CCP's proposal of the National Security Law, Lin believes that Hong Kong's outlook will depend on the US' attitude. He thinks that the US and China may go to war because their trade war failed to reconcile differences. Only traditional war remains. Presently, the US has ramped up military operations and even deployed military aircraft around Hainan Island. War is looming ahead.

Editor's Note:

* The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

In reaction to the CCP's suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, the US Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill with overwhelming support in November 2019. It was signed into law by President Trump. The law requires the US government to sanction those who suppress human rights and democracy in Hong Kong, freezing their American assets and denying them entry. The Secretary of State must also reassess Hong Kong's status of human rights and democracy ever year to determine if the city has sufficient autonomy to warrant special treatment given by the US.

** This is a Taiwanese law and is unrelated to the US law by the same name.

Source: CMMedia 

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