Proposed Mechanism for Beijing to Rule Over National Security Decisions
Hong Kong’s Security Bureau proposed a “mechanism” through which China can exercise jurisdiction over some national security cases in a paper published on May 12. The paper said Hong Kong’s government should “establish a mechanism at the local law level” to allow China’s national security office in Hong Kong to be able “exercise jurisdiction” over “complex” national security cases involving foreign countries.
This legal provision is already in place through Article 55 of the 2020 National Security Law. The addition being proposed is that Hong Kong government departments and agencies provide “necessary and reasonable assistance” to enacting that article.
Hong Kong Falls to 140th in Press Freedom Index
Hong Kong fell five places in Reporters Without Borders’ annual Press Freedom Index, published at the start of this month. Its ratings declined in all five of the metrics the index uses to measure press freedom — political, legal, economic, social and security.
“At [Reporters Without Borders], we have never seen such a sharp and rapid deterioration in the press freedom record of any country or territory,” Asia-Pacific Bureau Advocacy Manager Aleksandra Bielakowska said. “Today, Hong Kong increasingly resembles neighbouring China, the world’s largest prison for journalists.”
In the weeks after that index was published, Reporters Without Borders has accused Hong Kong authorities of using tax audits and backdated demands on independent media organizations as an “intimidation tactic to dissuade independent journalists from reporting.” Commissioner of Hong Kong Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan (陳施維) denied that any specific industry had been targeted for audit.
Six Prohibited Places
Six locations occupied by the Office for Safeguarding National Security have been designated as “prohibited places” by Hong Kong police. Within those six, journalists have been stopped from taking photographs or video footage at two specific locations tied to China’s national security office in Hong Kong, according to several local journalists who have spoken to the Hong Kong Free Press.
“Around two minutes after we arrived, one police officer ran towards us, followed by three to four police officers running towards us from different directions,” one journalist said, using a pseudonym to protect his identity. “The police officers said that we could not take any photos or videos, and requested that we delete all footage from our cameras.”
More Activist Relatives Taken in By Police
A week after Hong Kong police arrested high-profile activist Anna Kwok’s (郭鳳儀) father and charged him with a national security crime, they brought in relatives of activist Joe Tay (鄭敬基), who has a bounty on his head for alleged national security violations. On May 8, Tay’s cousin and his cousin’s wife were asked to participate in an investigation into Tay.
Annak Kwok’s father was initially denied bail, having been charged with “attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder.” However, 12 days later, the Hong Kong High Court granted it on the condition that he pay a HK$400,000 (around $51,00) bail package for both him and his son, who was also questioned by police last month.
Human Rights Watch has said the campaign of harassment against Hong Kong activists has “intensified.”
“The Chinese government has increased its appalling use of collective punishment against family members of peaceful activists from Hong Kong,” said Yalkun Uluyol, China researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Hong Kong authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Anna Kwok’s father and cease harassing families of Hong Kong activists.”
British Government Warned Over Chinese Embassy Security Concerns
The Bank of England warned the U.K. government against allowing the proposed new Chinese embassy to open near sensitive financial institutions in London, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s security advisors.
The proposed embassy is already controversial because protesters believe it could be used as a base for increased surveillance of Hong Kongers and dissidents in the U.K. A decision over its future is expected from the U.K. government in the near future.
Metropolitan Police Deny Chinese Government Pressure Over Embassy Protest
The Metropolitan Police has denied pressure from the Chinese government led it to change the demonstration route of anti-embassy protesters on May 3.
At the time, the police did not give a detailed explanation of the change of route, which meant protesters were not allowed to march across Tower Bridge. Leading protesters speculated that the decision was a result of Chinese government influence.
However, responding to a freedom of information request by Domino Theory, police have now said: “Conditions under Section 12 of the Public Order Act were implemented ahead of the event due to new information that indicated the proposed processional route may result in serious disruption to the local community. This was an operational policing decision and there were no discussions with the Chinese government.” The Metropolitan Police did not outline the details of any new information they had received.
Jimmy Lai Updates
Ahead of closing arguments being made in Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai’s (黎智英) national security trial in July, his son Sebastien Lai (黎崇恩) has said that his father’s health has “gotten much worse” since he was first detained. In a separate interview with reporters in Washington, he also expressed fears his father could die in prison. “There is a real fear that he might pass away at any time. This year will be the fifth year for him to be in prison,” he said.
Going into U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland earlier this month, President Trump said he would bring up Lai’s case as part of negotiations. “I think talking about Jimmy Lai is a very good idea,” he told American radio host Hugh Hewitt. “We’ll put it down, and we’ll put it down as part of the negotiation.” Shortly before his election victory last year Trump pledged that he would “100 percent” get Jimmy Lai free and out of Hong Kong.
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