US Lawmakers, European Leaders Condemn Beijing’s Passage of Hong Kong Security Law

Pro-democracy supporters hold a Hong Kong Independence flag and shout slogans during a rally against the national security law as riot police secure an area in a shopping mall on June 30, 2020 in Hong Kong. Beijing has passed the controversial national security law which will threaten the city's autonomy and political freedoms. Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

U.S. lawmakers and European leaders condemned Beijing’s formal passage of a new national security law for Hong Kong, heralding an era of tightening communist control over the city.

The standing committee of China’s rubber-stamp legislature, via ceremonial votes, passed the law on June 30, which critics fear will be used to crack down on those critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The text of the legislation wasn’t made public until one hour before the 23rd anniversary of the city’s transfer to Chinese rule from British administration.