HONG KONG—Some Hong Kong lawmakers walked out of the Legislative Council as city leader Carrie Lam was about to give her annual policy address on Oct. 10, protesting against the rejection of a work visa for a senior British journalist.
Chanting “Protect media freedoms” and holding placards that said “Free Press. No Persecution,” around a dozen pro-democracy lawmakers left the chamber before Lam gave a 45-minute speech laying out policy priorities for the former British colony.
Hong Kong authorities and Lam have so far refused to explain the visa decision.
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” principle, with the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy and freedoms, including freedom of the press, not enjoyed elsewhere in China.
But talk of independence is anathema to Communist Party rulers in Beijing.
“We were expressing our anger and disgust at Carrie Lam,” said pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo who took part in the protest.
“She is practically turning Hong Kong into an international joke...She’s quite determined to rule by fear.”
The FCC, one of Asia’s leading press clubs, said it neither endorsed nor opposed the views of its speakers, but was an institution defending the right to free speech.
Critics say China’s authoritarian reach is creeping further into Hong Kong.
“Authorities in mainland China routinely restrict people’s ability to engage in peaceful advocacy and public discussions on grounds of ‘national security’ by using this vaguely and broadly defined concept as a pretense to place unjustified restrictions on the exercise of these freedoms,” Amnesty International wrote in a statement.
“RED LINE”
Since taking office last July, Lam has faced several challenges including an economy and financial markets left vulnerable by the U.S.-China trade war, and one of the world’s most expensive property markets.
Political tensions between democracy and independence activists resisting China’s tightening grip on the city have continued to simmer.
In her speech, Lam gave her strongest warning yet against those seeking to split Hong Kong from China.
“Hong Kong will not tolerate any acts that advocate Hong Kong’s independence and threaten the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
“We will fearlessly take actions against such acts according to the law in order to safeguard the interests of the country and Hong Kong,” Lam wrote in a full text version of her address.
Senior Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping have warned any undermining of national sovereignty is a “red line” that cannot be crossed.
Some Chinese officials and pro-Beijing politicians have stepped up calls in recent months for Hong Kong to enact new national security laws under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
This provision states that Hong Kong must enact laws to prohibit acts of treason, secession, sedition and subversion against the Chinese government.
Observers argue Article 23 would target free speech and groups suppressed by the communist regime.
An attempt to introduce such legislation in 2003, however, drew nearly half a million protesters on to the streets, leading to its eventual shelving.
Lam reiterated in her policy address that Hong Kong is duty-bound to enact such laws, but only when there is a “favorable social environment.”
She didn’t specify a timeframe.
“This issue has aroused extensive public concern and intense discussion on the legislation for Article 23,” she said.
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