In one of my previous blogs, I have written about the introduction of the National Security Law in Hong Kong and how the region is facing the repercussions of the same, being a global economic center.
There have been several developments since last week regarding this law. Recently, Australia has suspended its Extradition Treaty with Hong Kong, to extend its support to the Hong Kong citizens and Australians living in Hong Kong. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backed this move of Canberra citing that the security law is a grave infringement of the basic rights of the people in Hong Kong and this is a way of the Australian Government to extend support to the region.
Beijing on the other hand was not very happy with this move of the Australian Government. China's Embassy in Australia termed this as an act of lifting a rock only to hit your own feet. It has also criticized this move as 'gross interference' in its internal affairs.
Very recently, Canada has also suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and also lifted some visa restrictions. The reason behind this is cited as the introduction of the security law and also that such a move by the Canadian Government would ultimately help in boosting the immigration of Hong Kong people in the country. On the other hand, the UK has also suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong citing the same reason.
Critics in the western countries are saying that it be very easier for the Communist Party to punish people who raise a voice against the government, that too in a prison in Mainland China. As the objections around the world concerning the National Security Law are piling up, China has further increased its grip over Hong Kong by initializing a crackdown on RTHK, a broadcaster that is famous for setting an example by criticizing the officers which are held accountable for their actions in China. Since holding a government or a Communist Party official accountable for its actions was not allowed initially in Hong Kong, such crackdown is now legal after the introduction of the National Security Law.
Along with curbing anti-China protests, the new Security Law has also called for tougher actions against media outlets which are publishing news and articles against the actions of the Communist Party of China. This has been covered under subversion under the new law. The only intention of Beijing for such a law is to choke all sorts of pro-democracy schools of thought in Hong Kong.
Critics fear that this could mean an untimely invasion of Hong Kong my making this new law a weapon to achieve this purpose by Beijing. We can only be hopeful of better developments in the future of this region.