Hong Kong political exiles yesterday slammed the passage of a restrictive national security law in the Chinese territory, and urged Taiwan and other democratic nations to unite in fighting the oppressive Chinese regime.
Sky Fung (馮詔天), secretary-general of the Taiwan-based exile group Hong Kong Outlanders, and others held up placards reading “Evil Law,” in reference to the “Safeguarding National Security Bill” under Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, which was approved on Tuesday.
“Article 23 has killed freedom of speech, right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association for Hong Kongers, and is a severe violation of human rights,” Fung told reporters at the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) caucus office in Taipei.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
“It is important to let young Taiwanese know that we are facing a totalitarian Chinese regime and must not believe its word. Taiwanese must not trust politicians who are colluding with the Chinese regime and betraying cherished values of freedom and democracy,” he said.
Many artists have left Hong Kong because of the law, Hong Kong political cartoonist “vawongsir” said.
“Many other Hong Kong exiles wanted to join this media event to express their thoughts about Article 23, but later decided not to come because of safety concerns for their families who are still living in Hong Kong,” he said.
Eric Tsui (徐承恩), a Hong Kong historian who obtained Taiwanese citizenship in 2022, called on citizens of all democratic countries to unite in condemnation of the national security law and Article 23 as a harsh repression of the rights of Hong Kongers.
China has broken its promise to grant Hong Kong a high level of autonomy in contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Tsui said.
Beijing has therefore lost its legitimacy, and the international community should support self-determination for Hong Kong, he added.
He also urged Taiwan and other countries to review their political and economic ties with China and Hong Kong, and to stop these two authoritarian regimes from trade and accessing the resources of democratic countries.
“In addition, we must support Hong Kong activists who are still there fighting for their rights and freedom,” Tsui said, calling for permanent residency status for those asking for political asylum.
DPP Legislator Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) and other party members voiced their support for the group.
“China had dictated the expeditious passage of Article 23. In doing so, it is able to come down hard to crush any hopes of freedom and democracy for its residents,” Hung said.
Article 23 has imposed more severe conditions and punishments, as it expanded the scope of interference by external forces and state secrets to include computer data, DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) said.
Anyone linking to networks and servers in Hong Kong and expressing critical comments could be deemed to be engaged in sabotage or treason against the Chinese government, he said.
At a separate event in Taipei on Thursday, Hong Kong visual artist Kacey Wong (黃國才) said he brought the final edition of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper when he left two years ago.
“It is a piece of Hong Kong history, but now this newspaper is deemed as inciting political action for which a person found in possession of it can be jailed for three years,” Wong said.
“This new law is a tool of the authoritarian regime to suppress Hong Kong’s people. China pushed for its swift passage so that the international community do not have time to react. Now no matter if you are a citizen of Hong Kong, Taiwan or other countries, you could be charged with these offenses,” he said, calling for united action in opposition.
Article 23 focuses on five types of crimes: treason, insurrection, sabotage that endangers national security, external interference in Hong Kong’s affairs, and espionage and theft of state secrets, with punishments ranging from 20 years in prison to life sentences.
Two to three years in prison could also be added for those found guilty of “colluding with external forces” to commit an offense.
The existing sedition offenses were expanded in Article 23, on inciting hatred against the Chinese Communist Party leadership, which is punishable by up to 10 years in jail.
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