Hong Kong has become officially as unsafe for Australians as mainland China after the country’s rubber stamp parliament signed off on sweeping security laws designed to catch anyone Beijing does not like. The laws came into effect at 3pm, June 30.
The new laws specifically state that foreigners either in Hong Kong or outside Hong Kong can break the laws — including via online comments.
Rushed through in five weeks and cloaked in secrecy unusual even for China’s opaque ruling party, the laws were not given the traditional moment of “public consultation”, so by the time they were swiftly voted in at 9am on June 30 no one outside the National People’s Congress standing committee’s 162 people had seen the legislation.
A last-minute change saw the maximum penalty for people found guilty of breaching the laws for sedition, secession, terrorism and foreign influence soar from 10 years to life imprisonment. Provisions also include tighter control of the media and internet.
That is just one reason why exactly no one — apart from rubes who swallow the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda lines — believes claims by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities that the new laws will be used only “sparingly “and that provisions available to try anyone charged under them in the mainland’s opaque and brutal justice system — rather than Hong Kong’s common law system — will be “rare”.
It’s a Beijing law and Beijing will interpret it as it sees fit.
It will also cover extradition, effectively obviating the need for Hong Kong’s Legislative Council — now officially a de facto puppet government of Beijing’s — to enact extradition laws that triggered the street protests that have roiled the city since last June.
The laws come a day ahead of the 23rd anniversary of the Hong Kong handover from the UK and a year after July 1 protests became violent, inexorably leading to the laws that were, in fact, signalled by the Communist Party at its annual plenum last October.
It’s game, set and championship to Beijing without the need for any messy vision on international television of tanks or army uniforms in Hong Kong’s streets.
There was always an inevitability to Beijing taking stronger control over Hong Kong, it’s just that no one had quite predicted that it would happen quite so soon with “one country, two systems” supposed to run until 2047.
To assert its control Beijing is setting up the necessary infrastructure of a secret police bureau etc, and — truth be told — begun rounding up undesirable democracy activists and independent-minded media proprietors, charging a dozen or so of them last month.
For evidence of what fate can befall hapless Australian citizens travelling to — or even through — Hong Kong and who catch the unwanted attention of Beijing’s security apparatus, consider the fate of Yang Henjun, the Chinese-Australian writer who has been locked up and tortured without legal representation or trial for 18 months.
Yang was nabbed during an (arguably ill-advised) trip to China in January 2019. He has been held longer than the 13 months or so which China’s legal system legally allows and diplomats are also banned from visiting. The “state security” nature of his detention means all bets are off.
“Since his detention in China over a year ago, the Australian government has repeatedly expressed its strong concern about the treatment of Dr Yang,” a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs tells Crikey.
“Chinese authorities have not permitted Australian consular officials to undertake consular visits with Dr Yang since our last visit on 30 December 2019 due to COVID-19 control measures. In the absence of [these] … we have repeatedly requested to speak to Dr Yang by telephone. To date this hasn’t occurred.”
It is understood that DFAT has repeatedly asked that at least Yang be able to write letters, but to date this hasn’t happened. DFAT said it continued to advocate for direct contact with Yang and was providing consular support to his family but this, surely, is cold comfort.
The Morrison government has added further fuel to its stoush with Beijing, slamming the laws.
“Australia is troubled by the law’s implications for Hong Kong’s judicial independence, and on the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, both of which underpin the city’s success,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne said. “The eyes of the world will remain on Hong Kong.”
Many businesses and business people had begun to feel the hot breath of Beijing on their necks in the years leading up to this watershed moment, many expats have left, and Australian businesses that were looking to expand in Hong Kong — such as the Commonwealth Bank — have pulled back. Some may remember the nasty experience of Crown Casino’s staff locked up after a knock at the door.
Still the markets barely blinked and the financial wheels, including those of Macquarie’s Asian headquarters, will continue to turn — at least for now.
For those remaining — and there are 100,000 Australians and as many as 6000 businesses in Hong Kong — it’s time to watch their Ps and Qs. The experiences of Australians like Matthew Ng, Charlotte Chou, Stern Hu, Yang and scores of others whose names we do not know attest to the pitfalls of crossing the CCP.
Always inevitable Hong Kong’s future would be under mainland’s thumb. Yes, a tragedy for all citizens born and raised under democratic values. A salient lesson for us all? But there is also an opportunity. There may be many Hong Kong citizens open to seek alternative options such as re-locating to Australian shores? Were that so we would be crazy not to offer? There is a highly skilled, educated workforce, all of whom know first hand, the values of a free, democratic society? Australia would/should, be a very grateful beneficiary?
Well there will be the smart 100,000 for a start – people who had no illusions about China and knew they might have to jump ship. Probably even more will have plans to go to Canada and the UK.
I suspect their first preference would be Taiwan where any knowledge of English and Mandarin could help them get by, the main problem being that Taiwan is understandably worried about being swamped.
I don’t think the attraction for the UK would be high unless the Brits make it easy for them. Canada would be better, even if the change in the climate would be a challenge.
However overall, given the climate and Australia’s long association with Cantonese migrants we would also be a strong contender if not for our stupid politicians who will most likely turn a blind eye to this tragedy.
The trouble with Taiwan is that Hong Kongers might well fear it will be next in line for “reunification.”
Unfortunately you’re probably right, Woopwoop. Although it’s easy for me to say from down here, I believe both the CCP and Israeli expansionism have now reached their limit. Netanyahu will be forced to back off his proposed further annexation of the West Bank and the backlash against Xi’s actions in HK will make him think very hard and long before attempting to invade Taiwan.
To consider the matter in terms of ‘expansionism’ is to miss the point entirely Oldie. The general mood within Israel has swung to the Right significantly this century with the extreme parties (polling about 2 or 3% of the total vote) doing a deal with the mainstream so (e.g.) Netanyahu achieves, through the back door as it were, subsequent terms of office and the extreme parties achieve ministerial posts. Then the ideology of Z-ism needs to be taken into account. The objective for the Z movement has been clear since 1948.
As to Taiwan, you need to read what has been written (over quite a period) from the Central Committee and the CPP in general. I don’t foresee anyone confronting the PRC, in military terms, over Taiwan. To that extent Taiwan is in the bag for the CPP – whatever anyone thinks.
The ‘problem’ is, Oldie, that the Western press is replete with wishful thinking. Its about hegemony and nothing else. Its not a matter of liking or disliking the situation. Besides, the Trump Administration is very “pro” the former designs and very “anti” the latterTo consider the matter in terms of ‘expansionism’ is to miss the point entirely Oldie. The general mood within Israel has swung to the
Right significantly this century with the extreme parties (polling about 2 or 3% of the total vote) doing a deal with the mainstream so (e.g.) a prominent PM achieves, through the back door as it were, subsequent terms of office and the extreme parties achieve ministerial posts.
Then the ideology of Z-ism needs to be taken into account. The objective for the Z movement has been clear since 1948.
As to Taiwan, you need to read what has been written (over quite a period) from the Central Committee and the CPP in general. I don’t foresee
anyone confronting the PRC, in military terms, over Taiwan. To that extent Taiwan is in the bag for the CPP – whatever anyone thinks.
The ‘problem’ is, Oldie, that the Western press is replete with wishful thinking. Its about hegemony and nothing else. Its not a matter of liking or disliking the situation. Besides, the Trump Administration is very “pro” the former designs and very “anti” the latter designs. One could not have a more contradictory foreign policy if one tried.
Gullible conservatives have never quite recovered from the major letdown of their 90’s hero Fukuyama and his drivel about The End of History. Part of that love in was the completely naive dream that China would liberalise along western lines as it prospered. China has liberalized a lot – for Chinese. They can travel, work, get educated and build wealth as never before. They can’t however exercise much freedom to criticise the CCP.
Anybody who has studied China, Leninist communist states and Chinese history and culture is not surprised at all. I wish it weren’t so, but that’s the value of study – it helps disavow you of propaganda and stupid dreams.
These repetitive diatribes are exactly to order for the predictable failed wishlist of ignorant western conservatives. They have practiced selective blindness to the nature of communist totalitarianism which has always been quite upfront about what is and isn’t acceptable to them. Collective punishment of Uighurs ? Solzhenitsyn ring a bell ? The mass internment of ordinary Hans during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution ?
No surprises in HK I’m afraid. It’s hardly been the bastion of democratic freedom conservatives like to pretend though.
I’d like to think protestors in the West would get some sympathy now. Fat chance.
Towards the end of his life, Orwell identified the educated white Brition with a sense of self-hatred. By way of an illustration Orwell described the type of person who would prefer to be convicted of robbing the Poor Box (in a church) than to be photographed singing the National Anthem.
The 2020 version is the white trash, barely literate and unread, destroying statues or participating in a protest of a former convicted black felon (who, admittedly, did not deserve to die).
Unlike anyone at Crikey, I have been to Xinjiang. I have attended Uighur performances (colourful and thoroughly entertaining – and educational) and I am horrified at what passes for fact onto these pages.
See my embargoed post (or indeed this embargoed post).
Kyle, you disappoint me. I had hoped you would have learnt something from the last few months. I fear that your prolonged stay in the PRC has infected you with racism (hopefully a mild form). First, it was your apologism for the disgraceful, if not genocidal treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang by Han racists, and now you are slandering the supporters of BLM who are fighting against US racism. Please reconsider your dangerous beliefs before it’s too late!!
Is this “article” representative of informed Crikey Reporting?
In what respect (exactly) has HK become “offically unsafe”? Is HK more (or perhaps less) “unsafe” as the PRC itself? I was in the PRC for a decade and I am still breathing.
I did envisage my comments regarding your articles on the HK riots improving your capacity for analysis but alas : no. Ok here we go.
1 Everything that the PRC does is long term and fits into a long term plan.
2 The convention that was to have a life of 50 years is over in 23 years; aided, somewhat by the riots
from June last year until November. Xi could have had a battalion in HK in 20 minutes from
Shenzhen at any time last year but this approach brings a finality to the event of last year.
3 Let me give you a tip, Michael. Keep your tones this side of the white line and you won’t ever
have a problem. No one will finish up in the slammer and no one will be executed for drugs.
Its kinda simple (in fact).
4 Your disposition to consider this matter as merely a HK matter is, I’m sorry to say, rather
disappointing. The action (for that is what it is) is also a message to Taiwan and to India. Both
countries might not be saying much but they have read the ‘writing on the wall’.
5 The antagonism from the Trump Administration has been a significant factor in flicking the
remaining 27 years of the convention. The USA Senate has placed “difficulties” on companies
from the PRC to operate in the USA and in a work situation I have yet to witness an Asian
losing a tit-for-tat exchange against a foreigner. Similarly for countries!
6 The choice between the USA (and its allies) and the PRC is one of either cooperation or conflict
and I mean military conflict because there is not one damned thing that the PRC is going to
compromise on to effect its objectives (from the Silk and Belt to the South China Sea).
7 In the case of cooperation there is the opportunity of “win-win” but not necessarily with equal
shares. The likelihood of the USA losing hegemony in the region is anything but zero. I will leave
you with the following thought Michael:
Twenty years on, Chang’s “The Coming Collapse of China” (2001) and Fukuyama’s “The End of History
and the Last Man” (1992) just look stupid. Both authors yearn for a golden age (or the perceived loss
of a golden age). For Fukuyama the political decay and contempt of probity, which he bangs on
about relentlessly, is just as easily dismissed by him when he asserts his “belief” (that is the word)
in the power of the “democratic ideal”. He cannot have it both ways.
The ‘tigers’ (South Korea, HK, Taiwan and Singapore) are the proof that ‘democracy’ (however
defined economic development is NOT a prerequisite for economic development and similarly
for the PRC.
If Crikey gives me 3,000 words (at a reasonable rate) I’ll spell it out for you. Cheers.
Is that you Kyle? Good to see you back. I thought that either the HK police or the Wuhan virus had knobbled you. Where are you these days? Still in Shenzhen? Hope to hear more from you on how wonderful things are over there these days.
Hi Oldie,
Yes, I’ve returned at the discount rate that Crikey offered. If I am able to have an intelligent exchange of views with one person then the sub is worth it. Correcting the “indulgences” of the writers for Crikey is merely a social obligation.
Given the use of Google and FB transports by Crikey I renewed with a different email which seems to be happier with the google stuff. I got to select an alias and Erasmus was a middle of the road kind of guy from the 15th century.
> I thought that either the HK police or the Wuhan virus had knobbled you.
No to both but I did incur a rubber bullet in the left shin while offering First Aid (my dated certificate came in handy) while I was visiting HK last year. Apparently I made it onto HK TV according to the staff at a HK restaurant that I tend to patronise.
The medical bags that the protesters had comprised the latest gear and the smallest bag would have had US$500 worth of stuff in it. As to who was financing them such is another story with the reasons being equally complicated but not altogether unrelated to the perceived loss of land/building values. Its kinda ongoing.
> Where are you these days? Still in Shenzhen?
Na. Got the grinning handshake on account of my age which was far from unexpected. I can pass the medicals but the Education Bureau ultimately kicked-up but I have been expecting the sword of Damocles for the last thee years.
Currently, I’m in Vietnam. A chance meeting in a bar in HK with a former colleague and friend, just prior to Xmas, effected a job in Vietnam; the story of my life.
Watching Asia from Vietnam is about as good as watching from China. There is some major stuff brewing that the myopic government in Canberra (all sides of politics) just does not comprehend. Morrison, in my view, is actually playing a very dangerous
game and he is a participant because he doesn’t comprehend the consequences which are actually quite real. I didn’t think anyone could be worse than Bishop but I admit to being wrong there.
Kyle, you mean you only got a bullet in your shin? Consider yourself lucky you didn’t cop one point blank in the chest, like this kid did!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1178967422457434112
Vietnam is a good choice. Never been there but the ones I’ve met here are great people. And the food! Best and healthiest in the world (well, maybe apart from Greek)! Are you in the South? The word is it’s much better down there, thanks to the Yankee imperialists.
In general, the “better side” of any country tends to travel but it is sobering to be reminded that there are good and bad wherever one
goes.
On the one hand little of the colonial heritage remains except some period hotels in various cities such as HCM and Hanoi. However over the course of various visits there have been some changes. About a dozen years ago traffic lights were considered by motorists as advisory only. No one wore a helmet and and entire family of six could be seen going into town on a 200cc-ish bike. In the south during summer, office workers could be seen enjoying a stubby while riding back to where they live. Yet, crossing the road anywhere in the country remains something of black art. I’d say that the place is where the PRC was about five to eight years ago.
There are local differences but there isn’t a great contrast between the North and the South as there once was. HCM is probably more “commercial” but not by a great margin.
Oh those poor people in Hong Kong! How much they must be wishing they lived in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank under the loving care of a liberal democracy.
First class point but it doesn’t begin or end there. It must have been a dammed odd irony for the Poles and Czechs to find themselves under Soviet rule when the war, ostensibly, was initiated to prevent them living under “that N word” rule.
However, it won’t do to become sentimental. On the one hand the protests in HK last year were real although they had morphed from the original motivation. As a characteristic of PRC governance (Xi has written two books on the topic – of the same name – actually “The Governance of China”) the implementation of the directives from the CCP are delegated to Provences or Autonomous Zones.
A Provence doesn’t get to decide “what” but it does get to decide “how” a project is to be implemented. Having made that point any number of election promises in the West are disregarded when a government attains office. Democracy? Yeah! Trump’s appeal to his supporters is that he is following through.
Some HK’ers a looking about for a greener pasture but a lot (including a heap of ex-pats – many retired from colonial duties) are happy to remain. Despite the glib attempts by Western media to present the situation as black and white the reality for the HK’ers is much more complex.
Oh Griselda, you poor tormented tortured soul, how you must be suffering under our Liberal Democracy here in Australia! Why don’t you escape to the people’s paradise in HK where you can enjoy all the privileges of the PRC and the PLA.
I’m just watching Backroads in Biloela and hearing about their dawn raid to snatch a family with two pre school kids into detention. The locals don’t think much of it.