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| A protest as big as the one held on May 24 is expected after the passing of the controversial security bill |
The Consulate has warned of more protests ahead, after China ’s National People’s Congress passed the
national security bill which prohibits acts of secession, subversion, terrorism
or conspiracy with foreign influences in Hong Kong .
Unlike in the past, however, no exact places were mentioned
in the Consulate’s advisory, which merely urged Filipinos to exercise caution
in the coming days. Its warning that protests would be held Thursday and Friday
did not, however, materialize.
The NPC’s Standing Committee will now draft the exact wording
of the legislation before it is added to Hong Kong ’s
Basic Law and enacted.
The move was swiftly condemned by several countries led by
the United States , which
said ahead of the NPC meeting that the new measure would spell the end of the
“one country, two systems” rule in Hong Kong .
Hours after the bill passed, the US ,
Britain , Australia and Canada
issued a joint statement calling out China
for imposing the new security law that they said breached the 1984 Sino-British
Joint Declaration which assured autonomy for Hong Kong
for 50 years.
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“China ’s
decision to impose the new national security law on Hong
Kong lies in direct conflict with its international obligations
under the principles of the legally-binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint
Declaration,” their statement said.
The four countries urged the Chinese and Hong Kong
governments to work with the people in the special administrative region to
find a mutually acceptable way to honor China ’s
international obligations under its agreement with Britain
The joint statement was immediately followed by an
announcement by British foreign minister Dominc Raab that holders of British
national overseas (BNO) passports in Hong Kong could be granted citizenship if
Beijing did not suspend its proposed security law.
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| CE Lam is urging HK people to rally behind the national security law |
In the wake of the furor, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie
Lam wrote a letter calling on the city’s residents to give their “full
understanding and staunch support” for the national security law.
Lam’s letter, which was published by most local newspapers
today, said the SAR’s current legal system does not provide it adequate defense
against national security threats.
“Over the past year, the Hong Kong
community has been traumatized. Violence by rioters has escalated, with illegal
firearms and explosives posing a terrorist threat,” Lam wrote.
“Meanwhile, external forces have intensified their
interference in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, passed laws relating to Hong Kong
and flagrantly glorified the illegal acts of radicals, all of which seriously
jeopardize our nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” she
added.
“Hong Kong has become a
gaping hole in national security, and our city’s prosperity and stability are
at risk.”
Lam also reminded the people that in the 23 years since the
handover, Hong Kong has failed to enact its
own laws on national security under sec 23 of the Basic Law.
News that Beijing was poised
to enact a national security law for Hong Kong led to thousands of people to
march from Causeway
Bay
On May 27, simultaneous protests were held in various
districts across Hong Kong , in response to a
call to stop the Legislative Council from debating the national anthem law,
which punishes anyone who misuses of insults the March of the Volunteers.
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| 180 people were arrested in Causeway Bay and Central during the May 27 rally against the national anthem bill |
The protests which broke out in key districts like Central,
Admiralty, Wanchai, Causeway
Bay
Bigger protests could be held over the weekend, which is
closest to the June 4th anniversary of the 1989 Tienanmen Square China
In its advisory to the Filipino community, the Consulate
said people should stay away from the protest areas and to refrain from wearing
black or white, the colors worn by the opposing forces in the protests.
In case of an emergency, they should call the Consulate’s
hotline, 9155 4023.
