The Hong Kong government has announced plans to launch a legislative consultation on Article 23 of the Basic Law regarding China’s national security before the Lunar New Year on February 10. The government aims to complete the legislation within the year, sparking concerns from the international community about the impact on the freedom of Hong Kong citizens.
Zhong Jianhua, a former assistant professor at the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, expressed skepticism about the consultation process, stating that the passage of Article 23 legislation is a foregone conclusion. He pointed out the lack of opposition political parties and genuine representatives of public opinion in the Legislative Council, suggesting that the passage of the bill is inevitable.
In an interview with Voice of Hope, scholar Li Yuanhua from Macao emphasized the Chinese Communist Party’s desire to use legislation as a means to exert control over Hong Kong. He argued that the completion of Article 23 legislation will further restrict the freedom of Hong Kong people and enable the government to persecute individuals using so-called laws.
Furthermore, Li Yuanhua highlighted the diminishing hope among Hong Kong people in the government, stating that the political environment has shifted away from representative democracy to a system where individuals appointed by the Chinese Communist Party are expected to carry out its orders.
The scholar also expressed concerns about the potential economic ramifications of the Chinese government’s actions, suggesting that the focus has shifted from the economic well-being of Hong Kong to the mainlandization of the region. This shift could have significant implications for Hong Kong’s role as a global gateway, as well as its economic stability.
As the debate over Article 23 legislation continues, the impact on Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy remains a topic of widespread concern. The international community will be watching closely as the legislative consultation unfolds in the coming weeks.
Editor in charge: Lin Li
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