[The Epoch Times, July 3, 2022](Comprehensive report by Xu Yiyang, reporter from the Epoch Times Special Department) On July 1 this year, on the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong sovereignty to the CCP, U.S. dignitaries lamented that the CCP’s promise of “unchanged for 50 years” has just gone Half of Hong Kong people have been deprived of their rights; politicians from many countries have also spoken out one after another, criticizing the CCP for violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration and undermining Hong Kong’s democracy and freedom.
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lamented that the CCP’s “50-year-old promise” was only halfway through, and the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities continued to deprive Hong Kong people of their rights.
In a statement issued on June 30, Blinken said that July 1 was originally the midpoint of the CCP’s commitment to Hong Kong’s autonomy for 50 years under the “one country, two systems” framework, “however, it is now clear that the authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing do not agree. Think of democratic participation, fundamental freedoms and an independent media as part of that vision.”
In 2019, millions of Hong Kongers took part in public protests against controversial extradition legislation, the statement said. Beijing has responded by pushing the National Security Law for the erosion of Hong Kong residents’ autonomy and deprivation of rights and freedoms over the past two years.
Authorities jailed opposition figures, many for more than a year, Blinken said in the statement. Hong Kong leaders have also raided independent media outlets, closed museums, removed public art, weakened democratic institutions, postponed elections, blocked (June 4) candlelight mourning, disqualified current legislators, and instituted the oath of allegiance. Government officials have also spread false information that the protests were the work of foreign powers.
“What they’re doing is taking away what they’ve promised to give to the people of Hong Kong,” Blinken said. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and answer their call for the restoration of their promised freedoms.”
White House National Security Council condemns China
The White House National Security Council issued a statement on the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong sovereignty to the Chinese Communist Party on June 30. In a statement, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson criticized China for undermining Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms.
The statement said that July 1 marks the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong sovereignty to the CCP. “This date was originally envisaged as the midpoint of the 50 years of Hong Kong autonomy promised in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We did not wait for Hong Kong to be autonomous for another 25 years. , has witnessed the collapse of Hong Kong’s democratic system and unprecedented pressure on the judicial system. Academic, cultural and press freedoms have been stifled, and dozens of civil society groups and news organizations have been forcibly disbanded.”
“These actions undermine fundamental freedoms and the rules-based order that helps maintain global stability.”
The two-year-old National Security Law has eliminated any meaningful political opposition in Hong Kong, suppressed dissent, and forced nearly all of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy politicians to either be imprisoned awaiting trial or go into exile, the statement said.
The statement also said that the CCP’s policies towards Hong Kong have also shaken Hong Kong’s institutions, rules and systems, which are the foundation of the international community’s confidence in Hong Kong – the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s role as an economic center.
U.S. congressional agencies urge China to live up to its promises
The U.S. Congressional-Executive Committee on China (CECC) also issued a statement on June 30 saying that Hong Kong’s thriving entrepreneurial model is rooted in human rights and the rule of law guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an international treaty. They urged China to honor its commitments under the treaty and other international obligations to release all political prisoners.
“We recognize that the task of restoring Hong Kong’s commitment to autonomy will require sustained efforts by the United States and the international community to resist the erosion of political and civil rights by the Chinese (CCP) and Hong Kong authorities, which they fear,” the statement said. The 1997 handover of sovereignty At the time, the CCP promised to maintain the Hong Kong people’s way of life until 2047, but over the past few years, the CCP has repeatedly reneged on that promise.
“We hope that democracy and freedom will once again shape Hong Kong’s future, but at this time, we will continue to publicly demand that Hong Kong and the Chinese (CCP) government fulfill their international obligations.” The statement concluded that they will continue to pursue anyone who undermines Hong Kong’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The responsibility of officials, and in coordination with other allies and partners globally, will also work to provide immigration avenues for Hong Kong people.
Criticizing the CCP for breaking promises, British Prime Minister: Will not give up Hong Kong
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on June 30 that Britain would not abandon Hong Kong, accusing China of failing to keep its promises on the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty.
“We made a promise to Hong Kong and the people of Hong Kong, and we intend to keep that promise and do everything we can to get China to keep it,” Johnson said in a video posted on Twitter.
He said the CCP did not abide by the “one country, two systems” commitment under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and “this situation threatens both the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people and the continued progress and prosperity of Hong Kong.”
He described the UK as a country that respects freedom of speech and assembly, and pointed out that there are currently 120,000 Hong Kong people and families who choose to live in the UK.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also said in a statement that Hong Kong’s political and civil rights have been eroded over the past two years.
“The authorities have silenced the opposition, criminalized dissidents and expelled anyone who could speak the truth in the face of power,” she said.
She said the UK will continue to stand firmly with Hong Kong. The UK is working with its allies and partners to hold China to meet its international obligations.
Australia deeply concerned about human rights in Hong Kong
On the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty, Australia has criticized China for restricting the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on June 30 that Australia is deeply concerned that Hong Kong’s rights, freedoms and autonomy continue to be eroded two years after the National Security Law was implemented.
The National Security Law is widely used to arrest or pressure pro-democracy figures, opposition groups, the media, trade unions and civil society, the statement said. Electoral reforms enacted by Beijing in 2021 have further eroded Hong Kong’s democratic governance.
“We urge the Chinese (Chinese) government and Hong Kong authorities to uphold and protect those factors that are critical to Hong Kong’s success,” the statement said, “including those guaranteed by the high degree of autonomy, the Basic Law and Beijing’s commitment to the Sino-British Joint Declaration. rights and freedoms.”
Xi Jinping says “one country, two systems” is a good system, Hong Kong people refute
The top leader of the CCP, Xi Jinping, said in Hong Kong on July 1 that “one country, two systems” is a good system, and claimed that everything the CCP does is for the good of the country, Hong Kong, Macau, and even the people of Hong Kong and Macau.
When Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan visited Hong Kong on a special train on June 30, they said that in the past period, Hong Kong had “reborn from ashes and showed vigorous vitality” after experiencing the challenges of wind and rain. He said that “one country, two systems” is a good system, and that Hong Kong’s future will definitely be better by adhering to “one country, two systems”.
“One country, two systems” means that Hong Kong and mainland China implement two different systems. In the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed by China and the UK in 1984, it was stated that after the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the CCP would ensure that the capitalist system and way of life in Hong Kong would remain unchanged for 50 years under the principle of “one country, two systems”. The rights and freedoms of the person, speech, publication, assembly, association, religious belief, etc., are stipulated in the Basic Law of Hong Kong.
But today, 25 years later, Xu Zhifeng, a former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, told Radio Free Asia that under high-pressure governance, there are more than 1,000 political prisoners in Hong Kong prisons, and Hong Kong people have been completely deprived of the freedom they once enjoyed. “has disappeared.
Responsible editor: Lian Shuhua #