China is in the process of passing a new law that would deal with Hong Kong, largely until now considered part of China, yet independent, that would be aimed at “secession, subversion, and terrorism” Beijing rejects the idea that their Central Government is somehow limiting the autonomy of the people of Hong Kong and that the bill is aimed more at subversion. Hong-Kong’s Chief Executive Lam refused to comment on the legislation stating that she would not comment on a piece of legislation until it becomes law. Analysts point out also that it lets China have a say over the judges when it comes to national security concerns.
Anna Corren, a CNN correspondent states that it is 1. the end of 1 country 2 systems, we’ve been expecting this law for a long time. 2. CNN stated that protesters would likely end up in jail, Anna says it’s China taking control of Hong Kong again. 3. The maximum penalty would be life in prison rather than 10 years what was originally thought. 4. Chinese officials operating in Hong Kong is new– this is the first time that it’s happened. Joshua Wong, an activist on Twitter that helped start the pro-democracy movements on Twitter tweeted that it “marks the end of Hong Kong that the world knew before.
This bill would give China much more sway over internal matters of Hong-Kong, and young people are in fear that their protest movement, that happened last year will not be able to last much longer. This changing of status with Hong Kong in terms of self-governance has lead the United States to issue a proclamation rescinding its special status with Hong Kong.
In the 1990s, Hong Kong was given back to China on the condition that it would respect its autonomy and that it would allow their country to be Democratic. Hong Kong maintains certain freedoms that China doesn’t have such as free-speech, a judiciary system, and the right to protest. With Hong Kong being much more involved, it’s being questioned how much longer those are likely to last, or, if they’ll still be lasting at all. With protesters being fearful of China already, the notion of China somehow becoming more involved with Hong-Kong really scares some younger protesters and makes some of them want to leave.
