One Year Since Hong Kong Extradition Law Protests... "Hong Kong National Security Law Is to Protect Hong Kong"
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] On the 9th, marking the first anniversary of the outbreak of protests against the Hong Kong Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Extradition Law), the Chinese government emphasized that the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law would never infringe upon Hong Kong's freedoms and began efforts to soothe public opinion in Hong Kong.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 9th, Zhang Xiaoming, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of China, stated, "The new national security law for Hong Kong does not undermine the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle but rather strengthens it," adding, "It will ensure that the freedoms granted to Hong Kong can be expanded even after 2047."
He explained, "Contrary to warnings from opposition parties and foreign forces attempting to demonize the Chinese central government, the Hong Kong National Security Law targets only a very small number of people committing four major crimes: independence, subversion, terrorism, and foreign interference," and "Hong Kong can be better protected from negative elements."
Zhang's remarks were made at an online seminar commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong Basic Law and were posted on the Chinese government’s official website the previous day. This is interpreted as an effort to calm public opinion in anticipation of a surge in opposition to the Hong Kong National Security Law within Hong Kong on the first anniversary of the extradition law protests on the 9th.
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While weekend rallies opposing the Hong Kong National Security Law are expected to continue in Hong Kong, the scale of protests is anticipated to be smaller than a year ago.
The prevailing view is that the momentum for resistance has greatly diminished due to the large number of protesters arrested since last year’s extradition law protests.
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