Unanimous Passage of Hong Kong Security Law... Likely to Take Effect on July 1 (Comprehensive)

-China Likely to Intensify Pressure on Hong Kong Democracy Forces
-Despite Criticism and Warnings from the US and Western Countries, Enforcement Continues... US-China Relations Inevitable to Worsen

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] As the application of the Hong Kong National Security Law becomes a foregone conclusion from July 1, the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's sovereignty return, not only the US-China conflict but also the Chinese government's pressure on Hong Kong democracy activists is expected to become more overt.

On the 29th (local time), the US Department of Commerce announced that it is reviewing additional measures after revoking Hong Kong's special treatment just before the passage of the Hong Kong Security Law. US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross stated in a press release that "the US Department of Commerce's regulations granting special privileges to Hong Kong, such as export license exceptions, have been suspended." The Department of Commerce also added that additional measures are being considered to eliminate Hong Kong's special treatment, including suspending exports of US defense articles and dual-use technologies to Hong Kong. There is also a possibility that the 25% tariff bomb applied to exports to mainland China could be applied to exports to Hong Kong as well.

The US Department of State also hinted at strong sanctions. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "The Chinese Communist Party's decision to deprive Hong Kong of its freedom has led us to reassess our policy toward Hong Kong." Following his warning on the 26th to restrict visas for Chinese officials responsible for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy, Pompeo also referred to a report alleging that China has carried out forced sterilizations, abortions, and family planning on Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

Uncertainty is also being sensed within Hong Kong. Although the draft of the Hong Kong Security Law has not been specifically disclosed, rumors are spreading that a National Security Bureau directly under the Chinese government will be established and that those leading acts such as subversion of the state could face the maximum life sentence. There are also speculations that prominent Hong Kong democracy activists, Joshua Wong and Jimmy Lai, who have shown signs of collusion with foreign forces, may be arrested.

The Hong Kong protests scheduled for the 1st of next month are expected to be a litmus test. There are views that participation in protests opposing the law will be low due to concerns that protesters might become 'examples' after the passage of the Hong Kong Security Law. The Hong Kong government's crackdown on protesters is also expected to intensify. From the afternoon of the same day, the Hong Kong police plan to deploy about 4,000 personnel in major downtown areas to prepare for protests against the Hong Kong Security Law. Three water cannons will be deployed in areas such as Hong Kong Island and Kowloon West.

The venue for the sovereignty return commemoration ceremony has been completely sealed off by blocking vehicle traffic and installing large barricades. The Liberation Army Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, recently released a video on its official online account showing snipers belonging to the Chinese troops stationed in Hong Kong conducting live-fire training in a certain area within Hong Kong, creating a pressure atmosphere.

China views the US opposition to the Hong Kong Security Law as interference in internal affairs and maintains that the law sufficiently reflects the opinions of various sectors in Hong Kong and corresponds to the actual situation in Hong Kong. The Chinese state-run Global Times stated in an editorial titled "The Hong Kong Security Law Will Be a New Start for Hong Kong" that "the Hong Kong Security Law will not change the way Hong Kong people live, nor will it deprive any legal rights, including freedom of the press."

However, it added that "China must support law enforcement after the passage of the Hong Kong Security Law, punish those who endanger national security, and be prepared to fight against the US, which is interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the Hong Kong issue," emphasizing the need for strong enforcement.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government is reported to disclose all the details of the Hong Kong Security Law this afternoon through the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.