Need To Know: July 1
Orwell would be proud …
With National Security Law, China Ends Political Freedom In Hong Kong
The draconian national security law Beijing is imposing on Hong Kong was signed into law by Xi Jinping on Tuesday night. The details are even worse than expected.
The law — which criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces as defined by Beijing — could entail life imprisonment for offenders, expulsion for non-residents and fines for errant companies. It also allows for those charged to be extradited to China to face process in a Chinese court.
China will also be involved in enforcement on Hong Kong soil, a clear violation of the Basic Law negotiated between Britain and China in the run up to the return of the British colony to the People’s Republic in 1997.
Frankly, the law essentially marks the end of the Basic Agreement and the “One Country, Two Systems” formula Hong Kong has operated under, since political freedom of speech and assembly are now dead. Throughout town, people have been seen removing pro-democracy notices in their businesses.
Wise because offenses under the law appear to be broadly defined. For instance, fuelling hatred of the local or central governments by “various unlawful ways” or seriously obstructing them in the formulation of policies or laws would constitute subversion. Asking foreign organizations or agents to adopt sanctions against Hong Kong or the central government can be deemed collusion. Vandalizing transportor power generation facilities fall under the category of terrorism.
Add it all up and Hong Kong is now legally just another city in China.
ASEAN Unites On South China Sea
China’s self-defeating foreign policy under Xi Jinping has undermined Beijing’s interests again.
At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, members jointly declared that the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should be “the basis for determining sovereign rights, jurisdiction and legitimate interests over maritime zones” in disputed waters like the South China Sea. This is notable for two reasons:
Balder-dash
It’s an outright rejection of China’s so-called Nine Dash Line claim to the South China Sea, which has already been labeled ridiculous by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016.
Risk-averse ASEAN, which in the past has repeatedly failed to show even token levels of unity on the South China Sea, is now backing UNCLOS. Even Chinese toady Cambodia did not block the statement.
Elsewhere, in everyone finding their common interest is opposing China:
The local government in Indonesia’s Natuna Islands openly called for Australian investment and rejecting Chinese money.
U.S. anti-submarine aircraft have been spotted around Taiwan for eight consecutive days.
Japan and India launched joint maritime drills.
And the United States is reportedly mulling plans to open its training facilities in Guam to fighter pilots from fellow Quad members Japan, Australia and India.
Anti-China Militants Attack Pakistan Stock Exchange
Pakistani militants, who among other things oppose their country’s involvement in China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange, killing at least seven people.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group from the province of Balochistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. There were no reports of wounded among the brokers and employees inside the exchange. Police say all four 'terrorists' died along with two security guards and a police officer.
It appears a hostage taking was the plan. Police say the equipment, arms and ammunition recovered indicate the militants had come prepared for a long siege.
In a statement, a BLA spokesperson said they had carried out the attack to directly target Pakistan’s economy, and send a message to China, which holds about 40% equity in the bourse through the Shanghai stock exchange. The BLA has vocally opposed China’s infrastructure investments in their province.