EU foreign affairs chief has expressed concern about the potential impact of Hong Kong’s new security law on the rights and freedoms of people in the Chinese special administrative region.
Josep Borrell expressed his concern in a statement on Wednesday, following the adoption of the controversial bill by the pro-Beijing Legislative Council, or LegCo, in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Borrell said that the move could “exacerbate the erosion of fundamental freedoms and political pluralism.”
The law could “significantly affect” the work of the EU representation and the consulates general of EU states in Hong Kong.
It would also impact European citizens, organisations and companies in the Asian metropolis.
“This also raises questions about Hong Kong’s long-term attractiveness as an international business hub,” the EU top diplomat added.
According to his assessment, the comprehensive provisions and vague definitions relating to “foreign interference and state secrets” in the law appear to be “particularly worrying.”
The law gave the authorities of the former British colony further powers to take action against critical voices.
It followed on from the security law introduced in 2020 after the suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong, with which Beijing tightened its grip on the special administrative region.
During that time it restricted many of the freedoms previously enjoyed by Hong Kong’s seven million inhabitants. (dpa/NAN)