The world should stand up to China over Hong Kong, activist Nathan Law tells Reuters
Record ID:
1560470
The world should stand up to China over Hong Kong, activist Nathan Law tells Reuters
- Title: The world should stand up to China over Hong Kong, activist Nathan Law tells Reuters
- Date: 2nd July 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 14, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DISQUALIFIED LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING PRO DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGNER, NATHAN LAW, WITH LAWMAKERS AND PROTESTERS CHANTING RED CROSS ON PLACARD READING (English): "POLITICAL PROSECUTION PERSECUTION"
- Embargoed: 16th July 2020 22:25
- Keywords: Beijing Hong Kong Nathan Law borders immigration passport
- Location: UNDISCLOSED LOCATION/ HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: UNDISCLOSED LOCATION/ HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Unknown
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001CL47VPJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Hong Kong's fate shows China's true authoritarianism so the rest of the world should stand up to President Xi Jinping and start to put human rights above financial gain, democracy activist Nathan Law told Reuters.
China unveiled a national security law this week which Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters and the West says breaches the "one country, two systems" principle enshrined in the 1984 Sino-British treaty that guaranteed autonomy of Hong Kong.
"This is basically the end of one country two systems because there is no more two systems, no more firewall between the system in Hong Kong and China, it's basically merged with the implementation of the national security law, so I think the international community should recognise that and adopt relevant mechanisms to hold China accountable," Law told Reuters via internet video.
Law, 26, left Hong Kong this week. He declined to disclose his location.
The British flag was lowered over Hong Kong when the colony was handed back to China in 1997 after more than 150 years of British rule - imposed after Britain defeated China in the First Opium War.
Britain says the national security law breaches the agreements made at the time of the handover and that China is crushing the freedoms that have helped make Hong Kong one of the world's most glittering financial hubs.
Hong Kong and Beijing officials have said the law is vital to plug holes in national security defenses exposed by the protests. China has repeatedly told Western powers to stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs.
Law said businesses and professionals were seriously considering leaving Hong Kong, once ranked as Asia's top financial hub, due to China's crackdown.
While Law said the national security law was aimed at crushing the pro-democracy movement, he said Hong Kong would not surrender and the resistance would continue.
"I think there is certain tenacity inside Hong Kong's democratic movement, regardless of how large the suppression is," Law said.
So what would Law tell President Xi?
"It is better for you to step down," he said.
"It is time for a leader for the country who knows how to treat the people good and lead the country in a more healthy, positive way instead of just messing up the whole country."
(Production: Natalie Thomas, Jonathan Shenfield) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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