2024-03-24 14:36:02
“If you want to go to Hong Kong in the future, take a close look at your past actions.”
As the so-called ‘Hong Kong National Security Law’, which significantly strengthened punishment for anti-government activities, including for foreigners, came into effect on the 23rd, many countries around the world began issuing travel advisories to Hong Kong. This is because the standards for treason and leakage of confidential information are broad and vague, so not only foreigners living in Hong Kong but also tourists can fall victim to the law unintentionally.
The Hong Kong government announced, “The ‘Ordinance on Safeguarding National Security (Article 23 of the Basic Law)’ passed by the Legislative Council (Parliament) on the 19th will take effect from midnight on the 23rd.” This law contains punishments for 39 security crimes, including national division and overthrow, terrorism, leakage of state secrets, and sedition. In particular, colluding with ‘external forces’ can result in up to life imprisonment. The problem is that since the draft was released, there have been constant criticisms that the punishment standards were ambiguous, but the Hong Kong Assembly processed it according to the original draft.
Tsai Ming-yan, director of Taiwan’s intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau, appeared before Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (parliament) on the 21st and said, “If you want to enter Hong Kong, you must pay special attention to personal safety. You must be careful of detention or interrogation during the entry process.” “I do it,” he said. He cautioned that it could be especially dangerous if you have previously been investigated in Hong Kong or have posted comments criticizing China on social media.
The Australian government also issued a warning regarding travel caution on the 22nd. Australia said, “Hong Kong’s national security law can be interpreted broadly, so travelers may unintentionally violate the law. If they violate the law, they can be detained for up to 16 days without prosecution and cannot access a lawyer for 48 hours.” He warned.
The U.S. State Department also said in a recent statement that it “shares the concerns of other countries that the Hong Kong security law could threaten and limit freedom of expression,” adding, “It will impact U.S. citizens and businesses operating in Hong Kong.”
According to Hong Kong Mingbo, the Hong Kong government said, “The distorted distortion of facts disguised as travel information has political intentions,” and urged “other countries to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs.”
Reporter Kim Cheol-joong tnf@donga.com
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2024-03-24 14:36:02