Beijing should not try to directly control Hong Kong
With a new national security law in effect on the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China, we have to ask whether the semiautonomous city will remain the same as the world knows it.
By pushing through with the law that many critics are deploring as the end of "one country, two systems," China has reaffirmed its assertiveness to the consternation of its neighbors and rival powers. The heightening sense of confrontation between the United States and China ― from trade to regional leadership ― is not desirable for any country, especially South Korea.
The White House's National Security Council issued a statement Tuesday that read, "As Beijing now treats Hong Kong as one country, one system, so must the United States." The U.S. also began eliminating Hong Kong's special status under its laws Monday, and has warned of further measures.
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a more cautious statement Tuesday saying that it was important for Hong Kong to enjoy "a high degree of autonomy." The guarded statement embodies the dilemma for South Korea, with China as a partner in working with North Korea and its top export destination, and with United States a solid security ally. One of the worst-case scenarios for Korea, for any nation, would be for either country to ask them to choose sides in the new Cold War world order. The government must come up with a detailed plan so as not to face that situation.
The new law had been expected to take months to go fully into effect. But its stridency and how its details were disclosed at the last minute is alarming. Contrary to previous forecasts of lighter sentences, the law made the crimes of secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and colluding with foreign countries and external elements subject to life imprisonment. The police also made their first arrest Wednesday.
The law bans violators from running for office, as well as spelling out larger oversight of nongovernmental organizations and media groups.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has endorsed the law as "necessary and timely to maintain Hong Kong's stability," but whether people would agree with her point of view is doubtful.
Stability is ensured when there is trust. That trust has eroded as concern greatly grows that the new law will limit various freedoms promised to Hong Kong for 50 years when it was returned to Beijing. It should also be asked whether China is willing to forsake the successful model of "one country, two systems" that brought prosperity to both the city and the mainland government, in order to assert its national sovereignty.
China has defended the law saying that it focuses on a "handful of criminals," and the law shows tolerance for the city of Hong Kong. It should adhere to these words.
With a new national security law in effect on the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China, we have to ask whether the semiautonomous city will remain the same as the world knows it.
By pushing through with the law that many critics are deploring as the end of "one country, two systems," China has reaffirmed its assertiveness to the consternation of its neighbors and rival powers. The heightening sense of confrontation between the United States and China ― from trade to regional leadership ― is not desirable for any country, especially South Korea.
The White House's National Security Council issued a statement Tuesday that read, "As Beijing now treats Hong Kong as one country, one system, so must the United States." The U.S. also began eliminating Hong Kong's special status under its laws Monday, and has warned of further measures.
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a more cautious statement Tuesday saying that it was important for Hong Kong to enjoy "a high degree of autonomy." The guarded statement embodies the dilemma for South Korea, with China as a partner in working with North Korea and its top export destination, and with United States a solid security ally. One of the worst-case scenarios for Korea, for any nation, would be for either country to ask them to choose sides in the new Cold War world order. The government must come up with a detailed plan so as not to face that situation.
The new law had been expected to take months to go fully into effect. But its stridency and how its details were disclosed at the last minute is alarming. Contrary to previous forecasts of lighter sentences, the law made the crimes of secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and colluding with foreign countries and external elements subject to life imprisonment. The police also made their first arrest Wednesday.
The law bans violators from running for office, as well as spelling out larger oversight of nongovernmental organizations and media groups.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has endorsed the law as "necessary and timely to maintain Hong Kong's stability," but whether people would agree with her point of view is doubtful.
Stability is ensured when there is trust. That trust has eroded as concern greatly grows that the new law will limit various freedoms promised to Hong Kong for 50 years when it was returned to Beijing. It should also be asked whether China is willing to forsake the successful model of "one country, two systems" that brought prosperity to both the city and the mainland government, in order to assert its national sovereignty.
China has defended the law saying that it focuses on a "handful of criminals," and the law shows tolerance for the city of Hong Kong. It should adhere to these words.
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