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Since the National People's Congress first announced its proposed national security law, my heart has been breaking for the people of #HongKong. Could you imagine waking up one day and realizing many of the precious #freedoms & #humanrights you held so dear were in jeopardy?
The new national security law, if passed, would make it illegal to engage in any talk of "secession", "terrorism", "foreign collusion", & sedition. It is a worst-case scenario that would end one country, two systems. https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliviaenos/2020/05/22/hong-kongs-worst-case-scenario-is-happening-before-our-very-eyes/#12c09a927da5
The new law could also end #HongKong's decades-long era of prosperity. At an event @Heritage, current #HongKong LegCo member, Dennis Kwok, said he didn't know if events like the one he spoke at (linked here) would be permissible under this new law. https://www.heritage.org/asia/event/webinar-dont-look-now-chinas-new-crackdown-liberty-hong-kong
He also said that he and his co-panelist and founder of #HongKong's pro-democracy movement, Martin Lee, could be imprisoned this time next year. These two have devoted their lives to the preservation of freedom.
Freedom is fragile. Perhaps all of us in the #COVID19 era appreciate this reality with newfound understanding. Freedom is worth fighting for -- even worth dying for.
Today's #HongKong is not yesterdays #HongKong. #Beijing's infringement on liberty in #HongKong has gone too far and is why @SecPompeo announced today to Congress that Hong Kong is not sufficiently autonomous.
We will know more about the consequences of the Secretary's statements when the President issues an anticipated statement clarifying the determination means for the future of #HongKong.
This determination will have lasting impacts on the US-China relationship, on the business community, on the global economy. But none will feel the effects of Beijing's transgressions as much as the #HongKong people.
Today I fear for the loss of their freedom. I do not fear for their resilience. The US sent the right message that it continues to stand with the #HongKong people, in favor of freedom and human rights.
If the USG is looking for next steps, @Heritage has a few recommendations on what to do when rule of law in #HongKong is undermined: https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/responding-threats-the-rule-law-hong-kong
And more @Heritage recommendations in the case of an armed intervention by #Beijing in #HongKong. https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/china-would-pay-steep-price-armed-intervention-hong-kong
