Chilling Use of Security Law Threatens Hong Kong’s Business

It was reported on July 12th, Hanscom Smith, the top U.S. diplomat in Hong Kong and the consul general in Hong Kong and Macau, urged Communist China to ease political pressure on Hong Kong, warning that the crude and chilling use of a sweeping national security law threatened its role as an international business hub.

Smith said that the electoral changes to ensure only officially selected “patriots” can govern the city, had further undermined its future. The national security law has weakened Hong Kong’s strong tradition of rule of law. A government that is responsive and representative of the people does not rule its people with intimidation, deliberate ambiguity and authoritarian judicial processes. True patriotism is earned by winning the loyalty of free people, rather than futile efforts to legislate ‘patriotism’ and loyalty from above.

He continued to say that the government could not act at will in a society of the rule of law, and the Chinese Government cannot attempt to maintain Hong Kong’s unique economic and financial systems while degrading its political institutions. By curbing political and social freedom, Communist China will surely lose the determinants that have enabled Hong Kong to develop into a global services hub.

Smith also said that Hong Kong’s success was because it embraced openness and transparency rather than ideological bigotry and herd mentality. The message from America is simple; we want Hong Kong to succeed and be the Hong Kong it was.