EU stands up for Hong Kong’s autonomy

BRUSSELS

The EU calls on China to not undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy while assessing the diplomatic consequences of the new security law, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday in a statement.

In his letter, Borrell expressed doubts over the recently adopted security law’s conformity with Hong Kong’s Basic Law, as well as China’s international commitments.

“The European Union is concerned that the law risks seriously undermining the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong, and having a detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law”, he added.

The bloc also “urges China to avoid any act which undermines Hong Kong’s autonomy in the legal field, including in terms of human rights.”

The EU is now “assessing implications of such a law”, but it continues the dialogue with China, Borrell explained.

The EU is preparing a coordinated response to the Chinese law, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Tuesday, adding that the EU had already warned the Asian country of “very negative consequences”.

China passed a national security law for Hong Kong on Tuesday to rein in the semi-autonomous region after months of protests last year.

The new security law for Hong Kong prohibits acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.