US, UK, Canada and Australia criticise new Hong Kong security law

New legislation outlaws ‘acts or activities’ that put China’s national security at risk

BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 28: Chinese president Xi Jinping listens during the closing session of the National People's Congress, which included a vote on a new draft security bill for Hong Kong, at the Great Hall of the People on May 28, 2020 in Beijing, China. The Chinese government passed the draft by a vote of 2,878 votes to one during the session. The draft law, which has drawn international concern, is set to address issues such as secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign interference, comes after a year of anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous region. China held its annual parliamentary gathering, known as 'The Two Sessions', at the Great Hall of the People from May 21-28th after being postponed at the height of the coronavirus outbreak in China earlier this year. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
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The US, UK, Canada and Australia have criticised a new national security law in Hong Kong, saying it would undermine the former British colony’s status as a “bastion of freedom”.

In a statement from the foreign ministers of the four countries, they said they were concerned the action would increase divisions in Hong Kong that exist over the role of China.

The new legislation, approved by parliament in Beijing, bans “acts or activities” that put China’s national security at risk.

China says the law is necessary because there are national security concerns in Hong Kong that need to be addressed.

The statement added that the move “lies in direct conflict” with the “legally binding” 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. The agreement places Hong Kong under the authority of China but says the former UK colony would enjoy a “high degree of autonomy” for the next 50 years.

Hong Kong had been beset by protests since 2019 over an extradition bill with China that was eventually withdrawn.

“We are also extremely concerned that this action will exacerbate the existing deep divisions in Hong Kong society,” said the four countries.

“Rebuilding trust across Hong Kong society by allowing the people of Hong Kong to enjoy the rights and freedoms they were promised can be the only way back from the tensions and unrest that the territory has seen over the last year.”