March 12, 2024
HONG KONG – Lawmakers, community leaders and dozens of members from local groups organized protests outside the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong on Monday, slamming some US politicians’ baseless accusations against Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security.
On Monday morning, more than 30 people, including legislators Bill Tang Ka-piu and Michael Luk Chung-hung, from the city’s largest labor union — the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions — protested outside the consulate general, criticizing the US for interfering in Hong Kong affairs and even blatantly impeding the legislation related to Article 23 of the Basic Law.
Since January, Western politicians such as Gregory May, US consul general to Hong Kong and Macao; Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the US House of Representatives; and David Cameron, the British foreign secretary, have made a series of groundless defamatory attacks, attempting to undermine Hong Kong’s efforts to strengthen the mechanism of safeguarding national security. Their irresponsible speeches have triggered citywide protests in Hong Kong.
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Tang said that the Legislative Council is reviewing the Safeguarding National Security Bill in a responsible, efficient, and highly professional manner. The legislation work has also been welcomed and supported by the general public as the work will help the special administrative region fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and ensure unrest like the street violence of 2019 will not return.
Tang said that after the legislation’s completion, Hong Kong society can focus on developing its economy and improving people’s livelihoods.
The federation has warned the US government to give up its attempt to use anti-China activists, agents and organizations to endanger national security and social stability in the city, Tang added.
Luk said the actions taken by the US government and some of its officials blatantly violate international practices and diplomatic norms, deserving condemnation from all over the world.
The Article 23 legislation strikes a very good balance between safeguarding national security, protecting human rights and freedoms, and promoting economic development. The city’s proposed legislation has drawn upon the experience of other common law jurisdictions, Luk said, adding it not only comprehensively protects residents, but also benefits Hong Kong’s economic development and foreign investors.
Also on Monday, members of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong — the city’s largest political party — staged a protest outside the consulate general, condemning the US and some other Western politicians’ obstruction of Hong Kong’s national security legislation and interference in Hong Kong’s judicial independence.
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The alliance said the US’ tricks will definitely be unable to shake Hong Kong people’s resolve and willingness to complete the legislation and bring the city back to a road toward stability and prosperity.
The alliance demands that these countries and their politicians stop undermining the SAR’s work to safeguard national security, especially the Article 23 legislation, and respect Hong Kong society’s pursuit of security, stability, prosperity and development.
Disinformation and intervention from the West will only lead to greater objections from Hong Kong people and are destined to be futile, the DAB said.