Beijing’s national security law sounds the death knell for ‘one country, two systems’ and democracy in Hong Kong

The central government announced last Thursday that a new law concerning national security in Hong Kong would be tabled at its annual Two Sessions gatherings. The resolution has now been endorsed by the National People’s Congress, and the law is expected to be enacted swiftly. This, in effect, spells the end of “one country, two systems”. After the political bombshell was dropped, the Hang Seng Index fell by more than 1,300 points the following day. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has since announced that the State Department no longer regards Hong Kong as autonomous from China, signalling that the city no longer merits special trade treatment under US law. Last year, with the passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, the city’s special trade status was made conditional on the secretary of state regularly certifying that Hong Kong maintains sufficient autonomy from mainland China. If the US’ top diplomat fails to certify this, Congress can revoke the special treatment. Pompeo’s report indicates Hong Kong could soon be treated the same as mainland China for trade and other purposes. Beijing’s move against Hong Kong is unprecedented. Was Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor even informed beforehand? It is Beijing’s imperative: the Hong Kong government and pro-establishment camp have no choice but to support the national security law for the city. At the beginning of the discussion on Hong Kong’s future after 1997, many people panicked, triggering a wave of mass migration. In light of the citywide fear, two principles were agreed between Britain and China in the Sino-British Joint Declaration: “one country, two systems” and “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong”. The two promises fostered a smooth handover and continued prosperity and stability in the city. Clearly, to Hong Kong people, a promise is a promise. However, Beijing has shattered the last bit of trust Hong Kong people had in it. Back in 2003, even when people took the streets because the government was trying to force Article 23 through the Legislative Council, they believed in one country, two systems and chanted slogans about defending it. National security law for Hong Kong leaves Trump in an awkward spot In his first term, then chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen put forward two interim political reform proposals. However, they were voted down by Legco. Still, people believed that the central government would honour its promise of universal suffrage, as stated in the Basic Law. In 2014, the central government released a white paper stating that the chief executive in 2017 would be elected through universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee. Hong Kong people refused to accept the proposal, setting in motion the umbrella movement. Then chief executive Leung Chun-ying commanded the police to suppress the protests, which was the beginning of police brutality. Even during the recent anti-extradition movement, protesters started off supporting one country, two systems. However, after months of police brutality, Lam still refused to set up an independent investigation committee. Now that a national security law is to be enacted, bypassing Legco, Hong Kong people can no longer pin their hopes on the government and the Basic Law. Concerns are being raised over the operation of Chinese national security forces in the city, whether the agencies will be bound by local laws and what the extent of their powers will be. Hong Kong has clearly lost its autonomy. Some Hongkongers have no doubt begun their migration applications – even those who hold foreign passports, while not yet packing their bags and leaving the city, are prepared for the worst. The remaining residents will have only two choices – be an obedient citizen or join the resistance. Most people will eventually give up struggling and accept their destiny. Only some idealistic young people will continue to fight in the streets and sacrifice themselves for the unachievable dream of full democracy in Hong Kong. Before the handover in 1997, Fortune magazine published an issue proclaiming “The Death Of Hong Kong” and foretelling how it would become just another Chinese city. Back then, people in the city believed otherwise – that the promise of one country, two systems would be kept. Unfortunately, the magazine’s prophecy seems to have come true. Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator Help us understand what you are interested in so that we can improve SCMP and provide a better experience for you. We would like to invite you to take this five-minute survey on how you engage with SCMP and the news.