HONG KONG – Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday urged opponents of Beijing’s plan to impose national security legislation in the financial hub to stop “smearing” the effort, adding that those who did were “the enemy of the people”.
Last month, Beijing announced a plan to introduce a law in Hong Kong to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference and which could see Chinese security agencies establish bases in the city.
Critics see the law as the most serious threat to a “one country, two systems” formula, agreed when the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.
The Chinese government and Lam’ s city administration say the law will not curtail freedoms but will target a small number of “troublemakers” and help bring stability after a year of anti-government protests.
“I urge opponents who still use the usual tactics to demonise and smear the work to stop because by doing this they become the enemy of the Hong Kong people,” Lam said before a cabinet meeting.
“The vast majority want to restore stability, and have safety, satisfaction and employment.”
The government has come out with a campaign to garner public support for the legislation, with billboards, a booklet with questions and answers and a video of Lam defending the law “in the interest of the public”.
In the video that appeared on the city government’s website, Lam decried a “terrorist threat” against a “traumatised” city, saying advocates of independence were “colluding with foreign forces” and posing a threat to security.
“Hong Kong has become a gaping hole in national security, and our city’s prosperity and stability are at risk,” said Lam.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field