In the upcoming 22nd China-EU summit, the European Union leaders are expected to put direct pressure on China as Hong Kongers call out for help from the international community to save their special status from Beijing’s draconian national security law.
“We are trying to exercise influence in expressing our concerns by reaching out actively over the last few days and weeks – and this will be the highest-ranking reaching out on Monday, to our partners in Beijing,” an EU official said.
Another EU source said that the issue of Hong Kong needs to be addressed as “this affects our ability to further develop our relations between EU and China.”
It will be the first encounter between the Chinese leader and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Joining them on an hour long call will be European Council President Charles Michel.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will chair the summit with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.
The meeting will be held in an online format and will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and the European Economic Commission.
Meanwhile, amid the growing voices condemning Beijing’s national security law, China is trying hard to convince the world that the city is actually welcoming the security law.
The draft law, which was submitted for deliberation at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), has been hailed for taking into account Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and legal differences and striking a perfect balance between safeguarding national security and protecting the legal rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people, local media reported.
The controversial legislation comprises six chapters and 66 articles. The chapters, inter alia, cover general provisions, duties and mechanisms for ensuring Hong Kong’s national security, issues of crimes and penalties, jurisdiction and law enforcement.
The bill sets out rules for the prevention, suppression and punishment of secessionist activities, attempts to undermine the state authority, terrorist activities and colluding with foreign states or forces to jeopardize national security.
The legislation also grants the Chinese government authority to establish a national security agency in Hong Kong, which will be responsible for analyzing security situation in the special administrative region, making recommendations on the policy in the field of national security, as well as monitoring, coordinating, guiding and supporting Hong Kong in the implementation of national security obligations.
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