On 28 May, China’s national legislature voted by 2,878 to one to approve a draft law curtailing the freedoms Hong Kong enjoys under the “one country, two systems” model. The decision paves the way for China to impose new security measures targeting dissent in the city and, some suggest, crush the protest movement there. It jeopardises Hong Kong’s special status – already the US is moving to withdraw privileges such as exceptions from trade tariffs – and with it its economic model and way of life.
The move drew particular condemnation from Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen characterised the law as “bullets… fear and crackdown” and has even offered to help Hong Kongers resettle in her country. Relations between Beijing and Taipei are at their worst in years, with Taiwan emerging confidently from the Covid-19 crisis and a growing chorus of voices (led by Australia, Japan and now the US) backing its return to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in defiance of Beijing. In response China is sharpening its rhetoric: on 29 May a general said it would “resolutely smash” any separatist moves by Taiwan.
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