China passes security law for Hong Kong giving Beijing sweeping powers, Cable TV reports
China’s parliament passed national security legislation for Hong Kong today, setting the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony’s way of life since it returned to Chinese rule almost exactly 23 years ago.
(MMO) – Cable TV, citing an unidentified source, said the law was passed unanimously by the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress.
The legislation pushes Beijing further along a collision course with the United States, Britain and other Western governments, which have said it erodes the high degree of autonomy the global financial hub was granted at its July 1, 1997 handover.
In response to the legislation, the United States began eliminating Hong Kong’s special status under US law yesterday, halting defence exports and restricting the territory’s access to high technology products.
