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- The European Union has made the call to restrict exports to Hong Kong as relations between China and several western countries continue to sour
- The E.U. will restrict tech exports which can be used for cyber-surveillance
- Germany will also immediately cease all exports of military equipment to Hong Kong
- The move comes after the E.U. Council expressed ‘grave concern’ over Beijing’s recently-introduced sedition laws to tighten its control over Hong Kong
- China slammed the E.U.’s move and urged the bloc to stop meddling in China-Hong Kong affairs
- A spokesperson from the Chinese Mission to the E.U. went as far as to say Beijing believes the majority of Hong Kong residents are supportive of the new laws
The European Union has made the call to restrict exports to Hong Kong as relations between China and several western countries continue to sour.
The European Council expressed ‘grave concern’ yesterday over Beijing’s recently-introduced sedition laws to solidify its grip of control over Hong Kong.
“The EU is particularly concerned about the extensive erosion of rights and freedoms that were supposed to remain protected until at least 2047; about the lack of safeguards and clarity in the law; and about its extraterritorial provisions,” the E.U. Council said.
As such, the Union has taken measures to restrict certain exports to Hong Kong, including tech that can be used for “internal repression” or cyber-surveillance. On top of this, the E.U. Council is following in the U.K.’s footsteps of potentially creating an easier path for Hongkongers to travel to Europe by stepping up and coordinating scholarships and academic exchanges for Hong Kong students.
“The European Union has a significant stake in the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong,” the Council said.
“Accordingly, it attaches great importance to the preservation of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, in line with the Hong Kong Basic Law and with international commitments, as well as to the respect for the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle.”
The bloc’s response was spearheaded by Germany and France, with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas saying the rest of the member states now have a “common toolbox” from which to respond to Beijing’s sedition laws to balance against trade agreements.
“If we want to stand up for our values and principles in dealing with powers like China, then we as Europeans must speak with one voice,” the Minister said in a statement yesterday.
“Together with France, we have tabled an initiative for a coordinated European response to the application of the Security Law in Hong Kong to the E.U. Foreign Affairs Council,” he continued.
Along with the tech export restrictions, Germany will no longer ship any military equipment to Hong Kong effective immediately. Minister Maas said Germany will now treat the territory the same as mainland China.
China’s response
China slammed the move from the E.U. and urged the bloc to “stop meddling” in Chinese-Hong Kong affairs.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the E.U. said on Wednesday the country is “firmly against the E.U.’s wrong moves.”
China claims the Hong Kong population is supportive of the new security laws, which have been condemned as a breach of basic human rights by the likes of the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and more.
“The vast majority of Hong Kong residents are of the view that the national security law will contribute to the protection of their rights and to the maintenance of long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. We have strong confidence in this regard,” the Chinese Mission spokesperson said.
“We urge the E.U. to truly respect China’s position on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any way,” the spokesperson said.
Hong Kong residents have been protesting the Chinese government’s attempts to seize tighter control of the territory since June 2019.
