China News  
SINO DAILY
EU warns China over Hong Kong security law
By Damon WAKE
Brussels (AFP) June 22, 2020

The EU on Monday warned China it would face "very negative consequences" if it presses ahead with a new security law for Hong Kong, stepping up pressure on Beijing over the controversial legislation.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel told China's top leaders of their "grave concern" over the new law, which critics say will curb the financial hub's autonomy and freedoms.

The stern message, delivered during a video summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, adds to a chorus of international concern over Hong Kong, though so far Beijing has shown no sign of backing down on a law it says is necessary to maintain order.

"We expressed our grave concerns about the proposed national security law for Hong Kong," Michel told reporters after the talks.

"We called on China to follow the promises made to the people of Hong Kong and the international community regarding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and guaranteed freedoms."

A report of the summit by China's state news agency Xinhua made no mention of Hong Kong but said Xi had stressed his country wanted "peace without hegemony".

Foreign ministers from the G7 group of industrialised nations last week urged Beijing to reconsider the proposed law, which has raised concerns it will end Hong Kong's relative freedoms and open the door to the kind of repression seen in mainland China.

Echoing the language of the G7 statement, von der Leyen said they had made it clear to the Chinese that the EU believes the imposition of the national security law breaches Beijing's international commitments.

- 'very negative consequences' -

"The national security law risks seriously undermining the 'one country, two systems' principle and Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, which we wish to see stay in place."

Von der Leyen said that she had warned the Chinese leaders that Hong Kong owes its economic success to its relative autonomy from Beijing.

"So we also conveyed that China risks very negative consequences if it goes forward with imposing this law," she said.

Under the "One Country, Two Systems" agreement made before Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997, Beijing agreed to let Hong Kong maintain certain liberties and autonomy until 2047 -- including legislative and judicial independence and freedom of speech.

But after a year of huge and often violent rallies that have morphed into a popular call for democracy and police accountability, Beijing says the new law is needed to end unrest and restore stability.

China and the EU both profess to want to strengthen ties, but the relationship is tangled in a thicket of disagreements on topics ranging from trade and investment rules to human rights and national security.

And Monday's talks came against a backdrop of rising tensions and increasing mistrust between Brussels and Beijing.

- Cyber complaints -

The EU has been angered by what it says is a significant Chinese campaign of disinformation around the coronavirus epidemic, which originated in China.

"We have seen cyber attacks on hospitals and dedicated computing centres. Likewise we've seen a rise on online disinformation, and we pointed out clearly that this cannot be tolerated," von der Leyen said.

The EU has in recent months sought to tread a delicate path with China, characterising it as a "systemic rival" and competitor but also as a partner on some issues.

But Monday's statements were sharper and more critical in tone.

Up to now the EU's efforts to stand up to Xi's increasingly assertive China have been stymied by a lack of unity among its 27 member states, many of which have been courted assiduously by the Asian giant.

Going into the summit, Chinese officials grumbled about proposed new EU legislation aimed at ensuring foreign firms backed by heavy state subsidies do not distort competition in Europe.

There is particular concern about Chinese companies swooping in to buy European companies weakened by the coronavirus-triggered recession.

According to Xinhua, Xi said the economies of China and Europe should become a "dual engine of the world economy" to promote recovery after the pandemic.

After the summit, von der Leyen said there needed to be "more ambition" from the Chinese side to conclude a stalled investment agreement.


Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


SINO DAILY
Former head of China insurance regulator jailed for 11 years
Beijing (AFP) June 16, 2020
The former head of China's insurance regulator was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Tuesday after his conviction for taking bribes, state media reported. Xiang Junbo is one of the most senior officials targeted in President Xi Jinping's corruption crackdown. He was accused of taking kickbacks worth 18.6 million yuan ($2.6 million) in exchange for help securing project contracts and other tasks, the Xinhua news agency reported. The bribes he accepted are to be recovered and turned over to s ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SINO DAILY
Satellite launch center Wenchang eyes boosting homestay, catering sectors

Private investment fuels China commercial space sector growth

More details of China's space station unveiled

China space program targets July launch for Mars mission

SINO DAILY
Asian markets mixed as traders weigh second wave, stimulus

China envoy raps EU over proposed competition rules

US, China clash anew as top officials meet on tensions

Fresh virus outbreak hinders Beijing's return to normal

SINO DAILY
SINO DAILY
$60M in U.S. military aid arrives in Ukraine

Trump to meet with Polish president at the White House

China says 'we don't wish to see more clashes'; State Media downplays border incident

Trump asked China's Xi for re-election help, claims Bolton

SINO DAILY
Framatome signs memorandum of understanding with Rosatom State Corporation

South Africa revives idea of new civilian nuclear program

Framatome completes modernization project at Doel nuclear power plant

GE Hitachi awarded long-term outage services contract by TVO

SINO DAILY
US eases conditions for working with Huawei on 5G standards

US wants undersea data cable to skip Hong Kong

Flirting with danger: Message apps add to China marital woes

Defense alleges abuse of process in Canada arrest of Huawei exec

SINO DAILY
Framatome signs memorandum of understanding with Rosatom State Corporation

South Africa revives idea of new civilian nuclear program

Framatome completes modernization project at Doel nuclear power plant

GE Hitachi awarded long-term outage services contract by TVO

SINO DAILY
Simulating wind farm development

New system uses wind turbines to defend the national grid from power cuts

US wind plants show relatively low levels of performance decline as they age

Wave, wind and PV: The world's first floating Ocean Hybrid Platform









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.