Hong Kong touts ‘safety and order' 28 years after handover, but critics slam crackdown on dissent
The former British colony was handed over to China in 1997 under a 'One Country, Two Systems' governance model, which guaranteed key freedoms and a high degree of autonomy not enjoyed on the mainland.
July 1 in Hong Kong had been marked in previous years by demonstrations but authorities have cracked down on dissent after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Lee said 'high-level security to safeguard high-quality development' was a top priority for his administration, noting the need to integrate into China's economic blueprint.
The city this week also marked the fifth anniversary of Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law, under which 76 people have been convicted so far, imposed after the 2019 protests.
Lee's government enacted a separate security law of its own in 2024 that authorities say is needed to restore order.
'We have rebuilt a safe Hong Kong,' Lee said in a speech.
However, the European Union said on Monday 'the repressive use of the National Security Law has undermined confidence in the rule of law and Hong Kong's international reputation'.
'The European Union regrets that additional national security legislation... introduced new offences, increased penalties and further empowered security authorities,' it said in a statement.
The League of Social Democrats, one of Hong Kong's last remaining opposition parties, disbanded on Sunday citing 'immense political pressure' and concern for the safety of its members.
It was the second pro-democracy party to announce plans to wind down this year, following the Democratic Party in February.
Outgoing US consul general in Hong Kong Gregory May also criticised the Hong Kong government last week for using the security law to target overseas activists.
Authorities say that Hong Kong residents continue to enjoy rights and freedoms guaranteed under its Basic Law constitution, although such rights are not absolute.
Lee also said Hong Kong will speed up an ambitious plan to urbanise land near its border with China, a development known as the Northern Metropolis that will take up a third of Hong Kong's total area.
The project has raised concerns over its environmental impact as well as its long-term burden on Hong Kong's public finances. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to roll out carbon tax in 2026, aligned with climate policies, market goals
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's carbon tax, set to be rolled out next year, will be aligned with national climate change policies and the domestic carbon market, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, he said it would also take into account the ongoing fuel subsidy rationalisation. "The framework for the implementation of the carbon tax will be aligned with national climate change policies and the domestic carbon market, while also taking into account measures such as the fuel subsidy rationalisation, which has already begun," he said in his winding-up speech for the 13th Malaysia Plan. He said the carbon tax would not only support industrial decarbonisation efforts but was also crucial in safeguarding the nation's exports from the impact of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). He added that the ministry is also studying international best practices, including those from Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, Japan, as well as Singapore and Indonesia. These countries, he said, have implemented or are in the process of implementing carbon taxes and Emission Trading Schemes (ETS). The government plans to introduce the carbon tax next year as part of its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In its initial phase, the tax will focus on the iron, steel, and energy sectors, which are the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Singapore prioritises jobs amid a fragmenting world and the rise of AI, says PM Lawrence Wong
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is delivering his National Day Rally speech on Aug 17. -- The Straits Times Photo: Gavin Foo SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said jobs for citizens will be the government's top priority as the city-state faces risks from rising global trade barriers and artificial intelligence. The impact of the US-China rivalry, President Donald Trump's tariff war and threats to workers from new technologies were the key challenges Wong highlighted in his annual National Day Rally speech on Sunday, marking the country's 60th year. "This next chapter opens in a more troubled and turbulent world,' Wong said. In his first major address since May's election, which extended the six-decade rule of the People's Action Party, Wong underscored plans to fortify the trade-reliant economy and strengthen social safety nets, as well as redevelop portions of the island and build new housing. Wong, 52, campaigned on the need to preserve stability amid slowing global growth and rising protectionism, arguing that the PAP was best placed to shield Singaporeans from economic shocks, including the impact of US tariff policies. "Ultimately, our economic strategy is about jobs, jobs and jobs - that's our number one priority,' he said. "We will do more to help Singaporeans seize new job opportunities.' Under Wong, the PAP had expanded social welfare policies, introducing the country's first unemployment benefits and channeling billions of dollars into subsidies for food, utilities and education. Of the country's roughly 6 million inhabitants, about 3.6 million are citizens. Singapore will "equip and empower every enterprise' to harness AI effectively, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, Wong said, adding that the island nation would launch a new job-matching initiative and a government-funded traineeship program for university graduates. Looking further ahead, Wong said the government will review its economic strategies "because the external shifts we see today are not temporary.' That will include how the country stays competitive, accesses green energy and helps its firms break into new overseas markets. "We need a new economic blueprint, to secure Singapore's future in a very different world,' Wong said. Last week, Singapore raised its growth forecast for this year after a better-than-expected performance in the first half, mainly on the back of front-loading ahead of US tariffs and easing trade worries. The government sees the economy expanding 1.5%-2.5% year-on-year, higher than an earlier 0%-2% outlook. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
China's top diplomat Wang arrives in India
China's foreign minister Wang Yi is expected to meet prime minister Narendra Modi during his three-day visit to New Delhi. (AP pic) NEW DELHI : China's top diplomat landed in neighbouring India on Monday, seeking to bolster long-fraught relations in the face of intense pressure and tariffs from the US. Foreign minister Wang Yi held talks with his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and is also expected to meet prime minister Narendra Modi during his three-day visit to New Delhi. Modi, according to Indian media, might also visit China this month. India's foreign ministry said in a social media post that 'important engagements of the India-China special representatives and on bilateral relations' were scheduled over the next two days. The world's two most populous nations are intense rivals competing for influence across South Asia and fought a deadly border clash in 2020. But caught in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff war, the countries have moved to mend ties. Restarting border trade across their icy and high-altitude Himalayan border is expected to feature high on Wang's agenda. Its resumption would be significant for its symbolism and follows agreements to return direct flights and issue tourist visas. India is also part of the Quad security alliance with the US, Australia and Japan, which is seen as a counter to China. Modi calls 'friend' Putin Warming ties between China and India come as relations between New Delhi and Washington are strained. Trump has issued an ultimatum for India to end its purchases of Russian oil – a key revenue source for Moscow's war in Ukraine – or Washington will double new import tariffs from 25% to 50%. Modi said Monday he spoke to 'my friend' Vladimir Putin, with the Russian president 'sharing insights' on his Alaska summit with Trump last week. 'India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and supports all efforts in this regard,' the Indian premier wrote on social media. Indian hopes that the Alaska meeting would ease US tariff pressure were tempered earlier Monday by US trade adviser Peter Navarro. 'If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the US, it needs to start acting like one,' he wrote in a sharply worded column in the Financial Times. 'India acts as a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs,' he wrote. 'The proceeds flow to India's politically connected energy titans and, in turn, into Vladimir Putin's war chest,' he added, in an apparent swipe at India's big refiners, which include tycoon Mukesh Ambani. Navarro said the 50% tariff – due to begin on August 27 – will 'hit India where it hurts'.
