Recalling the EU's serious concerns about the National Security Act, enacted the day before, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stressed on behalf of the EU on Wednesday 1 July the need to respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy (see EUROPE 12517/3).
The EU attaches great importance to the preservation of the high degree of autonomy of the city-state, in accordance with basic law and international commitments, as well as respect for the principle of 'One country, two systems', he stressed in his statement.
Fearing that the law could "seriously" undermine this degree of autonomy and have a detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, Mr Borrell reiterated that these two principles "remain essential for the continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and are therefore of vital interest to the EU and the international community".
He therefore called on China to avoid any act that would undermine this autonomy in the legal field, including in the field of human rights. He also recalled that it was "essential that the existing rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents be fully protected", citing freedom of expression, press and publication, as well as freedom of association, assembly, marching and demonstration. Moreover, according to Mr Borrell, the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as enshrined in Hong Kong law, must continue to be fully implemented.
The High Representative announced that the EU was assessing the implications of such a law and would continue to follow developments closely, in particular in the context of the forthcoming Legislative Council elections on 6 September. These "must take place as planned and in an environment conducive to the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms, as enshrined in the basic law", he warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)