New Zealand missing in Five Eyes condemnation of Beijing over Hong Kong security law
New Zealand missing in Five Eyes condemnation of Beijing over Hong Kong security law
New Zealand is missing from a firmly-worded condemnation by the Five Eyes nations of Beijing's new security law that cracks down on Hong Kong.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Thursday night issued a statement saying New Zealand held "deep concern" about the national security legislation for Hong Kong, passed by China's National People's Congress.
The law, which has sparked protests in Hong Kong, makes it a crime to undermine Beijing's authority and will allow the country's security agencies to operate in the autonomous city.
The other Five Eyes partners - the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada - jointly issued a statement saying the law threatened Hong Kong's status as a "bastion of freedom".
Andy Wong/AP
A security guard stands guard near a TV screen showing Chinese President Xi Jinping in a news report, in Beijing, China.
"Direct imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong by the Beijing authorities ... would curtail the Hong Kong people’s liberties, and in doing so, dramatically erode Hong Kong’s autonomy and the system that made it so prosperous," the statement read.
The law was in conflict with China's international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which set out the autonomous status of Hong Kong and the "one country, two systems" framework, the countries said.
"It also raises the prospect of prosecution in Hong Kong for political crimes, and undermines existing commitments to protect the rights of Hong Kong people."
The United States has been particularly ardent in its denunciation of China's passing the law, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying, "No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China".
Kevin Stent/Stuff
Foriegn Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand holds "deep concern" about the national security legislation passed in China, that will crack down on political activity in Hong Kong.
The four countries which issued the joint statement, along with New Zealand, make up the "Five Eyes" security and intelligence alliance.
The statement issued by Peter's office reiterated much of the concern expressed by New Zealand's Five Eyes allies, but did not refer to China acting against its international obligations.
"New Zealand has a strong interest in seeing confidence maintained in the ‘one country, two systems’ framework under which Hong Kong is assured of a high degree of autonomy."
The law would curtail the liberties of Hong Kong's citizens "erodes" the city's autonomy, Peters said.
"It is important that any national security law respects these fundamental freedoms and has the support of the people of Hong Kong. We will continue to monitor the situation closely."
Asked why New Zealand did not join its Five Eyes partners in their condemnation of the law, a spokeswoman for Peters said New Zealand sometimes chose to make a statement alone on important issues.
"What is important is that we share the deep concerns expressed by other democratic countries in their statements overnight about the introduction of this legislation. This is clear from Minister Peters’ statement."
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