London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025

Hong Kong leader dismisses concerns of Chinese power grab

Hong Kong leader dismisses concerns of Chinese power grab

"We are a very free society, so for the time being people have the freedom to say whatever they want to say," Lam told press.
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday called on the territory's citizens to back proposed security laws by China that many in the territory fear would spell the end to their autonomy and civil rights.

''What we need is for the majority of Hong Kong to agree with the legislation," Lam said during a press conference.

"We are a very free society, so for the time being people have the freedom to say whatever they want to say," she said, in an apparent attempt to assuage fears that the law would side-step Hong Kong's own legislature and directly impose measures to stifle protest and free speech.

She also appeared to signal that once the draft law had passed, demonstrations like those that swept Hong Kong last year could be deemed illegal.

"If there is objection, we would deal with illegal opposition acts in accordance with law and will not back down," Lam added.

Her comments followed protests in the city over the weekend, as thousands clashed with police and were met with tear gas and water cannons. Police said those demonstrating broke social distancing rules in place due to the coronavirus and took part in unauthorized assemblies.

Last week, Chinese officials unveiled proposed legislation during China's annual national political convention that they said would tackle secession, subversion and terrorist activities. Parts of the bill, which Lam said would safeguard national security, are expected to be passed on Thursday, and represent a major turning point in the country's relationship with Hong Kong.

The territory has enjoyed a unique government structure since it was handed to China by Britain in 1997, enjoying a high-degree of autonomy with a free press and independent judiciary.

The draft legislation will be voted on by Chinese lawmakers this week, and likely pass, before progressing for further deliberation among party leaders in the NPC’s Standing Committee in June.

The bold move sent a chill through financial markets and drew a swift rebuke from foreign governments and international human rights groups, who fear it could lead to increased surveillance and censorship in Hong Kong.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed other countries' complaints on Sunday as "meddling," stating that the proposed laws would not harm Hong Kong autonomy or foreign investors.

"It does not affect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. There is no need for concern," Yi said.

Adding that Hong Kong had become a "pressing priority" for China's leaders and that the security laws would only target a "narrow category of acts."

He kept it vague defining the acts as those that would "seriously jeopardize national security."

Lam echoed his line, stating that Hong Kong's "vibrancy and core values ... the various rights and freedoms enjoyed by people, will continue to be there.''

Concerns have also been raised by Joshua Wong, a leader of the territory's pro-democracy movement, and others, about the possibility of a Chinese security force on the ground in Hong Kong. Lam dismissed such claims as "imagination" and said those concerned needed to wait for the details of the proposed legislation.

Beijing has not yet outlined the practical implementation of the law.

China's military officers, stationed in the country's Hong Kong garrison, have the determination and ability to safeguard China's national sovereignty and security, the garrison's commander Chen Daoxiang, said in an interview with Chinese state television on Tuesday.

Chen said the garrison firmly supported the Chinese parliament's Hong Kong security laws.

A blog published by Hong Kong's Secretary of Justice Teresa Cheng, on Tuesday, also outlined that China had the legal power and authority to pass the legislation. And that such laws would be "in compliance with the 'one country, two systems' principle."

Hong Kong police said they arrested more than 180 people on Sunday during protests. Adding that "rioters smashed and broke traffic lights," and had "blocked multiple roads."

More protests have been called for this week.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a business federation, said it was "deeply concerned" by China’s draft security law and potential to "undermine" Hong Kong's unique model.

"It would be a serious mistake on many levels to jeopardize Hong Kong’s special status, which is fundamental to its role as an attractive investment destination and international financial hub," the trade body said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also criticized the proposed security laws and lashed out at China's wider handling of the coronavirus. China, in an intensifying war of words continued its anti-Pompeo rhetoric.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×