Tsai Ing-wen says NPC decision 'greatly limits' HK freedom of speech, judicial independence

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said that a national security law approved by China's national legislature yesterday would undermine freedom and rule of law in Hong Kong and that her administration was planning how best to assist asylum seekers.

In a Facebook post Thursday, Tsai said the decision to draft the law "greatly limits Hong Kong's freedom of speech and judicial independence."

She said the administration is already devising an action plan to offer humanitarian assistance to Hong Kong residents who wish to seek asylum in Taiwan.

Taiwan will not sit idly by as Hong Kong's freedom and human rights are being eroded, Tsai said.

"In this moment, all of Taiwan ... is supporting the people of Hong Kong and the universal value of democracy," she said.

The "draft decision" on establishing a national security law in Hong Kong was passed in China's National People's Congress Thursday in a 2,878-1 vote, with 6 abstentions, CNA reports.

Now that the proposed law has been approved, the NPC's Standing Committee will draft the legislation, which will then be included in Hong Kong's de facto constitution, the Basic Law, entirely bypassing Hong Kong's legislature.

When the law is enacted, it will prohibit acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and conspiring with foreign influences in Hong Kong, and allow Beijing's security forces to operate in the region.

The proposed law is widely seen as an effort by the Chinese government to take full control of Hong Kong after a year of pro-democracy protests in the special administrative region.