I'm not afraid of sanctions

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai says he would not fear any sanctions by Washington on Hong Kong officials - he would rather stay away from the United States.

Speaking on radio yesterday, Tsang said people who demonize the new national security law for Hong Kong are like "thieves crying foul of thieves."

The National People's Congress on Thursday endorsed a decision to enact a national security law in Hong Kong, which would punish secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and acts that endanger national security.

Within hours, US President Donald Trump said he was directing his administration to begin the process of eliminating special treatment for Hong Kong and that Washington would also impose sanctions on individuals, including mainland and SAR officials seen as responsible for eroding the city's autonomy.

Tsang, a former director of immigration who was appointed to the constitutional affairs bureau in April, said: "Speaking of national security who will worry about it? Like I am going to catch the thief, who will object to this? The thief will object to it."

Describing Hong Kong as a home without a door, Tsang said only those who have bad intentions would be unhappy about installing a door to keep burglars away.

"My home has had no door for years and people can come in to steal things or to cause damage easily," Tsang said. "Now I want to put a door back, why would the neighbors be worried? If you are not going in to steal things or to break stuff, what is the impact to you if I want to put the door back?"

He said many countries have their own concerns and laws regarding national security and stopping Hong Kong from having its own law is domineering and bullying.

Tsang said Hong Kong government officials are working for the country and the SAR so, even if they are being threatened or coerced, they will not be afraid.

He said he is not afraid of being sanctioned as he does not have foreign nationality or foreign assets and he can even stay away from Canada in the future "in case they want to catch me."

He was obviously referring to the arrest of Huawei executive Sabrina Meng Wanzhou in Canada on an extradition request from the United States.

Tsang also disagreed with Trump, saying the mainland has replaced one country, two systems with one country, one system.

"I can't see how it has become 'one country, one system' now. We are still under capitalism and the mainland is under socialism. It is still one country, two systems," he said.

"How did it turn to 'one country, one system' suddenly? This is not up to you [the United States]."

Tsang said it is normal for people to worry as there are no specific details of the law yet but he hopes the explanations by the SAR government can help clear up the public's doubts.

Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said Hong Kong has long been in a defenseless state on national security.

In an opinion piece on Bloomberg, Cui said without a national security law Hong Kong has been used to promote independence, incite violence, "crossing a red line for the central government," while external forces have increasingly interfered in the SAR's affairs without scruple.

"Because of this, Hong Kong is in disarray. China's national security is at risk," Cui said. "That is why the central government has chosen to act."

He said national security is the basis of one country, two systems. As long as there is a secure and stable society, strengths of one country, two systems can be maximized.

"Hong Kong's underlying economic and social problems cannot be resolved by disrupting social order and there can be no development and long-term prosperity if national security is undermined," Cui said.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor quoted Cui's article on Facebook last night, saying it is concise and powerful, which can make Americans who live and work in Hong Kong feel safe and relieved.

She said the national security legislation is imperative and will be done at all costs.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com