The European Union is preparing a “coordinated” bundle of EU- national and broad steps in response to China’s brand-new security law on Hong Kong, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell stated on Monday (13 July).

After a year of anti-government demonstrations, Beijing enforced the brand-new national security law on the former British nest on June 30.

The Chinese legislation presents brand-new criminal activities with extreme charges and enables mainland authorities to lawfully run in Hong Kong – weakening Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “one country, two systems” governing concept.

“We have agreed to develop a coordinated European Union response to show support for Hong Kong’s autonomy and civil society,” Borrell stated after the conference with EU foreign ministers on Monday.

“Some member states may already announce national measures as part of this package in the coming days,” he added.

Explaining Beijing’s brand-new security law as “draconian”, Borrell stated that a person of the steps might consist of export restrictions on delicate technologies utilized by police – which refers to any equipment or software application that might have been utilized for reducing the demonstrations in Hong Kong.

Borrell likewise stated EU federal governments might likewise review their extradition arrangements with Hong Kong authorities, modify their travel suggestions, boost scholarships chances for Hong Kong trainees and broaden visas to Hongkongers.

Finland supported the concept of suspending extradition treaties with Hong Kong, according to Reuters.

On the other hand, German chancellor Angela Merkel, whose nation holds the turning EU Council presidency, invited that “EU member states are trying to find a common policy toward China and a common answer”.

“It is an alarming development about something that has always applied, which is ‘one country, two systems’ and that is very much being questioned,” Merkel stated throughout a conference with Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday.

However she likewise stated this is no factor not to stay in dialogue with China.

“It is a difficult point, no question,” she added.

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier likewise stated on Sunday that the brand-new security law on Hong Kong will hurt China’s relations with the West.

“It does not happen too often that Germany, plus the entire European Union, plus all G7 industrialised countries, express their deep concern over the developments,” he informed German public broadcaster ZDF.

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