June events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong
The month of June 2020 was the first anniversary of the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. The decision taken by the National People's Congress on national security legislation and the alleviation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong led to a new series of protests and international responses. On 30 June, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the Hong Kong national security law which came into force the same day, leading to even more people protesting on 1 July.
Events.
1 June.
A petition in support of Beijing's plan to implement national security legislation was published online, which claimed to have been signed by over 2,500 actors, artists, and individuals from the entertainment and cultural industry in Hong Kong. The petition contained the name of veteran actor Ram Chiang, but Chiang later stated in his Facebook page that he did not sign the petition. It was reported that Barbie Hsu had also denied receiving an invitation or notification to join the petition.
The petition also consisted of late artists such as Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung, with several netizens believing that the petition consisted of fake signatures. Sharon Cheung, a news broadcaster, clarified that she never did sign the petition.
A restaurant in Ngau Tau Kok, which was supportive of the protests and youngsters, received a letter from the Hong Kong Housing Authority that the contract was no longer renewed and the eatery would shut down on 30 November 2020, despite the restaurant fulfilling social responsibility by giving out free lunchboxes to the elderly. Employees of the restaurant criticized the authority's decision, calling it a suppression of the Yellow Economic Circle. After learning that the contract was to be terminated through information from the Internet, citizens queued up to support them.
In a press interview in the Legislative Council, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po was seen with tears in his eyes, stirring controversy and discussion among social media on whether he was scared of the United States restrictions on Hong Kong. Chan later clarified in a Facebook post that the tears were due to the camera lighting during the interview, calling it a "misunderstanding".
The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong was banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COVID-19. Lee Cheuk Yan, the chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which organized the vigil in the past years, said that the ban signaled the end of Hong Kong's "one country, two systems".
2 June.
United Kingdom response.
United Kingdom Foreign Minister Dominic Raab addressed the Parliament with a statement which said that the imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong by the Chinese central government would be in direct conflict with Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, as well as a violation of international law. He outlined the UK's possible response to support the Hong Kong people through providing a pathway to citizenship for British National Overseas-passport holders in Hong Kong.
Progress of court cases related to anti-extradition protests.
A student, Lam Tsz-Ho, accused of rioting in Wong Tai Sin on 1 October was acquitted by judge Sham Siu-Man. The judge criticized the two police officers facilitating the accusations that they had not proven they had caught the person who had hurled a brick; and that the Court could not accept their affidavits. He went on to say that at least one of the two officers had failed to provide a full and truthful account of how Lam had sustained a head wound during his arrest.
The protester shot by a police officer in the 11 November shooting incident went on trial. The judge, Law Tak-Chuen, allowed the police officer who fired the shot to remain anonymous, stating that he had received death threats.
Other developments.
Local activist group Demosisto urged the United Nations to discuss the National Security Law, and to advise the mainland government not to implement it. In a nine-page report filed on 2 June the group argued that the definition of 'National Security' was unclear and vague, and stressed that the law would allow those critical of the Chinese Communist Party to face potential arrest. They worried that slogans which have been familiar in the protests would be banned, and that there would be frequent abuse of power and rights from the top authorities. They also added that Hong Kong's freedom and autonomy would encounter a 'fatal' blow. In addition to the emerging threat, the report also complained about alleged police brutality and prison abuses.
In a South China Morning Post commentary, Andrew Li, former Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong, stated that it was reasonable for the mainland government to take steps towards enacting a security law, given that the Hong Kong government had failed to discharge its constitutional duty as required by Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23. He wrote that in his understanding, the proposed legislation would be "designed to fit Hong Kong's legal system" and especially must not be retroactive (to previous offenses).
In addition, Yang Ti-liang, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong, issued a statement, expressing that he felt assured that the national security law would be in line with common law principles, and that it was "understandable and justifiable" to have such a law.
Prior to embarking on a trip to Beijing to discuss matters on National People's Congress Decision on Hong Kong national security legislation, Chief Executive Carrie Lam told reporters, referencing the protests that had recently erupted in the United States in connection with the murder of George Floyd, that the United States was applying "double standards" in its response to violence that had occurred during the Hong Kong protests.
In a report entitled 'New Law, New Threat', Human Rights First warned that the looming national security law would endanger human rights lawyers in Hong Kong to a further degree than what had already been the case.
3 June.
United Kingdom response.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in an opinion piece written for South China Morning Post that if China were to continue pursuing the national security law, he would allow all Hong Kong residents born before the 1997 handover to claim a British National (Overseas) passport (BNO) and open a path to British citizenship for them. Raab said that the UK would sacrifice trade deals with China to support Hong Kong, but that presently it will remain in conversation with the international community on the matter. A late-May statement by Raab had offered a similar measure that would allow the 300,000 current BNO passport holders to apply for a visa; Johnson's 3 June announcement would cover a further 2.5 million Hong Kong residents born before the 1997 handover. China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian threatened "serious consequences", while many Hong Kong pro-democratic politicians and protesters were reported to wish for more protection for their city itself.
Other international responses.
The internet platform of state-run "Xinhua News Agency" published a list of "many" countries that had announced their support for the National Security Law, and moreover had aligned with the central government's view that Hong Kong's affairs were an internal matter of China: Burundi, Myanmar, North Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Previously on 1 June, the global edition of state-run "China Daily" published an article that mentioned the support of "various" countries for China's position regarding Hong Kong, naming Serbia, North Korea, Pakistan, Cuba, Russia, and Iran.
Other developments.
Some protesters and citizens gathered outside the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to mourn the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, as well as to show solidarity with those who were detained for their actions in the current protests in Hong Kong.
In an article for the "Bauhinia Magazine", Pro-China politician Tam Yiu-chung stated that those members of the legislative council who disapproved of the national security law should be disqualified. Members of the pro-democracy camp sharply criticized Tam's statements.
Demosisto started a petition to fight for European state leaders to support Hong Kong citizens. There have been 70,000 signatures already out of the 100,000 goal.
4 June.
At the United States Department of State, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met surviving activists of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests. The State Department offered no details on what was discussed but said in a statement: "We mourn the victims of June 4, 1989, and we stand with the people of China who continue to aspire to a government that protects human rights, fundamental freedoms and basic human dignity."
4 June 2020 was the 31st anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The official gathering at Victoria Park was banned by police on 1 June, the first time in 30 years citing COVID-19 concerns. Although the official candlelight vigil was banned, multiple activities were planned to mourn in different districts such as Victoria Park, Shatin, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan. At around 5:00 pm, pro-democracy protesters handed out flyers outside Sogo in Causeway Bay, shouting slogans, and peacefully entering Victoria Park as groups of eight. The police used a broadcaster to warn citizens not to participate in unlawful assembly. Police stood on standby but did not prevent protesters inside the park grounds. Peaceful protesters lit candles or turned on their phone lights. In addition, Avenue of Stars, Shing Mun River in Shatin, Tuen Mun Park, Sai Ying Pun Station, Kwun Tong Promenade and Langham Place all featured events. Attendees held umbrellas with slogans, and formed chains by holding hands together. 3500 police officers were stationed at various checkpoints. At around 9:00 pm, several people blocked roads near Langham Place in Mong Kok. The police stated that they were using traffic cones and fences to block multiple streets. People were arrested by the police who sprayed pepper spray. After the event, the pro-Beijing camp accused Lee Cheuk-yan of encouraging unlawful assembly and unlawful behaviour. Pro-Beijing citizens further urged the Hong Kong Police Force to arrest Lee Cheuk-yan and Jimmy Lai for participating in unlawful assembly, and alleged that the two had disobeyed social distancing measures during the vigil.
On 4 June 2020, the National Anthem Bill passed its third reading, with 41 legislators in favor of it and 1 against. 41 out of 42 pro-establishment legislators voted in favor of it, except the chairperson Andrew Leung who abstained. 1 out of 23 pan-democracy legislators voted against it, with the others abstaining, in protest. Before the voting, pan-democracy legislators Raymond Chan and Eddie Chu splashed a jar of reeking liquid in front of the rostrum in protest, accusing Andrew Leung of being a “rubber stamp” and that what he did will “reek for ten thousand years”.
5 June.
International response: USA.
In accordance to the restrictions and sanctions placed on China and Hong Kong by the United States, Republican senator Pat Toomey urged the United States government to implement the sanctions as soon as possible. In a meeting, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats hoped to implement the restrictions quickly, so as to sanction those Chinese authorities and bank officials from spoiling Hong Kong's original autonomy. In a joint statement with Democrat Chris Van Hollen, he argued that those authorities responsible for implementing the National Security Law should have their assets frozen.
International response: Russia.
Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova stated that Russia treated the national security law as 'internal affairs' of China, and Britain and the United States should not interfere. In a press conference on 5 June, China Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stated that China appreciated Russia's stance. He also expressed that this facilitated the friendly relationship between China and Russia, and that it was well-received within the international community.
International response: UK.
After HSBC backed the national security law proposed by Beijing in a petition, Alistair Carmichael, chairman of the U.K. parliamentary group on Hong Kong, referred to the petition signed by the London-based bank's top executive in Asia, Peter Wong, in support of a move that critics say will diminish the city's freedom and autonomy. The British government is opposing the proposed law, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying he will give as many as three million residents of his nation's former colony the chance to seek refuge in the U.K. if China presses ahead. Member of Parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg criticized the bank of being pro-China instead of being pro-Britain, even though it was