Hong Kong: Foreign business chambers call for clarification on proposed national security law
“Two Sessions 2020: national security law adds fresh risks to Hong Kong’s status as business hub, commerce chambers warn”, 22 May 2020
The proposed national security law for Hong Kong could undermine the city’s status as a business hub… an influential trade group has warned…
“Definition and details are really necessary to alleviate a fear factor developing in the business community,” AmCham [American Chamber of Commerce] president Tara Joseph said…
“How will it affect the rule of law? Will it mean limiting online, press and personal freedoms? People may also ask whether Beijing’s concern over foreign interference adds an element of risk to foreigners living here.”…
“The Hong Kong government could help by stepping in to ensure the safety of overseas executives, and reassuring international businesses facing new uncertainties here,” she [Tara Joseph] said…
Any moves that questioned the integrity of the one country, two systems policy, which ensured the city’s high degree of autonomy and transparency, were “a cause for great concern”, the German Industry and Commerce warned.
And MexCham president Mauricio Lozano urged Beijing to clarify how the law would be enforced and called on the city’s administration to demonstrate how the one country, two systems principle would be supported after the legislation is enacted…
He [Mauricio Lozano] said he was worried about the prospects of freedom of speech and the free flow of information…
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce called for clear details of the legislation to ease the uncertainty over the potential impact on confidence in the city’s business environment…
But some of the biggest pro-Beijing local chambers supported the legislation.
The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce said it was necessary for the central government to safeguard national security in Hong Kong…
Chamber chairman Jonathan Choi Koon-shum dismissed concerns the law would hurt foreign investors’ operations in Hong Kong…
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries viewed the law as helping to ensure a safe social environment, which was key for the city’s long-term development…
[Also referred to ING]