Hong Kong police drove demonstration crowd in Causeway Bay yesterday. (Photo of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Australian Prime Minister Morrison (Scott Morrison) said today that Australia is considering "safe havens" for people in danger in Hong Kong.
He told journalist :" I will make it public after we have made a final decision on the arrangements. "
"But if you ask if we are ready to take action and provide support? The answer is yes. "
Mr morrison said australia`s cabinet minister were "very positively" to consider safe haven arrangements after britain said it would open naturalization channels for millions of hong kong residents.
He added :" There is now a proposal that I requested a few weeks ago, but it needs to be finally polished. "
"The Cabinet will soon consider it and provide similar opportunities (as in the United Kingdom). "
The Foreign Minister of Hong Kong and Australia of the Chinese Embassy in Australia stressed that Hong Kong affairs are the internal affairs of China
Just a day before Morrison made the statement, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne Penn said on Wednesday that the "Hong Kong National Security Law" threat to the judicial independence of Hong Kong and the human rights and freedom of Hong Kong people, and that "the eyes of the world will continue to focus on Hong Kong ".
"The city is our largest business presence in Asia and one of our largest overseas residences in the world ," she said. "
"Australia is a favorite destination for Hong Kong people, and we will try to ensure that this is maintained. "
As of the same day, the speaker of the Chinese Embassy in Australia immediately responded to Mr. Payne`s remarks, saying:
We deeply regret and resent the Australian Foreign Minister`s statement on Hong Kong`s National Security Law.
The National Security Law of Hong Kong passed by the Standing Committee of the National People`s Congress recently aims to safeguard China`s national security, guarantee Hong Kong`s long-term security and long-term prosperity and stability, and ensure the stability of the "one country, two systems" practice, which fully reflects the common will of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots.
The legislation punishes a very small number and protects the vast majority, does not affect Hong Kong ` s high degree of autonomy, and does not change Hong Kong ` s independent judicial power and final adjudication. After the implementation of the law, Hong Kong ` s legal system will be more complete, social order will be more stable, and the business environment will be better. The majority of Hong Kong citizens and international investors including Australia will benefit from it.
Hong Kong affairs are purely internal affairs of China. China government its determination to adhere to the principle of "one country, two systems" and to oppose external interference in Hong Kong affairs. We hope that Australia will take an objective and rational view of Hong Kong`s national security legislation, abide by international law and international relationship norms, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China`s internal affairs in any way.
China ` s Xinhua News Agency pointed out, "This law is composed of 6 chapters and 66 articles. It is a comprehensive law with substantive law, procedural law and organizational law. The law clearly stipulates the responsibilities and institutions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to maintain national security. Crimes of secession, crimes of subverting state power, crimes of terrorist activities, crimes of collusion with foreign or foreign forces endangering national security, punishment of cases, application of laws and procedures, the Central People ` s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to maintain national security agencies, etc., Establish a legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."
lawer in Australia, however, fear that these broadly defined crimes will have a "chilling effect" on public life and will deprive the independence of the judiciary.
