Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Experts Fear Impact of China's National Security Laws on Hong Kong's Freedoms

Verna Yu

   HONG KONG - For many Hong Kongers, the Chinese parliament's approval of
   a plan to impose controversial national security laws on the bustling
   Asian financial hub this week was a moment of hard decisions.

   Fearing that a sweeping erosion of the city's rule of law, rights and
   freedoms will soon start affecting their lives, many people quickly
   sold shares, converted savings into U.S. dollars, and seriously
   inquired into emigration. Hong Kong stocks fell for a third day on
   Friday, with the benchmark index tallying its fourth monthly loss this
   year.

   China's National People's Congress passed the plan in a vote on
   Thursday - details of the legislation will be drafted and could be
   enacted within the next couple of months.

   Legal experts and human rights groups are now concerned that China's
   vaguely defined national security laws, used to suppress dissidents and
   government critics in mainland China, will be applied to the
   semi-autonomous city.

   They say the move has essentially sounded the death knell for the "one
   country, two systems" policy which has enabled Hong Kong to maintain
   the rule of law and basic civil liberties established during its years
   as a British territory -- core values that have underpinned its success
   as an international business hub.

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