The international community has condemned China's plan to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong.
The United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia released a joint statement Thursday saying the decision made by China is in direct conflict with its obligations under the principles of the legally binding UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the European Union had unanimously called for preserving Hong Kong's fundamental principle of "One Country, Two Systems," hoping that China's push for the security bill would not hinder human rights and freedoms.
France's foreign ministry also raised concerns saying China's measures would call into question Hong Kong's basic freedoms and could trigger a new wave of demonstrations.
U.S. President Donald Trump is slated to make an announcement on the semi-autonomous territory on Friday after indicating this week that he had strong measures against China in mind regarding Hong Kong.
Earlier on Thursday, China's parliament, the National People's Congress, approved a plan to impose a law on Hong Kong that would suppress subversion, secession, terrorism and any acts that might threaten national security, which activists say will undermine political freedoms and civil liberties.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
