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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 HK law marks its ‘darkest day’: DPP
The flag and name of the Democratic Progressive Party at its headquarters in Taipei is pictured yesterday. Photo: Chen Yun, Taipei Times
ARTICLE 23: Implementation of the new law would have a chilling effect on speech and put firms, NGOs and foreigners in the territory in legal jeopardy, the DPP said
By Chen Yun, Shih Hsiao-kuang and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporters, with staff writer
Passage of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law by the territory’s legislature marked “the darkest day for Hong Kong,” the Democratic Progressive Party （DPP） said yesterday, adding that it “strongly condemned” the Beijing-backed bill.
The legislation completed Beijing’s totalitarian takeover of Hong Kong, and the final destruction of the rule of law and human rights that had survived in the territory, the DPP said in a news release, citing the bill’s broad definition of “breaching national security.”
Implementation of Article 23 would have a chilling effect on speech and put every business, non-governmental organization （NGO） and foreigner working in the territory in legal jeopardy, the party said.
Officials at the Chinese Communist Party National Congress in Beijing brazenly ordered the nominally autonomous territory to pass the latest bill, which was done in less than two weeks, the DPP said.
The events show that the Hong Kong government and legislature have become the “thugs and rubber stamps” of China, it said.
China’s behavior in Hong Kong, which contravenes universal values and guarantees made by Beijing, was a demonstration of the regime’s totalitarian character and discredited its “one country, two systems” formula for Taiwan, the party said.
The DPP supports the international effort to help Hong Kong, safeguard democracy and counter totalitarianism, and it remains committed to protecting sovereignty and freedom at home, it added.
The so-called “1992 consensus” and offers of “peaceful reunification” are rhetoric meant to dress up Beijing’s ambition to annex Taiwan, the party said, adding that Taiwan must show strength to protect national security and peace.
The “1992 consensus,” a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi （蘇起） in 2006 admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） and the Chinese government that both sides of the Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
KMT Culture and Communications Committee director Lee Yen-hsiu （李彥秀） said that the passage of the legislation underscored “the preciousness of freedom and democracy enjoyed in the Republic of China, Taiwan.”
The KMT urges Beijing to consider whether suppressing individuals’ freedom would bring about better governance, Lee said.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
