The top US diplomat in Hong Kong on Monday urged China to ease political pressure on the city, warning that the 'crude and chilling' use of a sweeping national security law threatened its role as an international business hub.
A Chinese national emblem is seen displayed outside the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after its official inauguration in Hong Kong on July 8, 2020. Anthony Wallace/ AFP
"The application of this [security] law has been broad, crude and chilling," Smith said, noting its vague definitions had fostered "fear and coercion" and dented the city's strong rule of law traditions. Chinese and Hong Kong officials have repeatedly said the law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, was vital to restore stability after the city was rocked for months by sometimes violent anti-government and anti-China protests in 2019.
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