In an effort to provide reassurance to the Hong Kong community residing in Britain, the United Kingdom has affirmed that they are protected from the effects of the national security laws recently implemented in the former British colony. The new legislation, enacted by China in March, introduced or updated laws related to treason, sabotage, sedition, theft of state secrets, and espionage, carrying potential life imprisonment sentences.
In a foreword to a regular government report on Hong Kong, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron emphasized that the National Security Law holds no jurisdiction in the UK. He further stated that neither Hong Kong nor China has an active extradition agreement with the United Kingdom. Cameron concluded his remarks by assuring the valued Hong Kong community in the UK that they are secure and protected within the country.
Since the handover of Hong Kong to Beijing's control in 1997, China has asserted that the security laws are necessary to maintain the city's stability and prosperity. However, concerns have been raised regarding the compatibility of the legislation with international human rights standards. Cameron highlighted that the law falls short of the international commitments made by Hong Kong and is likely to impede its residents' ability to exercise their rights and freedoms.
This new national security law adds to the existing legislation imposed by China on Hong Kong in 2020, which was a response to the mass protests that took place in 2019.
The United Kingdom's reaffirmation of the safety and security of Hong Kong citizens residing in Britain aims to provide them with a sense of comfort and assurance during these uncertain times.
英國向在英港人保證：「你在這裡是安全的」
為了向居住在英國的香港社區提供保證，英國表示他們免於受到前英國殖民地香港最近實施的國家安全法的影響。這項由中國於三月實施的新法案，更新或引入了關於叛國、破壞、煽動叛亂、竊取國家機密和間諜活動的法律，最高可判終身監禁。
在一份關於香港的常規政府報告的前言中，英國外交大臣大衛·卡梅倫強調，國家安全法在英國沒有權力。他進一步表示，英國與香港或中國都沒有有效的引渡協議。卡梅倫在結尾時向在英國的香港社區保證，他們在這裡是安全和受保護的。
自1997年香港回歸北京控制以來，中國一直主張這些安全法是維護該城市穩定和繁榮所必需的。然而，人們對該法律與國際人權標準的相容性提出了擔憂。卡梅倫指出，這項法律未能達到香港承諾遵守的國際標準，並將對香港人行使其權利和自由產生負面影響。
這項新的國家安全法是中國於2020年對香港實施的現有法律的補充，該法律是對2019年大規模抗議活動的回應。
英國重申對居住在英國的香港公民的安全和保護，旨在在這個不確定的時期為他們提供安心和保證。
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