Hong Kong activist calls for opposition to security law

Hong Kong democracy activists appeared outside the city's legislative body on Wednesday to make an appeal to Europe to oppose China's national security law.

Joshua Wong said that seven European countries, as well as the European Union, had already demonstrated their deep concern about the "erosion (of) universal values we all believe in."

Activists said tehnew legislation goes against the "one country, two systems" framework that promises Hong Kong freedoms not found in mainland China.

Standing alongside Sunny Cheung and Nathan Law, Wong also noted that the U.S. had threatened to "impose embargoes, sanctions (or) revoke the special status of Hong Kong," adding they sought a "global alliance."

China shocked many of Hong Kong's 7.5 million people when it announced earlier this month that it would enact national security laws for the city, which is currently guaranteed a high level of autonomy outside of foreign and defense affairs.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, a supporter of the move, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning for meetings with central government officials on the planned laws.

She said the previous day that any countries that imposed sanctions or made moves to affect trading relations would only be "hurting their own interests."

Also Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the United Kingdom was ready to ease residency restrictions for almost 3 million Hong Kong citizens, should the security law be implemented.China could enact the laws later this month or at the end of August, analysts have said.

(Image Credit: AP)