Hong Kong's 'freedoms and autonomy' being threatened by Beijing

The Lowy Institute’s Ben Bland says Beijing's plan to impose national security laws on Hong Kong "implies not just a threat to the freedoms of Hong Kong but also the autonomy that the city has long enjoyed".

Mr Bland told Sky News the latest developments were "really a major blow to both the democracy movement in Hong Kong" but also to the "wider community of people in Hong Kong and the businesses too".

Thousands of Hong Kong citizens have held a demonstration protesting Beijing’s plan to enforce national security laws on the city.

Beijing unveiled plans on Friday to impose laws on Hong Kong that would ban subversion, secession, foreign interference and any acts that threaten national security.

Protestors are concerned the laws are not compatible with the “one nation, two system” policy and place limitations on their traditional freedoms.

"The way this is being implemented, Chinese authorities are effectively bringing in this legislation by diktat from Beijing rather than letting Hong Kong legislate for itself," Mr Bland said.

"Which implies not just a threat to the freedoms of Hong Kong but also the autonomy that the city has long enjoyed".

Image: Getty

Видео Hong Kong's 'freedoms and autonomy' being threatened by Beijing канала Sky News Australia