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National security law: Beijing’s top agencies overseeing Hong Kong affairs blast new Bar Association chief just days after state media launch attack
- Statements from Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, liaison office released a week after Paul Harris was elected chairman of association
- Harris had suggested that some provisions of national security law were at odds with rights guaranteed under the city’s mini-constitution
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Beijing’s two top agencies overseeing Hong Kong affairs have lashed out at the new head of the Bar Association, describing him as an anti-Communist lawyer who has challenged national sovereignty and the bottom line of the “one country, two systems” principle.
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The strongly worded statements were released a week after Paul Harris, a long-time human rights barrister, was elected the new chairman of the association, succeeding Philip Dykes.
Upon his election, Harris said he would explore the possibility of “getting the Hong Kong government to agree to some modifications” to the national security law, which was imposed by Beijing last June. Harris suggested that some provisions of the legislation were at odds with rights guaranteed under the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
State-run media, including People’s Daily, also attacked Harris earlier this week, accusing him of having “lost professionalism and rationality”.
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In a statement issued on Friday evening, a spokesman of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office questioned Harris’ objectives.
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