US Tech Giants Face Stringent Free Speech Test in Hong Kong Following China’s New Security Law

The top American diplomat in Hong Kong said Monday that it is a "tragedy" to use the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's new national security law to chip away at "fundamental freedoms" in the Asian financial hub and create an "atmosphere of coercion and self-censorship."

"Using the national security law to erode fundamental freedoms and to create an atmosphere of coercion and self-censorship is a tragedy for Hong Kong," Hanscom Smith, U.S. consul general to Hong Kong and Macau, told reporters. "Hong Kong has been successful precisely because of its openness and we'll do everything we can to maintain that."

The law, imposed last week following anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year, makes secessionist, subversive, or terrorist activities illegal, as well as foreign intervention in the city's internal affairs. Any person taking part in activities such as shouting slogans or holding up banners and flags calling for the city's independence is violating the law regardless of whether violence is used.