The Hong Kong authorities recently revised the “Code of Conduct for Civil Servants,” which requires all civil servants to be loyal to the serving Chief Executive and the Beijing government they serve; they are not allowed to criticize government policies under their capacity as civil servants; and must not allow citizens to question the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. This news has drawn criticism from internet users.
According to a news release published on the Hong Kong government’s official website on June 7, the Civil Service Bureau issued a notice to all civil servants on the same day, announcing the promulgation of an updated version of the “Code of Conduct for Civil Servants” (referred to as the new “Code”).
The new “Code” stipulates that all civil servants must be loyal to the serving Chief Executive and the (Beijing) central government to whom they owe allegiance, and they cannot refuse to carry out orders due to their differing political views or personal preferences.
Furthermore, the new “Code” also specifies that all civil servants are prohibited from criticizing government policies (especially those related to their official duties) in their capacity as civil servants (including online, on social media, or through other means) or supporting opposing views. It is imperative that they do not allow citizens to question the Hong Kong SAR government.
Director of the Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau, Yang He Beiyin, stated that after the promulgation of the updated “Code,” they will carry out promotional activities in stages to enhance civil servants’ understanding of the updated “Code.”
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun posted on social media X platform on June 8, stating, “I have always believed that Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who comes from a police background, is the destroyer of Hong Kong’s civilization and freedom. Previous Chief Executives, regardless, still had some bottom line and respect, and would preserve some dignity for Hong Kong people! Only this Carrie Lam goes all out to destroy Hong Kong to please Beijing, introducing many inhumane policies to quell Hong Kong by using the police. I believe that no matter how Carrie Lam pleases Beijing, grovels to Beijing, he will ultimately meet an unfortunate end! Just like Zhang Xiaoming, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office who wreaked havoc in Hong Kong back in the day.”
In 2020, Zhang Xiaoming, then director of the Central Committee’s Hong Kong and Macau Work Coordination Office, was sanctioned by the US government along with 10 other mainland and Hong Kong officials for allegedly undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy. In March of this year, Zhang was relieved of his position as Deputy Secretary-General of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. On June 6, Zhang was also removed from his positions as a member and standing committee member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Following the “Umbrella Movement” in 2014 and the “Anti-extradition Movement” in 2019, the Chinese Communist Party has gradually tightened its control over the people of Hong Kong through the Hong Kong government.
According to Hong Kong 01 news, during the World Cup football qualifying match between the Hong Kong football team and the Iranian team at the Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday evening (June 6), when the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China was played before the game, three spectators in the stands who did not stand up or turned their backs were deemed to have “insulted the national anthem” by the police and were taken away on the spot. Later, the three individuals were granted bail but had to report to the police in July.
The Hong Kong police stated that insulting the national anthem publicly or intentionally constitutes a crime and can result in a fine of HK$50,000 and a prison sentence of 3 years.
Many netizens commented on this, saying, “It’s ridiculous to be monitored for watching a football game,” “Are we in North Korea watching ballgames?” “Can people in wheelchairs not stand?”
The Chinese authorities enacted the National Anthem Law in 2017, which requires participants to stand solemnly when singing the Chinese national anthem. In June 2020, Hong Kong passed the National Anthem Ordinance, which not only prohibits the alteration of lyrics or singing the Chinese national anthem in a distorted or derogatory manner but also requires individuals at such occasions to stand solemnly.
In recent years, with the implementation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law,” the legislation of the HKSAR Basic Law Article 23, the “National Security Law,” has officially taken effect, sharply deteriorating the freedoms of expression and belief of the people of Hong Kong.
Australian senior media person and political doctorate Lin Song from Hong Kong previously told the Epoch Times, “The current Hong Kong has become a ‘rule by law’ society that targets dissidents under the guise of the law, becoming a society that only allows the selection of CCP candidates.”
Lin Song believes that the longer it takes, the more likely it will turn Hong Kong people into new Hong Kongers, obedient servants. Hong Kong people can see now that only when the CCP falls can Hong Kong return to its former glory.