Russ Feingold: “8 months ago I took the floor in this Chamber to call attention to some disturbing trends with regard to democracy and…”

“8 months ago I took the floor in this Chamber to call attention to some disturbing trends with regard to democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong. I said that Hong Kong's rulers, at the behest of Beijing, were set upon a path that risked destroying the spirit and vitality that make Hong Kong unique. I urged those who care about Hong Kong, and about freedom, to speak out and alert Hong Kong authorities to the error of their ways. Many did so. Today, I regret to report, Hong Kong is one step closer to becoming just another Chinese city. Hong Kong's Legislative Council is expected to vote into law next month antisubversion legislation that would significantly erode the barriers that insulate Hong Kong's residents from the antidemocratic legal concepts and practices of the People's Republic of China. As I said here last October, China's leaders pressured their hand-picked Chief Executive in Hong Kong, Tung Chee-Hwa, to introduce this legislation last year. Hong Kong authorities maintained that they had no choice but to comply, since Article 23 of the Basic Law that became Hong Kong's constitution after the territory reverted from British to Chinese control in 1997 required Hong Kong to adopt laws to protect national security. Many Hong Kong legal experts disagreed. But be that as it may, the same Basic Law says the territory will move toward electing its legislature and executive by universal suffrage.”