The University of Oxford in the UK is taking steps to protect their students from possible penalties under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. The measures include submitting some papers anonymously, teaching one-on-one instead of in a group class and warning students not to record lessons or share them with the outside world or they will be considered a disciplinary offender.
Students studying China at Oxford University have been asked to submit some papers anonymously to protect them from penalties under Hong Kong’s new National Security Law, which was introduced three months ago, the Guardian reported Monday.
The rules about anonymity will apply to classes, and group tutorials will be replaced by one-on-one lectures. Students will also be warned that if they record lessons or share them with the outside world, it will be considered a disciplinary offense.
Universities UK, which represents British universities, will meet with academics working on China issues early next month to discuss the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law, the report said. Some academics are also expected this week to present a draft code of conduct for universities on how they should treat students from authoritarian countries.
Beijing imposed the National Security Law in Hong Kong on June 30 after more than a year of pro-democracy protests in the city. The provisions of the law give the Chinese government broad authority to regulate the actions and statements of non-Hong Kong residents outside of Hong Kong.
The controversial law’s assertion of strong extraterritoriality is of concern to those studying in the United Kingdom, especially those with personal and family ties to Hong Kong and mainland China.
Hong Kong Police Commissioner Tang Bing-keung told a conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday that since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, police have arrested more than 20 people suspected of violating the law and two of them have been prosecuted.
Beijing believes that the Hong Kong issue is China’s internal affair, and says that the implementation of Hong Kong’s national security law has closed the gap in national security in Hong Kong over the years and will play a positive role in Hong Kong’s future political stability, social order and economic development.
However, Beijing’s imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong has caused a strong backlash from the international community, which views it as a serious violation of Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy.
Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand have taken a number of actions, including suspending extradition treaties with Hong Kong and providing asylum to Hong Kongers.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act on July 14. He also signed an executive order ending special treatment of Hong Kong by the United States. The U.S. also suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong involving extradition and tax exemptions.
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