The Hong Kong-based offices of Chinese banks and brokerages have been reportedly drumming up support for the newly proposed national security law reportedly by pressuring employees to sign petitions.
Bank of Communications, ICBC International, Haitong International, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank International, Guotai Junan Securities were named in a «Nikkei» report (behind paywall) as firms that had circulated a petition seeking signatories to support national security legislation and «anti-Hong Kong independence; anti-sedition; anti-terrorism; [and] anti-foreign interference».
The same form is believed to be circulated via street booths in Hong Kong set up by pro-Beijing political parties. Unnamed sources added that circulation was also occurring through Chinese social media and senior managers of state-backed companies.
«Voluntary Signatories»
According to the report citing multiple unnamed employees from the aforementioned firms, there was serious pressure and potential risk against not signing even though some had explicitly indicated the voluntary nature of signing the petition.
One such indication is the rigorous nature in which banks were reportedly collecting names. In the case of Guotai Junan Securities, the report cites four employees who claim supporting signatories were asked to put their names on an online petition requiring the last four digits of their ID card number and to submit a screenshot of this to their department.
«What can you do?» said one human resources officer, referred to only as «Mandy», who was responsible for collecting and checking staff signatures. «I need this job and there will likely be repercussions if you don't follow.»
Consensus?
At all five of the banks and brokerages, sources indicated that either the majority or all of the employees who received the petition had signed it, in some cases immediately upon receiving the form.
«My company has been promoting patriotic education since last year,» according to an unnamed mainland Chinese employee who claimed to be from ICBC International. «Anyone who can't stand this has already quit.»
«Of course I am afraid, I haven’t got my bonus yet,» said another ICBC employee who does not support the petition. «[B]ut I won’t sign for sure.»
