The American Chamber of Commerce’s president Tara Joseph called on the Hong Kong government to hold private talks with international business representatives to explain how the national security law could be violated.
Many call the national security law «ambiguous» and «talks about foreign interference» cause discomfort, according to local media reports citing AmCham’s Tara Joseph at a forum earlier this week.
«I suppose many people would say the law is ambiguous,» she said. «And because it’s new and it feels ambiguous, it’s hard to understand specific examples of what could happen that could put someone from the international business community or a company in trouble.»
Closed Door Discussion
Joseph suggested that the Hong Kong government could hold private talks to explain to business representatives in more detail about what constitutes as potential violations of the law.
«So perhaps a closed door discussion that’s very honest about how companies could face trouble, what could get individuals in trouble from the business community would be a very helpful discussion,» she said. «So that we can understand the rules of the road, because it’s a new road.»
No Ambiguity
In response, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau disagreed and said the law was sufficiently clear.
«[W]hat brings businesses to Hong Kong or stay in Hong Kong is the baseline, it’s the baseline of the rule of law, including, in this circumstance the constitutional obligation we need to fulfil to protect the nation,» he said, dismissing concerns about exiting firms or capital outflows.
«Also clearly spelt out are circumstances where there would be things that can not be done legally within that remit.»
