Hong Kong civil servants given four weeks to pledge loyalty to the
government
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[January 15, 2021]
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's
180,000 civil servants were told on Friday they had four weeks to sign a
document pledging their loyalty to the Chinese-ruled city's
mini-constitution and dedication to the government.
More than 4,000 civil servants in the global financial hub have already
made the declaration since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security
law in June, which punishes anything China considers to be subversion,
secessionism, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life
in prison.
Western governments and rights groups are concerned that the security
law is being used to crush dissent in the Chinese-ruled city.
Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing say the law is necessary to bring
stability to the semi-autonomous former British colony after a year of
anti-government demonstrations.
Civil servants taking the oath will promise to uphold Hong Kong's Basic
Law and "bear allegiance" to the city and its government, as well as to
be dedicated in their duties.
The Civil Service Bureau said in a statement that all civil servants
should in "no uncertain terms acknowledge and accept these basic
duties".
Those who refuse to sign the pledge could lose their jobs.
"Negligence or refusal to take the oath or to duly sign and return the
declaration by a civil servant casts serious doubts on his or her
willingness to take up these basic duties and his or her suitability to
remain in the civil service," the statement said.
In the past, authorities have disqualified opposition candidates in
elections, as well as pro-democracy lawmakers, on grounds similar oaths
of allegiance were "dishonest".
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Riot police chase pro-democracy protesters during a demonstration
opposing postponed elections, in Hong Kong, China September 6, 2020.
REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo
In a circular to civil servants, officials said it was not feasible
to list "exhaustively" all types of improper conduct as they may
come in many different forms.
However, it said advocating or supporting "Hong Kong independence",
refusing to recognise China's sovereignty over the city, soliciting
intervention by foreign or external forces into the city's affairs,
or carrying out activities that endanger national security were not
allowed.
Any act that "aims to undermine the government in the governance and
administration of Hong Kong" would also be seen as violating the
declaration, according to the circular.
The government said merely expressing views in public to oppose a
certain policy or decision of the government would not normally
constitute improper conduct.
(Reporting by Twinnie Siu and Jessie Pang; Editing by Alex
Richardson)
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