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US, Japan, EU team up to warn China of concerns over new security laws US, Japan, EU team up to warn China of concerns over new security laws
(6 months later)
China has been warned of serious international concerns over new laws covering counterterrorism, cybersecurity and foreign charities, with the signatories to a letter from world powers urging Beijing to rethink the legislation.China has been warned of serious international concerns over new laws covering counterterrorism, cybersecurity and foreign charities, with the signatories to a letter from world powers urging Beijing to rethink the legislation.
The US, Canadian, German and Japanese ambassadors signed a letteraddressed to minister of public security Guo Shengkun, voicing unease about the new and draft laws.The US, Canadian, German and Japanese ambassadors signed a letteraddressed to minister of public security Guo Shengkun, voicing unease about the new and draft laws.
Related: 'Love the party, protect the party': How Xi Jinping is bringing China's media to heel
In what sources said was a coordinated move, the ambassador of the European Union delegation to China, Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, sent a letter expressing similar concerns.In what sources said was a coordinated move, the ambassador of the European Union delegation to China, Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, sent a letter expressing similar concerns.
The cyber security and counterterrorism laws codify sweeping powers for the government to combat perceived threats, from widespread censorship to heightened control over certain technologies.The cyber security and counterterrorism laws codify sweeping powers for the government to combat perceived threats, from widespread censorship to heightened control over certain technologies.
Critics of the counterterrorism legislation, for one, say that it could be interpreted in such a way that even non-violent dissidents could fall within its definition of terrorism.Critics of the counterterrorism legislation, for one, say that it could be interpreted in such a way that even non-violent dissidents could fall within its definition of terrorism.
The four ambassadors said areas of the counterterrorism law, which were passed in December, were vague and could create a “climate of uncertainty” among investors. They did not specify which areas.The four ambassadors said areas of the counterterrorism law, which were passed in December, were vague and could create a “climate of uncertainty” among investors. They did not specify which areas.
The EU ambassador used the same phrase to describe the law’s impact, and both letters expressed an interest in engaging with China as it worked out implementing regulations around the law, to try to mitigate those concerns.The EU ambassador used the same phrase to describe the law’s impact, and both letters expressed an interest in engaging with China as it worked out implementing regulations around the law, to try to mitigate those concerns.
Guo could not be reached for comment. China’s ministry of public security and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Guo could not be reached for comment. China’s ministry of public security and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While countries often give feedback on proposed legislation in China, the rare joint response by several major powers, and coordination with the EU, signals an increased readiness to lend weight of numbers to their argument.While countries often give feedback on proposed legislation in China, the rare joint response by several major powers, and coordination with the EU, signals an increased readiness to lend weight of numbers to their argument.
It also points to growing frustration that the low-key, individual approach taken in the past may not be working.It also points to growing frustration that the low-key, individual approach taken in the past may not be working.
“While we recognise the need for each country to address its security concerns, we believe the new legislative measures have the potential to impede commerce, stifle innovation, and infringe on China’s obligation to protect human rights in accordance with international law,” said a strongly worded letter co-signed by the four ambassadors.“While we recognise the need for each country to address its security concerns, we believe the new legislative measures have the potential to impede commerce, stifle innovation, and infringe on China’s obligation to protect human rights in accordance with international law,” said a strongly worded letter co-signed by the four ambassadors.
China has defended the new and draft laws, saying such steps, including heightened censorship, were necessary to ensure stability in the country of over 1.3bn people.China has defended the new and draft laws, saying such steps, including heightened censorship, were necessary to ensure stability in the country of over 1.3bn people.
On the draft cyber security law, all five ambassadors were particularly concerned by provisions requiring companies to store data locally and to provide encryption keys, which technology firms worried may impinge on privacy and mean they would have to pass on sensitive intellectual property to the government in the name of security.On the draft cyber security law, all five ambassadors were particularly concerned by provisions requiring companies to store data locally and to provide encryption keys, which technology firms worried may impinge on privacy and mean they would have to pass on sensitive intellectual property to the government in the name of security.
Both letters said the draft NGO management law had the potential to hinder academic exchanges and commercial activities, calling them “crucial elements” of their relationships with China.Both letters said the draft NGO management law had the potential to hinder academic exchanges and commercial activities, calling them “crucial elements” of their relationships with China.
The parties to the letters decided to express their concerns together after it became unclear to what degree China was taking their individual input on the laws on board, said a person with knowledge of the matter.The parties to the letters decided to express their concerns together after it became unclear to what degree China was taking their individual input on the laws on board, said a person with knowledge of the matter.
“We’re trying to avoid the divide and conquer approach (by China). They like to do that on any possible occasion. We wanted to send a counter-signal that when we have shared interests, we cannot so easily be split,” the person said, adding that there had been no clear response by China so far to the letters.“We’re trying to avoid the divide and conquer approach (by China). They like to do that on any possible occasion. We wanted to send a counter-signal that when we have shared interests, we cannot so easily be split,” the person said, adding that there had been no clear response by China so far to the letters.
“We don’t plan to establish a pen-pal relationship. We want something to happen.”“We don’t plan to establish a pen-pal relationship. We want something to happen.”