The NSA’s public enemy no.1 Edward Snowden will seek refuge in Hong Kong – a slightly less claustrophobic setting than Assange’s refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy. In fairness, Snowden’s whistle-blowing is less controversial than Assange’s in that it relates to one particular issue – an issue that many civilians are pretty united on and united in condemnation of the government.
Written by William Barns-Graham
The choice of Hong Kong is certainly one that will draw Barack Obama and Xi Jinping’s agreement to disagree over cybersecurity in to sharp focus. The choice is laden with irony considering Hong Kong’s obvious link to Beijing – it is usually China being accused by the USA of draconian monitoring of online data, but in this case, China could protect the man who has potentially blown USA hypocrisy on the matter into the World’s attention.
It is a gamble, however, with the US having signed an extradition treaty with Hong Kong in 1997 when the city became semi-autonomous following British rule. Under the 97 treaty both countries hand over fugitives from each other’s criminal justice systems but both sides can refuse handing over in the case of political offences. Beijing can also veto the surrendering of a fugitive. It appears, then, that Snowden is relying on Hong Kong and Beijing exercising these rights of refusal, but what could motivate them to do this?
Snowden has denied in his Guardian interview that his choice of refuge is supposed to act as a vote of confidence for China’s maligned human rights record – preferring China’s human rights record to the USA’s would be a significant antagonistic move. He did note Hong Kong’s greater commitment to “free speech and the right of political dissent” – something that was exercised last week in the protests centering on the 24th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square. This freedom of speech is something that is often scrutinised by Hong Kong’s legislators – who are often working in accordance with Beijing – but it seems unlikely that Beijing will seek to impose the prohibition of these rights in the case of Snowden.
It’s not that China and the USA are in some sort of cold war situation – Obama and Xi agreed on everything else apart from cybersecurity in talks last week in what is a cooperative relationship – its just that because this is an internet/privacy rights issue – rights which the USA has often accused China of no respecting – China may be less willing to give in to US demands here. With Hong Kong as a culture more in favour of the freedom to dissent, it seems that Snowden may have chosen well.
Was Snowden right to do what he did? Well it seems that US Citizens have the right to know but no one likes a tell-tale, especially concerning confidential information. Will he get away with it? Will his choice affect China-US relations? The next few weeks will tell a lot about how these two great superpowers get on during the cyber age.
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