In the case of criticism of China: Federal government itself advises against censorship

On the basis of since Wednesday, National security act have been arrested in Hong Kong for several People. Nunwarnt the Federal government, German state, can members be arrested if they have Express on the Internet criticism of China or consent to Hong Kong's freedom of movement or expressed.

Hendrik Ankenbrand

business correspondent for China, based in Shanghai.

the New security law, which was adopted since its announcement at the end of may in only a little more than a month from the National people's Congress in Beijing and the is since the first of July in Hong Kong zuranwendung detainees, eight,from"new and not clearly defined offences, the founder of assignment,Subversion, terrorism as well as cooperation with foreign States", writes the Foreign office in its updated travel and safety information for the Chinese special administrative zone, the should have according to the Constitution, actually, a high degree of autonomy and an independent rule of law. For the far-interpretable facts, the law "criminal prior to see the threat of up to life imprisonment,"warns the Foreign office.

also acts had been committed outside Hongkongsvon Foreigners,würdenin the area of application of the law involved."It cannot be entirely excluded that German citizens, or citizens in Hong Kong of measures on the basis of the new law are concerned", warntdas Foreign office.

You will seek with China dialogue, whether in Hong Kong in the Constitution entrenched the principle of "One country, two systems" under the new security law would be more "liveable", said Merkel. However, you had to rely on China, for example, in the area of climate protection, where the country is "a lot" have done as the Chancellor praised. Also in Africa, the people's Republic was "very engaged". China is a country with which you had a "relationship of trust" in which you could say "in the mutual respect for each opinion".

10 people

From an open expression of opinion detained in the Travel advice of the foreign office, however, not a speech.On the contrary: "Be especially careful and be aware of the fact that political Statements can also be used in Social media, seen as relevant," warns the office.The formulation is similar to denreise note for Turkey, in which the Federal government also warns that the German state would have to be members of aware, "that the government could provide critical Comments insozialen media, even if they are older, but also Sharing or "Liking" a stranger's contribution, the occasion for criminal actions"of the security authorities.

Now also in Hong Kong, where the population should have in the past year by the millions for more democracy and against the increasingly harder grip of the Chinese Central government to the city of protest, "demonstrations and large gatherings of people widely" avoid writes to the Foreign office.Eskönne"not be entirely excluded that German citizens, or citizens in Hong Kong of measures on the basis of the new law would be affected".