US condemns 'repression' of Independence Day celebrations in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, June 24 (Reuters) - The United States condemned what it described as Hong Kong's "repression of U.S. Independence Day celebrations" after media reports on Tuesday that some schools had received "friendly reminders" warning students against taking part in such events.

The Education Bureau sent the notice to schools in the former British colony, warning that students who take part in U.S. Independence Day activities could be at risk of violating Hong Kong's national security law, the South China Morning Post reported. It did not say if the schools were international or local campuses.

The Education Bureau told the media that safeguarding national security was "part and parcel of the routine school work in promoting national security education," and it added that it had issued detailed national security guidelines to schools.

"Schools have the responsibility to play a good gate-keeper role and to enhance the sensitivity of teachers and students to national security," it said.

The bureau did not confirm whether it had issued a warning specifically against students' participating in U.S. Independence Day activities.

"We condemn the Hong Kong government’s repression of U.S. Independence Day celebrations and interference in U.S. consulate-hosted events. Its attempts to characterise these activities as ‘unlawful’ only further reveal its insecurity and fear of freedom," a spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate said.

The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau will host a private reception in Hong Kong to celebrate July 4 and to deepen the "longstanding friendship between the people in Hong Kong and the United States", the statement said.

The National Security Law, which punishes offences such as acts of subversion, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism, with terms of up to life in jail, was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in 2020.

The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the law is necessary to restore stability following anti-government protests in 2019 when then leader Carrie Lam called on universities and schools to urge students not to participate in the sometimes violent demonstrations.

Some Western governments have, however, criticised the law as being used to suppress free speech and dissent.