Major powers team up to tell China of concerns over new laws

Voice unease about new counter terrorism law, the draft cyber security law, and a draft law on management of foreign NGOs

The United States, Canada, Germany, Japan and the European Union have written to China to express concern over three new or planned laws, including one on counter terrorism, in a rare joint bid to pressure Beijing into taking their objections seriously.

The US, Canadian, German and Japanese ambassadors signed a letter dated January 27 addressed to State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun, voicing unease about the new counter terrorism law, the draft cyber security law, and a draft law on management of foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

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, dated January 28.

Reuters reviewed copies of both letters.

The cyber security and counter terrorism laws codify sweeping powers for the government to combat perceived threats, from widespread censorship to heightened control over certain technologies.

Critics of the counter terrorism 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 counter terrorism law, which the National People's Congress 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.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, asked about the letters, said all countries were enhancing their efforts to combat terrorism, and that he hoped other countries would respect China's sovereignty.

"The counter terrorism law will not affect relevant businesses' normal operations and it will not affect relevant personnel's legitimate interests," he told a daily news briefing, without elaborating.

Guo could not be reached for comment. China's State Council Information Office and Ministry of Public Security did not respond to requests for comment.