HONG KONG (REUTERS) – Hong Kong’s 180,000 civil servants were told on Friday (Jan 15) that they had four weeks to sign a document pledging their loyalty to the Chinese-ruled city’s mini-Constitution and dedication to the government.

More than 4,000 civil servants in the global financial hub have already made the declaration since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in June, which punishes anything China considers to be subversion, secessionism, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Western governments and rights groups are concerned that the security law is being used to crush dissent in the Chinese-ruled city.

The authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing say the law is necessary to bring stability to the semi-autonomous former British colony after a year of anti-government demonstrations.

Civil servants taking the oath will promise to uphold Hong Kong’s Basic Law and “bear allegiance” to the city and its government, as well as be dedicated in their duties.

The Civil Service Bureau said in a statement that all civil servants should in “no uncertain terms acknowledge and accept these basic duties”.

Those who refuse to sign the pledge could lose their jobs.

“Negligence or refusal to take the oath or to duly sign and return the declaration by a civil servant casts serious doubts on his or her willingness to take up these basic duties and his or her suitability to remain in the civil service,” the statement said.

In the past, the authorities have disqualified opposition candidates in elections, as well as pro-democracy lawmakers, on grounds similar oaths of allegiance were “dishonest”.

In a circular to civil servants, officials said it was not feasible to list “exhaustively” all types of improper conduct, as they may come in many different forms.

However, it said advocating or supporting “Hong Kong independence”, refusing to recognise China’s sovereignty over the city, soliciting intervention by foreign or external forces into the city’s affairs, or carrying out activities that endanger national security were not allowed.

Any act that “aims to undermine the government in the governance and administration of Hong Kong” would also be seen as violating the declaration, according to the circular.

The government said merely expressing views in public to oppose a certain policy or decision of the government would not normally constitute improper conduct.

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