People walk through an intersection in Hong Kong’s central business district on February 27, 2024.
Peter Parks | AFP | Getty Images
Members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed a new national security law The bill on Tuesday gives the government more powers to crack down on dissent, in what is widely seen as the latest step in a sweeping political crackdown triggered by pro-democracy protests in 2019.
The Legislature passed the Preserving National Security Act during a special session on Tuesday. This builds on a similar law Beijing implemented four years ago that has largely silenced dissent in the financial hub.
Hong Kong Legislative Council packed with Beijing supporters after electoral reform, speeding up the process.since The bill is announced On March 8, a committee held daily meetings for a week after Hong Kong leader Li Ka-chiu called for “full speed” to pass the bill.
The law threatens harsh penalties for a range of actions that authorities say threaten national security, with the most serious offenses – including treason and rebellion – punishable by life imprisonment. Lesser offenses, including possession of inflammatory publications, can also result in several years in prison. Some provisions allow criminal prosecution for conduct occurring anywhere in the world.
Legislative Council Chairman Leung Kwan-yen said he believed all Legislative Council members were honored to participate in this “historic mission.”
He said: “I completely agree with the Chief Executive’s statement. The sooner the legislation is completed, the sooner national security can be guaranteed.”
Critics fear the new law will further weaken civil liberties that Beijing pledged to protect for 50 years when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Hong Kong’s political landscape has changed dramatically since massive street protests in 2019 challenged China’s rule over the semi-autonomous territory and Beijing imposed a national security law.
Many leading activists have been prosecuted, while others have sought asylum abroad. Influential democratic media such as Apple Daily and Stand News were shut down. The crackdown led to an exodus of disillusioned young professionals and middle-class families to the United States, Britain, Canada and Taiwan.
Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, requires Hong Kong to enact its own national security law. An attempt in 2003 sparked massive street protests that attracted half a million people and forced the legislation to be shelved. Such protests against the current bill have not occurred, largely due to the chilling effect of the current national security law.
Both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments say laws imposed by Beijing have restored stability after the 2019 protests.
Officials insist the new security law balances security with safeguarding rights and freedoms. The city government said it was necessary to prevent protests from happening again and would affect only a “very small number” of disloyal residents.
The measure targets espionage, leaking state secrets and “colluding with external forces” to commit illegal acts. Its provisions include tougher penalties for those found to be cooperating with foreign governments or organizations for conduct that endangers national security.
Those who damage public infrastructure with the intention of endangering national security can be sentenced to 20 years in prison, or life imprisonment if they collude with external forces. In 2019, protesters occupied Hong Kong’s airport and vandalized a train station.
Business people and journalists expressed fear Broad laws against leaking state secrets and foreign interference will affect their daily work.
Observers are paying close attention to whether authorities will expand enforcement to other professional areas and its impact on Hong Kong people’s freedoms.
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