China set to adopt Hong Kong national security law

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YanDan Zheng, KAFTANPost China Bureau with Agency Reports

China’s parliament is expected to discuss and adopt a controversial national security law for Hong Kong on Thursday, in a move that has spurred protests in the financial hub and criticism by the U.S.

The law would bypass Hong Kong’s internal legislature to punish acts related to endangering national security and subverting state power in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Beijing would also be able to set up outposts of mainland agencies in Hong Kong to curb violent protests and interference by foreign countries, according to an overview of the law published on Friday by Xinhua news agency.

China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), is set to review the legislation on Thursday morning and vote on its adoption in the afternoon, at the closing of the annual parliamentary session.

It is almost certain that the law will pass, as the NPC has never rejected a proposal put before it.

Policy decisions are made by the higher echelons of the ruling Communist Party, chiefly by the Politburo group of top leaders.

The law has spurred protests in Hong Kong, a former British colony where people have enjoyed a degree of freedom not seen on the mainland.

Western Critics and rights activists fear the law will be used to quash political dissent.

The U.S. has threatened that the law will also affect Hong Kong’s status as an international financial hub.

The U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said on Wednesday that Hong Kong cannot be considered to have a high degree of autonomy from China once the law is passed and, therefore, will not continue to warrant special treatment under the U.S. law.

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Mrs Lam Cheng Yueh, meanwhile welcomes the ” establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”.

However, she urged the Special economic zones (SEZs) to complete relevant legislation to safeguard national security as soon as possible.

Read her full statement below:

The chief executive of Hong Kong welcomes the decision of the National People’s Congress on the establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
In response to the decision (decision) adopted today (May 28) by the National People’s Congress (NPC) on the establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, chief executive Cheng Yueh Lam made the following statement:

I welcome the adoption of the decision by the National People’s Congress. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inseparable part of the people’s Republic of China. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the constitutional responsibility of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is closely related to every Hong Kong citizen.
In view of the difficulty for the executive legislature of the SAR to complete the legislation related to the maintenance of national security within a period of time, it is necessary and urgent for the National People’s Congress to adopt the decision to improve Hong Kong’s legal system and implementation mechanism in terms of national security, and at the same time, it shows the state’s concern for the SAR.

However, we understand that SEZs still have legislative obligations in accordance with Article 23 of the basic law and should complete relevant legislation to safeguard national security as soon as possible.

The SAR government will fully cooperate with the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to complete relevant legislative work as soon as possible, and actively reflect the specific situation of the SAR in the process. We will also actively explain to the public the purpose and importance of this legislation.

In accordance with the requirements of the decision, the SAR government will strengthen law enforcement and public education in the maintenance of national security, and report to the central government on a regular basis.

The purpose of the upcoming law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is to prevent, stop and punish a very small number of illegal elements endangering national security, maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and make the “one country, two systems” go far, which will not affect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law. “One country, two systems” has always been Hong Kong’s greatest advantage, and a stable and secure society will provide a favorable business and investment environment for Hong Kong’s better development in the future. I am convinced that all sectors of society will fully support legislation.

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