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China proposes controversial national security law for Hong Kong China to propose national security law for Hong Kong
(32 minutes later)
Sweeping new legislation marks dramatic escalation of Beijing’s attempts to stop anti-government protests Legislation marks escalation of Beijing’s attempts to stop anti-government protests
China’s annual meeting of parliament will propose sweeping national security legislation for Hong Kong in a dramatic escalation of Beijing’s efforts to place Hong Kong under its control and to stop anti-government protests that have lasted almost a year. Beijing has said it will propose legislation to enforce national security measures in Hong Kong – a move that is likely to escalate tensions in the territory.
The largely rubber-stamp body kicks off its full annual session on Friday in Beijing. Pro-democracy protests last year plunged the city into its deepest turmoil since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
On Thursday evening the National People’s Congress confirmed its agenda would discuss “establishing & improving the legal system & enforcement mechanisms for Hong Kong to safeguard national security”. At a press conference before the opening of China’s annual meeting of parliament on Friday, Zhang Yesui, a spokesman for the National People’s Congress, said: “Because of new circumstances and need, the NPC is exercising the power enshrined in the constitution to establish and improve a legal framework and mechanism for safeguarding national security and upholding the institutional framework for ‘one country, two systems’.”
The announcement confirmed earlier reports that Chinese lawmakers were preparing measures that would bar sedition, foreign interference, terrorism and secession, according to the South China Morning Post. He added: “Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China. The National People’s Congress is the country’s highest organ of state power. National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country. Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese, and Hong Kong patriots included.”
The legislation could be a turning point for China’s freest and most international city, potentially triggering a revision of its special status in Washington and likely to spark more unrest. The announcement confirmed earlier reports that Chinese lawmakers were preparing measures for a sweeping national security law, previously shelved in Hong Kong because of widespread resistance. Reports said the law would bar sedition, foreign interference, terrorism and secession.
Online posts have already emerged urging people to gather to protest in Hong Kong on Thursday night, and dozens were seen shouting pro-democracy slogans in a shopping mall as riot police stood nearby. China’s annual meeting of parliament – a largely rubber-stamp body – kicks off its full session on Friday in Beijing.
Hong Kongers took to the streets last year, sometimes in their millions, to protest against a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions of criminal suspects to mainland China. The movement broadened to include demands for broader democracy amid perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip over the city. The legislation could be a turning point for China’s freest and most international city, potentially triggering a revision of its special status in Washington, and is likely to spark more unrest.
“If Beijing passes the law ... how (far) will civil society resist repressive laws? How much impact will it unleash onto Hong Kong as an international financial centre?” said Ming Sing, political scientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Social media posts urged people to gather to protest in Hong Kong on Thursday night, and dozens of people were seen shouting pro-democracy slogans in a shopping mall as riot police stood nearby.
The Hong Kong government has previously tried to pass a national security law aimed at proscribing such activities but has been met with widespread resistance. By preparing a law in China’s parliament, authorities could effectively bypass Hong Kong’s legislature and local resistance. Hong Kongers took to the streets sometimes in their millions last year to protest against a now withdrawn bill that would have allowed the extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China. The movement broadened to include demands for greater democracy amid perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip over the city.
The US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on 6 May he was delaying a report assessing whether Hong Kong was sufficiently autonomous to warrant Washington’s special economic treatment, which has helped it remain a world financial centre. “If Beijing passes the law … how [far] will civil society resist repressive laws? How much impact will it unleash on to Hong Kong as an international financial centre?” said Ming Sing, a political scientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The delay was to account for any actions at the NPC, he said. The Hong Kong government has previously tried to pass a national security law but has been met with widespread resistance. By preparing a law in China’s parliament, authorities could effectively bypass Hong Kong’s legislature and local opposition.
Tension between the two superpowers has heightened in recent weeks, as they exchanged accusations on the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, souring an already worsening relationship over trade. The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said on 6 May he was delaying a report assessing whether Hong Kong was sufficiently autonomous to warrant Washington’s special economic treatment, which has helped it remain a world financial centre. The delay was to account for any actions at the NPC, he said.
Tension between the two superpowers has heightened in recent weeks as they have exchanged accusations on the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, souring an already worsening relationship over trade.
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report