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NPC: China to present HK 'sedition' law at parliament NPC: China begins move to impose controversial Hong Kong security law
(about 3 hours later)
The Chinese government is set to present a controversial Hong Kong security law at its congress, the most important political event of the year. China's ruling Communist Party has set in motion a controversial national security law for Hong Kong, a move seen as a major blow to the city's freedoms.
Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" says it must enact security laws to prevent "treason, secession and sedition". The law to ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" could bypass Hong Kong's lawmakers.
But such laws have never been passed and now Beijing is now attempting to push them through. Critics say China is breaking its promise to allow Hong Kong freedoms not seen elsewhere China.
The annual National People's Congress largely rubber-stamps decisions already taken by the Communist leadership. It is likely to fuel public anger and may even trigger fresh protests and demands for democratic reform.
The BBC's China correspondent, Robin Brant, says that what makes the situation so incendiary is that Beijing could, in theory, simply bypass Hong Kong's elected legislators and impose the changes. The plan was submitted at the annual National People's Congress, which largely rubber-stamps decisions already taken by the Communist leadership, but is still the most important political event of the year.
Hong Kong was always meant to have introduced such laws after its handover to Chinese rule in 1997.
It never could and after last year's wave of sustained and violent protest, Beijing is now attempting to push them through.
Beijing believes "law-based and forceful measures" must be taken to "prevent, stop and punish" such protests in the future.
What is in Beijing's proposed law?
The "draft decision" - as it is known before approval by the NPC - was explained by Wang Chen, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC.
It consists of an introduction and seven articles. Article 4 may prove the most controversial.
That article says Hong Kong "must improve" national security, before adding: "When needed, relevant national security organs of the Central People's Government will set up agencies in Hong Kong to fulfil relevant duties to safeguard national security in accordance with the law."
China could essentially place this law into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation, or decree.
China's Premier Li Keqiang addressed the congress and spoke of the economic impact of the coronavirus,
On Hong Kong (and also Macau) he made this reference: "We will establish sound legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the two Special Administrative Regions
What do opponents say the dangers are?
Hong Kong is what is known as a "special administrative region" of China.Hong Kong is what is known as a "special administrative region" of China.
It has observed a "one country, two systems" policy since Britain returned sovereignty in 1997, which has allowed it certain freedoms the rest of China does not have.It has observed a "one country, two systems" policy since Britain returned sovereignty in 1997, which has allowed it certain freedoms the rest of China does not have.
Pro-democracy activists fear that China pushing through the law could mean "the end of Hong Kong" - that is, the effective end of its autonomy and these freedoms.Pro-democracy activists fear that China pushing through the law could mean "the end of Hong Kong" - that is, the effective end of its autonomy and these freedoms.
Last year, Hong Kong experienced a sustained wave of violent protest and public fury as well as demands for democratic reform.
The Chinese leadership believes this law is needed to prevent a repeat of those protests.
What is Beijing trying to do?
According to the Basic Law - the territory's mini-constitution - Hong Kong's government is required to pass national security legislation.
However, an attempt in 2003 failed after 500,000 people took to the streets in opposition.
So the latest attempt to push through the laws has caused outrage among pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
One legislator on Thursday called the laws "the most controversial [issue] in Hong Kong since the handover".
China could essentially place this law into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation, or decree.
Hong Kong has a far higher degree of democracy and free speech than mainland China.
But pro-democracy activists fear the law will be used to muzzle protests - as similar laws in China are used to silence opposition to the Communist Party.
Last year's mass protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.Last year's mass protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
The bill was paused, then withdrawn - but the protests continued until the virus outbreak at the end of the year.The bill was paused, then withdrawn - but the protests continued until the virus outbreak at the end of the year.
What do opponents say the dangers are? The US has also weighed in, with President Trump saying the US would react strongly if it went through - without giving details.
A number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong have spoken out in despair essentially worried that this move spells out the end for Hong Kong's freedoms.
Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok said "if this move takes place, 'one country, two systems' will be officially erased. This is the end of Hong Kong".
Student activist and politician Joshua Wong tweeted that the move was an attempt by Beijing to "silence Hong Kongers' critical voices with force and fear".
The US also weighed in, saying the move could be "highly destabilising" and undermine China's obligations. President Trump said the US would react strongly if it went through - without giving details.
It is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges.It is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong's preferential trading and investment privileges.
The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, called the move a "comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy"
Why is China doing this?Why is China doing this?
Sources at the National People's Congress (NPC) said Beijing can no longer wait for Hong Kong to pass its own law, nor can it continue to watch the growth of what it sees as a violent anti-government movement. Mr Wang said the security risks had become "increasingly notable" - a reference to last year's protests.
One source told the South China Morning Post: "We can no longer allow acts like desecrating national flags or defacing of the national emblem in Hong Kong." "Considering Hong Kong's situation at present, efforts must be made at the state-level to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms," he is quoted as saying in state media.
Beijing may also fear September's elections to Hong Kong's legislature. If last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could potentially be blocked. Beijing may also fear September's elections to Hong Kong's legislature.
Announcing the move on Thursday, spokesman Zhang Yesui gave little away, saying the measure would "improve" on one country, two systems. If last year's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could potentially be blocked.
Mr Zhang said: "National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country. Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese, our Hong Kong compatriots included."
After debating the issue, the NPC will vote on it next week. The matter would then not advance until June, when it goes before China's Standing Committee.
An editorial in the state-run China Daily said the law meant that "those who challenge national security will necessarily be held accountable for their behaviour".
In Hong Kong, the pro-Beijing DAB party said it "fully supported" the proposals, which were made "in response to Hong Kong's rapidly worsening political situation in recent years".
What is Hong Kong's legal situation?What is Hong Kong's legal situation?
Hong Kong was under British control for more than 150 years up to 1997.Hong Kong was under British control for more than 150 years up to 1997.
The British and Chinese governments signed a treaty - the Sino-British Joint Declaration - that agreed Hong Kong would have "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs", for 50 years.The British and Chinese governments signed a treaty - the Sino-British Joint Declaration - that agreed Hong Kong would have "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs", for 50 years.
This was enshrined in the Basic Law, which runs out in 2047.This was enshrined in the Basic Law, which runs out in 2047.
As a result, Hong Kong's own legal system, borders, and rights - including freedom of assembly and free speech - are protected.As a result, Hong Kong's own legal system, borders, and rights - including freedom of assembly and free speech - are protected.
But Beijing has the ability to veto any changes to the political system and has, for example, ruled out direct election of the chief executive.But Beijing has the ability to veto any changes to the political system and has, for example, ruled out direct election of the chief executive.
Hong Kong saw widespread political protests in 2019 but these became much smaller during the coronavirus outbreak.
But anger is still simmering, as chaotic scenes n Hong Kong's legislative chamber on Monday showed: a number of pro-democracy lawmakers were dragged out during a row about the Chinese national anthem.
The government on its part has signalled its determination to act and recently charged prominent pro-democracy activists over last year's protests.