Hong Kong to draw up own ‘national security’ law

Hong Kong plans to create a host of new national security crimes, the Chinese-ruled city’s leader said on Wednesday, as she presided over the first session of a new legislature that excludes any political opposition. The current national security law was imposed in June 2020 in the wake of mass protests the year before, and outlaws what Beijing deems secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.

Hundreds – from journalists to academics, activists and lawmakers – have been caught up in the ensuing crackdown while some have fled into exile overseas. Amnesty International says the law has “decimated” Hong Kong’s freedoms, which Beijing promised to respect for at least 50 years when the territory was returned to its control in 1997.

Addressing the city’s new legislature on Wednesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam confirmed that her government will draft “local legislation” that meets Article 23 of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, which calls for the city to pass its own national security laws.

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