Written by Jesse Pan and James Pomfret
The draft law, which includes new laws covering treason, espionage, external interference, state secrets and sedition, was introduced just over a week after a month-long public consultation period ended for the bill. Ru.
Treason carries penalties of up to life in prison, espionage carries penalties of up to 20 years, and crimes of state secrets carry penalties of up to 10 years.
According to an earlier announcement from the government, the city council is scheduled to begin debating the bill at 11am (3pm Japan time) on Friday.
The bill will still need to be debated several times in the Legislative Council, and special sessions will need to be convened for first and second readings, a process that could take several weeks.
“Geopolitics is becoming increasingly complex and national security risks remain pressing,” the government statement said. “Means that threaten national security can come in many forms, and threats can appear suddenly.”
concern for freedom
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday called for the bill to be passed with “full speed”.
Lee and other Hong Kong and Chinese officials made the move in response to criticism from some Western governments, including the United States, that the law risks further restricting freedoms in the former British colony if it is too vague. He has defended the bill.
The Hong Kong government has pointed out that many Western countries have enacted similar laws and that these laws are necessary to close “loopholes” in the national security system, which was not subject to direct control by China in 2020. It was reinforced by another national security law that it imposed.
Hong Kong and Chinese officials have said the 2020 law is essential to restoring stability after sometimes violent pro-democracy protests a year ago.
They also pointed out that the new package has long been required under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law.
The document guides the city's relationship with Beijing since its return to Chinese rule in 1997. Article 23 stipulates that the city “must enact its own laws to prohibit acts and activities that threaten national security.”
(Reporting by James Pomfret and Jesse Pan; Writing by Greg Torode; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Lincoln Feast.)