COUNTDOWN TO CAPITULATION

September 24, 2002: The government releases the consultation document on proposals to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law

December 15: 60,000 people protest against the national security legislation

December 24: The government has received 97,097 submissions when the three-month consultation ends

February 26, 2003: The National Security Bill is submitted to the Legislative Council for first and second readings

July 1: An estimated 500,000 people march in protest at the legislation ahead of the resumption of its second reading in Legco on July 9

July 5: The government introduces amendments to the three most controversial areas of the National Security Bill but insists on the second reading as scheduled