Willingness to listen by Beijing crucial to improvements in Hong Kong law
- Draft national security legislation should be made public as soon as possible to allow Hong Kong people to give their feedback and reassure them their way of life will be maintained
Beijing’s decision to pass a national security law for Hong Kong has sparked much controversy at home and abroad. Protests have returned to the streets and international pressure on China is building amid fears the law will restrict freedoms, strike a blow to the economy and undermine the “one country, two systems” concept.
Whatever view is taken of the law, it is almost certain to be in place later this year, possibly next month. The passing of a resolution by China’s top legislature on Thursday means the die has been cast. There is now a need to focus on the precise form the law will take and to subject it to calm and rational review.
Officials on both sides of the border have promised the legislation will not undermine the city’s rights or interfere with its legal system. But it will not be possible to assess the impact until a draft is made available.
The resolution, expressed in very broad terms, empowered the National People’s Congress Standing Committee to pass the law, which will cover subversion, sedition, secession, terrorism and foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs. It will also allow mainland security agencies to operate in Hong Kong.
The new law will be listed in Annex III of the Basic Law, the city’s de facto constitution and promulgated in Hong Kong. There will be no role for the Legislative Council.