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Opinion | What will the national security law give Hong Kong, and what will it take?
- The way Beijing is rushing through the law – with no real consultation and little transparency – casts a sombre mood over the handover anniversary
- The few details known only add fear to the uncertainty. The most worrying features concern the court system – it appears Beijing does not entirely trust the city’s judges
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Twenty-three years after returning to China, Hong Kong is facing another landmark transition with far-reaching ramifications for its future.
Beijing’s new national security law for the city is expected to be passed on Tuesday, the eve of the handover anniversary. This time, the party atmosphere will be lacking. But the uncertainties and concerns which occupied the minds of Hong Kong people in 1997 have returned.
The manner in which the law is being passed is a timely reminder of the reason the “one country, two systems” arrangements are needed. This complex law, with its potential to curb freedoms, is being passed under the mainland’s system with undue haste and very little consultation in Hong Kong.
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It has been less than a month since China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress, dropped a bombshell by empowering its Standing Committee to pass the legislation for Hong Kong. The city has, since the handover, been required to pass such legislation on its own, but has not done so.
02:33
China’s top legislature approves national security bill for Hong Kong
China’s top legislature approves national security bill for Hong Kong
A draft of Beijing’s law, which seeks to stop subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign and external powers, was first considered by the Standing Committee last weekend and is set to be passed at a second three-day meeting starting on Sunday.
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