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Hong Kong national security law: adding collusion means lobbying against city could fall foul of law, warns legal expert
- Professor Johannes Chan believes change in wording could broaden coverage of legislation Beijing is imposing on city
- Chan expresses concerns over definition of collusion and thinks it could be left open to interpretation by authorities in mainland China
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Adding collusion with foreign forces to the national security law Beijing is imposing on Hong Kong is likely to broaden its coverage, with acts of conspiracy, lobbying or incitement potentially breaching the red line, according to a prominent legal expert.
The change of wording in the draft law revealed in Beijing on Thursday has added to the uncertainty surrounding the legislation.
According to Xinhua state news agency, the draft law discussed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), which is yet to be released, now clearly outlines the crimes of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities and “collusion with foreign and external forces” to endanger national security, as well as the penalties for breaking the law.
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Collusion was missing from the resolution China’s parliament approved last month, which said the legislation would criminalise “activities of foreign and external forces to interfere in the affairs” of Hong Kong.
00:43
Security law opponents ‘enemies of the people’, says Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam
Security law opponents ‘enemies of the people’, says Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam
Comparing interference and collusion, Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun, chair of public law at the University of Hong Kong, said on Friday the first referred to a “direct action”, while the second might point to moves before interference.
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