Top Chinese officials hear ‘unanimous support’ for national security law from cross section of Hong Kong society
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The central government’s liaison office, which hosted the meetings, issued a statement saying those invited from more than 10 sectors and social groups had attended 12 sessions and given “honest views” and “unanimously expressed support” for the legislation as well as its speedy implementation.
One attendee, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Post, quoted Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the cabinet-level Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), as shedding more light on what kind of cases Beijing would exercise its jurisdiction over – an issue that is causing considerable concern in the city.
We have not done the national security legislation for over 20 years and it is time
“Zhang meant cases on a national level, like handling spies from the United States,” the source said. “The jurisdiction power would be very broad, from law enforcement to the judiciary … and yes, that means arrestees could be tried on the mainland.”
Also hosting the sessions were liaison office director Luo Huining and Zhang Yong, vice-chairman of the Basic Law Committee, which gives advice on matters pertaining to Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
“They said the draft legislation might be amended after they listened to the views in Hong Kong,” said Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of semi-official think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies.
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But Lau, who was also there at the liaison office, did not expect any major changes to the draft law, which is likely to be unveiled only after its passage, expected by June 30.