National security law: Hong Kong could have third deputy police chief to head new unit akin to Special Branch operations

The unit could have as many as 200 people at its launch, sources say
One possible candidate is Edwina Lau Chi-wai, current director of management services, according to insiders

Hong Kong national security law (NSL)

Christy Leung

Published: 7:06pm, 29 Jun 2020

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Hong Kong police could have a third deputy commissioner to lead a special unit being set up to gather intelligence and enforce Beijing’s new national security law for the city, several sources have said.

The new unit could have as many as 200 people at its launch and operate in a way similar to the colonial-era Special Branch under Royal Hong Kong Police Force. The branch was headed by a director holding the rank of deputy commissioner, who reported directly to the commissioner and the governor. It was said to be commanded by Britain’s MI5 and worked in conjunction with MI6 in the city, before being disbanded in 1995.

Police officers stand watch at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay during the annual June 4 candlelight vigil marking the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. Photo: Sam Tsang

After Hong Kong was handed back to mainland China in 1997, the number of police deputy commissioners was down to two. They are responsible for the force’s operations and management.

“The possible new deputy chief will head the special unit and report to the police commissioner,” one source said.

One possible candidate is Edwina Lau Chi-wai, the current director of management services, according to insiders.

“Similar to the former Special Branch, a few directorate officers would oversee the special unit. They included at least an assistant commissioner and three chief superintendent,” a source said.

Police briefly had an extra deputy police chief last year after former deputy commissioner Alan Lau Yip-shing was brought out of retirement to tackle the city’s escalating violence stemming from the anti-government demonstrations. He was appointed to the temporary post in August and left the force in October.

Suspects could be held in special detention facilities

Under the new law, Hong Kong is to set up a national security commission responsible for overseeing the law. The commission is to be chaired by the chief executive and includes members such as the police commissioner and the person in charge of national security within the force – which could be taken up by the new deputy police chief, according to sources.

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee began its second session this month on Sunday and is expected to pass the legislation when it wraps up the meeting on Tuesday. The law targets crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and “collusion with foreign and external forces” to endanger national security. According to insiders, offenders could face up to life imprisonment, contrary to earlier suggestions they would be jailed for up to 10 years.

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