National security law: Beijing slaps visa restrictions on US officials who ‘meddle’ in Hong Kong affairs as local authorities gear up for sweeping new roles
- Move comes after Washington announced its own sanctions against party members who undermine the city’s degree of autonomy, rights and freedom
- Police expected to establish a third deputy commissioner who will lead new 200-member unit akin to Special Branch
China’s retaliation against what it described as the United States’ interference in the city’s affairs came as the Hong Kong government was preparing to carry out its new duties required under the law, including designating a third deputy police commissioner to head a unit dedicated to enforcing it.
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, focusing on intelligence gathering and enforcement.
A top public security official was expected to take the helm of a new national security commissioner’s office set up by mainland authorities in Hong Kong, other sources said.
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China to restrict visas for Americans 'interfering’ in Hong Kong
The National People’s Congress Standing Committee is expected to wrap up deliberations on Tuesday and pass the new law that targets secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces that endanger national security. Offenders face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment with the new legislation expected to be gazetted and imposed the very next day on July 1, also the 23rd anniversary of the city’s handover to China from British rule.
In what could be a test of how the new law could be enforced, Hong Kong’s activists say they plan to disregard any police ban of the traditional July 1 march and engage in civil disobedience to protest against the law.