Hong Kong national security law: small number of people arrested or convicted in 3 years, justice chief says

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam notes 250 people have been arrested under Beijing-imposed legislation since 2020 implementation

Reaction towards law overseas since has been split, with one group initially expressing concern but later understanding need for law

Reading Time:2 minutes

The Beijing-imposed legislation was implemented in Hong Kong in 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 3:54pm, 2 Apr 2023Updated: 9:02pm, 2 Apr 2023

Only a small number of residents have been either arrested or convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law in the three years since it came into effect, the justice chief has said.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok on Sunday noted that 250 people had been arrested under the law or for offences related to endangering national security, while about 20 to 30 people had been convicted.

“If we count the entire Hong Kong population of about 7 million, using this figure for comparison, I think everyone would be reasonable and agree that only a very small number of people had actually been affected,” Lam said on a radio programme.

The national security law, imposed by Beijing on the city in June 2020 following months of anti-government protests, criminalises acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam. Photo: Nora Tam

Addressing concerns the law had affected the personal freedom of residents since its implementation, Lam raised the case of Leon Tong Ying-kit, without naming him.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x