ExclusiveWill Hong Kong politicians be targeted by foreign powers over their role in Article 23 law? Some are avoiding trips to US in near future

Hong Kong lawmakers say they are ‘well prepared’ for potential sanctions from Washington over their role in scrutinising the city’s domestic national security law

Some legislators are not concerned with prospect of retaliatory measures, stress importance of passing legislation swiftly

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The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance takes effect on Saturday. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 8:30am, 21 Mar 2024Updated: 12:57pm, 21 Mar 2024

The passing of Hong Kong’s domestic national security law this week has heightened fears of repercussions against those closely involved in the legislation, prompting some political and business heavyweights to rule out trips to the United States in the coming months, the Post has learned.

Sources also said on Wednesday that a group of Hong Kong lawmakers were “well prepared” to face potential sanctions by Washington for their key role in reviewing the legislation, which Western nations have criticised as “incredibly vague” and which could also leave diplomats vulnerable to the reach of the new rules.

The legislation, which took 50 days from a public consultation exercise to unanimous approval by the Legislative Council on Tuesday, fulfilled an obligation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, for the city to have its own national security law. An earlier attempt was shelved more than two decades ago due to mass protests.

The US State Department said Washington was “analysing” the legislation and its “incredibly vague” clauses to gauge any potential risks to American citizens. It did not say whether it was planning any retaliatory measures.

The US Congress has yet to finalise several bills targeting Hong Kong, including one seeking sanctions against nearly 50 local officials and judges. Another aims to close the city’s three trade representative offices in the country.

The new law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, comes into force on Saturday.