Topic
Latest news and updates on Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong. The legislation, which was passed by Beijing by promulgation on June 30, 2020, aims to prevent, stop and punish secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and foreign interference. Opposition politicians and critics warn it could be used to suppress dissent and erode freedom in the city. Read the full text of the law here
Protecting the city’s distinct advantages calls for leaders to promote the importance of the common law system, and impress on Beijing the urgent need for Chinese officials, here and on the mainland, to study it.
Pledge to use city’s new domestic national security law only in compelling circumstances and to promote ‘soft power’ suggests a subtle change in government stance.
Thankfully, Hong Kong authorities recognise the healthy development of the media industry and its consumers is the way to go, not legislation that is difficult to draft and inevitably restricts press freedom.
As the city marks National Security Education Day, it hears it has to remain vigilant to internal and external threats, and strive for better economic and social achievements.
The city’s success and prosperity, now as in the past, depends on maintaining the rule of law both as a matter of perception and reality.
- Yuen said in Facebook post he made decision to leave city after being contacted by national security police on a weekly basis
- Former member of defunct Cantopop boy band E-kids said he bought a round-trip ticket to France as he feared he would be prevented from leaving Hong Kong
Readers discuss the pass-fail grading system for the citizenship and social development DSE exam, and teachers’ approach in the classroom amid concerns about student mental health.
Bar Association chairman Victor Dawes says those who are concerned need only visit city and interact with local arbitration community.
Paralegal Wayland Chan says he was hopeful Lai’s right-hand man Mark Simon would be able to ‘find some ways’ to get him out of Hong Kong after police released him on bail.
Third Side vice-chairman Casper Wong reveals plan after the group’s leaders meet US consul general in Hong Kong and Macau Gregory May.
Mastermind Wong Chun-keung testifies he started preparing escape just days ahead of planned bombing of police officers in Wan Chai.
Struggling US-China ties, a human rights shock and a student in big trouble: these are the highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents from April 2024.
If the event is approved, it will be the fifth straight year since 2019 that a police-authorised candlelight vigil has not been held in Causeway Bay park.
Wayland Chan tells Jimmy Lai trial he lied about links to ‘Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong’ group to protect himself and friend Andy Li.
Hongkongers under the age of 50 will be able to continue applying for five-year graduate visas, while all other candidates must be no more than 35 years old.
City authorities hit back at European Union’s lawmaking body after members also call for sanctions against Chief Executive John Lee, as well as other officials.
Resolution calls for freeing of Joseph John, as well as activist Andy Li and newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai, and condemns Hong Kong’s passage of domestic national security law.
Wayland Chan admits he lied when he told police that Lai’s right-hand man instructed him to cease lobbying efforts after implementation of national security law.
Public spending watchdog criticises postal service for not including safeguarding national security clauses in contracts for stamp designs.
Paralegal Wayland Chan tells court Lai’s right-hand man Mark Simon had discussed with him impact of mogul’s arrest on efforts to instigate foreign intervention in Hong Kong affairs.
Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit says 13 per cent of reports received since hotline’s launch two years ago passed to relevant law enforcement agencies.
As China works to sell itself as a viable destination for international firms to air their disputes through arbitration, more must be done for these efforts to meet with success, analysts and professionals say.
State Department accused Beijing of continuing to ‘dismantle’ Hong Kong’s political freedoms and autonomy in violation of Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law.
Regina Ip, convenor of government’s key decision-making Executive Council, says current situation is ‘inflection point’ for city.
Apple Daily founder believed legislation imposed in 2020 was ‘all bark and no bite’ after being urged to consider his personal safety, key prosecution witness says.
A source says the government has shifted to a ‘softer, reactive’ approach but is not planning any large-scale publicity campaigns or high-level delegations to explain the new law overseas.
Hong Kong has no plans to introduce fake news law, he says, as it’s ‘legally’ hard to separate fact from opinion, citing Singapore
Course, to be offered to middle and senior-level government workers, part of broader ‘mindset building’ push.
Domestic law’s first 30 days in effect marked by relative calm compared with Beijing-decreed national security law, which led to 15 individuals detained in first month.
Lawmaker says he added disclaimer as ‘precaution’ and out of ‘prudence’ in light of new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance enacted last month.
