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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
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.
Scrutinising policies and questioning funding requests can help a Legislative Council full of ‘patriots’ shed the rubber stamp impression and act more as a check and balance on government.
- Public spending watchdog criticises postal service for not including safeguarding national security clauses in contracts for stamp designs
- Health authorities and Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Children also singled out for failure to include contract clauses drawn up to safeguard national security
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.
Commissioner’s office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong says ‘double standards’ over security laws ‘are extremely hypocritical’.
Authorities published new teaching materials for use in primary and secondary school English classes in run up to National Security Education Day earlier this week.
Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan to meet authorities during stops in Hong Kong and Beijing, marking first visit by UK official since domestic national security law passed.
New subject curriculum replaces controversial liberal studies and focuses on national security as well as China’s development.
Beijing’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong condemns UK report, accuses Britain of smearing ‘one country, two systems’ and national security legal framework.
Britain is blatantly interfering with Hong Kong affairs in a futile attempt to undermine the city’s prosperity and stability, government says.
Analysts say call signals central government expects local officials take more proactive approach to boosting economy and tackling deep-rooted issues.
Media mogul had proposed a ‘purification scheme’ seeking to de-escalate violence that had gripped the city, prosecution witness Wayland Chan says.
Vigilance is required because of the ‘sudden’ and ‘persistent’ nature of national security risks, he says.
Director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong says ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle will ‘not need to change’.
Chief Executive John Lee, also addressing National Security Education Day ceremony, reminds residents to remain vigilant over persistent risks.
City’s first awareness day following implementation of domestic national security law will be held on Monday and is set to be biggest since 2021 launch.
