BEIJING (CHINA) – The top decision-making body of China’s parliament will review a draft of the national security legislation for Hong Kong during a session in Beijing that began on Thursday, reported the Xinhua news agency.
The draft legislation defines four crimes: separatist activity, state subversion, terrorist activity, and collusion with foreign forces, the Xinhua reported.
It also explains punishments for those crimes, it said.
The law is expected to have lasting changes on the former British colony’s way of life since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. The law is expected to allow mainland security agents to be based in the region for the first time.
Though the time frame for introducing the law is unclear, some political analysts expect it will come into force in July, ahead of key elections in September.
The South China Morning Post said the law was unlikely to be passed during the parliament session in Beijing.
Critics have apprehensions about the legislation crushing wide-ranging freedoms in Hong Kong.
Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have dismissed fears that the law will curb freedoms, saying it only targets a minority of “troublemakers” who pose a threat to national security.
Despite such assurances, the legislation has witnessed some of the strongest exchanges between Beijing and Washington, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo terming it a “death knell” for Hong Kong’s freedoms.
Pompeo met China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, in Hawaii on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the G7 foreign ministers issued a joint statement urging China not to follow through with its plans for the legislation.
The law will be the biggest step yet by Beijing in a concerted campaign to assert its authority over the city and its 7.5 million people after months of often violent anti-government demonstrations.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
