China’s Parliament took a major step by passing the national security law for Hong Kong

Last updated on March 1st, 2023 at 06:34 am

On Tuesday, China’s Parliament took a major step by passing the national security law for Hong Kong, making way for the most extreme changes to the former British colonial law since it was returned to China after 23 years. 

China’s state news agency, Xinhua, affirmed that President Xi Jinping marked a presidential order proclaiming the law following its consent by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Furthermore, it will be added to Hong Kong’s constitution. 

Amid tensions, the enactment will squash the global financial hub freedom and rights, and the heaviest punishment would be life detainment. The law has ignited protests in Hong Kong since it was declared by Beijing in May. China says it needs to tackle tensions and instability and refuse criticism and interference in its internal matters.

With the new national security law, Hong Kong would need a new office to deal with cases, however, would likewise beget additional controls such as overseeing education. The city will surely need to establish its own national security commission to execute the orders, with a Beijing-appointed councellor.

The law is planned for controlling incendiary, secessionist, and terror exercises, and foreign interventions in nation’s internal matters. Since long, Hong Kong has been witnessing protests that on occasion turned violent between police and protestors. 

In the previous year, police have arrested more than 9,000 demonstrators, including activists and lawmakers who have regularly campaigned to carry international attention regarding Hong Kong. 

China’s measure towards national security law for Hong Kong shocked the international community and the Hong Kong residents, when it was first introduced in May, building new diplomatic tensions as nations were denouncing Beijing’s move. 

Political analysts, state that the law denotes Beijing’s full takeover of Hong Kong, which was guaranteed 50 years of “self-governance” after the handover by British.

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