The Chinese Parliament has supported the new security law which takes away Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous status. The law which is expected to ban treason, subversion and sedition, has already triggered pro-democracy protests resulting in the arrest of hundreds of people.
Although the full details of the bill are not yet known, it is premised at criminalising:
• secession – breaking away from the country
• subversion – undermining the power or authority of the central government
• terrorism – using violence or intimidation against people
• activities by foreign forces that interfere in Hong Kong.
The bill also says:
…when needed, relevant national security organs of the Central People’s Government will set up agencies in Hong Kong to fulfil relevant duties to safeguard national security in accordance with the law.
That means China could potentially have its own law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, alongside the city’s own.
The authorities in Hong Kong insist the law is essential to tackle growing violence and “terrorism”, and that the territory’s residents have nothing to fear from it.
Last year, Hong Kong was shaken by months of massive, sometimes violent anti-government protests, and repeated warnings from Beijing that it would not tolerate dissent.
More: ZBC News