A bill on national security in Hong Kong on Thursday was submitted to the Standing Committee of the All-China Assembly of People’s Representatives, Central Television of China reports.
It is noted that the draft law outlines clear rules regarding the prevention, suppression and punishment of four types of crimes committed in the Hong Kong special administrative region, including separatist activities, attempts to undermine state power, terrorist activities, conspiring with foreign states or forces located abroad, in order to jeopardize national security.
The deputies of the All-China Assembly of People’s Representatives of the 13th convocation on May 28 adopted “a decision to create and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms to ensure national security in the special administrative region of Hong Kong”. The resolution delegated to the NPC Standing Committee the development of a national security bill specifically for Hong Kong.
The upcoming national security bill provoked the dissatisfaction of Hong Kong’s anti-government forces and a number of Western officials who saw Beijing as a desire to tighten control over autonomy. In Washington, it is believed that the bill is aimed at eliminating the high autonomy of Hong Kong. President Donald Trump has already threatened to apply sanctions and revoke Hong Kong’s special status. China rejected any criticism and stated that Hong Kong’s questions were exclusively its internal affair.
In addition, on Wednesday, G7 foreign ministers adopted a joint statement in which they expressed serious concern about the Chinese national security bill in Hong Kong, accusing Beijing of non-compliance, and encouraged it to reconsider its decision. China strongly protested.