China Reveals Security Law with Threatening a Freedom in Hong Kong and Its Legal System

China on Saturday (June 20, 2020) revealed a draft on a controversial new national security law, which would pave the way for Beijing to threaten a freedom in the semi-autonomous territory, Hong Kong and its independent legal system. 

 

The bill was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on Thursday, covering four principle issues on crimes: succession, subversion of state power, local terrorist activities and collaborating with foreign or external foreign forces to endanger national security, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

 

National security law or safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, called by the state-run press agency, will allow Beijing to establish a committee to safeguard the legislation, led by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam and supervised by the mainland government.

 

Moreover, Hong Kong courts will be able to preside over national security criminal cases, and central government will have the power to “exercise jurisdiction” over cases that “jeopardize national security under specific circumstances.”.

 

However, the exact time for enacting the new law is uncertainty, believing it will be implemented  ahead of Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong on September 6.