Highlights: China unveils details of national security law for Hong Kong

MTR

30/06/2020 17:11

HONG KONG, June 30 (Reuters) - China on Tuesday unveiled
details of a contentious new national security law for Hong
Kong, ending weeks of uncertainty that have exacerbated concerns
over Beijing's erosion of freedoms in the global financial hub. 
    Beijing passed the legislation on Tuesday, bypassing the
city's local parliament and setting the stage for the most
radical changes to the former British colony's way of life since
it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2E73WQ
    The law defines four crimes: separatist activity, state
subversion, terrorist activity and collusion with foreign
forces.
    Beijing said the legislation was necessary after sometimes
violent anti-government and anti-Beijing protests rocked the
city since June last year, plunging it into its biggest crisis
in decades. Protesters are angry at what they see as Beijing's
tightening squeeze on Hong Kong's affairs.
    China denies interfering and accuses Britain and the United
States of fomenting the unrest.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N27X0BQ
        
    Following are details of the law, which took effect at 1500
GMT.
    * Crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion
with foreign forces punishable by up to life in prison.
    * Companies or groups that violate national security law
will be fined and could have operations suspended.
    * Damaging certain transportation vehicles and equipment
will be considered an act of terrorism.
    * Anyone convicted of violating security legislation will
not be allowed to stand in any Hong Kong elections.
    * The activities of a new national security agency and its
personnel in Hong Kong will not be under the jurisdiction of
local government.
    * Authorities can surveil and wire-tap persons suspected of
endangering national security.
    * The law will apply to permanent and non-permanent
residents of Hong Kong.
    * The law says the management of foreign NGOs and news
agencies in Hong Kong will be strengthened.

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China passes sweeping HK security law, heralding new
authoritarian era      urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2E73WQ
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 (Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
 ((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com; +852 2843 6470; Reuters
Messaging: donny.kwok.reuters.com@reuters.net))