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

MTR

01/07/2020 02:02

(Adds further details on new security law)
    HONG KONG, July 1 (Reuters) - New Hong Kong security laws
came into effect on Wednesday that will punish crimes of
secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign
forces with up to life in prison, heralding a more authoritarian
era for China's freest city.
    Hong Kong authorities threw a security blanket across the
city early on Wednesday, the 23rd anniversary of the former
British colony's handover to Chinese rule, only hours after
Beijing imposed the new national security laws on the city.
    Some two dozen Western countries, including Britain and the
United States, have urged China to reconsider the security laws,
saying Beijing must preserve the right to assembly and free
speech in the Asian financial hub.
    China says the laws targeted at a few "troublemakers' and
accuses Britain and the United States of interfering in internal
matters and fomenting unrest in Hong Kong.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2E73WQ
        
    Following are details of the laws, which took effect at 1500
GMT.
    * Crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion
with foreign forces punishable by up to life in prison.
    * The activities of a new national security agency and its
personnel in Hong Kong will not be under the jurisdiction of
local government.
    * The central government in Beijing has an overarching
responsibility for national security affairs in Hong Kong.
    * Anyone convicted of violating security legislation will
not be allowed to stand in any Hong Kong elections.
    * Rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, of the
press, of publication, of assembly and demonstration, will be
protected in accordance with the law.
    * 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.
    * 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.
    * Hong Kong leader will appoint judges for national security
cases under law
    * Property related to crimes under legislation could be
frozen or confiscated
    * Mainland authorities will exercise jurisdiction in
"complex" cases such as those involving a foreign country, or
serious situations that pose a major or imminent threat to
national security.

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