HONG KONG — China's top official on Hong Kong affairs said the city should 'tightly hold' onto the bottom line of national security to safeguard development, in a speech coming weeks after the enactment of sweeping new security laws.
More than 290 people have been arrested under the Beijing imposed national security law so far.HONG KONG — China's top official on Hong Kong affairs said the city should "tightly hold" onto the bottom line of national security to safeguard development, in a speech coming weeks after the enactment of sweeping new security laws.
Hong Kong in March enacted a new national security law, also known as article 23, that updates or introduces new laws to prohibit treason, sabotage, sedition, the theft of state secrets and espionage, with jail terms of up to life imprisonment. "For the general public of Hong Kong and foreign investors, this law is the protector of their rights, freedoms, property and investment," Xia said.
Some foreign governments including the United States and Britain, however, have criticised the new law as fresh tool for authorities to clamp down on dissent. The legislation adds to another national security law China directly imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 in response to mass pro-democracy protests.
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