Speed of Public Opinion Gathering on Hong Kong Security Law... "May Be Implemented Within a Month if Fast"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] The consultation process for the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) is accelerating, raising the possibility that the law could come into effect within a month.

On the 11th, Global Times reported that the public opinion gathering related to the implementation of the Hong Kong Security Law is speeding up. Since the draft of the Hong Kong Security Law was voted on at the National People's Congress (NPC) meeting on the 28th of last month, the Chinese central government has held more than five related forums and conducted public consultation procedures.

The day before, a forum related to the Hong Kong Security Law was held to gather opinions from various sectors in Hong Kong, attended by over 80 experts from finance, community, and legal fields, along with two senior officials related to Hong Kong affairs: Zhang Yong, Deputy Director of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the NPC Standing Committee, and Sung Cheuk, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. At the forum, opinions were expressed that a special court dedicated to handling cases under the Hong Kong Security Law should be established, and since the Hong Kong Police Force lacks experience in dealing with national security issues, cooperation with mainland Chinese institutions should be strengthened.

The Hong Kong Security Law must go through the detailed approval process of the NPC Standing Committee, which is scheduled to hold a meeting in Beijing from the 18th to the 20th. Typically, a law passed by the NPC requires at least three deliberations by the NPC Standing Committee and takes a minimum of six months to come into effect. However, for sensitive and politically burdensome laws like the Hong Kong Security Law, there is a high possibility of early enforcement through special sessions.

Kennedy Wong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Re-Start Alliance, stated, "Considering the frequent public consultation meetings related to the Hong Kong Security Law, the legislation process is expected to accelerate. The NPC Standing Committee may also hold special sessions for legislation. There is a possibility that the law will be enacted and enforced within one month."

Meanwhile, although the scale of protesters in Hong Kong has significantly decreased, preparations for resistance against the enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law are still underway. On the 14th, a vote will begin to decide whether to carry out a general strike opposing the Hong Kong Security Law. The 2 million-strong Sanpa (Sam-pa) union coalition has decided that if more than 60% of the over 60,000 participating union members vote in favor, a three-day, first-phase general strike will be held.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.