'Under Review' Hong Kong Security Law May Be Enforced Within This Month... Scope of Application Also Expanded

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] The Hong Kong National Security Law, currently under review by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, is expected to be implemented as early as this month, signaling a swift enforcement. The scope of the law's application has also been expanded to punish those colluding with foreign forces.

On the 19th, China's Global Times reported that the draft of the Hong Kong National Security Law is under review at the NPC Standing Committee meeting held in Beijing from the previous day until the 20th, and there are talks that the law could be enforced as early as this month.

Initially, the agenda for the NPC Standing Committee review announced by the Chinese government did not include the draft of the Hong Kong National Security Law. However, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported the previous day that the draft had been submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for review, indicating that the first review would take place during this session. Typically, in China, a bill must undergo three reviews by the NPC Standing Committee before being enacted.

Experts say the Chinese government is pushing for the swift passage of the Hong Kong National Security Law, leaving open the possibility that the bill could be enacted by the end of this month. There are talks that the Standing Committee may hold an additional meeting at the end of this month to put the bill to a vote.

Tian Peilong, a professor at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and an expert on Hong Kong issues, said, "The draft of the Hong Kong National Security Law will be applied after one or two more reviews following this one," adding, "However, bills with little disagreement within the NPC may have their reviews reduced to two, and bills dealing with a single issue may be reviewed only once."

Li Xiaobing, an expert on Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan issues at Nankai University in Tianjin, said, "Even if three reviews are required, the legislative process can be expedited through special sessions." He explained, "The more the US-led Western forces pressure China over the Hong Kong National Security Law, the faster China can pass the bill," adding, "China will push ahead with the legislation and accelerate the process despite US pressure."

Attention is also being drawn to the fact that the scope of application of the Hong Kong National Security Law under review by the NPC Standing Committee has been expanded compared to the original draft.

Xinhua News Agency reported the previous day that the draft clearly defines criminal acts and criminal responsibility for four types of offenses that threaten national security: ▲national division ▲subversion of state power ▲terrorist activities ▲collusion with foreign forces. Regarding this, the phrase "interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs by foreign forces" in the draft passed at last month's NPC meeting has been revised in the current draft under review to "collusion with foreign forces," which is widely interpreted as an expansion of the law's scope.

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) pointed out that "with the expanded scope of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the possibility of comprehensive suppression of the pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong has increased." This refers to provisions under which pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, such as Joshua Wong, who has urged the US Congress to enact the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (Hong Kong Human Rights Act), could be punished. SCMP also cited sources saying that the current draft under review includes a clause stating that "the central government of China reserves the right to exercise jurisdiction in special cases," opening the possibility that anti-China figures in Hong Kong could be subject to judicial proceedings in mainland China.

Joshua Wong criticized, "The intention of the central government of China is to sever Hong Kong's solidarity with the international community," adding, "It aims to punish everyone who has advocated for Hong Kong's freedom and human rights according to international standards."

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