HK to enact national security ordinance

Hong Kong is set to enact the long-awaited “Safeguarding National Security Ordinance” on March 23 after its legislature passed the law on March 19 — a historic achievement that Chief Executive John Lee Kachiu said was overdue by 26 years.

The ordinance, legislated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, was

introduced to prevent and punish five types of acts endangering national security in Hong Kong, including treason, theft of State secrets, and espionage.

Lee said he will sign the bill soon and publish it on March 23, the final steps to turn it into law. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will also report it to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, in line with Article 17 of the Basic Law.