China passes Hong Kong security law draft

China’s legislature yesterday passed a draft of a national security bill for Hong Kong that has been strongly criticised as undermining the semiautonomous territory’s legal and political institutions.

The National People’s Congress’ Standing Committee reviewed the bill that covers four categories of crimes: succession, subversion of state power, local terrorist activities, and collaborating with foreign or external foreign forces to endanger national security. No details on the definitions of those crimes or the punishments were given. It also wasn’t clear when the law would be passed in its final version, although Beijing has repeatedly said it is determined to press ahead despite the criticism.

The congress moved to enact the legislation at the national level after Hong Kong’s own Legislative Council was unable to do so because of strong local opposition. Critics say it could severely limit free speech and opposition political activity.

China acted following widespread and sometimes violent antigovernment protests in the territory last year that Beijing saw as a dangerous campaign to split Hong Kong from the rest of the country.

The US has said that the law, if passed, will revoke some of the special privileges it grants to Hong Kong after the former British colony was handed over to China in 1997. Britain has said it will offer passports and a path to citizenship to 3 million Hong Kong residents. Beijing has denounced the moves as interference.

On Thursday, the Group of Seven leading economies called on China to reconsider its plans, voicing “grave concern regarding China’s decision to impose a national security law on Hong Kong,” adding it would breach Beijing’s international commitments as well as the territory’s constitution.