The Bill lists five new categories of offences - treason, insurrection, espionage and theft of state secrets, sabotaging national security and external interference.
A surveillance camera on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, on Sep 13, 2023. HONG KONG: Hong Kong on Friday published its draft of a new national security law, a document some lawyers said broadened what could be considered sedition and state secrets, with tougher penalties for anyone convicted of those crimes and several others.
"The geopolitics have become increasingly complex, and national security risks remain imminent," a government statement said. The issue is being closely watched by foreign diplomats and businesses who fear it could further dent freedoms in the financial hub. Hong Kong authorities have fast-tracked the Bill, which was unveiled nine days after a one-month public consultation ended.
Hong Kong and Chinese officials have said the draft was similar to laws in some Western nations and that it was necessary to plug"loopholes" in the national security regime.
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