China has opened a new office for its intelligence agents to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time under a tough new security law.
China opened a new office on Wednesday for its intelligence agents to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time under a tough new security law, in a public display of its tightening control over the finance hub.
City leader Carrie Lam - a pro-Beijing appointee - hailed the opening as"a historic moment" and said China's intelligence apparatus would be an"important partner" in helping to safeguard national security. Similar national security laws are used to crush dissent on the mainland and police in Hong Kong have already made arrests for people voicing certain political views now deemed illegal, such as advocating independence or autonomy.The content of the security law was kept secret until it was enacted last Tuesday, bypassing Hong Kong's legislature.
But China argues national security is the responsibility of the central government and says the laws are needed to restore stability. It has described the law as a"sword" hanging over the heads of critics. His two deputies have been named. The first is Li Jiangzhou, a veteran public security officer who has worked in the Liaison Office, the body that represents Beijing in Hong Kong.Little is known about the second deputy, Sun Qingye. Last week the South China Morning Post described Mr Sun as a senior official from China's intelligence agency, according to government sources.
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