A controversial law has finally passed in Hong Kong. The government says it will keep the city safe, but critics call it the final nail in the coffin. Here's what you should know
Hong Kong's legislature has passed a new security law the government says is essential for stability.
But until now, Article 23 had not been passed, having always been considered a controversial part of the Basic Law.When Hong Kong authorities first tried to implement it in 2003 it was met with enormous opposition — considered by some as Australian lawyer Kevin Yam, who in July found out he was "wanted" and the subject of a $HK1 million bounty for charges of collusion, says it's a devastating development."The legislators who passed this bill unanimously have shown themselves to be even more servile than their counterparts in China — at least National People's Congress votes often involve a few abstentions or 'no' votes to put up a pretence of due deliberation.
"To protect national security is to protect 'one country, two systems', to protect Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, to protect the interests of foreign investors, to protect Hong Kong's democracy and freedom, and to protect the human rights and fundamental wellbeing of all Hong Kong residents," the statement said.
"Traditionally, it was a minor offence, for two years imprisonment. Now they can put you in prison for a decade."International businesses operating in Hong Kong have also been growing increasingly wary of the stronger national security rules and how these may impact their work and investments.Andrew Collier from Orient Capital Research says he's speaking to business operators who say they're quietly moving parts of their firms to places like Singapore.
"We're alarmed by the sweeping … provisions, laid out in their article 23 legislation. We think that this is fast-tracked through the non-democratically elected Legislative Council after truncated public comment period. "Hong Kong's tolerance of free speech has now sunk to a terrifying low," the organisation's chairman Joseph Ngan said.Mr Lee said the new law meant the city would never see "rioters hurl petrol bombs" or have the lives of Hong Kongers endangered again.
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