HONG KONG: The Hong Kong government on Friday (Mar 8) published its draft of a new national security law, a document being closely scrutinised by some foreign diplomats, lawyers and businesses amid fears it could further dent freedoms in the financial hub.
The draft, including new laws encompassing treason, espionage, external interference, state secrets and sedition, comes little over a week after a month-long public consultation period for the Bill ended.
It includes sentences of up to life imprisonment for treason, 20 years for espionage and 10 years for state secrets offences.
The city’s legislature will start debating the Bill at 11am on Friday, according to an earlier government statement.
It will still require several rounds of debate in the Legislative Council, and the convening of a special meeting for first and second readings, with the process possibly taking weeks.
“The geopolitics has become increasingly complex, and national security risks remain imminent,” the government statement said.
“The means taken to endanger national security can come in many different forms and the threat can emerge all of a sudden.”
Source: CNA
