{"id":211685,"date":"2024-03-09T18:52:31","date_gmt":"2024-03-09T18:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/09\/hong-kong-pushes-bill-with-life-imprisonment-for-treason\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:20:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:20:56","slug":"hong-kong-pushes-bill-with-life-imprisonment-for-treason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/09\/hong-kong-pushes-bill-with-life-imprisonment-for-treason\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong pushes bill with life imprisonment for treason"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hong Kong is fast-tracking new security legislation that would impose life sentences for crimes such as treason and give police expanded powers amid increased pressure from Chinese leaders to get the process wrapped up quickly.<\/p>\n

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The 212-page bill was\u00a0published<\/a>\u00a0by the government and debated in hastily arranged sessions in the city\u2019s legislature on Friday. The government sped up the process after senior Chinese officials attending the\u00a0National People\u2019s Congress<\/a>\u00a0urged the law\u2019s passing, with leader\u00a0John Lee\u00a0returning early from Beijing to Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

It was the first time a draft law was gazetted and debated in the Legislative Council on the same day since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, according to a review of lawmaking records. The hearings will continue on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Approval of the legislation isn\u2019t in doubt after authorities previously took steps to\u00a0ensure<\/a>\u00a0only \u201cpatriots\u201d could stand for elections. The new law will provide authorities with wide-ranging tools to minimize dissent in the city, following Beijing\u2019s imposition of a\u00a0national security law<\/a>\u00a0in 2020 in the wake of pro-democracy protests.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
National Security Crimes<\/th>\nMax Prison Term<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Treason<\/td>\nLife in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insurrection<\/td>\nLife in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State secret possession<\/td>\n7 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State secret disclosure<\/td>\n10 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Espionage<\/td>\n20 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sedition<\/td>\n10 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aiding fugitives<\/td>\n7 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cybercrimes<\/td>\n20 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

The speed at which Hong Kong is moving to enact the law is to show to President\u00a0Xi Jinping\u00a0that the city is \u201ccompliant\u201d with his focus on national security during the NPC, according to\u00a0Chong Ja Ian, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.<\/p>\n

The proposed definition of state secrets would bring the city more in line with mainland China\u2019s vague laws around such information and espionage, which have spooked investors over the past year. Disclosure of state secrets carries a potential 10-year jail sentence. A clause has been added allowing the disclosure of state secrets in limited circumstances if it\u2019s in the public interest.<\/p>\n

However, several pro-government politicians have raised questions over the ambiguous wording of the hastily introduced bill, according to a US political risk consultancy group. Lawmakers such as Lai Tung-Kwok, Chan Siu-hung, and\u00a0Regina Ip\u00a0have expressed concern about overly broad concepts in the bill, according to a note by New York-headquartered\u00a0Eurasia Group<\/a>\u00a0that cited local reports.<\/p>\n

The criticisms may lead to the bill being amended to add clarity to overly broad concepts such as \u201cexternal forces,\u201d which categorizes a company as an external force if its directors are \u201caccustomed to acting in accordance with the directions or wishes of a foreign government authority.\u201d Without further clarity, the definition could potentially extend to any multinational organization with at least one foreigner in its leadership, according to the note.<\/p>\n

Officials\u00a0acknowledged<\/a>\u00a0concern by the public in feedback received during the consultation period and vowed to clearly define the offenses to ensure that they precisely target acts endangering national security.<\/p>\n

The new law will create concern about where the red line is, said Patrick Poon, visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, who monitors human rights in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vague definitions will have a chilling effect and lead to even more self-censorship in the media and the civil society,\u201d Poon said.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the European Union said the legislation \u201crisks exacerbating the erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong brought about\u201d by the 2020 national security law.<\/p>\n

Since the 1997 handover, Hong Kong has been required to enact its own security legislation under Article 23 of its mini-constitution. Previous administrations failed to do so in the face of public opposition, which has been wiped out since the crackdown on dissent.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s Vice-Premier\u00a0Ding Xuexiang\u00a0told a group of Hong Kong delegates visiting Beijing on Wednesday that the city should prioritize legislation of the security law, which he called an urgent and necessary responsibility, China Daily reported on Thursday.<\/p>\n

The bill reading came days after a month-long public consultation on the legislation concluded. The planned law receiving overwhelming support, according to the government.<\/p>\n

Under the new legislation, penalties for sedition have been increased, with the maximum sentence raised to seven years in jail from the existing two years. Possession of seditious materials will result in a jail term of up to three years.<\/p>\n

The police will also get expanded powers under the proposal. These include being able to detain suspects of national security crimes without charge for two weeks beyond the current 48 hour-limit, with a court\u2019s approval. The police can also seek permission to prevent a detainee from using certain lawyers.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong\u2019s decision to pass its own security law risks inflaming geopolitical tensions with other major economies. The implementation of the China-drafted national security law provoked a harsh backlash by Western leaders, with the US imposing sanctions on a number of Hong Kong officials, including the city\u2019s leader Lee \u2014 who was then the security chief.<\/p>\n

The British consulate in Hong Kong said it is monitoring the bill closely and urged the city\u2019s authorities to allow time for \u201cproper legislative scrutiny.\u201d A spokesperson for the US consulate said the country will examine the final law to \u201cunderstand implications for US citizens, investments, and companies operating in Hong Kong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0Top US Envoy in Hong Kong Warns of Creeping Internet Curbs<\/a><\/p>\n

Hong Kong officials say the law is needed to ensure stability and bolster the economic outlook.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Thursday, Lee\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0there\u2019s a need to pass the law \u201cas soon as possible\u201d to guard against risks from increasingly complex geopolitics and national security threats. Hong Kong\u2019s security chief\u00a0Chris Tang\u00a0said Friday the proposal will protect human rights.<\/p>\n

In a positive sign for officials, the local stock market rose on Friday, with the Hang Seng Index gaining 0.8% in line with regional peers. That pared a year-to-date loss.<\/p>\n

After 26 years without a domestic national security law, the sudden sense of urgency was clear among legislators.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll we want is for this bill to be passed as soon as possible,\u201d said lawmaker Jeffrey Lam. \u201cWe can work seven days a week and even work at nights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 With assistance from Jing Li, Jenni Marsh, Siuming Ho, and Zheping Huang<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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