What Are the New Laws China Has Passed for Hong Kong?

China’s decision to impose new national security laws in Hong Kong at the end of June 2020, after a year of pro-democracy protests, has cast significant doubt on whether the former colony can still have the “high degree of autonomy” and independent judiciary promised before the British handed it back to Chinese control in 1997. And the central government’s interventions in local affairs haven’t stopped there. Dozens of opposition figures, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, former lawmakers and prominent protest leaders have been arrested under the measure.

The new national security law is aimed at punishing acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and “collusion with foreign and external forces to endanger national security.” It asserts broad new powers to go after sources of opposition, from pro-democracy protesters to news agencies to overseas dissidents. The legislation was passed by China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, and endorsed by President Xi Jinping, bypassing the city’s elected Legislative Council or any public debate. It allows for potential life sentences and extends to actions committed by anyone, whether or not they are Hong Kong residents. In November the NPC Standing Committee passed another measure requiring that Hong Kong lawmakers show sufficient loyalty to the central government. The move triggered four expulsions and the mass resignation of 15 other members in the 70-seat chamber known as LegCo, effectively eliminating the opposition.