China’s top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), is expected to discuss imposing new laws on Hong Kong and Macau during its 30th session from August 17 to 20 in Beijing. Although the details of the new bills are unclear, they are likely to strengthen Beijing’s stronghold over the special administrative regions.
On Tuesday, Chinese media house Xinhua News reported that lawmakers would deliberate a draft decision to include more national laws in the list of legislation in Annex III to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A similar law concerning Annex III will be added to the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The report did not provide more details on the discussion. However, there has been speculation that China may also decide to impose its newly-passed anti-sanctions law on the two cities to effectively retaliate against sanctions by the United States and its allies. The Straits Times mentioned that senior Chinese officials have hinted that Beijing could add to Hong Kong’s already draconian security laws.
As a testimony of its increasing control over Hong Kong, China successfully convicted the first person charged under the National Security Law, introduced in June 2020. Tong Ying-kit, a 24-year old pro-democracy protester, was convicted of terrorism and inciting secession after riding a motorbike into police and flying a flag calling for Hong Kong’s “liberation.” Yong was subjected to the trial without a jury, a departure from the financial hub’s common legal tradition. While Tong’s sentencing is due at a later date, the verdict means that he now risks facing life in jail. In fact, more than 100 people have been incarcerated since the law came into force last year.
The Xinhua report stated that, apart from Hong Kong and Macau’s security concerns, according to the NPC’s proposed plan, lawmakers will review “draft laws on personal information protection, supervisors, legal aid, physicians, combating organised crime, family education and land border and a draft revision to the military service law.” They are also likely to hear draft revisions to the law on scientific and technological progress, the law on prevention and control of noise pollution, the seed law, and the population and China’s new family planning laws. The documents submitted at the session will include “reports on implementing the national economic and social development plan and the implementation of this year’s budget.”
China to Discuss New Laws for Hong Kong and Macau to Further Cement Control Over SARs
China’s top legislature will review proposals to add new national laws for Hong Kong and Macau in its August session. The laws could strengthen China’s hold over the financial hubs.
July 28, 2021
SOURCE: ROY LIU/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES