Hong Kong approves controversial security law US budget: Democrats and Republicans announce agreement

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has unanimously passed the controversial security law for the Chinese Special Administrative Region.

The legislative assembly of the former British crown colony voted in favor of the draft on Tuesday. As a result of the massive protests for more democracy more than four years ago, penalties in Hong Kong are being tightened and the police are being given more power to investigate or arrest suspects in certain cases. Critics also fear further restrictions on freedom of expression.

The government was required to implement the law according to the constitution, but has so far failed to do so. There was no doubt about the approval, as the 90 members of the Legislative Council are considered overwhelmingly loyal to Beijing. There were virtually no protests against the design beforehand. Prime Minister John Lee wanted to get it through parliament as quickly as possible.

In principle, the draft expands the security law that the central government in Beijing introduced in 2020 after the protests in Hong Kong. New additions include the crimes of treason, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage to endanger national security and external interference, as shown in the more than 200-page document. (rbu/sda/dpa)