Lawmakers, government officials, and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee are posing for a group photo inside the chamber of the Legislative Council complex after passing the Safeguarding National Security Bill in Hong Kong, China, on March 19, 2024.
Hong Kong's new national security bill that seeks to "prevent, suppress and punish espionage activities" has left analysts divided on its social and economic ramifications.
Lawmakers in Hong Kong passed the Safeguarding National Security Bill, which has been under scrutiny for provisions such as life imprisonment for 'treason' and 'insurrection,' in a special session on Tuesday.
Hong Kong's Legislative Council had introduced the bill known as Article 23 on March 8, and Chief Executive John Lee had urged the need to pass the law "as soon as possible" given an "increasingly complex" geopolitics backdrop.
Chiu highlighted that the bill was deliberated on, amended, and passed within 11 days — a record time in Hong Kong's legislative history.
Persons:
John Lee, Hong, Dominic Chiu, Chiu, —
Organizations:
Hong, Legislative, National, China &, Eurasia Group, Hong Kong's Legislative
Locations:
Hong Kong, China, China & Northeast Asia, Hong Kong's