Hong Kong begins public consultation to implement domestic national security law

Hong Kong has begun public consultation on enacting its own national security law, beginning a process to implement the once-unpopular legislation

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong begun public consultation Tuesday on enacting its own national security law, beginning a process to implement legislation that for years was widely opposed by residents who feared the erosion of their civil liberties.

Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 and a crackdown on dissent followed. Many of the city’s leading pro-democracy activists have been arrested, silenced or forced into self-exile. Dozens of civil society groups have been disbanded, and outspoken media outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News have been forced to shut down.

Both the Hong Kong and Beijing governments have hailed the law for restoring stability after the massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

But the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, requires the city to enact its own national security law.

“I want to say that legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law is something that we need to do and have to do as soon as possible because it is our constitutional responsibility,” city leader John Lee said during a news conference. “It’s been over 26 years since the reunification, and we still haven’t completed this duty.”