National Security Hong Kong - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP

In June 2020, Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution – bypassing the local legislature – following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts, which were broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers, alarming democrats, civil society groups and trade partners, as such laws have been used broadly to silence and punish dissidents in China. However, the authorities say it has restored stability and peace to the city.

Those facing a national security charge face handpicked judges, up to life in prison, and are rarely granted bail. As of mid-2023, security law cases have seen a 100 per cent conviction rate.

LATEST NEWS & VIEWS

Calls for release of Jimmy Lai on media mogul’s 1,000th day in custody ‘slanderous,’ Hong Kong gov’t says

Jimmy Lai, the founder of the defunct Apple Daily newspaper, will have spent three years in custody by the time his high-profile national security trial is expected to get underway in December.

by Hillary Leung 14 hours ago15:18, 27 September 2023

Hong Kong 47: Two democrats who pleaded guilty under national security law to return to court in Oct

Former district councillor Ng Kin-wai and businessman Mike Lam, among the 47 democrats charged in a high-profile national security case, are scheduled to appear in court next month.

by Kelly Ho 18:29, 26 September 202312:56, 27 September 2023

Hong Kong national security police charge woman with perverting course of justice 6 months after her arrest

Marilyn Tang, the sister-in-law of veteran activist Lee Cheuk-yan, was arrested in March.

by Kelly Ho 13:32, 26 September 202313:32, 26 September 2023

Head of Hong Kong journalist group Ronson Chan sentenced to 5 days’ jail over obstructing police officer while reporting

Ronson Chan, the head of the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association, was found guilty over not showing his identification when requested by a plainclothes officer last September, and sentenced to five days in jail before being granted bail pending appeal.

by Hillary Leung 19:00, 25 September 202319:14, 25 September 2023

Over 100 Hong Kong gov’t-subsidised further education providers asked to safeguard national security

The government has revised terms for all courses under the Continuing Education Fund, asking schools to ensure all key staff work to safeguard national security.

by Irene Chan 17:10, 21 September 202317:56, 21 September 2023

Explainer: The decline of Hong Kong’s press freedom under the national security law

by Hong Kong Free Press 17:01, 21 September 202310:37, 22 September 2023

4 former University of Hong Kong student leaders taken into custody to await sentencing in Oct

by Kelly Ho 19:03, 20 September 202319:03, 20 September 2023

Hong Kong loses edge to Singapore as world’s freest economy, as think tank cites interference and waning rule of law

by Hans Tse 17:30, 20 September 202311:47, 21 September 2023

Beijing defends requesting staff details from Hong Kong consulates, calling move ‘international common practice’

by AFP 16:38, 20 September 202318:23, 20 September 2023

Hong Kong nat. sec. law goes ‘beyond genuine national security concerns,’ UK says, as city gov’t slams ‘groundless attacks’

13:47, 20 September 202313:51, 20 September 2023

EXCLUSIVE: Beijing demands consulates in Hong Kong submit data of all locally-employed staff

20:24, 19 September 202315:43, 27 September 2023

Hong Kong man arrested by national security police and charged over alleged ‘seditious’ online content

13:11, 19 September 202313:12, 19 September 2023

Mainland Chinese student jailed for 6 months over plan to display Tiananmen monument banner in Hong Kong

19:17, 12 September 202319:17, 12 September 2023

Self-exiled Hong Kong democrat Ted Hui’s in-laws questioned by national security police – reports

18:58, 12 September 202315:00, 15 September 2023

Terrorism charge against 4 ex-University of Hong Kong student leaders dropped as they plead guilty to lesser crime

18:14, 11 September 202307:28, 13 September 2023

Hong Kong court denies bail to man accused of importing seditious children’s books

17:00, 7 September 202317:41, 7 September 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 38

11:10, 2 September 202317:41, 2 September 2023

Hong Kong’s ‘king of judicial reviews’ says ‘under pressure’ not to challenge gov’t bid to ban 2019 protest song

17:43, 30 August 202317:45, 30 August 2023

Hong Kong national security police arrest 2 in connection with protester relief fund

17:32, 29 August 202317:32, 29 August 2023

COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Impartiality’s not an issue for Hong Kong broadcasters when only one opinion is permitted

Most “contentious public issues have been thin on the ground, and troublesome people are no longer interviewed,” writes Tim Hamlett. “Many reliable sources of ‘opposing points of view’ are in prison. Some others are understandably intimidated.”

17:20, 27 July 202317:31, 27 July 2023

As Hong Kong issues arrest warrants for overseas activists, a brief history of extraordinary rendition

“Where no extradition arrangements exist [between jurisdictions] or are ignored, the process is called ‘extraordinary rendition,’ a polite way of describing forcible abduction at the behest of a state,” writes Philip Dykes.

11:00, 15 July 202312:51, 12 July 2023

When a contract in Hong Kong is no longer a contract

“The government is now wheeling out provisions which make it clear that the sanctity of contract, like other kinds of sanctity, will get no protection if it conflicts with the current passion, which is national security,” writes Tim Hamlett.

23:18, 23 June 202312:06, 24 June 2023

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MONTH BY MONTH DEVELOPMENTS

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 37

10:00, 30 July 202304:31, 31 July 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s new legal precedents after 3 years of the national security law – Part II

10:00, 9 July 202309:14, 17 August 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s new legal precedents after 3 years of the national security law – Part I

16:00, 8 July 202309:14, 17 August 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 36

10:00, 2 July 202313:32, 2 July 2023

Explainer: How 3 years of the national security law transformed Hong Kong – Part I

17:26, 30 June 202317:32, 21 August 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 35

12:00, 3 June 202313:15, 3 June 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 34

10:00, 1 May 202310:23, 23 May 2023

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 33

16:10, 3 April 202317:34, 3 April 2023

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FEATURES

Shifting Narratives: How the official attitude to Hong Kong’s District Councils changed

When the opposition camp swept the board in the 2019 District Council elections, Hong Kong’s then-leader said she respected the result. Now, officials say the advisory bodies provided a platform to advocates of “black riots.”

by Candice Chau 10:00, 20 August 202321:58, 21 August 2023

Explainer: What is ‘soft resistance’? Hong Kong officials vow to take a hard line against it, but provide no definition

“Soft resistance” has been increasingly cited as a threat to national security. But legal scholars have raised concern over the term’s lack of definition, with one calling it a “worrying development.”

by Hong Kong Free Press 08:58, 5 August 202309:00, 5 August 2023

Explainer: Why, and how, the gov’t wants to ban protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

How was the 2019 protest anthem composed? Why is it controversial? Is Glory to Hong Kong banned already? And does the city risk China-style internet censorship?

by Hong Kong Free Press 12:11, 22 July 202320:14, 24 July 2023

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy businesses tread carefully as ‘yellow economy’ reels from reported arrests

After a number of arrests, reportedly related to an app that promoted shops and restaurants belonging to Hong Kong’s “yellow economy,” which supported companies sympathetic to the 2019 protests, business owners told HKFP they feared “the fire was spreading.”