Hong Kong: parliamentary session to endorse national security law

After adoption by the Standing Committee of the People's Assembly, the text of this national security law will have to be validated by a presidential order of Xi Jinping, and Carrie Lam will then have to promulgate it. Anthony WALLACE / AFP

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In Beijing, the highest legislative body of Chinese Communist power, meets for three days to ratify the national security law relating to Hong Kong. A project that represents a significant step in the recovery of mainland China in its special administrative region and which arouses criticism of public freedoms in force in the former British colony.

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With our correspondent in Beijing, Zhifan Liu

The exact text of this national security law should only be released after its adoption by the standing committee of the National People's Congress and must be validated by a presidential order from Xi Jinping. Then instructs Carrie Lam, the head of the Hong Kong executive, who admitted that she did not have detailed knowledge of the law, to promulgate this text, probably as early as July 1, the symbolic date of the retrocession of Hong Kong to China .

Traditionally, this anniversary is marked by large demonstrations organized by pro-democracy movements, but in times of epidemic, the parade was prohibited for health reasons. Last year, it brought together several hundred thousand people as Hong Kongers protested against the influence of Communist China in their city.

The end of "one country, two systems"?

For many, this national security law de facto ends the principle of "  one country, two systems" which gave Hong Kong a freedom of expression unknown on the continent and an independent legal and political system. With this law, Beijing will be able to deploy organs in the former British colony to track down anyone suspected of subversion, separatism, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

►Read also: Is the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement defeated?

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  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Carrie Lam
  • Xi Jinping

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