China has passed the controversial new nationwide safety law for Hong Kong in what critics imagine might be the start of a wave of ‘mainland’ political repression. Itemized , China’s top lawmaking body, approved the laws. The passing of the model new legislation has been reported on Now TV, RTHK and the South China Morning Post.
Chinese officials maintain that the legislation bans “subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with overseas forces” and is needed to return stability to Hong Kong following 12 months of pro-democracy protests that shut down suburbs, the airport and universities.
But critics say it’s going to signal the end of Hong Kong’s distinctive “political freedoms” and cut back the Special Administrative Region’s autonomy citing related laws used to subdue dissent in mainland China. Beijing bypassed Hong Kong’s local legislature to cross the new regulation. Best selling has been signed off just 6 weeks after being announced. At this stage Hong Kong residents are but to review the contents of the model new regulation. Hong Kong has a inhabitants of round 7.4 million.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, criticised for being a pro-Beijing ‘puppet’, has made no official comment whether the model new legislation had been passed or not.
“I think at this second, it’s not applicable for me to touch upon any questions related to the nationwide security law.”