Businesses, are apprehensive about how the law could impact their handling of economic data and research
Hong Kong’s international businesses and journalists are worried as the city moves towards implementing a new national security law. This law comes four years after Beijing imposed a similar one, which significantly restricted dissent and silenced pro-democracy voices in the semi-autonomous territory.
Critics argue that this new legislation will further align Hong Kong’s legal system with that of mainland China, decreasing the city’s autonomy. However, the government insists that it will only target a “small minority” of disloyal residents.
Businesses and journalists are particularly worried about the broad provisions regarding state secrets, fearing that their everyday activities could inadvertently become criminalised. The Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, mandates the passage of a home-grown national security law. Previous attempts to enact such a law were met with massive protests, seen as attempts to undermine the civil liberties promised by Beijing after the 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule.
In the aftermath of the 2019 pro-democracy protests, Beijing imposed its own National Security Law in 2020, resulting in the arrest of many activists and the closure of several media outlets. This has left a chilling effect on dissent, with large protests notably absent in the post-pandemic era.
While the 2020 law primarily targeted politically active individuals, the new local law has raised concerns among businesses and journalists regarding potential China-style surveillance and censorship.
Businesses, are apprehensive about how the law could impact their handling of economic data and research. George Chen, managing director of The Asia Group, a policy consulting firm, highlighted these concerns, emphasising the potential impact on companies operating in the city.
The proposed legislation includes provisions for criminal prosecution for the unlawful disclosure of state secrets, mirroring China’s broad definition, which encompasses economic, social, and technological developments, among other areas.
In response to inquiries from The Associated Press, the government stated that the law is aimed at “an extremely small minority of people who endanger national security,” reassuring that ordinary citizens, organisations, and the media sector will not inadvertently violate the law.
The timeline for introducing the bill in the legislature remains unclear, but with the recent electoral overhaul resulting in a legislature packed with Beijing loyalists, its passage is expected to be smooth. The government has indicated its intention to pass the law this year following the conclusion of a one-month public comment period.