How Hong Kong’s national security law compares to Macau’s: different reasons, eras for legislation
- Many see new legislation in Hong Kong as much tougher than that adopted by Macau much earlier
- Casino hub enacted its law 11 years ago when the global political landscape was vastly different, and under deeper trust from Beijing
Macau and Hong Kong, neighbouring cities under China’s special administrative system, have national security laws, but while they serve the same purpose, the enactment of such legislation has had strikingly different consequences in both places.
Hong Kong, a city with a population of more than 7 million, also has more vibrant political activism in society, compared to Macau, home to nearly 700,000 people.
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What you should know about China's new national security law for Hong Kong
Macau’s national security law, passed by the city’s legislature in 2009, prohibits seven crimes – treason, secession, sedition, subversion, theft of state secrets, foreign political bodies’ activities in the city, and their establishment of ties with local bodies.
Since 2018, Macau’s leader has been chairing a national security commission comprising local officials, to oversee the enforcement of the law.
Hong Kong national security law full text:
