Exclusive | Why is Hong Kong fast-tracking its Article 23 domestic national security law? Catching enemies off guard among key reasons, sources say
- Insiders reveal calculated strategy to catch foreign powers off guard and curb impact of potential sanctions or smear campaigns ahead of passing of Article 23 bill
- But some worry over possibly weakened scrutiny and impact on city’s image just as authorities are ramping up global promotion efforts
The comment was uttered in jest, but there was a lot of truth to it when looking at the barrelling through of the bill in recent weeks. It all began in earnest on January 30 when the government launched a 110-page consultation document that set out the framework which updated and introduced new offences relating to national security.
The feedback exercise lasted a month. Authorities then summarised 13,000 public responses in nine days before presenting a bill to the local legislature on March 8, right smack during China’s annual political gathering in Beijing.
Legislators took six days to finish scrutinising the 181-clause bill that carries life imprisonment for at least four serious offences. Authorities then gave legislators just 11 hours to study amendments they issued late at night before submitting a revised bill the next day.
What explains the sudden speed of the passage of the legislation that was actually more than two decades in the making? Has it been good for the city or will there be a price to be paid? Analysts are left asking these questions as the law looks set to be passed sometime this week.
The Legislative Council will hold a full meeting on Wednesday, when the second reading of the bill could resume, after the House Committee agreed to waive a 12-day notice period.
