The Hong Kong government released its draft draft of a new national security law on Friday ( Mar 8 ) amid concerns that it will further erode freedoms in the financial hub. The draft is being closely watched by some foreign diplomats, lawyers, and businesses.
Following a month-long public consultation time for the Bill, the draft, which includes fresh laws involving treason, espionage, outside interference, state secrets, and insurrection, arrives little more than a week later.
It includes sentences of up to life in prison for treachery, 20 times for spy, and 10 times for state secrets offenses.
According to a previous state declaration, the city’s legislature did begin debating the bill on Friday at 11 a.m. t.p.m.
The Legislative Council will still need to hold several rounds of controversy, as well as a special meeting for the first and second readings, which could take days.
According to the government statement, “national security risks remain imminent and the geopolitics has become more and more difficult.” ” The means used to threaten national security can take a variety of forms, and the threat is suddenly rise.”