Beijing Delays Decision On HK Anti-sanctions Law

Hong Kong's member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) Tam Yiu-chung on Friday said a vote on adding the mainland's anti-foreign sanctions law to the SAR's Basic Law had been postponed.

The NPCSC was originally expected to pass the resolution during a meeting on Friday.

However, Tam said they had decided to keep studying the matter and he believes this will lead to the legislation being "more effective."

Earlier this week, Tam said the NPCSC had consulted the Hong Kong government and the Basic Law Committee on introducing the law to the SAR and the resolution was likely to be approved on Friday.

He had also cited documents as saying that the move was "urgent."

Responding to media enquiries on the matter, the SAR government said the central authorities "always care about the development of the HKSAR and the well-being of Hong Kong people".

"As the highest state organ, the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee make decisions on Hong Kong matters based on the interests of the city. The HKSAR Government fully supports and executes any such decisions," it said in a statement.

The anti-foreign sanctions law, which was passed on the mainland in June, allows for tit-for-tat measures against foreign sanctions on Chinese nationals or entities.