Beijing To Have Jurisdiction In Some Security Cases

A deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) said on Monday that Beijing must be able to exercise jurisdiction over the most serious national security cases that arise in Hong Kong.

Speaking at a Basic Law seminar in Shenzhen, Deng Zhonghua said SAR authorities should be responsible for the majority of enforcement work and trials in relation to the upcoming national security legislation.

But he said the mainland will need jurisdiction over "extremely rare cases" where national security has been severely threatened.

Deng said such an arrangement would not undermine Hong Kong's independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication.

He added that the national security law will have "unchallenged authority".

Deng also defended the need for the mainland to base security agents in Hong Kong, saying this is the only way to ensure that the law is properly enforced. He said Hong Kong must nevertheless set up its own enforcement mechanisms as well.

Meanwhile, a deputy director of the liaison office, Chen Dong, said while countries have many different ways to clamp down on social violence, Beijing has chosen to plug a loophole in Hong Kong through legislation.

Chen said this shows the authorities are determined to rule China according to its constitution and legal framework.