Law To Allow Mainland Security Agents Into HK

Beijing intends to draw up a law to "prevent, stop and punish" any acts of secession, subversion or terrorism activities in Hong Kong that threaten national security, with mainland agencies free to set up bases in the SAR if they wish.

A resolution to be voted on by NPC delegates would also authorise the NPC Standing Committee to legislate against intervention by foreign forces in Hong Kong affairs, with the legislation to be added into Annex 3 of the Basic Law.

In order to ensure national security isn't compromised, the resolution says any relevant Beijing departments would be able to set up organisations in Hong Kong "according to needs".

NPC vice-chairman Wang Chen said the SAR government has failed to bring in national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, and the issue has been "demonised".

He said there is a risk that the matter will be stalled for a long time, but the risks to national security have been brought clearly into focus since social unrest broke out in Hong Kong last year.