Millions Sign Up To Back New Security Law: Alliance

A pro-Beijing alliance says it has collected over 2.92 million signatures in the past week or so in support of Beijing’s move to bring in a national security law for Hong Kong.

Various pro-Beijing parties and groups under the alliance set up street booths across the territory to collect people’s signatures, while employees at some mainland-owned companies were also encouraged to back the legislation.

On Monday, the alliance said the response shows that the law to cover secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference has "widespread support" in the community.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's only member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and who chairs the alliance, said the legislation will ensure the SAR's safety and prosperity, and will protect "One Country, Two Systems" in the years to come.

He said the signatures will be passed to Beijing's liaison office so it can relay the people’s views to the central government.

Tam said he did not know whether the legislation will be addressed during the standing committee’s next meeting in late June.

"Up to now, I haven't had information about that. Because the standing committee hasn't been meeting now. So maybe later … But I hope it [the legislation] will be finished as soon as possible," Tam said.