New Security Law May Come By Mid-2022: Tam Yiu-chung

Hong Kong’s member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Tam Yiu-chung said on Sunday that he thinks Article 23 national security legislation can be completed in the first half of next year.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang said recently that now is the best time to draft local security legislation to "fill gaps" in the national security law, and he hopes to complete the relevant work during the next Legislative Council term.

Tam said he hadn't spoken to Tang about this and his time frame is purely his own estimate.

"It seems in the new Legislative Council term, there's a few months, hopefully they can complete this work in the first half of next year," Tam said after attending a Commercial Radio programme.

He insisted that the legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law will only affect a small number of people.

Asked whether she agreed with her partymate's estimate on the time frame, DAB chairwoman Starry Lee said it is up to the government to decide.

"I think, let the government announce these plans first. But I have to emphasise that Article 23 is a constitutional duty for Hong Kong, and we have all known that for a long time. It's not a new topic in Hong Kong society," she said.

Lee said with ongoing geopolitical tensions, plugging the gaps in Hong Kong's security legislation is urgent.