Latest news with #NationalSecurityLaw
American Military News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Hong Kong grows more opaque on arrests in national security cases
This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission. Hong Kong authorities are declining to provide details of six recent arrests under a national security law, fueling growing concerns about government transparency as it tightens controls on dissent. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday that since the promulgation of the National Security Law in 2020, 332 individuals have been arrested. That was an increase of six arrests since Secretary for Security Chris Tang stated on June 1 that 326 people had been arrested under the law, with 165 convictions. When local media asked about the new arrests, the Security Bureau said detailed breakdowns of arrest figures are 'classified information related to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR and thus will not be made public.' HKSAR stands for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Political commentator Sampson Wong said that in the past the Hong Kong government rarely used national security as a reason to withhold information, and now the public's basic right to know was being damaged. 'At this point, reporters can still detect some of these arrests, but how long will that last? In the future, will people be arrested without anyone knowing?' Wong asked. 'Anything could be labelled a breach of confidentiality. If this continues, the truth will be completely under the control of national security authorities,' he said. The National Security Law was adopted after massive pro-democracy protests in 2019 as Beijing tightened controls over Hong Kong, which had enjoyed greater civic freedoms than mainland China and greater government transparency, including by police. China maintains the 2020 law was required to maintain order. Last month, the Hong Kong government bypassed Legislative Council procedures and unilaterally enacted two new subsidiary laws under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which significantly expanded the powers of Beijing's office overseeing national security in the city. Under the measures, it is prohibited to disclose or film the office's operations; civil servants must cooperate with and support national security operations; and any act that obstructs national security officers from performing their duties is criminalized. While it remains unclear which six arrests happened in the past two weeks, on June 2, the National Security Department arrested one man and four women for allegedly conspiring to commit terrorist activities. The suspects had reportedly used phones, emails, and messaging apps to send messages threatening to bomb central government offices and a sports park, while also promoting pro-independence messages for Taiwan and Hong Kong. On June 6, prominent democracy advocate Joshua Wong, who is already serving a four-year-and-eight-month sentence for subversion, was formally arrested on an additional charge of 'conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.' Last week, authorities also launched a national security investigation into six unnamed persons on suspicion of 'colluding with a foreign country.' But the Security Bureau clarified that no arrests had been made as yet related to that probe.
RTHK
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTHK
'Filmmakers protected by security laws'
'Filmmakers protected by security laws' Ma Fung-kwok says movies produced in Hong Kong in recent years are of high quality. Photo: RTHK The implementation of national security laws in Hong Kong protects filmmakers instead of restricting their creativity, lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok said. Speaking on RTHK's NSL Chronicles III programme, Ma, a senior film producer and distributor, said clear regulatory requirements in the vetting regime after the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect protect filmmakers from violating the law by accident. He said movies produced in Hong Kong in recent years are of high quality. 'I don't think filmmakers' creativity is affected or restricted. Their creativity is unlimited,' Ma said. 'Filmmakers don't always have to address sensitive issues. And if they do, they should do it skilfully so they can convey their ideas without breaching the regulations or violating the law.' He also said Hong Kong is hosting many international arts and cultural events, which are not affected by the security laws.
RTHK
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
CE thanks Xia for support for HK
CE thanks Xia for support for HK The Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, met with the SAR's Chief Executive, John Lee at Government House. Photo: Courtesy of GIS The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, has met with Chief Executive John Lee after arriving in Hong Kong on Wednesday for a five-day inspection trip. Lee expressed gratitude to Xia for his continued concern and support for Hong Kong. The chief executive also welcomed the senior Beijing official to Hong Kong and a forum to be held on Saturday. Their meeting was held at Government House. Xia also met with the heads of the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary, as well as senior Hong Kong government officials. In addition to attending the forum held by the SAR government marking five years since the enactment of the National Security Law, Xia will also inspect the latest social and economic developments of Hong Kong during the visit.
RTHK
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for five-day visit
Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for five-day visit Senior Beijing official Xia Baolong arrived in Hong Kong by bus via Shenzhen Bay Port. Photo: RTHK The Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs arrived in the SAR on Wednesday for an inspection trip to look into the city's development and attend a key forum on national security. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, will be in the territory for five days. On Saturday, he will attend a forum hosted by the SAR government to mark five years since the enactment of the National Security Law. Xia will also learn about Hong Kong's latest economic and social developments during his visit.
RTHK
2 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
'Influx of foreign funds as NSL creates stability'
'Influx of foreign funds as NSL creates stability' Jeffrey Lam says the National Security Law has brought back stability and sparked a return of investments by foreign companies. Photo: RTHK Lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said more foreign funds are coming to Hong Kong as the National Security Law helps to provide a stable environment for businesses. Speaking on RTHK's NSL Chronicles III programme, Lam said the city is attracting the return of funds that were here previously, as well as new ones, with the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance offering confidence to investors. "The National Security Law is an important foundation for social stability," he said. "Why do foreigners invest in Hong Kong and why do the people of Hong Kong re-invest in Hong Kong? It is because of our political, economic and social stability. "I have also been in touch with some of the leading foreign enterprises and have been told they will implement some investment projects in Hong Kong." He said foreign businesses from Asean, the Middle East, Europe and the United States are investing in the SAR again. The businessman and vice-chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance also cited a survey carried out by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong showing confidence among US firms in the SAR reaching a three-year high. The survey showed 83 percent of more than 500 corporate executives expressed trust in the city's rule of law, up from 79 percent last year and 73 percent in 2023.
