China passes Hong Kong National Security Law

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) has unanimously passed the National Security Law for Hong Kong on 30^th June 2020. The three-day meeting of the Standing Committee began on 28^th June, on the first day itself the controversial Bill was fast-tracked for approval, on the last day of the meet all 162 members of the Standing Committee approved the Bill.

The National Security Law of Hong Kong is expected to come into effect from 1^st July 2020 onwards. Back in 1997, on 1^st July, the Hong Kong City was handed over to China as a Special Administrative Region from the British rule.

Earlier in the month, under the National Security Law, the establishment of a National Security Bureau in Hong Kong was confirmed after a three day (from 18^th June to 20^th June) meeting of the Legislative Affairs Commission (Top lawmaking committee in China). On 19^th June 2020, it was also reported in Chinese media that all departments under the Hong Kong government will be directly answerable to Beijing once the legislation is implemented.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China since 1997 when the former colony was returned by Britain to China.  Matters related to foreign affairs and defence of Hong Kong are controlled by China, rest it has its own- Executive, Legislative, and Independent Judicial Power.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2020