The national security law not only carries sentences of up to life in prison, it also gives China jurisdiction to prosecute in mainland China violations of the law that took place in Hong Kong. It is now doing just that with 12 Hong Kong activists who
Tensions are running high in Hong Kong after the pro-Beijing government charged 47 democracy activists and politicians with sedition under the controversial new national security law.
The group is accused of running what has been described as an unofficial “primary” poll in July last year in which more than 600,000 Honkongese voted to select candidates for a legislative election which was due to be held in September. The election was subsequently postponed by Carrie Lam, the territory’s pro-Beijing chief executive, who cited the coronavirus as the reason for delaying the vote.
The charges come just days after the Hong Kong government introduced new oath requirements for public officials – swearing loyalty not to their constituents but Beijing and the Communist Party. The oaths are part of a plan outlined on February 23 by Xia Baolong, the director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, for major electoral reforms to ensure only “patriots” can stan
Patriotism test for Hong Kong officials shows China s growing assertiveness
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China’s changing global power has radically changed the context in which the Hong Kong issue sits. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 2 (UPI) Tensions are running high in Hong Kong after the pro-Beijing government charged 47 democracy activists and politicians with sedition under the controversial new national security law.
The group is accused of running what has been described as an unofficial primary poll in July in which more than 600,000 Honkongese voted to select candidates for a legislative election that was due to be held in September. The election was subsequently postponed by Carrie Lam, the territory s pro-Beijing chief executive, who cited the coronavirus as the reason for delaying the vote.
Last modified on Tue 2 Mar 2021 04.43 EST
A bail hearing for 47 campaigners, election candidates and activists charged with national security offences in Hong Kong has resumed after at least four defendants were taken away by ambulance during Monday’s marathon session, which lasted until 3am.
The group have been charged under Hong Kong’s national security law with conspiracy to commit subversion in relation to an unofficial pan-democratic primary poll held last year before legislative elections that were later postponed.
Prosecutors sought to have bail denied and the case adjourned for three months to allow further time for investigation. The defence objected, questioning why charges had been laid if the case was so far off readiness. By 11pm on Monday, just six submissions had been processed.