Hong Kong’s legislature has unanimously passed a new national security law with tough penalties, including life imprisonment for treason and insurrection.
“Today is a historic moment for Hong Kong,” said city leader John Lee.
The package, known as Article 23, updates or creates new laws and penalties to prohibit treason, sabotage, sedition, the theft of state secrets and espionage, with up to life imprisonment.
The 90-seat council – which has pro-Beijing loyalists – was first presented with the bill on 8 March, following a month-long public consultation, with Mr Lee calling for it to be enacted at “full speed”.
All 88 lawmakers and the legislative council president voted unanimously to enact the legislation, which will come into effect on 23 March.
