2
Wednesday
July 2025
7:55 AM IST
News Headlines
Home   | Main News   | Kerala  | National   | International  | Business   | Sports   | Entertainment   | Columns   | Offbeat   | About Deepika 
International News
LAW China approves contentious Hong Kong national security law
 
Hong Kong: China has approved a contentious law that would allow authorities to crack down on subversive and secessionist activity in Hong Kong, sparking fears that it would be used to curb opposition voices in the semi-autonomous territory. Tam Yiu-Chung, Hong Kong''s sole representative to the Standing Committee of the National People''s Congress, confirmed in an interview with reporters Tuesday that the law had been passed. He said punishments would not include the death penalty, but did not elaborate on further details such as whether the law could be applied retroactively. “We hope the law will serve as a deterrent to prevent people from stirring up trouble,” Tam said in the interview.

“Don''t let Hong Kong be used as a tool to split the country.” The South China Morning Post newspaper and public broadcaster RTHK, both citing unnamed sources, said the standing committee had approved the law unanimously Tuesday. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam had declined to comment earlier in the day, while the Standing Committee was still meeting. She did say that once the law is passed, "the Hong Kong government will announce it and promulgate it for implementation here, and then I and my senior officials will do our best to respond to everyone''s questions, especially regarding the enforcement of this national law.” The legislation is aimed at curbing subversive, secessionist and terrorist activities, as well as foreign intervention in the city''s affairs.

It follows months of anti-government protests that at times descended into violence in Hong Kong last year. Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, as well as Agnes Chow and Nathan Law, issued statements on Facebook indicating that they would withdraw from pro-democracy organization Demosisto. Wong said “worrying about life and safety” has become a real issue and that nobody will be able to predict the repercussions of the law, whether it is being extradited to China or facing jail terms of 10 years or more. Over a hundred protesters gathered at a luxury mall in Hong Kong''s Central business district, chanting slogans including “Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now," with several holding up a “Hong Kong Independence” flag as well as posters condemning the national security law. Police later cordoned off different areas of the mall, including the atrium, detaining and searching several protesters.

The law has met with strong opposition within Hong Kong and condemnation from former colonial ruler Britain, the U.S., the European Union and others. Human rights groups have warned the law could target opposition politicians seen as insufficiently loyal to Beijing for arrest or disqualification from running in September elections for the Legislative Council. Ahead of the announcement, the Trump administration said Monday it will bar defense exports to Hong Kong and will soon require licenses for the sale of items to Hong Kong that have both civilian and military uses. The administration has warned for weeks that if the law was passed, it would take action to end special U.S. trade and commercial preferences Hong Kong had enjoyed since reverting to Chinese rule in 1997.

“The United States is forced to take this action to protect U.S. national security,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. “We can no longer distinguish between the export of controlled items to Hong Kong or to mainland China. We cannot risk these items falling into the hands of the People''s Liberation Army, whose primary purpose is to uphold the dictatorship of the (ruling Communist Party) by any means necessary.” The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to impose sanctions on businesses and individuals — including the police — that undermine Hong Kong''s autonomy or restrict freedoms promised to the city''s residents. Britain says it could offer residency and possible citizenship to around 3 million of Hong Kong''s 7.5 million people.

China has denounced all such moves as gross interference in its internal affairs and foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Monday said Beijing has decided to retaliate with visa restrictions on “U.S. personnel who perform badly on Hong Kong related issues.” “The U.S. side''s attempt to obstruct China from promoting Hong Kong''s national security legislation through the so-called sanctions will never succeed,” Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. China decided to use the National People''s Congress to enact the legislation after opposition within Hong Kong''s Legislative Council and within society as a whole made it impossible to pass at the local level. The law is seen as the most significant erosion to date of Hong Kong''s British-style rule of law and high degree of autonomy that China promised Hong Kong would enjoy at least through 2047 under the “one country, two systems” framework.

Passage of the legislation will also allow the central government in Beijing also would set up a national security office in Hong Kong to collect and analyze intelligence and deal with criminal cases related to national security.


64 arrested in London on Charles III coronation day
Bangladesh police arrest six persons for selling fraud US visa stamps
Erdogan announces extension of grain deal by 120 days
Musk hints at new chief for Twitter
Modi interacts with Biden, Sunak and Macron on sidelines of G20 summit
PM Modi arrives in Bali for G20 Summit and bilateral meetings with key world leaders
Biden says US will 'vigorously' compete with China
Biden admin committed to work with India on its transition away from Russia: White House
Time to act faster on climate change: Rishi Sunak at COP27
Imran Khan-led march against Pak govt to resume Tuesday, discharged from hospital
Massive missile strike by Russia on major Ukraine cities
Stampede kills 8 at concert in DR Congo
UN chief welcomes forming of new govt in Iraq
Erdogan vows to adopt new Turkish constitution in 2023
Boris Johnson pulls out of UK PM race, Rishi Sunak closer to victory
Rishi Sunak would beat Liz Truss if UK PM poll held now, survey finds
Imran Khan stuns PML-N-led ruling coalition in bypolls; wins 6 National Assembly seats
PM Shehbaz dubs Imran as greatest 'fraudster ever'
Imran demands end to 'reign of robbers' in Sindh
Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to 3 yrs in prison
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
'Ponniyin Selvan II' breaches Rs 300 crore mark at global box office
 Chennai: Director Mani Ratnam's magnum opus "Ponniyin Selvan II" has raised over Rs 300 crore at the  
Selena Gomez sets record straight on her relationship status amid dating rumours
Ranveer Singh bags Filmfare Best Actor for '83'
RRR can hit theatres on Holi
KERALA NEWS
Top police official held in gang rape case
 Kozhikode: Police on Sunday arrested a Circle Inspector (station house officer) attached in Beypore
Rain likely to occur many places in Kerala
Two killed as car plunged into well
Kerala CM greet Oommen Chandy on his 79th birthday
NATIONAL NEWS
Quo Vadis, Manipur?
 Imphal - Hardly any state in India has undergone in the last decade the chaos, lawlessness and suffe
27-year-old Hyderabad woman among victims of Texas mall shooting
One held in Swati Maliwal case: Delhi Police
PM to deliver opening address at 'No Money for Terror' event
Untitled Page
Rashtra Deepika LTD
Copyright @ 2021 , Rashtra Deepika Ltd.